The content and composition of protein in milk samples from creameries in south-west Scotland were determined over a period of 12 months. The composition of the whole casein was expressed in terms of a sl -, /?-, K-, a s2 -and y-caseins, and that of the total milk serum protein in terms of /?-lactoglobulins (/?-lg), a-lactalbumins, bovine serum albumin, and a mixture of immunoglobulins, proteose-peptone component 3 and lactoferrin (IPL). Concentrations of the individual caseins varied appreciably and for most, concentration was closely correlated with and showed the same seasonal pattern as total casein concentration. Concentrations of the milk serum proteins also varied but only those of /Mg and the IPL fraction were closely correlated with that of total milk serum protein and seasonal trends were not marked. Relative amounts of the individual proteins, on the other hand, showed smaller variations and so throughout the experimental period the milks contained a protein complex of comparatively constant composition. Because of this comparative constancy it would appear that seasonal variations in milk properties in south-west Scotland are unlikely to be determined to a major extent by milk protein composition, but could be more affected by protein concentration. (1978) show that approximately half of the milk sold off farms in the UK in 1977-78 was utilized for the manufacture of dairy products, with the other half going for liquid sales. Of the milk going to manufacture a considerable proportion, especially in Scotland, was used for the production of cheese, condensed milk, skim-milk powder and casein. The yield of these products depends to an appreciable extent on the protein content of the milk (Zurborg, 1978) and their quality could be influenced by the composition of the protein, i.e. the relative amounts of the various caseins and milk serum proteins present. Values for the contents of total protein, casein and whey protein in commercial milk supplies in England and Wales have been reported by Harding & Royal (1974) and for creamery milks from south-west Scotland by Holt, Muir & Svveetsur (1978), but there appears to be little information on the relative amounts of the individual caseins and milk serum proteins in such milks. Therefore we have carried out a detailed analysis of the protein in creamery milks collected over a period of one year in south-west Scotland and the results are presented here.
Statistics published by the Federation of United Kingdom Milk Marketing Boards