Testing Methodology

Preparation of milk sample for analysis

Warm the sample to 37- 40°C by transferring it to the beaker and keeping it in a water
bath maintained at 40 - 45°C. Stir slowly for proper mixing homogenization. Mix sample
thoroughly by pouring back into the bottle, mixing to dislodge any residual fat sticking
to the sides and pour it back in the beaker. During mixing do not shake the bottle
vigorously. Allow the sample to come to room temperature (26- 28°C) and withdraw
immediately for analysis. If small clots or lumps are observed in the sample which
cannot be dispersed, a few drops of liquor ammonia may be used during
homogenization. If even after homogenization the sample shows lumps or clots or
droplets of oil are visible suggestive of curdling /splitting of milk, the sample should be
deemed unfit for analysis and rejected.
Reference
FSSAI Manual of methods of analysis – milk and milk product (2016) – page no. 9
13. Test for Presence of Boric acid and Borates in milk
13.1. Turmeric paper method
13.1.1. Reagents
A. Turmeric Paper: Weigh 1.5 to 2.0 g of turmeric powder in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask
and add 100 ml 80% (v/v) ethanol. Shake for 5 min and filter. Collect the filtrate in a flat
bottom dish. Dip Whatman filter paper Grade 2 in the clear filtrate. Remove the paper
and hang to dry in air. After 1 h, cut the paper into 6 X 1 cm strips and store in tightly
stoppered bottle protected from light.
B. Conc. Hydrochloric acid (sp. gr. 1.16).
C. Ammonium hydroxide (sp. gr. 0.88).
D. Lime water or caustic soda.
13.1.2. Procedure
Take 20 ml of milk in a porcelain dish and add 1.4 ml of conc. hydrochloric acid and mix
it thoroughly. Dip a strip of turmeric paper in the acidified milk. Appearance of
characteristic red colour on the turmeric paper indicates the presence of boric acid or
borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O). The red colour changes to dark blue green on adding
ammonium hydroxide, but reappears on re-acidification with hydrochloric acid.
Reference
IS 1479 (Part I) 1961 (Reaffirmed 2003) Methods of test for Dairy Industry – Rapid
Examination of Milk. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.