Assessment of synthetic milk exposure to children of selected population in Uttar Pradesh, India

Shuchi R. Bhatt1, Dr. Anita Singh2 and S. M. Bhatt3

(Abstract) The present study was carried out keeping in view the recently emerging concern of the adulteration of the natural milk with the synthetic milk. Synthetic milk is prepared by emulsifying vegetable oils with appropriate amount of detergent and urea. Samples of the natural milk with synthetic milk were analyzed for concentration of urea and detergent and their effect is assayed through survey in different population in Uttar Pradesh, India. Childrens had different range of intake of milk. Children of age group 1-5 years consumes about 50-250 mg of milk daily, while of age group 6-18 years of children consumes about 250-1000 ml milk/day and childrens of age group 19-22 consumes milk about 500-1000 ml milk /day. Addition of synthetic milk is on large scale in Meerut district of U.P. and mostly urea in such milk creating huge problem of headache, eyesight and diarrhea in children. Keywords: Milk adulteration; Synthetic milk, detection, urea 1. Research Scholar, Faculty of H.Sc, Sri. A.K.A.P.G. Collage Varanasi. 2. Head, Department of Food & Nutrition, Sri. Agrasen Kanya Autonomous P.G. College. Parmanandpur, Varanasi. 3. School of Biochemical Engineering, Institule of Technology B.H.U. Varanasi.
Corresponding Author Email: sheel_bhu@yahoo.co.in 1

Introduction Liquid milk is an essential nutritional food for infants as well as the aged. Adulteration of natural milk with a chemically synthesized milky liquid (synthetic milk) is a matter of serious concern. The dairy industry employs various checks these tests commonly include determination of fat and total solids by chemical or physical analyses; estimation of sediment by forcing milk through filter pads and noting the residue left; determination of Bacterial count and determination of freezing point etc. (Dean, 1985; Fox, 1992). However, most of these measurements are expensive and time consuming like measurement of conductance (Mebrook & Petty 2003 a and b; Willard et al 2003). Synthetic milk is an excellent imitation of natural milk. Milk fat is mimicked by vegetable oil; the nitrogen component in milk is mimicked by urea; detergents are added to make it frothy. This mixture is so expertly prepared that the specific gravity of the concocted milk is the same as natural buffalo milk. This mixture is then mixed with natural milk in varying proportions. Such milk can be processed into value added products which bring in a bigger profit. A recent Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) report has suggested that such adulterated items have a cancerous effect on the human system and can lead to gradual impairment of the body. Milk is a complex mixture of water, lactose, fat, protein, minerals, and vitamins distributed throughout colloidal and soluble phases. Although the cow is the principal source of milk for human consumption in the United States and many other parts of the world (DePeters 1992). In India most milk is

obtained from the buffalo. The composition of milk from buffalo is water (82.14%), fat (7.44%), protein (4.78%), lactose (4.8%) and ash (0.83%) (Rangappa & Achary, 1973). On average milk has optimum level of urea and other chemicals but due to habit of making huge profit there is on going malpractice of using synthetic milk in the original milk. Therefore there is need to work out regularly in different region of India to expose such malpractices and to check such malpractices adapted ignoring health concerns of people. The effect of urea on animal reproductive system has been carried out by Ropstad etal 1987. They reported that reproduction system and reproductive cycle in animals get badly affected by high concentration of urea. This work is carried out to expose and to increase the awareness among people to decline such malpractices adapted, since it is difficult to detect such harmful adulterants in dangerous amount in household. One quick method describe in the article is to check the pH of the milk by pH paper (red turns blue) that is available freely and cant be adjusted quickly at large scale. Material and method Survey Preschool (1-5 years) and school going (6-18 years) children in urban and rural area from different district of U.P. had been surveyed. A total of 365 household were surveyed in which 70 childrens were of age group 1-5 years, 150 childrens were of age group 6-18 years, and 145 childrens were of age group 19-22 years. Since it was household survey, the homemaker of the household was interviewed for intake of milk. The region of study selected was Varanasi, Bulandsahar, Meerut and Mathura. Thus, 365 individuals in urban area and 365 in rural area were surveyed. The milk were

