The composition of whole casein from the milk of Ayrshire cows

SummaryThe composition of whole casein of 5 herd-bulk and 42 individual-cow milks from a single herd of Ayrshire cows has been determined. The percentage composition of the herd-bulk samples varied relatively little over a period of more than a year with the whole casein consisting on average of 38·4 % αs1,0-casein, 36·5 % β-casein, 12·5 % κ-casein, 10·5 % minor αs-caseins and 2·1 % γ-casein. For the individual-cow samples from mid-lactation, casein composition also was relatively constant, but in early and late lactation composition varied more with the relative amount of β-casein often being lower and those of κ- and γ-caseins often higher than in mid-lactation, these differences tending to be more marked in samples from older cows. Stage of lactation appeared to have little effect on the relative amounts of αs1,0-and minor αs-caseins.The concentrations of all casein fractions were significantly positively correlated (P < 0·001) with the concentration of whole casein in the milk. Also, there were significant negative correlations (P < 0·001) between the percentages of whole casein present as β- and κ-caseins, β- and γ-caseins and minor αs- and γ-caseins, and a significant positive correlation (P < 0·001) between the relative amounts of κ- and γ-caseins. The relative amount of the major αs1,0-casein fraction, however, was not closely related to those of any of the other fractions.Generally, milks with high lactose and low Na values yielded casein which was comparatively rich in β-casein and comparatively poor in κ- and γ-caseins.