Estudo da estabilidade da micela de caseina em leite estável e instável não ácido

Abstract

The unstable non-acid milk (UNAM) is characterized by the instability of caseins in the ethanol test and low acidity (≤ 18 °D). This kind of milk is not transported to the industry due to the subjectivity and low precision of the ethanol test, which is not able to differenciate normal (stable), UNAM, and acid milk. The objective of the present work was to contribute for the understanding of the physic-chemical fenomena involved in the stability and instability of the casein micela in UNAM and stable bovine milk, and to develop reliable tests for the identification and diferenciation of stable, unstable, and acid milks. This study included 58 Jersey and 130 Holland cows in lactation. The subclinical mastitis test of Jersey animals resulted in 67% positivity. The most prevalent microbial agent isolated from subclinical mastitis milks was coagulase-positive staphylococci. It was not evidence any relation between subclinical mastitis and UNAM. Significant differences were detected between Jersey and Holland milks, but these were not related with milk stability. Animals with longer lactation period showed highest frequency of UNAM, independent of cow´s race. No significant differences for pH, acidity, somatic cell count, and total bacterial count, were detected between races and stable milk and UNAM. The UNAM showed all the parameter within the patterns stablished by Brazilian legislation, with not significant differences from stable milks. Stability tests in different ethanol concentrations showed that 72% (v/v) ethanol clarely discriminated UNAM and stable milk. Both UNAM and stable milk exhibited the same behavior at high temperatures, indicating that ethanol and thermal stability are not correlated. No differences were detected between the protein electrophoretic profile of stable milk and UNAM, indicating that the instability is not associated with qualitative or quantitative modification of milk caseins. The analysis of total, micelial and soluble calcium and phosphorus showed that calcium concentration in the soluble fraction is higher in UNAM than in stable milk, indicating that ionic calcium can be an important factor in milk stability. Moreover, Ca/P relation was 1.1/1 and 1.6/1 in stable milk and UNAM, respectively. The highest Ca/P relation in UNAM can contribute for the destabilization of the casein micela in the presence of ethanol. The present study originates an invention patent for the evaluation of milk stability, and a logical system for milk transport, that can reduce losses by the correct determination of milk quality. The patented method allows the rapid and efficient identification and differenciation of stable, UNAM and acid mik in the rural property and industry.