Proximate Analysis And The Determination Of Some Physico-Chemical Characteristics Of Common Evaporated Milks

Abstract

Proximate compositions and physico-chemical characteristics of different brands of evaporated milks in Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The moisture content ranged between 68.85 % and 71.86 %, the ash content 1.32 %-1.96 %, the fat content 7.52 %-8.83 %, the percentage protein 7.65 %-11.42 % and the percentage carbohydrate 7.67 %-11.34 %. Acidity levels (0.50-0.72 %) of all the samples were above the 0.45 % lactic acid minimum literature value, while the energy value ranged between 602.80 KJ/100 g and 676.45 KJ/100 g. The milk samples were also analyzed for some important minerals, viz:- Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). The levels of these elements were; Zn (4.15-17.85 µg/g); Fe (0.14-1.42 µg/g); Mg (296.00-371.50 µg/g) and Ca (1165.00-1335.50 µg/g) with few exceptions. The results obtained show good agreement with literature values and provide information on the nutritional value of some of the common evaporated milks sold on Nigerian markets.

Keywords: Milk, proximate analysis, physico-chemical, AAS

IFE Journal of Science Vol. 9 (1) 2007 pp. 109-114