Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk Powder Using Immunoaffinity Columns for Cleanup: Interlaboratory Study

A liquid chromatographic method for determining low aflatoxin M1 concentrations in milk was evaluated in an International Dairy Federation (IDF) interlaboratory study. The study involved 16 participants from 11 countries. The method, chosen after a comparison of several methods by a preparatory group, uses an immunoaffinity column for cleanup. As the sample passes through the column, antibodies selectively bind with aflatoxin M1 (antigen) present and form an antibody-antigen complex. All other components of the sample matrix are washed off the column with water. Then, aflatoxin M1 is eluted from the column with acetonitrile, which is collected. Final determination is carried out by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Over the tested range (80-600 ng aflatoxin M1/kg milk powder), an RSDR ranging from 11 to 23% was obtained by analyzing 24 samples (blind duplicates), 2 samples of which were blanks.