https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2026.14087
A global assessment of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk and some milk products’ research from 2010 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 15 April 2026
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a toxic compound produced by fungi, frequently contaminates milk and milk products. Therefore, consuming food tainted with AFM1 poses severe, even life-threatening, health risks. This bibliometric study analyzed publications related to AFM1 retrieved from the Web of Science database, covering the period from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2024. We examined articles based on various criteria, including publication year, citation counts, authors, research areas, countries, institutional affiliations, journals, and keywords to pinpoint emerging and trending topics. Biblioshiny (R-packages) was used to visualize global collaboration networks and research hotspots. We identified 844 relevant documents. Food Control emerged as the leading journal in AFM1 research, with 122 publications. China was both the most productive country and demonstrated the highest level of institutional affiliation. Our study provides both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the top 25 journals, most-cited articles, leading authors, and frequently occurring title words in AFM1-related literature. Notably, AFM1 research has experienced significant global growth over the past fifteen years. Therefore, this bibliometric assessment offers valuable insight into the historical development and current trends in AFM1 research. Our findings can guide future investigations and contribute to improved decision-making in healthcare, public policy, and dairy industry practices.
Downloads
Abadura SZ, Jilo SA, Abdurahman M, PNair SK, 2022. Review on public health effects of aflatoxins in milk and milk-based foodstuffs of dairy cow. J Vet Healthcare 2:42-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-22-4105
Adeniji AO, Okaiyeto K, George MJ, Tanor EB, Semerjian L, Okoh AI, 2023. A systematic assessment of research trends on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different environmental compartments using bibliometric parameters. Environ Geochem Health 45:1289-309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01353-2
Ahmedsham M, Amza N, Tamiru M, 2018. Review on milk and milk product safety, quality assurance and control. Int J Livestock Product 9:67-78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLP2017.0403
Akinmoladun OF, Fon FN, Nji Q, Adeniji OO, Tangni EK, Njobeh PB, 2025. Multiple mycotoxin contamination in livestock feed: Implications for animals’ health, productivity and food safety. Toxins 17(8): 365 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17080365
Altun SK, Aydemir ME, Alkan S, 2024. Trends in aflatoxin M1 global research: a bibliometric analysis study. Iran J Public Health 53:175-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i1.14694
AOAC, 2019. Official methods of analysis of AOAC International (21st ed.). AOAC International.
Assaf JC, El Khoury A, Atoui A, Louka N, Chokr A, 2018. A novel technique for aflatoxin M1 detoxification using chitin or treated shrimp shells: in vitro effect of physical and kinetic parameters on the binding stability. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 102:6687-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9124-0
Daou R, Afif C, Joubrane K, Khabbaz LR, Maroun R, Ismail A, El Khoury A, 2020. Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in raw, pasteurized, UHT cows’ milk, and dairy products in Lebanon. Food Control 111:107055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.107055
European Commission, 2006. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. In: Official Journal of the European Union, L 364, 19/12/2006.
Fallah ZA, 2010. Aflatoxin M1 contamination in dairy products marketed in Iran during winter and summer. Food Control 21:1478-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2010.04.017
Fan JL, Shen S, Wang JD, Wei SJ, Zhang X, Zhong P, Wang H, 2020. Scientific and technological power and international cooperation in the field of natural hazards: a bibliometric analysis. Nat Hazards 102:807-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-03919-8
Gonçalves KDM, Sibaja KVM, Feltrin ACP, Remedi RD, de Oliveira Garcia S, Garda-Buffon J, 2018. Occurrence of aflatoxins B1 and M1 in milk powder and UHT consumed in the city of Assomada (Cape Verde Islands) and southern Brazil. Food Control 93:260-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.06.010
Huang XQ, Fan X, Ying WJ, Chen SY, 2019. Emerging trends and research foci in gastrointestinal microbiome. J Transl Med 17:67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-019-1810-x
Hundal R, Shaffer EA, 2014. Gallbladder cancer: epidemiology and outcome. Clin Epidemiol 6:99-109. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S37357
IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, 2012. Aflatoxins. Part F: chemical agents and related occupations. Ed., vol. 100F. IARC, Lyon, France; pp. 225-44.
