Effect of seasonal variation on chemical composition of Cow's milk

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Food Hygiene, Animal Health Research Institute, Shebin El –Kom Branch, Egypt

2 Department of food control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University

Abstract

The main objective of this study were to identify the chemical composition of cow’s milk produced in
Menofiya governorate and determine the effect of seasonal variation on the main components of raw cow's
milk along a year in Egypt with special database for Menofiya raw cow's milk composition. A total of 100
random cow milk samples were collected from different farms and supermarkets in Menofaya governorate
during different seasons [winter-spring-summer and autumn]. Our results showed that the mean values of
fat, T.S., protein, and moisture in winter for cow's milk were 3.6 ± 0.055 , 12.4 ± 0.071 , 3.5 ± 0.046
and 85.5 ± 0.075, respectively, and in summer were 3.1 ± 0.058 , 11.1 ±0.092 , 3.1 ±0.060 and 88.8±0.092
, respectively. From this study we concluded that the major components of milk (moisture, fat, protein and
total solids) are affected by seasonal changes

Keywords