Overview
Mostafidi and colleagues analyzed 25 raw dromedary camel milk samples from seven Iranian regions by ICP-OES for calcium, copper, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium. Heavy metals are reported in µg/L and minerals in mg/L. The authors conclude lead and cadmium were below the Codex limits in all regions.
Key numbers
- Overall mean lead “4.46 ± 0.65 µg/L”, cadmium “0.30 ± 0.05 µg/L” and nickel “0.53 ± 0.02 µg/L” (Section 3.2 text).
- Regional lead from “2.26 a ± 0.35” µg/L (Sistan-Baluchestan) to “8.28 a ± 2.93” µg/L (Qazvin); cadmium from “0.09 b ± 0.05” (Bushehr) to “0.72 a ± 0.40” µg/L (Semnan) (Table 2).
- Chromium “0.03 ± 0.00” µg/L in Qazvin and not detected elsewhere (Table 2), although the Conclusions say no chromium was traced in any sample.
- Quoted limits: Codex Stan 193-1995 lead 0.02 mg/L; Codex Stan 193-2007 lead 20 µg/kg and cadmium 10 µg/kg.
Methods (brief)
Samples of 0.300 g were microwave digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and read by ICP-OES (IRIS Intrepid II XSP) against five standards (10 to 1000 µg/L), in triplicate. Values are region means ± standard error. No detection limit, reference material or recovery is reported, and per-region sample counts are not given.
Evidence Fitness
Moderate. It measures raw camel milk directly across seven regions by ICP-OES, but has no stated detection limits or accuracy checks, and the per-litre reporting is not reconciled with the weighed sample mass. Some mineral values are implausible (zinc 527 mg/L in Semnan), and the chromium text and table disagree. Lead and cadmium levels are low and consistent with other camel milk surveys.