collected from the household and tested for presence of urea and detergent. The frequency method was employed for calculation. The survey includes consumption of milk/day, their effect on health such as headache, eyesight problem, and diarrhea. Also, 160 sample of the milk were collected from different local market, vendors, and stalls of Bulandsahar, Mathura, Meerut, and Varanasi. Qualitative analysis for urea detection Qualitative analysis for urea detection were done by the method describe below 1. Took 5 ml of milk in a test tube 2. Added 20 mg of Soya bean powder & 2 drops of 0.5 % aqueous solution of Bromothymol blue. 3. Mixed the sample well. 4. The development of Blue colour after 10 min indicates the addition of urea the sample.
5. For confirmatory test was done by adding five ml of milk with 5 ml

paradimethyl amino benzaldehyde (16%). If the solution turns yellow in colour, then the given sample of milk is added with urea. Quantitative analysis for urea detection A quantitative estimate of urea was carried out by preparing standard of urea and their pH variation and by utilizing Urease enzyme. For this we took 5 ml of milk in a test tube and added 0.2 ml of urease (20 mg / ml) and centrifuged it well at room temperature. Now added 0.1 ml of bromothymol blue solution (0.5%). The appearance of blue colour after 10-15 min indicates the adulteration milk with urea. Urease can be obtained by adding

soybean slurry (source of urease prepared by soaking soybeans overnight or for 12 hours in water and grinding to prepare a slurry). (Dean J.A 1985) The OD of sample was taken in UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (ELICO double beam) at 420 nm. And pH was measured by pH meter using buffer sample set at pH 4. In the presence of urea the red litmus paper turns blue. Urea Standard Solution was prepared by following method (a) Stock solution concentration was 5 mg / ml. Dissolved 50 gm reagent grade urea in water and dilute to 1 litre with water. (b) Working solution was prepared by Pipetting 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 ml stock solution into 250 ml volumetric flask and dilute to volume with phosphate buffer. (c) Reference solution - standard solution was containing 1.0 mg urea / 5 ml as reference standard. Figure caption Fig. 1 showing variation of pH with different concentration of urea Fig. 2 showing variation of urea and detergent in different region of Uttar Pradesh India Fig. 3 showing children affected by synthetic milk in different age group (a) Headache; (b) Eyesight ; and (c) Diarrhea.

Figures
Urea
5

Urea % (w/v)

pH

Fig. 1 showing variation of pH with different concentration of urea

60

Urban Rural

% of Urea and detergent adultrants

50 40 30 20 10 0

Bulandsahar Mathura

Meerut

Varanasi

Fig. 2 showing variation of urea and detergent in different region of Uttar Pradesh India

Headache
40 35 30

Urban Rural
60 50

Eye sight problem

Urban Rural

% of sample

25 20 15 10 5 0 1-5 6-18 19-22

% of sample

40 30 20 10 0 1-5 6-18 19-22

age group

Age group

(a)

(b)

% of children affected by problem of Diarrhea

60 50
Urban Rural

% of total sample

40 30 20 10 0 1-5 6-18 19-22

Age group

(c)

Fig. 3 showing children affected by synthetic milk in different age group (a) Headache; (b) Eyesight ; and (c) Diarrhea.

Tables
Table-1 showing different constituents of milk

CONSTITUENTS Water Lipid in emulion phase ( mixture of mixed triglecerides) Phospolipids ( lacithine, Cephaline, ) STEROLS carotenoids vit. A, D.E.K Protiens (Casein) B- Lactoglobulin Lactoalbumin Albumin, Psuedoglobulin etc Enzymes ( Catalase, Peroxidase, Amylase, Lipase, Protease) DESSOLVED MATERIALS Carbohydraetes Lactose Glocose ORGANIC AND INORGANIC ION & SALTS Calcium Phosphate Citrate Chloride, Sodium, Pottasium, Magnesium etc. Water soluble Vitamins Thiamin

