Detection of proteolysis in raw milk stored at low temperature by an inhibition ELISA

Abstract

SummaryAn inhibition ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was developed for the determination of caseinomacropeptide (CMP) in order to estimate the proteolysis of κ-casein due to the enzymes of psychrotrophic bacteria in bulk raw milk. The CMP present in milk was quantified specifically by an antibody. The limit of detection was ∽ 0·1 μg/ml and the CV was < 10%. This method was used to study the proteolytic activity of three strains of psychrotrophic Pseudomonas fluorescens in raw milk and to analyse different raw milk samples supplied by four dairy plants. The proteolytic activity for different strains of psychrotrophs and for different milk samples varied considerably, but no correlation was established between the level of microbial flora and κ-casein proteolysis. It is thus not possible to determine the extent of proteolysis from the bacterial count alone. However, by CMP determination in bulk raw milk samples after 6 d storage at 4°C, the mean κ-casein proteolysis was ∽ 4%. Among the milk samples analysed that contained < 107 cfu psychrotrophs/ml, 30% exhibited a proteolysis of κ-casein < 0·5%, i.e. < 5μg CMP/ml.