A Comparative Study on the Physicochemical Parameters and Trace Elements in Raw Milk Samples Collected from Misurata- Libya

Abstract

This research work was carried out to compare the physicochemical parameters of milk samples from four different animal species namely cow, goat, camel and sheep. Milk samples were collected from different areas of Misurata, Libya and analyzed for the key physiochemical parameters, pH, titratable acidity, total solids, ash, fat, protein and lactose. Furthermore in this study the concentrations of Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb) in similar commercial milk specimens from the same area were determined using microwave plasmaatomic emission spectrometry In fresh cow’s milk, the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K were 0.13± 0.19 (mg/l), 0.004± 0.001 (mg/l), 0.04± 0.01 (mg/l), 0.17± 0.11 (mg/l), 0.72± 0.02 (mg/l), 1.98± 0.04 (mg/l), 214.00± 0.20 (mg/l), 0.080± 0.05 (mg/l), 423.0± 3.5 (mg/l) and 427.0± 2.5 (mg/l), respectively. While the mean concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the goat’s milk were 0.761 ± 0.78 (mg/l), 0.085 ± 0.02 (mg/l), 1.253 ± 0.18 (mg/l), 0.400± 0.08 (mg/l), 1.23± 0.21 (mg/l), 3.110± 0.15 (mg/l), 140.0± 0.31 (mg/l), 0.097± 0.07 (mg/l), 473± 5.12 (mg/l) and 510± 6.05 (mg/l), respectively. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the camel’s milk were 0.025 ± 0.019 (mg/l), 0.091± 0.05 (mg/l), 0.069± 0.07 (mg/l), 0.080 ± 0.05 (mg/l), 1.680 ± 0.43 (mg/l), 5.380 ± 1.17 (mg/l), 120.0 ± 0.11 (mg/l), 0.094 ± 0.04 (mg/l), 520.0 ± 0.32 (mg/l) and 571.0± 0.81 (mg/l), respectively. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, Ca and K, in the sheep’s milk were 0.062± 0.03, 0.106± 0.11, 0.040± 0.01, 0.201± 0.10, 0.880± 0.31, 5.350± 0.50, 180± 1.20, 0.072± 0.01, 478± 3.10, and 593.96± 1.87, respectively.