Iman B, Yuadi I, Sukoco BM, Purwono R, Hu CC, 2023. Mapping research trends with factorial analysis in organizational politics. Sage Open 13:21582440231215984. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231215984
Iqbal SZ, Asi MR, 2013. Assessment of aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products from Punjab, Pakistan. Food Control 30:235-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.06.026
Jeong S, Choi JY, Kim J, 2011. The determinants of research collaboration modes: Exploring the effects of research and researcher characteristics on co-authorship. Scientometrics 89:967-83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-011-0474-y
Kos J, Lević J, Đuragić O, Kokić B, Miladinović I, 2014. Occurrence and estimation of aflatoxin M1 exposure in milk in Serbia. Food Control 38:41-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.09.060
Koshiol J, Zhu B, Wang R, Hildesheim A, Gao YT, Egner PA, Yuan JM, Groopman JD. Association of aflatoxin with gallbladder cancer in a case-control study nested within a Chinese cohort. Int J Cancer 2024;154:801-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.34755
Koshiol J, Ferreccio C, Devesa SS, Roa JC, Fraumeni JF Jr. 2017. Biliary tract cancer. In: Thun MJ, Linet MS, Cerhan JR, Haiman C, eds. Cancer epidemiology and prevention, 4th ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK; pp. 661-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190238667.003.0034
Liu W, Zheng J, Wang Z, Li R, Wu T, 2021. A bibliometric review of ecological research on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, 1990–2019. Ecological Informatics, 64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101337
Malissiova E, Tsinopoulou G, Gerovasileiou ES, Meleti E, Soultani G, Koureas M, Maisoglou I, Manouras A, 2024. A 20-year data review on the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products in mediterranean countries—current situation and exposure risks. Dairy 5:491-514. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy5030038
Miao Y, Zhang Y, Yin LH, 2018. Trends in hepatocellular carcinoma research from 2008 to 2017: a bibliometric analysis. Peer J 6:e5477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5477
Milani JM, 2013. Ecological conditions affecting mycotoxin production in cereals: a review. Vet Med 58:405-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17221/6979-VETMED
Naeimipour F, Aghajani J, Kojuri SA, Ayoubi S, 2018. Useful approaches for reducing aflatoxin M1 content in milk and dairy products. Biomed Biotechnol Res J 2:94-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/bbrj.bbrj_59_18
Okaiyeto K, Oguntibeju OO, 2021. Trends in diabetes research outputs in South Africa over 30 years from 2010 to 2019: a bibliometric analysis. Saudi J Biol Sci 28:2914-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.025
Rama A, Latifi F, Bajraktari D, Ramadani N, 2015. Assessment of aflatoxin M1 levels in pasteurized and UHT milk consumed in Prishtina, Kosovo. Food Control 57:351-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.04.021
Rigueto CVT, Rosseto M, Basso C, Cunha AC, Cordeiro MWS, Pinto VS, Kaufmann AI, Gomes KS, Pizzutti IR, Richards NSPS, 2024. Aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products in Brazil: a review of characteristics, contamination, human exposure and health risks. Ciencia Natura 46:e73745. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X73745
Roila R, Branciari R, Verdini E, Ranucci D, Valiani A, Pelliccia A, Fioroni L, Pecorelli I, 2021. A study of the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk supply chain over a seven-year period (2014-2020): human exposure assessment and risk characterization in the population of Central Italy. Foods 10:1529. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10071529
Semerjian L, Okaiyeto K, Ojemaye MO, Ekundayo TC, Igwaran A, Okoh AI, 2021. Global systematic mapping of road dust research from 1906 to 2020: research gaps and future direction. Sustainability 13:11516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011516
Sivankalai S, Virumandi A, Sivasekaran K, Bala SB, Balamurugan B, Sharmila M, Kaladevi P, 2021. Scientometric analysis and visualization of Astrovirus based on R-packages. LPP 3:1-15.
Sumon AH, Islam F, Mohanto NC, Kathak RR, Molla NH, Rana S, Degen GH, Ali N, 2021. The presence of Aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products in Bangladesh. Toxins 13:440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13070440
Synnestvedt MB, Chen C, Holmes JH, 2005. CiteSpace II: visualization and knowledge discovery in bibliographic databases. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2005:724-8.
Usman M, Ho YS, 2020. A bibliometric study of the Fenton oxidation for soil and water remediation. J Environ Manage 270:110886. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110886
Van Noorden R, 2015. Interdisciplinary research by the numbers. Nature 525:306-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/525306a
Wei X, Yang F, Chen D, Li J, Shi X, Li B, Zhang C, 2020. Analyzing nanoparticle-induced neurotoxicity: a bibliometric analysis. Toxicol Ind Health 36:22-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233719900844
Xiong J, Wen D, Zhou H, Chen R, Wang H, Wang C, Wu Z, Qiu Y, Wu L, 2022. Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in yoghurt and milk in central-eastern China and the risk of exposure in milk consumers. Food Control 137:108928. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108928
Yang J, Zhao Y, Li M, Du M, Li X, Li Y, 2019. A review of a class of emerging contaminants: the classification, distribution, intensity of consumption, synthesis routes, environmental effects and expectation of pollution abatement to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). Int J Mol Sci 20:2874. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20122874
CRediT authorship contribution
Oyebade Olusegun Ikusika: conceptualization, writing - original draft preparation. Conference Thando Mpendulo: Writing- review and editing. Oluwakamisi Festus Akinmoladun: data curation, writing - review and editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
How to Cite
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.