Measurement of the protein content of milk from mastitic quarters by the Amido Black method

Abstract

SummaryAn investigation was made into the effect of subclinical mastitis on the accuracy of the Amido Black method for measuring the crude-protein percentage of the milk of individual cows. Values obtained by the dye-binding and Kjeldahl methods on a sample of milk from each quarter of 46 cows, 11 of which were sampled at regular intervals during lactation, were compared. It was concluded that, even in cases of severe subclinical mastitis, the effect is so small as to constitute no objection to the use of the dye-binding method. The accuracy of the Amido Black method, irrespective of disease, was less in milk produced in the first and last months of lactation.