TR
EN
Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the mineral and heavy metal contents of traditional cheeses from the Southeastern Anatolia region of Türkiye, and to assess inter-provincial differences as well as potential public health risks. A total of 30 cheese samples were analyzed for 15 minerals using the Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), including Mardin Melted Cheese (Mardin), Şırnak Herbed Cheese (Şırnak), Batman Koçer Cheese (Batman), Diyarbakır Braided Cheese (Diyarbakır), and Urfa/Şanlıurfa Cheese (Şanlıurfa). Intergroup differences were evaluated using ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests, relationships between minerals were assessed with correlation analysis, and geographical origins were examined using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Mean mineral concentrations, from highest to lowest, were Na > Ca > K > Mg > Zn > Fe > Al > Pb > Cu > Cd > Mn > Cr > Ni > Se > As. Correlation analysis indicated strong positive associations between certain minerals, such as Pb and Cd, and notable negative associations, such as Zn and Ni, suggesting some elements co-occur while others vary inversely due to shared environmental or production-related factors. Principal Component Analysis identified six components explaining 80.80% of variance, showing province-specific patterns: higher Pb and Cd in Şırnak, elevated Ni, Mg, and Mn in Şanlıurfa, increased Ca and Zn in Diyarbakır and Batman, and an intermediate composition in Mardin. These findings underscore the importance of regularly monitoring heavy metals, including Pb, Cd, and As, in traditional cheeses to ensure food safety and protect public health.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
This study was supported by the Mardin Artuklu University Scientific Research Project Unit under project number 25161.
Project Number
25161
Ethical Statement
This study is not subject to HADYEK permission pursuant to Article 8(k) of the "Regulation on the Working Principles and Procedures of Animal Experimentation Ethics Committees."
Thanks
We would like to thank the Mardin Artuklu University Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship for providing financial support for this project.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Veterinary Food Hygiene and Technology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 24, 2025
Submission Date
November 9, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 9, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 2
APA
Gürbüz, S., & Çelikel, A. (2025). Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 14(2), 169-179. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1820603
AMA
1.Gürbüz S, Çelikel A. Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;14(2):169-179. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1820603
Chicago
Gürbüz, Semra, and Aslı Çelikel. 2025. “Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14 (2): 169-79. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1820603.
EndNote
Gürbüz S, Çelikel A (December 1, 2025) Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14 2 169–179.
IEEE
[1]S. Gürbüz and A. Çelikel, “Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye”, Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 169–179, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31196/huvfd.1820603.
ISNAD
Gürbüz, Semra - Çelikel, Aslı. “Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14/2 (December 1, 2025): 169-179. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1820603.
JAMA
1.Gürbüz S, Çelikel A. Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;14:169–179.
MLA
Gürbüz, Semra, and Aslı Çelikel. “Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 169-7, doi:10.31196/huvfd.1820603.
Vancouver
1.Semra Gürbüz, Aslı Çelikel. Mineral and Heavy Metal Contents of Traditional Cheeses Produced in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025 Dec. 1;14(2):169-7. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1820603
