Rapid screening method for aflatoxin M1 in milk.

A rapid screening method for detecting aflatoxin M1 in milk has been developed, based on minicolumn chromatography and requiring 8-10 min for each test. The minicolumn is packed with dry Florisil (100-200 mesh) on the bottom, anhydrous Na2SO4 as the next layer, topped with neutral alumina (70-200 mesh) to which 8% water (wet basis) has been added. A blue fluorescent band at the Florisil-Na2SO4 interface indicates the presence of aflatoxin M1. The limit of detection is estimated to be about 0.2 microgram/kb. Because several items are disposable, both the time to maintain glassware and the cost per determination are reduced.