The Minerals and Heavy Metals in Cow's Milk from China and Japan

Abstract

Cow's milk is an important foodstuff and beneficial to human health. In the present study, commercial milks from China and Japan and raw milk from Inner Mongolia of China were collected. The contents of 18 elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Our analysis showed both Chinese and Japanese milks are rich in macroelements, such as calcium, potassium. However, the milk contents of chromium, manganese and zinc, which belong to microelements, were higher in Chinese commercial milks than in Japanese commercial milks. Heavy metals in food pose potential healthy risk. Although lead and cadmium contents in Chinese milk did not exceed the tolerance limits of Chinese National Standards, they were higher than those in Japanese commercial milks. Based on the high contents of some microelements and heavy metals in Chinese milk, we should innovate the technology and improve quality control for milk process and decrease environmental pollution.