Size distribution and average size parameters of casein micelles determined by electron microscopy in bovine milk between pH 5·5 and 6·7. A comparison of several evaluation methods

Abstract

SummaryThe conversion of the two-dimensional size distribution of casein micelles, observed by electron microscopy in a plane section, to the three dimensional distribution is discussed and the average size parameters evaluated by several methods are compared. It is shown that parameters containing the −1 moment of the two-dimensional distribution, i.e. Dn, the number of micelles per unit volume and the width of the size distribution, are sometimes uncertain. The occurrence of negative numbers in some of the classes of the distribution is discussed and remedies are suggested. Sections were made by freeze-fracturing skim milk samples; the pH of the milk was between 5·5 and 6·7.