Nutrient content of milk and milk products: vitamins of the B complex and vitamin C in retail market milk and milk products

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to update and extend information on the water‐soluble vitamin content of milk and milk products on retail sale. The results are discussed in relation to previously published data. Apart from vitamin C the levels of vitamins in retail pasteurized cows' milk were very similar to those found in milk from the processing dairy. Levels of total vitamin C and folic acid in UHT full cream milk were negligible; vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 were respectively 73 and 56% of the levels in pasteurized milk. Except for nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin, the levels of vitamins in sterilized milk were lower than in pasteurized milk, particularly vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin B12. When compared on an equivalent dilution basis, vitamin B6, thiamine, folic acid and, especially, vitamin B12 in evaporated milk were lower than in pasteurized cows' milk. In comparison, in full cream condensed milk only vitamin B6 was particularly low; vitamin C was particularly well preserved. With the exception of vitamin B12, vitamin levels in reconstituted spray dried milk were similar to those in pasteurized cows ‘milk. Levels in filled’ spray dried milk were on average 70% of those in ordinary dried milks. Apart from vitamin B12 the levels of B vitamins in non health food yogurt were generally higher than in pasteurized milk, especially folic acid. The levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid in goats' milk were only 22 and 11 % respectively of those in cows' milk, but the nicotinic acid level was four times higher. The level of vitamin C in raw sheep's milk was about five times that in pasteurized cows' milk; other levels, apart from folic acid which was similar, were between 1.3 and 5.2 times those in cows' milk.

Concentrations of vitamin C in plasma and milk of dairy cattle

“…Generally, the ascorbic acid values reported in the milk of cows in the present experiment were low and were only about one-tenth of the ascorbic acid found in milk of the sow (Wegger and Palludan, 1982). The values for ascorbic acid concentration in cow milk obtained in the present experiment were similar to those reported by Scott and Bishop (1986).…”

Advanced Dairy Chemistry Volume 3

“…Scott and Bishop (1986) observed almost 10% more riboflavin in summer milk than in winter milk, from both cows and goats. Milks from other species are often good sources of vitamin B2• Abd El-Gawad et a/.…”

“…Sheep's milk contains about twice as much thiamin as cow's milk (Scott and Bishop, 1986). Milk from the two main breeds of Saudi Arabian goats had a thiamin content of 47 and 30 J.lg/100 g, respectively (Sawaya et a/., 1984).…”

Nutrient content of milk and milk products: Vitamins of the B complex and vitamin C in retail creams, ice creams and milk shakes

“…These have included studies on bulk liquid milk (Scott et a1 1984;Florence et a1 1985); baby milk formula (Scott and Bishop 1985); retail milk and milk products (Scott and Bishop 1986); and the concluding studies reported in this and the preceding paper (Scott and Bishop 1988) on cheeses, creams, ice creams and milk shakes.…”