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Nitrogen content of human milk: limitations of spectrophotometry for the determination of protein in milk

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Geofrey J. Hudson  and
Alan Lucas
Geofrey J. Hudson
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ, UK
Alan Lucas
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ, UK
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Summary

Nakai & Chi Le (1970) have described a rapid method for the determination of the N content of bovine milk based on the close correlation of absorbance at 280 nm with values for total N as determined by the Kjeldahl procedure. The applicability of the method to human milk samples has been investigated. The procedure is limited by: (1) the dependence of the relation between absorbance value and N content on both the mode of collection and the postnatal age of the donor, and (2) variable interference by non-protein components of the milk. In spite of these shortcomings, the method may be of value as a screening test for certain human milk banks.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , August 1983 , pp. 269 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 1983

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References

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