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Particles in bulk milk capable of causing falsely high electronic cell counts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Alan W. Hill
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Institute for Research on Animal Diseases, Compton, Berks RG16 0NN, UK
Kenneth G. Hibbitt
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Institute for Research on Animal Diseases, Compton, Berks RG16 0NN, UK
Jonathon Davies
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Institute for Research on Animal Diseases, Compton, Berks RG16 0NN, UK Milk Marketing Board Veterinary Laboratory, Cleeve House, Lower Wick, Worcester WR2 4NS, UK

Summary

Bulk milk with an apparently high electronic cell count (ECC) was found to have a normal cell count when the latter was determined directly with a microscope or when cell nuclei were counted with a Fossomatic apparatus. Particles in the form of collapsed spheres formed by aggregated casein micelles were found in bulk milk which accounted for the falsely high ECC values. The ECC value agreed with the values obtained by the other methods if the milk was heated to 55 °C for 15 min before fixation. The shape of the particles and the fact that they were only present after the milk had passed through the milking machine suggested that they may be produced as vacuum vacuoles arising from cavitation in the pump.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 1982

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References

REFERENCES

International Dairy Federation 1979 Somatic cells in milk: their significance and recommended methods for counting. IDF Bulletin, Document 114Google Scholar
Walstra, P. 1980 Effects of homogenization on milk plasma. Netherlands Milk and Dairy Journal 34 181190Google Scholar