Aflatoxin M1 Contamination and Antibacterial Residues in Milk in Kosovo

A survey was performed to assess the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AM1) and antibacterial residues in milk produced in Kosovo in 2009. AM1 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 3 % of the tested samples, but the contamination was consistently below the limit (50 ng/kg) set by the European Union (EU). Antibacterial residues were detected in 5 % of milk samples tested by an inhibition assay (Delvotest SP). The results were confirmed by specific receptor assays (SNAP tests, IDEXX), and 40 of 52 samples were positive for beta-lactam antibiotics. The presence of residues of ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin G, and cloxacillin (12/25 at concentration > Maximum Residue Limits) was confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.