Relationships between lactoperoxidase system components in Creole goat milk

Determinations of lactoperoxidase (LPO) system components in Creole goat mi lli from the north-west region of Argentina were carried out. Results showe d that mean LPO activity was 4.45+/-1.94 U ml(-1), thiocyanate (SCN-) and h ypothiocyanite (OSCN-) concentrations were 10.29+/-4.67 mu g ml(-1) and 1.1 1+/-0.84 mu g ml(-1), respectively. Results also showed: significant associ ations between LPO activity and thiocyanate content (r=0.57) in milk, varia tions throughout lactation stages in thiocyanate content, correlation betwe en LPO activity and [OSCN-] (r=0.70). No relationships were found between: [OSCN-] and [SCN-], or between LPO activity and each of the following milk components: total proteins, caseins, whey proteins, lipids and total sugars . [SCN-] has no relationship with the corresponding concentrations of each of the cited milli components. Due to the fact that Creole goat milk has hi gh LPO activity, high [SCN-], and that the lactational stage has no influen ce on that activity, it would permit the use of this antibacterial system o n fluid milk during transport and conservation in the hot environment of no rth-west region of Argentina. Present results of those relationships may co ntribute in improving the knowledge and interpretation of individual and po pulation data on LPO system components in goat milk. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.