Effect of composition and antioxidants on the oxidative stability of fluid milk supplemented with an algae oil emulsion

The oxidative stability of an algal oil emulsion dispersed in water, or fluid milk of varying fat contents, was assessed from measurements of lipid hydroperoxide and propanal concentration. All of the milk samples, independent of their milk fat content, were stable compared to the aqueous samples. The extent of oxidation was unaffected when sodium azide (200 ppm) was added to inhibit microbial growth. Added iron (100 ppm) accelerated the oxidation rate in the aqueous samples, but had no effect on the milk samples. The antioxidant properties of milk were ascribed to the iron binding of casein. Added protein antioxidants (0.8 wt%) [i.e. sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate (WPI) and thermally denatured WPI] had minimal effects whereas EDTA and ascorbic acid (160 ppm) were effective antioxidants.