Concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in milk and its product: a systematic review and meta-analysis and health risk assessment study

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in milk and its products. The related studies regarding the concentration of PTEs in milk and its products were investigated in international databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Finally, the health risk assessment was performed using Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) by the Monte-Carlo Simulation model. According to the results of 30 included articles among 981 retrieved studies, the ranking of metal concentration was Zn > Fe > Se > Cu > As > Ni > Cd > Pb and Zn > Se > Pb > Cu > As > Ni> Fe > Cd in milk and Butter, as well as Fe > Cu > Pb > Se > Zn > Ni> Cd> As and Fe> Zn> Se> Cu > Ni> > As> Cd> Pb in cheese and Yoghurt, respectively. Based on the type of continents, the highest concentrations of As (0.16 µg/kg), Cd (0.49 µg/kg), and Pb (0.49 µg/kg) were found in yoghurt, cheese, and butter, which was related to Western Pacific Region (WPRO) and European Region (EURO), respectively. Regarding trace elements, the highest concentrations of Fe (3.94 µg/kg), Zn (5.90 µg/kg), and Ni (0.23 µg/kg) were observed in yoghurt, butter, and yoghurt belonging to WPRO and Pan Americas Region (PAHO), respectively. In addition, Se (0.78 µg/kg), Cu (0.57 µg/kg), and Se (0.78 µg/kg) represented the highest concentrations in yoghurt and cheese and were associated with WPRO and PAHO, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment of the PTEs indicated a different risk pattern in various countries, and the TTHQ level in adult groups in all countrieswas lower than 1 except for Italy. Thus, the consumption of milk and its products is safe to the health of consumers.