2011
Volume 11, Number 1, p.p. 36–39
A simple method for the detection of melamine in milk powder using high performance liquid chromatography
Farzaneh Ansari,1, * Mansooreh Mazaheri,1 Nader Hatam Beygi2 and Fahimeh Alizadeh2
1 Institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI), Karaj, Iran
2 Kimia Test Farm Laboratory, Tehran, Iran
In some recent incidents infant formula milk and other dairy products have been found to be contaminated with melamine; this follows an earlier melamine contamination outbreak in pet food in 2007. Toxicology studies show ingestion of melamine in large quantities may lead to reproductive damage or bladder cancer due to the formation of bladder/kidney stones. Measurements of melamine in infant formula milk have been made during the period January to March 2010 using high performance liquid chromatography. 20 infant formula milk samples were collected and among these melamine was detected in 7 samples, above the maximum tolerated level (MTL) that is under discussion for the codex of food contaminants (1 mg/kg). The method for the extraction of melamine is very simple and fast. The sensitivity threshold of the detection method (0.03 ppm) is mach lower than the maximum allowed limit (1 ppm).
Keywords: high performance liquid chromatography, infant formula, melamine