Effect of ultrasonic treatment on heavy metal decontamination in milk

Ultrasound has been found useful in increasing the efficiency and consumer safety in food processing. Removal of heavy metal (lead, mercury, and arsenic) contamination in milk is extremely important in regions of poor ecological environment – urban areas with heavy motor traffic or well established metallurgical/cement industry. In this communication, we report on the preliminary studies on the application of low frequency (20 kHz) ultrasound for heavy metal decontamination of milk without affecting its physical, chemical, and microbiological properties.