Influence of Mastitis on Properties of Milk. V. Total and Free Concentrations of Major Minerals in Skimmilk

Abstract

The influence of mastitis on the total and unbound concentrations of eight minerals in skimmilk was investigated with individual quarter milk samples. Wisconsin Mastitis Test positive (WMT > 20 mm) samples contained approximately 9, 8, and 4% less total potassium, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium than corresponding negative (WMT < 10 mm) samples. The positive samples contained about 38, 22, 19, 8, and 6% more sodium, copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Similar changes in the relative concentrations of the eight minerals were observed in ultracentrifugates of the positive and negative samples. The positive samples had higher total and unbound calcium–inorganic phosphorus ratios. © 1970, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.