APPROX.. CONCENTRATION / LIT 860 TO 880 gms 30-50gms 0.30 gms 0.10 gms

25 gms 3 gms 0.7gms

40-50 gms 50 mgs

1.25 gms 2.10 gms 2.0 gms 1.00 gms 0.4 mg 1.5 mg

Riboflavin Niacin Pyridoxin Pentothenic Acid Biotin Folic acid Chline (Total) Vit B12 inositol Ascorbic acid Nitrogenous material Ammonia Amino Acids Urea Creatine and Createnine Uric acid Gases Carbon dio Oxide Oxygen Nitrogen

0.2 -1.2 mg 0.7mg 3.0 mg 50 mg 1.0 mg 150 mg 7.0 mg 180 mg 20 gm

2-12 mg 3.5 mg 100 mg 15 mg 7 mg Milk exposed to air 15 mg 7.5 mg 15 mg Copper, Iron, Rb,

Trace element

Li, Ba, Mn, Al, Zn, B, Co, I

Occasionally Present

Mc, Cr, Ag, Sn, Ti,

Table 2. Average Composition of milk Item Water Lactose Fat True Protein Crude Protein Casein Ash Other Average milk composition % 87.00 4.90 3.70 3.00 3.10 2.60 .80 .50

Table -3 showing average milk consumed by different age group Mean of Milk age (years) 1-5 years 6-18 years 19-22 years children consumed 70 150 145 156.428 SD range

53.78 50-250

500 274.77 250-1000 800 224.22 500-1000

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Table-4 Effect of urea on different age groups in urban area

No. of Age group 1-5 years 6-18 19-22 children Headache Eye problem 70 150 145 nil 42 56 8 86 76

Digestion /diarrhea 32 86 76 normal 38 60 69

Table-5 Effect of urea on different age groups in rural area (365 samples) No. of Age group 1-5 years 6-18 19-22 children Headache Eye problem 70 150 145 nil 6 16 2 25 18 Digestion /diarrhea 16 25 18 normal 54 125 127

Table-6 Sample tested in rural area (sample tested 160) No. of sample 40 38 32 50 City >5% urea <1% 31 30 16 46 detergent Detected 9 8 16 8 normal 31 30 16 42

Bulandsahar 9 Mathura Meerut Varanasi 8 16 4

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Table-7 Sample tested in urban area (sample tested 250) No. of sample 50 60 60 80 City >5% urea <1% 34 36 25 68 Detergent Detected 16 24 35 18 normal 34 36 25 62

Bulandsahar 16 Mathura Meerut Varanasi 24 35 12

Table-8 Comparison of Urea and detergent detected in different region of rural and urban area of Uttar Pradesh Region Bulandsahar Mathura Meerut Varanasi Rural 11 10.5 12.5 8 Urban 18 32 40 10

Table-9 Comparison of effect of synthetic milk in different region of rural and urban area of Uttar Pradesh in different age group of childrens Occurrence pf diseases (% of sample) Rural Headache Eyesight problem Diarrhea Problem 22 45.7 16.6 57.3 12.5 52 0 3 Urban 0 11 Rural 4 16 Urban 28 57 Rural 12 12.5 Urban 38 52 1-5 years 6-18 years 19-22 years

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Results & Discussion The intake of the synthetic milk which contains urea detergent and vegetable oils are of serious concern towards school going children of different age group. The mean intake of milk per day for each individual were calculated by statistical method of mean and their standard deviation as given in Table-1. The concentration of urea percentage was calculated from the standard graph and the pH was evaluated, since normal milk has pH range of 6.5-7.0 given in Table-2. Normally milk has urea concentration in the range of 100-110 mg/liter. Concentration above this is considered as adulterants and causes major health problems. Urea added changes the pH and food value of the milk. So a standard graph was prepared by calculating pH of different concentration of urea so that urea concentration can be determined quickly. The mean intake of childrens of age group 1-5 years was 156.42 ml / day, of age group 6-18 years was 500 ml / day, and children of age group 19-22 years consumes milk on an average 800 ml / day. The milk is the staple food for both the group of children urban as well as rural area. Within both the region a wide variation of adulterants mixing was observed. The adulterants have been detected by doing the test as described and it was found that adulteration practice was higher in urban area in compared to the rural area. The highest urea and detergent was detected in Meerut region in city area compared to (12.5%) in rural area, while in Mathura it was 32% in city as compared to 10.5% in rural area, and in Bulandsahar it was 18% in city as compared to 11% in rural area, while lowest concentration detected in Varanasi 10% in city as compared to only 8% in rural area. Through the house hold survey on health of children that consumed maximum milk in their age group, amazing result had obtained. In

