ABSTRACT
        Background and Objective: Mycotoxins are a group of relatively resistant toxic metabolites. The most important mycotoxins are aflatoxins (B1 and B2, G1 and G2), which originate from contaminated animal feed. Dairy cattle transmit aflatoxins B1 and B2 through milk in form of aflatoxins M1 and M2, and endanger the human health. Traditional buffalo farms play an important role in the supply of dairy products in Khuzestan Province. In addition, the province has suitable conditions for the growth of various types of fungi. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the amount of aflatoxins in buffalo feed samples collected from two main suppliers of milk in the province (Ahvaz and Karun).
         Methods: Overall, 60 samples were collected during the 3 months of autumn 2014. Samples were analyzed by the sensitive and fast method of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
         Results: The concentration of aflatoxin ranged from 0.77 to 64.85 μg/Kg. In addition, the concentration of aflatoxin in 21 samples was higher than the permitted limit (25 μg/Kg).
        Conclusion: The mean concentration of aflatoxin in the samples increases with the decrease in temperature and humidity. This increase is observed in Ahvaz at a higher rate, which could be due to inappropriate storage and use of rice bran in their feed.
         Keywords: Aflatoxins,  Ahvaz, Animal Feed.

ABSTRACT
       Background and objectives: Contamination of food products with mycotoxins is a public health problem. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified mycotoxins as hepatotoxic and carcinogenic agents to humans (Group 1). The Kurdistan Province is the ninth largest producer of wheat in Iran. We aimed to determine the level of contamination with total aflatoxin (TAF), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in 66 wheat samples randomly selected from 11 wheat flour factories in spring and summer.
       Methods: The level of toxins was measured by microtiter plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a microtitre plate ELISA reader and total AF, AFB₁ and OTA commercial kits.
      Results: Overall, the level of TAF and AFB in 16.67% of the samples exceeded the maximum tolerable limit set by the Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). However, the level of OTA contamination did not exceed the maximum tolerable limit set by the ISIRI. In addition, the level of TAF, AFB₁ and OTA exceeded the maximum tolerable limit set by the EU in 68.18, 90.91 and 36.36% of the samples, respectively. The level of contamination with these mycotoxins differed significantly in spring and summer (P<0.05).
      Conclusion: The level of mycotoxin contamination in wheat samples produced in the Kurdistan Province is alarmingly high and appropriate measures should be taken to eliminate the causes of this issue.
         KEYWORDS: Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B_1, Ochratoxin A, Wheat, ELISA.

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Local cheese made from raw milk is one of the most commonly consumed dairy products in the world. Mycotoxin contamination of foodstuff and its transmission to consumers are extremely important public health issues. The purpose of this survey was to determine the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residues in Koupeh cheese, a traditional fermented Iranian cheese produced in spring and summer.
           Methods: We randomly collected 48 local cheese samples produced in Mahabad (northwest of Iran) during spring and summer. The level of AFM1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay using commercial kits and a microplate reader.
           Results: All samples contained measurable amounts of AFM1. Cow milk cheese samples contained higher level of AFM1 compared to sheep milk cheese samples. The level of AFM1 in the samples from both animals was lower in summer. There was no significant difference between the mean level of AFM1 in summer and spring. Moreover, 33.3% of cow milk cheese samples collected in spring and 16.6% of the samples collected in summer contained toxin levels higher than the maximum allowed concentration set by the European Commission (250 ng/Kg) and by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (200 ng/Kg).
           Conclusion: The results of this study show that the level of AFM1in Koupeh cheese is influenced by the livestock type and production season, in a way that the level of contamination is higher in spring.
           Keywords: Cheese, Cultured Milk Products, Aflatoxin M1, ELISA.

Background and objective: Human breast milk is the primary food for newborns that possess all essential nutrients for their growth and health. However, breast milk can be contaminated with various toxins including aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 formed in the liver and excreted into the breast milk. This toxin can have immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the level of AFM1 in human breast milk samples from Jiroft (Kerman Province), Iran.
     Methods: A total of 84 human breast milk samples were collected from lactating mothers who were referred to number one clinic in Jiroft from April 2016 to January 2017. The level of AFM1 was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
      Results: Aflatoxin M1 was detected in all (100%) human breast milk samples within the interval values of 3.2 to 8.8 ng/L (mean, 4.1±0.7 ng/L). The level of AFM1 in all samples was lower than the maximum tolerable limit (25 ng/L) suggested by the EU and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
      Conclusion: Although AFM1 is present in all human breast milk samples from the city of Jiroft, the level of this toxin is within the tolerable limit. Therefore, it seems that infants are not at risk.