Unstable non acid milk: a solvable problem?

Abstract

This paper aimed to present the main results about the unstable non acid milk (LINA). The proportion of milk samples with thermal stability below the Brazilian dairy industry standard is a serious problem, with highest occurrence at short food supply periods. It is a multi factorial problem, which causing factors are related to test execution (ethanol concentration used), to management (feeding, climate, human-animal relation), to animal (stress susceptibility, productive potential, lactation stage, sanitary condition, digestive and metabolic disorders), among others. There are doubts to the accuracy and precision of the alcohol test to detect stability problems. Dairy industry needs a fast, low price and easy test, but that can identify milk suitable to thermal processing. An adequate animal’s management besides realistic parameters of milk test might contribute to improve milk stability.