Fluorescent light-Activated Flavor in Milk1

Abstract

Homogenized milk packaged in polyethylene containers exposed to fluorescent lights showed flavor and vitamin deterioration. Off-flavor development began within 2 to 4 h after exposure to a lighting system simulating commercial display cases. Detection of light-induced flavor was slight, medium, and strong after 4, 7 and 24 h of exposure. Decreases in riboflavin and ascorbic acid were directly proportional to the amount of light exposure. Various types of colored lamps and lamp filters were tested to prevent this off-flavor and vitamin degradation in milk. Yellow lamps or yellow and green filters protected milk from off-flavor development for 30 to 40 h. It is evident that light-induced off-flavors and vitamin destruction in fluid milk packaged in polyethylene containers can be reduced by colored lamps and lamp filters.