Automated Extraction of Aflatoxin M1 from Milk According to AOAC Method 2000.08 Using the Gilson GX-271 ASPEC System

Aspergillus is both one of the most useful and most harmful fungal genera known. Some species are critical to industrial fermentation processes, while others produce toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are found as contaminants in a variety of staple foods. These compounds are stable and can survive relatively high temperatures, e.g. the milk fermentation process, and are known to cause liver damage, reproductive effects and immune suppression. This application note examines the limits of quantification and detection, repeatability, reproducibility and recovery of aflatoxin M₁ from milk samples.