Nutrient content of liquid milk

Abstract

Summary Concentrations were measured of different vitamins in milk as delivered to the home and after storage in the domestic refrigerator, during summer and winter periods. Vitamin C concentrations varied greatly, ranging from 0·1 to 18·4 εg/ml. Most of the lower vitamin C values were associated with known exposure of the milk to daylight and there was a clear tendency for the concentrations to fall with increased time of refrigerated storage especially when associated with prior exposure of the milk to daylight. Riboflavin values were mostly in the range 1·35–1·92εg/ml, but occasional lower values were associated with low content of vitamin C and in some instances with prolonged exposure to daylight on the doorstep. Concentrations of the other vitamins (εg/m1) were: folic acid 0·041–0·074, thiamin 0·38–0·48, vitamin B 12 0·0032–0·0044 and vitamin B 6 0·56–0·71. All fell within the normal ranges and were not significantly influenced by exposure of the milk to daylight or subsequent storage in the refrigerator.