Use of hydrogen peroxide detection strips to determine the extent of pasteurization in whole milk

Commercially available hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection strips were shown to be effective in determining known levels of H2O2 in milks where the lac toperoxidase system (LPS) had been inactivated In addition. the strips were evaluated for determination of residual H2O2 in LPS-activated milks, follo wing a range of heat treatments. The detection of residual H2O2 corresponde d with results of zero lactoperoxidase activity. Hence. the detection strip s offer a simple and accurate method for detecting the absence of lactopero xidase, and therefore can be used to determine whether the milk has been su bjected to overpasteurization. The technique provides a more convenient met hod than the standard procedure hosed on oxidation of 1,4-phenylenediamine.