Milk is an animal‐origin food with high nutritional value. After the milk is obtained, its composition is affected by the tools and equipment used (such as filter, holding tank) its environment and heat treatments applied to milk. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different heat treatments on the concentration of certain minerals and heavy metals in milk. Raw cow's milk, pasteurized milk (control, microwave, and infrared‐assisted microwave), and UHT milk samples were used in the study. Al, As, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fr, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, and Zn concentrations were investigated in these samples. Al and Ni concentrations of whole samples were statistically significant (p < .05). No significant differences have been found in terms of other heavy metal concentrations. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference between the pH values of the samples (p > .05). Both Al and Ni concentrations were found to be very low in infrared‐assisted microwave applications. As a result, infrared‐assisted microwave application revealed that the level of Al and Ni concentrations in milk was low. Besides, heavy metal toxicity can cause a variety of diseases in humans. Therefore, the effects of heavy metal levels below or above permitted limits in milk on human health were discussed in this study.
Practical applications
In our study, it was found that both Al and Ni concentrations were found to be very low in infrared‐assisted microwave applications. There was no significant difference between applications in terms of the contents of other heavy metals and minerals. For all these reasons, it was concluded that infrared‐assisted microwave application may be capable of reducing the danger of heavy metals such as Al and Ni concentrations in milk. Further research is needed on the subject.