Identifier

etd-11072005-214521

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Dairy Science (Animal, Dairy, and Poultry Sciences)

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Folic acid plays an important role in the prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, heart defects, facial clefts, urinary abnormalities and limb deficiencies. Milk and milk products serve as a potential source for folic acid fortification due to the presence of folate binding proteins which seem to be involved in the folate bioavailability. Though milk is a not a good source of folic acid, fortification could help in the prevention of the above mentioned defects. The objective of this study was to examine the physico-chemical characteristics of reduced fat milks fortified with folic acid. Reduced fat milks were prepared using 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended dietary allowance of 400 micrograms of folic acid. Treatments included addition of folic acid at these levels before and after pasteurization. Color, pH, fat, protein, viscosity, folic acid concentration, folate binding protein concentration, folate binding protein profile, standard plate count and coliform counts were determined on days 1, 7, 14 and 21. A consumer acceptance test was conducted on day 7. Data from the consumer panel was analyzed using analysis of variance (PROC GLM) with means separation to determine the differences among treatments. Data obtained from the color, pH, fat, protein, viscosity, folic acid concentration, folate binding protein concentration, standard plate count and coliform counts were analyzed using the General Linear Model with a repeated measure in time by the Statistical Analysis System. Significant differences were determined at P<0.05 using Tukey’s Studentized Range Test. There were no differences in the electrophoretic mobility of folate binding protein in the samples. The concentration of folic acid was significantly higher in reduced fat milks fortified with folic acid after pasteurization compared to the treatments to which folic acid was added before pasteurization. The consumer panelists did not find any significant differences in flavor, appearance and texture of folic acid fortified reduced fat milks compared to that of the control. Fortification of reduced fat milks with folic acid can be accomplished with out adversely affecting the product characteristics.

Date

2005

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Charles A. Boeneke

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1196

Included in

Dairy Science Commons

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