Comparative Analysis of the Physicochemical Parameters of Breast Milk, Starter Infant Formulas and Commercial Cow Milks in Serbia

• Main Authors: Sunarić Slavica, Jovanović Tatjana, Spasić Ana, Denić Marko, Kocić Gordana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2016-06-01
• Series: Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis
• Subjects: breast milk; infant formula; cow milk; physicochemical parameters
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/afmnai.2016.33.issue-2/afmnai-2016-0011/afmnai-2016-0011.xml?format=INT

Data on the physical properties of cow milk and infant formulas are important since they indicate the differences in physicochemical and rheological characteristics and compatibility with natural breast milk. This fact is important not only for quality control but also for the use of these commercial products as infant diet supplements or as complete breast milk substitutes. This study was undertaken to determine refractive index, surface tension, pH, electrical conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity of the UHT cow milk, starter infant formulas and breast milk of Serbian mothers in order to compare commercial milk formulations with natural human milk. The paper also presents the measured data of some physical parameters of human milk about which there is little information in the literature. It has been also demonstrated how these parameters were changed by freezing and prolonged storage of breast milk.