Abstract
A total of 50random samples of locally manufactured Egyptian soft cheese including (25 each of Damietta and fresh kariesh cheese) were collected from different markets and shopkeepers in Mansoura city, Egypt. Each sample was divided under complete hygienic measures with a clean sterile, knife into two parts; the first part was prepared for estimation by qualitative lateral flow test (strip test) and the second one was subjected to quantitative estimation test by (Immune Affinity Column with Flurometric Assay). The obtained results for qualitative detection of Aflatoxin M1 revealed that 8 (32%) of Kariesh cheese samples were contaminated by Aflatoxin M1 and 12 (48%) of Damietta cheese were contaminated byAflatoxin M1. Concerning the concentration of Aflatoxin M1 in examined fresh Kariesh cheese and Damietta cheese samples for the minimum was 1.95 and 1.54, the maximum were 6,11 and 14.73 with a mean value 3.6 and 6.7 ppb, respectively. It had been emphasized that all results of this study exceeded the Egyptian regulations, European commission (EC) regulations and US regulations which recommend that cheese sample must be free from Aflatoxin M1, do not exceed 250 ng/L, and do not exceed 5 µg/kg in milk, respectively. It was concluded that the qualitative method of detection of mycotoxin has great benefit in minimizing cost of regulations and monitoring and give a chance to easily set regulation for quality control .Also, quantitative methods with highly detectable limits give accurate results to estimate the level of impact.