Research Information System
2nd INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CONGRESS, İstanbul, Turkey, 22 - 23 February 2025, pp.89
In the study, 51 cheese samples obtained from local producers and markets around Iskenderun were examined in terms of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and tin (Sn) heavy metals and it was aimed to reveal possible public health risks. These trace elements have an important place due to their relationship with environmental pollution, milking, tools and equipment used in dairy production and packaging materials.
In cheese samples, the presence of heavy metals Al, Ni, Cu and Sn were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) device. In all cheese samples (51/51), the mean Al was 9.54 ppm (1.37-18.4), Ni was 760.83 ppb (142.96-2036.28), Cu was 524.95 ppb (130.59-1919.25) and Sn was 38,98 ppb (1,02-92,85).
Samples sourced from local producers and markets are produced in small dairies or on the farm, using different equipment of variable quality. The release of metals from cheese containers is significant. Therefore, cheese containers should not contain these toxic metals, and the use of appropriate equipment and materials should be ensured. The results of the study suggest that the presence of contamination due to the tools-equipment used during production may pose a public health risk.