Multi Element Analysis of Cow Milk: Geographical Origin Determination and Potential Health Risk Assessment

Milk consumption rendering the proof of geographical provenance is a vital issue in food and consumer protection. The present study deals with discrimination of Bangladeshi cow milk according to their region of production using multi element compositions. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, As, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na and K in fresh cow milk from four climatic zones (South-Central, South-Western, Western and North-Western) were measured by flame and graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectroscopy (FAAS and GFAAS). The reliability of measured analytical data were validated by certified reference milk powder (IAEA-153). Statistical Canonical discriminate analysis indicated clear regional individuality based on some element that can contribute to protect geographical indication. The correlation coefficient matrix showed positive correlation among metals except copper. In addition, health risk assessment by the calculated values of daily intake of analyzed metals, health risk index and hazard index were lower than reference values, indicating that the consumers are not likely to be metal toxicity due to milk consumption from four studied region.