Trace elements in raw milk of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Campania, Italy

- The levels of 18 trace elements were determined in 68 buffalo milk samples.
- Farms in the so-called Land of Fires (Campania region, Italy) were involved.
- Comparison with other similar studies all around the world was carried out.
- A low contamination level of toxic metals and a negligible risk to health were found.
- The study may help to create reference values for trace elements in buffalo milk.

The profile of 18 trace elements was traced in 68 milk samples collected from buffalo farms in the territory known as the “Land of Fires” in the Campania region (Italy). This area has been polluted by the illegal dumping in fields of industrial or domestic waste, wich is sometimes then burned spreading toxic contaminants. Milk from buffaloes raised on rural farms might be a good indicator of environmental contamination risk in the human food chain. Trace element analysis in milk was performed using mass spectrometry. One milk sample was found to be non-compliant due to high Pb concentration. In the absence of threshold values for the elements, established through legislation, the results were compared with similar studies from other countries, and in most cases the content determined in this study was in agreement with values reported elsewhere and do not represent a risk to human health.