Constituents of Milk
Constituents of Milk
Constituents of milk
Phospholipids
Sterols
− Dominant – cholesterol
− Low amount of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol
Lactose
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Proteins
− 3% - 4% of milk
−
Milk proteins Casein (80%) α (hydrophobic)
κ (hydrophilic) β (hydrophobic)
immunoglobulin β lactoglobulin
These α, β and κ are further divided into groups. Even in local milk, (Batu harak) they have different
type of α caseins and therefore, contribute to different characteristics (different bioactive properties,
immunological properties).
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Casein
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Further Explanation:
Casein structure is reversible. But once pH is lower, aggregations can happen. The isoelectric
point of milk is normally around pH 4.6. Aggregations can happen around this pH.
When pH is increasing from the normal pH, swelling of Casein happens. Therefore, at higher
pH values, dissolutions and destructions can be seen. That is called as the disintegrations.
Based on the different pH, the casein behavior is different and, this takes up for the
manufacturing of different products.
• Solubility
Because of these functional properties,
• Foaming
milk is used to manufacture different kind
• Heat stability
of a products in the industry.
• Aggregation / Coagulation / Gelation
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Minerals
− Average 0.7%
− All essential, micro and macro minerals are there.
− Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, phosphorus and sulfur – relatively
large amounts
− iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, manganese, cobalt, iodine etc. - in trace amounts
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Sodium mg 40 42 50 44 52
Zinc mg 0.40 0.42 0.30 0.54 0.22
Gases
− Milk contains dissolved O2, N2 and CO2
− Gases either dissolve or disperse or chemically bind.
− To remove gases: Deaeration (Instrument: Deaerator)
− CO2 can exist in milk as carbonic acid or bicarbonate. It contributes to the acidity of
milk.
− O2 causes undesirable effects – oxidized flavour development (when the oxygen is
dissolved, fat in milk will be easily oxidized.)
Enzymes
− lipase, protease, lactase, peroxidase, phosphatase, amylase, catalase etc.
− Phosphatase is important in industrial level (specially in pasteurized and sterilized milk)
Vitamins
− Two types Fat Soluble
Vitamin A, D, E, K
Water Soluble
B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C
Some books say that there are no Vitamin C in milk and others say there are minute amounts
of Vitamin C in milk.
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Vitamins
Vitamin A µg 28 61 57 44 53
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) mg 0.044 0.045 0.048 0.065 0.052
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) mg 0.183 0.182 0.138 0.355 0.135
Niacin (Vitamin B3) mg 0.107 0.094 0.277 0.41 0.091
Pantothenic Acid mg 0.362 0.357 0.310 0.407 0.192
Vitamin B6 mg 0.036 0.037 0.046 0.060 0.023
Vitamin B12 µg 0.44 0.53 0.0 0.71 0.36
Vitamin C mg 0.0 0.0 1.3 4.2 2.3
Vitamin D IU 40 41 12 ND3 ND
Vitamin E mg 0.06 0.01 0.07 ND ND
Folate µg 5 5 1 7 6
Vitamin K µg 2 0.0 0.3 ND ND
Pigments
− Xanthophyl, Carotene, Riboflavin
− Carotene – yellow color of milk fat
− Riboflavin – yellowish green tint of whey
Enzymes
− Different kind of enzymes are there.
− E.g.: Xanthine oxidase, Superoxide dismutase
Bioactive compounds
Milk also contains lot of bioactive compounds and these bioactive compounds have different
advantages. E.g.:
• ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitors – help to relax arteries and veins and
reduce blood pressure
• Antimicrobial properties
• Mineral binding
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• Immunomodulatory
• Anti-thrombotic – Act against the clots formation inside vessels
• For dental health, digestive health, bone health, heart health
• Help in weight management
Other
Species Breed Diseases
Age of the animal
Feeding
practices
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− The period from the time the calf is born until the cow ceases to give milk = period of
lactation
− For cattle its 305 days (about 10 months)
− The secretion of the mammary glands for the first few days of lactation - Colostrum
− Milk yield is normally highest after 3rd calving and then it declines gradually.
−
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