[Mineral composition of milk from the State of Mérida, Venezuela]

The main mineral components were measured on 132 composite raw milk samples collected in the low and high zones of Mérida State, located in the Venezuelan Andes, by spectrophotometric and atomic absorption methods. The results were grouped to evaluate the effect of the zone (low vs. high) breed (hybred vs. Holstein) and season (dry vs. rain). The mean values and standard deviations (mg/L) were: sodium, 537.0 +/- 143.05; potassium, 1327.9 +/- 133.84; calcium, 952.4 +/- 118.67, phosphorous, 739.2 +/- 97.9; iron, 0.397 +/- 0.1549; magnesium, 82.4 +/- 10.40; copper, 0.589 +/- 0.340; zinc, 7.95 +/- 1.737. These values were higher for the low zones due probably to differences in the production systems. Significant high concentration of iron and copper were obtained which could result in milks susceptible to oxidative rancidity.