Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Potentially Toxic Metal Levels in Cheeses Produced in Türkiye: Regional Variation, Milk Source, Ripening Stage, Production Type, and Associated Dietary Exposure and Health Risk
Gürmeriç, Hüseyin Ender; Şengül, Mustafa; Basaran, Burhan
This study investigated potentially toxic metal (PTM) levels in cheeses produced in different regions of Türkiye and evaluated the associated dietary exposure and non-carcinogenic health risk. A total of 84 cheese samples were collected from seven geographical regions and classified according to milk source, ripening stage, and production type. After microwave-assisted acid digestion, PTM levels were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and exposure and non-carcinogenic risk were evaluated using Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Hazard Index (HI). Aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) ranged from <0.00215 to 7.29,<0.00769 to 38.8, and 0.68 to 56.6 mg/kg wet weight, respectively, whereas chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) ranged from <0.58 to 244, <1.26 to 369, <1.88 to 4067, <0.91 to 1378, <0.06 to 12.3, and <2.19 to 1754 µg/kg wet weight, respectively. Values marked with “<” represent concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Arsenic (As) was not detected in any sample. Significant differences were observed for selected PTMs according to ripening stage, milk source, production type, and region (p<0.05). The toxicological contribution (TC) values for nutritional PTM exposure were low. THQ and HI values remained below 1, suggesting a low overall non-carcinogenic risk; however, Pb exceedances in some samples indicate the need for continued PTM monitoring.
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2025Microplastics in Dairy Products: Occurrence, Characterization, Contamination Sources, Detection Methods, and Future Challenges
Gürmeriç, Hüseyin Ender; Basaran, Burhan
In this study, data from 17 studies reporting the presence of microplastics in milk and dairy products in the literature were examined with a product-based systematic approach. In addition, geographical comparisons were made between different countries. In milk and dairy products, the concentration of microplastics has been reported to exhibit a broad range, extending from non-detectable levels to as high as 10,040 MPs per kilogram, contingent upon the specific product types. Milk powder (especially baby milk powder) stands out as the riskiest product group in terms of microplastic content. Although the sizes and colors of the detected microplastics vary significantly, the fiber form is generally predominant. While polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester are among the polymers frequently detected, high-temperature-resistant industrial polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polysulfone, polyurethane were also encountered. In addition, the presence of some polymers (such polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane) that are toxicologically risky for human health was reported in the studies. In addition, the study evaluated the chemical, enzymatic and physical methods used for the separation and identification of MPs; the advantages and limitations of FT-IR, Raman and other analysis techniques were revealed. This study reveals that MP contamination in milk and dairy products is a multidimensional problem. The findings show that milk and dairy products are highly susceptible to plastic contamination at every stage of production.