摘要：The purpose of this study was to assess the concentrations of eleven elements (sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)) in raw cow milk samples collected from Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, and Mardin provinces of Turkey. Ninety-nine raw cow milk samples were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) following microwave digestion. Potassium, phosphorus, and calcium were the most abundant elements with the average concentrations of 1391.74±548.62, 1089.26±271.75, 853.87±251.27 mg L~(-1), respectively. The concentrations of the toxic elements (lead, arsenic, and cadmium) were found under the limit of detection (<1µgL~(-1)). When the raw milk samples were compared in terms of Na content, a statistical significance was observed between Gaziantep and, Sanliurfa and Mardin (P<0.001). The P element contents showed a significant difference between Sanliurfa and, Gaziantep and Mardin (P<0.001). Moreover, K and Cu element contents were statistically significantly different between the samples collected from Mardin and, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep (P<0.05). Ca, Fe and Zn elements also showed a significant difference between Gaziantep and, Sanliurfa and Mardin (P<0.001). In this study, the Pb, Cd and As levels were below the detection limit (<1µgL~(-1)) indicates that there is no toxic metal pollution in these areas. These results show that raw cow milk samples are suitable for human consumption. Further studies are required on milk and dairy products to ensure food safety.