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the preschool age group from 1-5 years most of the child are dependent on mothers milk, therefore less children has effect on their health related problems like diarrhea and eyesight problem. Table -2 shows that 28% urban children of age group 6-18 have affected by headache, while only 4% rural children were affected of same age group. This percentage increases with increase in age and 38% urban children of age group 19-22 were affected by headache, while only 12% rural children were affected of same age group. Eyesight problem was also detected in survey, and 11 % urban children of age group 1-5 were affected by Eyesight problem, while only 3 % rural children were affected of same age group while 57% urban children of age group 19-22 were affected by Eyesight problem, while only 16% rural children were affected of same age group and in age group 19-22 of total sample 52% of urban children were affected as compared to only 12.5% in rural areas. Diarrhea most often in school going children was one of the major concerns. In age group 1-5 years, 45% of total sample in urban children were affected by diarrhea as compared to only 22% in rural areas and in age group 6-18 years, 57% of total sample in urban children were affected by diarrhea as compared to only 16 % in rural areas while of age group 19-22 years, 52% of total sample in urban children were affected by diarrhea as compared to only 12.5% in rural areas. Detection of synthetic milk from natural milk can be done by very simple method as observed below. [a] Synthetic milk turns dark yellow in keeping for 3-6 hours

while natural milk turns light faint yellow.

[b] Synthetic milk is more slippery in touch while natural milk is not slippery. [c] Synthetic milk has bitter test while, natural milk is not bitter.

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[d] Synthetic milk on keeping in freeze forms an oily layer on the top of milk due to presence of oil which floats over water while no such appearance occurs in natural milk.
[e] Synthetic milk make bad smell with dark yellow colour after

storing for long hours but no such pungent bad smell appears in natural milk. Conclusion The following result were obtained from the work 1. Synthetic milk has lower or higher pH than the normal milk depending on the adulterants mixed, so quickly by using pH paper we can know the difference between the normal milk and synthetic milk.
2. Use of synthetic milk is effecting mostly the school going children in

age of 6-18 age group since they are mostly not depend on mothers milk. 3. The childrens have most of the problem in their eyesight, diarrhea, and headache.
4. Urban area are mostly affected than rural area since demand is high

and to meet such huge demand synthetic milk are used that are able to meet the demands.

References
Dean, J. A. (Ed.). (1985). Langes handbook of chemistry (13th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 336. Mabrook, M. F., & Petty, M. C. (2003a). Effect of composition on the electrical conductance of milk. Journal of Food Engineering, 60, 321 325.

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Mabrook, M. F., & Petty, M. C. (2003b). A novel technique for the detection of added water to full fat milk using single frequency admittance measurement. Sensors and Actuators B, 96, 215218. Rangappa, K. S., & Achary, K. T. (1973). Indian dairy products. Bangalore, India: Asia Publishing House. Willard, H. H., Merrit, L. L., Dean, J. A., & Settle, F. A. (2003). Instrumental methods of analysis. New York: Wiley. DePeters, E. J. and J.D. Ferguson. 1992. Nonprotein Nitrogen and Protein Distribution in the Milk of Cows. J. Dairy Sci. 75:3192-3209. Ropstad, E. and A.O. Refsdal. 1987. Herd reproductive performance related to urea concentration in bulk milk. Acta. Vet. Scand. 28:55.

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