The Ratio of Ascorbic, Nicotinic, and Pantothenic Acids, Riboflavin and Thiamin in Late Summer Milk

Abstract

Summary Fifteen samples of late summer milk produced under typical modern dairy farm conditions, were assayed for ascorbic, nicotinic, and pantothenic acids, riboflavin, and thiamin. The average vitamin content of the milk was ascorbic acid 18.4 ± 0.69 mg., nicotinic acid 1.1 ± 0.10 mg., pantothenic acid 3.66 ± 0.31 mg., riboflavin 1.37 ± 0.08 mg., and thiamin 0.44 ± 0.04 mg. per liter. The ratio has been computed for each vitamin to the other four vitamins of the group. For instance, considered on the basis of the thiamin content of the milk, the ascorbic acid is 41.6 times, nicotinic 2.5, and riboflavin 3.3 times its thiamin content, whereas the recommended vitamin allowances for infants are in the ratio of ascorbic acid 75 times, nicotinic acid 10 times, and riboflavin 1.5 times that of thiamin. Hence the milk under consideration would have to be fortified with ascorbic and nicotinic acids to meet the recommended allowances for infant feeding.