Aflatoxin B1 occurrence in maize sampled from Croatian farms and feed factories during 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the level of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) in maize sampled from farms and feed factories situated in Northern, Central and Eastern Croatia during 2013, following the occurrence of cow milk AFM₁ contamination. Maize samples (n = 633) were analysed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) as a screening method and High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) as a confirmatory method. Mean AFB₁ value found in maize coming from all investigated regions equalled to 81 μg/kg, with the maximal value of 2072 μg/kg found in maize obtained from Eastern Croatia. The observed contamination might have arisen on the grounds of extremely hot (>98%) and dry (<2%) weather witnessed from May to September 2012 during the maize growth and harvesting period, which might have favoured AFB₁ production and consequently the contamination of dairy cattle feeds. In order to prevent the adverse effects of AFB₁ on humans and animals, and also to reduce losses in agricultural production, systematic monitoring and further investigations of AFB₁ contamination are necessary.