Collaborative Study of the Dye Binding Method Applied to Chocolate Milk Drinks, Cultured Buttermilk, and Half-and-Half
Abstract Collaborative studies of the dye binding method for chocolate-flavored milk drinks, cultured buttermilk, and half-and-half were conducted this year; ten samples of each product were tested in quadruplicate in seven laboratories. The precision of the method with these products was essentially the same as that for fluid milk. The withinlaboratory variations were very small and resulted in statistically significant interlaboratory variations; the actual differences were not of practical significance. It is recommended that these three products be accepted for testing for protein content by the dye binding method. Preliminary results on use of the dye binding method for analyzing nonfat dry milk show good precision; however, proper sampling and duplication procedures need to be established, and studies will continue. Studies will also continue on the required accuracies of reagent preparation, pH of buffer, and sample weighings to establish suitable tolerances.