Heavy metals in small ruminant's milk from Algerian area steppe

The total contents and distributions between soluble and colloidal phases of heavy metals (Pb,Cd and Cr) in milk of two ewe’s breed (Ouled-Djellal and Rumbi) (n = 20 each) and one local goat (n = 10) reared in Algerian area steppe, were evaluated. Ewes and goats were conducted in the same herd with similar housing and feeding. All animals were pastured in non-polluted region of Djelfa. Individual milk samples were collected three times during spring season and analyzed for their heavy metal contents. Ewe’s milk exhibited higher (P ≤ 0.001) levels of Pband Cd than goat’s milk but lower (P ≤ 0.001) value of Cr. The average Pb and Cd contents were 0.181 ± 0.062 ppm and 0.061 ± 0.021 ppm for ewe’s milk and 0.070 ± 0.023 and 0.012 ± 0.004 for goat’s milk respectively, which was considered as tolerable levels for human consumption. The concentrations of Cr were 0.054 ± 0.023 ppm and 0.131 ± 0.058 ppm for ewe and goat milks, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two breeds of Algerian ewe’s milk. Theses toxic elements were not in dangerous concentrations.