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Summary
This study evaluates an enzymatic method for lactose determination in milk. The Boehringer-Mannheim method, validated by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, offers reliable results comparable to traditional techniques.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Food Science
Background:
- Accurate lactose quantification is crucial for milk quality assessment.
- Various analytical methods exist, each with limitations.
- Enzymatic methods offer potential for precise and efficient lactose determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Boehringer-Mannheim enzymatic method for lactose determination in milk.
- To compare its performance against established methods like gravimetry.
- To assess its suitability for routine analysis in dairy laboratories.
Main Methods:
- The Boehringer-Mannheim enzymatic method involves lactose hydrolysis and subsequent spectrophotometric measurement of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH).
- Comparison with Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) gravimetric methods was conducted.
- A collaborative study involving multiple laboratories was performed to assess reproducibility.
Main Results:
- The enzymatic method showed results averaging 0.49% lower than the AOAC gravimetric method.
- Standard deviations for blind duplicates were comparable across methods, ranging from 3.67% to 4.55% lactose.
- Significant variations were observed between laboratory means, indicating potential for inter-laboratory differences.
Conclusions:
- The Boehringer-Mannheim enzymatic method is a reliable and validated technique for lactose determination in milk.
- It has achieved Official First Action recognition by the AOAC, signifying its acceptance for regulatory purposes.
- Further attention to inter-laboratory variations may enhance standardization and consistency.