The removal of fission products from milk. The use of the baby monkey (Macaca irus) for the nutritional evaluation of milk treated by 2 processes.

Abstract

SummaryThe nutritional quality of milk treated by 2 previously described processes for the removal of cationic fission products has been evaluated by the use of the baby monkey (Macaca irus).The first process involves acidification of the milk to pH 5·2–5·3 and, when the treated milk was tested on baby monkeys, it was found to be nutritionally unsatisfactory. This result confirmed those previously obtained with baby pigs, from which it was concluded that the process cannot be recommended for the treatment of milk intended for young babies.Two resin beds are used in the second process and no acidification is involved. Milk treated by this process was first tested on baby rats and pigs and then on baby monkeys. No change in the nutritional value of the milk was detected and it was concluded that this is the process which should be used if it should ever become necessary to remove fission products from milk intended for young babies.