Homogenised cow's milk samples were collected each season in 1990 and 1991
from 19 selected dairy factories in different regions across Australia. Fre
sh cow's milk samples were also collected every month in 1990 and 1991 from
24 selected dairy farms in Queensland. Selenium (Se) analyses were perform
ed by spectrofluorimetry after complexing with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene. The
study found a wide variation of Se levels in homogenised milk from dairy mi
lk factories. Statistical analysis using unpaired t-test showed that Se lev
els in summer were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in other seasons.
Mean concentrations in summer, autumn, winter and spring for 1990 and 1991
were 23.8 +/- 4.6, 20.9 +/- 4.4, 20.7 +/- 4.2 and 20.6 +/- 4.8 <mu>g/L, res
pectively. A two-way ANOVA analysis also indicated that regions and season
have a significant influence (P < 0.001) on Se levels and that there is an
interaction between regions and seasons. High Se levels in each region tend
to be associated with high Se levels in summer milk. A wide variation of S
e levels was also found in raw milk collected from dairy farms. Mean concen
tration was 22.0 +/- 6.0 <mu>g/L, with a range of 6.7 to 47.6 mug/L. When t
he values of Se levels in homogenised milk for each season were used to est
imate the contribution of milk to daily intake of different populations gro
ups, it was found that infants have the highest intake (10.0-12.2 mug/day)
which meets the Australian Recommended Dietary Intake.