The use of multi element profiling to differentiate between cow and buffalo milk

The multi element profile of milk from 12 cows and 6 water buffaloes was investigated, to establish whether dairy products derived from the two species could be distinguished. Multi-element data were obtained using ICP-MS. Following assessment against the team's QA/QC criteria, or where the levels were below the LOD for the procedure, 16 elements (P, S, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cs and Ba) were submitted for statistical analysis. Using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) it was possible to differentiate between milk from the two species, produced under identical environmental and animal husbandry conditions, oil one farm. Tile sources of food and water available for consumption by tile animals were also analysed and the results showed that there was no correlation between tile elemental composition of the dietary components and the profiles observed in the milk. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.