Milk salts: Technological significance

Abstract

Mammalian milk contains all the essential components to sustain the growth and development of the newborn suckling. Usually, this is taken to mean the protein, fat and carbohydrate, but it must also apply to the mineral components, the milk salts, including the citrates, phosphates and chlorides of H +, K+, Na+, Mg2+ and Ca 2+, whether as ions in solution or as colloidal species complexed with the caseins. These minerals are essential for bone growth and development, for efficient cellular function or for maintaining osmolality in the wake of carbohydrate (lactose) synthesis. Like the other components, all these mineral species are there for a purpose and until weaning, milk may often be the only source of these essential elements. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.