Determining lactose content of harp seal milk
Lactose levels in harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) milk were estimated using three quantitative techniques (phenol–sulphuric acid, anthrone reagent, and picric acid). Based on its low coefficient of variation, accuracy, and simplicity, the anthrone technique was the preferred method. Lactose content of harp seal milk remained constant throughout lactation at 0.89 ± 0.14 g per 100 g whole milk ([Formula: see text], n = 22). Fat, water, and protein content of our samples were not significantly different from those determined in a previous study. The absence of between-year differences in these constituents further suggests that carbohydrate content also did not change significantly from year to year.