The vitamin C content of cow's milk

Colostrum is the initial milk secreted by mammals following parturition, the composition and physicochemical properties of which are highly dynamic and variable. The composition and physicochemical properties of colostrum during the initial postpartum period has not been systematically reviewed for many years, although the topic remains of interest both to milk producers and processors. In this article, the current understanding of the composition of colostrum, i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, growth factors, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, nucleotides and nucleosides, cytokines, fats, vitamins and minerals, is reviewed. In addition, the physicochemical properties, i.e. pH and buffering capacity, colour, density and specific gravity, osmotic pressure, somatic cell count, properties of casein micelles, ethanol stability and rennet coagulation properties are discussed, as well as the effects of heat-treating colostrum.

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“…Kon and Watson (1937) reported that the concentration of vitamin C in colostrum is slightly higher than that in milk.…”

Section: Water-soluble Vitaminsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review

McGrath

Fox

McSweeney

et al. 2015

Dairy Sci. & Technol.

314

263

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“…Lundberg ( On the other hand, Kon & Watson (1937) found no appreciable difference in the vitamin C content of either stable milk or pasture milk. Similarly, Riddell, Whitnah, Hughes & Lienhardt (1936) found 2f63 mg. % in stable milk and 2*65 mg.% in pasture milk.…”

Section: Carotene and Vitamin Amentioning

confidence: 91%

Seasonal fluctuations of the vitamin A and C content of Palestinian milks

Guggenheim

1940

Epidemiol. Infect.

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1. The vitamin A and vitamin C contents of Palestinian fresh milk from three different sources were determined at regular intervals during the period February 1938 to March 1939. Between October 1938 and March 1939, these contents were also determined in Jerusalem pasteurized milk.2. The carotene and vitamin A content of Palestinian milk corresponds to that of American and European stable milk. This is due to insufficiency of green fodder in the diet of Palestinian cattle.3. Emek milk from the Valley of Jezreel contains more carotene and vitamin A than does the Kiryath Anavim milk from a hill district, owing to the better supply of green fodder in the valley. Milk from a Jerusalem dairy contains less carotene and vitamin A than does the milk from the nearby Kiryath Anavim settlement.4. All the milks examined show seasonal fluctuations in the carotene and vitamin A content. These variations are in direct relation to the supply of green fodder. The secretion of carotene begins to increase in January to April, according to the source of the milk, and begins to fall in August.5. The average percentage of carotene to the total vitamin A substances (carotene and vitamin A) ranges between 38 and 50. The ratio carotene to total vitamin A varies seasonally and otherwise in accordance with the total vitamin A in the milk.6. The vitamin C content of Palestinian milk lies in the same range as that of European and American milks.7. All milks examined contained considerably more vitamin C during the second than during the first half of the year with a peak in June and July. This increase does not seem to bear any relation to feeding practice.8. The losses of vitamin A and vitamin C found in pasteurized milk correspond with those given by European and American authors.9. Transportation of milk over long distances may cause almost complete loss of vitamin C.

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“…Reported levels of vitamin B6 in human milk vary greatly depending in part on the vitamin intake of the mother, the bioavailability of the vitamin source and the stage of lactation. Average concentrations reported in mature milk from unsupplemented women in industrialized nations range between 0.1 and 0.18mg/l with a wide individual variation between 0.07 and 0.22 mgil (Macy, 1949;Kon & Mawson, 1950;Ford et al 1983). Levels at the lower end of this range suggest inadequate maternal intakes.…”

Section: Vitamin Bcpyridoxinementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The total vitamin BI2 content of human milk only weakly reflects levels in maternal serum. Mean concentrations of 0.2-1.3 pg/l in mature breast milk of unsupplemented well nourished mothers are reported, but with a wide range for individuals and a higher concentration in colostrum (Macy, 1949;Kon & Mawson, 1950;Ford et al 1983). The response to maternal oral supplements is minimal, with levels reaching 1.88 pgA, lower than some values reported in the milk of unsupplemented women (Thomas et al 1980Styslinger & Kirksey, 1985.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin requirements for term infants: considerations for infant formulae

Powers

1997

Nutr. Res. Rev.

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Objective. To provide the informed health professional with an up to date evaluation of the current thinking regarding requirements for vitamins in infant feeds. Establishing criteria for adequacy. Vitamin adequacy in the neonate is currently defined in terms of circulating levels of a vitamin or of the activity of a vitamin dependent enzyme in the erythrocytes. Although these measurements have their value there is a need to develop biochemical, physiological or clinical markers of well defined specific function. For some vitamins there is a risk of deleterious effects of very high intakes: risk of toxicity needs to be taken into consideration when making recommendations for inclusion in infant formulae. Breast milk as the 'gold standard'. Breast milk concentrations of vitamins have been used as the criteria of adequate intake by neonates. This may not always be justified. Greater consideration needs to be given to differences in bioavailability of vitamins from breast milk compared with formula feeds, of the influence of season, and of stage of lactation, on the stated composition. Experimental approaches. Animal studies have provided limited information regarding effects of different levels of intakes on current status indices in the neonatal period. There are few reports of randomized controlled studies into the effects of different levels of vitamins and these rely heavily on biochemical criteria of adequacy. Recent developments. The inclusion of fl-carotene into formula feeds for premature babies is an issue of current interest. What is the justification for this? Are there potential benefits for the term infant? Riboflavin deficiency in the period around weaning may affect the normal structural and functional development of the gastrointestinal tract; some. of these effects may be permanent. Research to be done. A greater understanding of the absorption and metabolism of vitamins during infancy is required in order to help establish dietary requirements. The relative bioavailability of vitamins in human milk and formulae needs to be investigated. Criteria for vitamin adequacy should be extended to include measures of function. Information regarding the conversion factor from tryptophan to niacin in infancy would allow us to set niacin requirements with greater confidence. There is a particular lack of information about concentrations of biotin and pantothenic acid in breast milk and the relative biochemical status of infants receiving breast milk and formulae. Benefits of including fi-carotene into infant formulae need to be evaluated. The role of individual micronutrients in the structural and functional development of the gastrointestinal tract should be explored.

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The vitamin C content of cow's milk

Cited by 44 publications

References 2 publications

Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review

Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review

Seasonal fluctuations of the vitamin A and C content of Palestinian milks

Vitamin requirements for term infants: considerations for infant formulae

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