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Milk analysis: why monitor milk composition and quality?

Day in, day out, milk analysis safeguards the dairy chain, from intake to batch release. Four instrument families cover the essentials: infrared milk analyser (fat, protein, lactose, total solids), alkaline phosphatase analyser (pasteurisation verification), antibiotic residue analyser (food safety) and added-water determination via the freezing point. Speed, LIMS traceability, controlled costs and compliance with ISO/IDF and EU MRLs make them go-to tools for dairies, cheesemakers and QC laboratories.

Which instruments are used to analyse milk, and how do they work?

• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) analyser – Pasteurisation success indicator. Fluorimetric/photometric systems quantify ALP activity with decision limits aligned to ISO 11816. Benefits: objective read-out, short time to result (<5–10 min), full result traceability.

• Milk infrared analyser – Based on mid-IR or near-infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, it measures fat, protein, lactose, total solids and, in some models, the freezing point. Validated PLS calibrations (ISO 9622/IDF 141) secure accuracy and repeatability in routine use, from intake control to process steering.

• Antibiotic residue analyser – Rapid screening of antibiotic residues (?-lactams, tetracyclines, sulfonamides…). Readers for immunochromatographic tests and incubators standardise timing/reading.

• Water content determination (watering) – The reference is cryoscopy (freezing-point measurement, ISO 5764): any drift indicates dilution. Essential for raw-material compliance.

Selection criteria: accuracy (SE, bias), calibration stability, throughput (samples/h), ease of cleaning (CIP/SIP by model), consumables, cost per test, connectivity (LIMS/ERP), regulatory compliance and metrology support (IDF standards, control materials).

TypePrincipleApplications
Alkaline phosphatase analyserALP fluorimetry/photometryPasteurisation validation, HACCP audit
Milk infrared analyserFTIR with PLS calibrationsComposition (fat, protein, lactose, TS), raw material sorting
Antibiotic residue testingImmuno tests + readerMRL screening before blending/release
Water content (cryoscope)Freezing pointDetection of added water, ISO 5764 compliance

In which areas are these milk analysis instruments used?

• Dairies and cooperatives : milk intake control, tanker segregation, optimisation of quality-based payment.
• Cheese dairies : control of standardisation (fat/protein), consistent curd texture.
• Collection centres : screening for antibiotics and added water before blending.
• Official laboratories : ISO/IDF compliance, MRL monitoring, dispute arbitration.
• Farms and herd advisory : composition monitoring for ration formulation and herd health.
• Agri R&D : product development and process validation.
• Distribution/retail : rapid checks at warehouse intake.
The common benefit: food safety, regulatory compliance, and faster process decisions.

Available instruments for milk analysis

Frequently asked questions about milk testing and analysis

What is the difference between an IR and an FTIR milk analyser?
Modern instruments use FTIR (mid-IR) with PLS calibrations, which are more stable and accurate than older filter-based measurements.

How do you verify pasteurisation with alkaline phosphatase?
ALP activity is measured by fluorimetry. Activity below the ISO 11816 threshold confirms correct pasteurisation.

Which antibiotics are screened routinely?
Mainly ?-lactams, tetracyclines and sulfonamides. Choose kits validated against EU MRLs and matrices (raw milk, UHT, powder).

Should the sample be homogenised for IR?
Yes, preheating to ~40 °C and homogenisation ensure good fat dispersion and reproducible results.

How is added water in milk detected?
With a cryoscope: any increase in freezing point relative to the reference value indicates dilution.

What are the maintenance requirements?
Regular calibrations, quality control with IDF materials, cleaning of flow paths and verification of probes/optics according to the metrology plan.

Can results be connected to the LIMS?
Most analysers provide Ethernet/USB outputs and standard formats (CSV, XML) for LIMS/ERP integration.