Macro-Elements in Raw Sheep Milk Samples from Şanlıurfa, Turkey

The purpose of this study was to determine the content of macro-elements (calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium) in raw sheep milk samples by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted digestion with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The raw sheep milk samples were gathered from two boroughs (Akcakale, Halfeti) of Şanliurfa city. The mean concentration of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium were 1450.33 mg L -1 , 1245.58 mg L -1 , 139.54 mg L -1 , 340.8 mg L -1 , respectively. The microwave acid digestion method of this study could provide a useful alternative for the characterization of milk and dairy samples. The studied macro-elements were found to be healthy contribution for daily nutrition to consumers.