The Automated Pyruvate Method as a Quality Test for Grade A Milk

Abstract

Concentrations of pyruvate in Grade A raw and pasteurized milks were determined by an automated procedure. The method was sensitive to 0.1 mg of pyruvate per liter and the coefficient of variation of the method was 1.6% for a sample of milk containing 3 mg/1. Since about twice as much pyruvate was produced in samples incubated 24 h at 20 C compared with 15 C, the higher temperature is suggested for the pyruvate difference test (ΔP); however, psychrotrophs would more likely be detected with an incubation temperature of 15 C. Pyruvate difference tests of pure cultures in steamed milk distinguished between concentrations approximating 102 and 103 Pseudomonas fragi, 103 and 104 Pseudomonas fluorescens, and between 104 and 105 Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Micrococcus luteus, but did not distinguish between 104 and 105 initial concentrations of six other gram-positive bacteria and Salmonella typhi. Both the initial pyruvate (IP) concentration and the ΔP in raw milk were correlated with the logarithm of the Wisconsin Mastitis Test score, suggesting that somatic cells contribute to pyruvate content. Correlations of IP and ΔP with Standard Plate Counts of raw and pasteurized milks were low or insignificant and only with raw milk from normal quarters was there a significant correlation of IP and ΔP with initial Psychrotrophic Plate Counts (PPC). Rates of pyruvate production by pure cultures in steamed milk and by the mixed natural flora of pasteurized milk were consistent with rates of growth. However, certain psychrotrophic bacteria reduced the concentration of pyruvate to undetectable levels after producing 10 or more mg/1. Suggestions are made regarding applicability of the test in controlling keeping quality of pasteurized milk and in receiving of bulk raw milk.