POLAR BEAR MILK: I. GROSS COMPOSITION AND FAT CONSTITUTION

Abstract

A sample of milk was obtained from a young polar bear which was killed near the north coast of Lowther Island. The gross composition of the milk was found to be as follows: total solids, 44.1%; ash, 1.17%; fat, 31.0%; solids not fat, 13.0%; lactose, 0.49%; total protein, 10.2%. Gas chromatographic analysis of the milk fat showed that the milk contained at least 14 fatty acids including butyric acid (13.9%), palmitoleic acid (22.6%), oleic acid (33.4%).