Determination of heavy metals amount in raw milk of Bangladesh

Abstract

Milk is an indispensable part of the human food regimen that serves several nutritional benefits. Although milk is rich in micronutrients and macronutrients, heavy metal contamination of milk and dairy products is a serious concern. The distribution and deposition of heavy metals and trace elements including Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Cr, Pb, As, etc in different administrative areas of Bangladesh were investigated in this study. All transition metals, regardless of whether they are considered essential or potentially harmful, can have a negative effect on humans and animals if added to the diet in excessive amounts. The samples were prepared for examination by ashing, and after acid digestion, the heavy metals were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations obtained in mg/kg were in the range of (0.447 ± 0.043), (0.314 ± 0.077), (0.152 ± 0.025), (0.065 ± 0.022), (0.008 ± 0.002), (0.026 ± 0.003), (0.158 ± 0.027), (0.007 ± 0.001) for iron, copper, zinc, manganese, lead, cadmium, chromium and arsenic respectively. The study was implemented to assess the concentration of heavy metals and if these heavy metals fell below the World Health Organization's permissible standards (WHO). The investigation disclosed high quantities of iron and other metals that were above WHO guidelines. Iron (Fe) concentrations were higher compared to WHO standards (0.5 mg/kg) in raw milk from all divisions except Chittagong. As heavy metal contamination has been a public health concern in recent years, additional research is needed to ascertain the precise origins of heavy metals in raw milk.