Differences in macro- and microelement contents in milk and yoghurt

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of macroelements (Ca, Na, K, Mg) and essential elements (Zn, Fe, Se, Cu) in milk and yoghurt collected from the Croatian market. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was used as an analytical technique. Mean concentrations measured in milk and yoghurt were (mg/kg): Ca 1406.9 and 1153.8, K 1995.5 and 1526.5, Na 608.3 and 519.2, Mg 136.4 and 108.0, Zn 3.92 and 3.48, Fe 0.332 and 0.231, Cu 0.005 and 0.124. Significantly higher concentrations of Ca, K, Na and Cu (p<0.01-p<0.001) were found in milk than in yoghurt. The element concentrations measured in milk, with the exception of higher K and Na levels, were in agreement with the literature data. Variations in the content of all elements in yoghurt were found in comparison to data from other countries. These results represent the first data on macro- and microelements from the Croatian market. The variations found in comparison to other countries suggest that unique processes are utilized in the production of yoghurt products.