In the current investigation, attempts were made to determine if ozone treatment can affect the
aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) content of milk. Aflatoxin M1 by a pre-determined concentration of 0.56 μg/
Kg was added to milk. Milk samples, were then exposed to gaseous ozone (80 mg/min) in
containers for durations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 min. The longer exposure time to ozone was
more efficient in breaking down the AFM1 in milk. Results indicated that AFM1 was reduced by
50%, when milk was ozonated at for 5 min. The pH and oxidation value of milk did not change
significanty as a result of the treatments. The β-carotene content was significantly reduced and
the total microbial count in milk decreased parallel to the longer exposure time. Also, it was
through this longer exposure time by ozone that the L* values of milk increased significantly
(p < 0.05), while the b* values significantly decreased. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
first study that uses ozone to degrade AFM1 in milk
