Vitamin A degradation and light-oxidized flavor defects in milk.

To determine the effects of light exposure on vitamin A degradation and on light-oxidized flavor development, samples of whole, reduced fat, and nonfat milk were exposed to fluorescent light (either 1000 or 2000 lx) at time intervals of 2, 4, 8, or 16 h. Measurable vitamin A losses occurred at 2, 4, and 16 h at 2000 lx for nonfat, reduced fat and whole milk, respectively. Moderate light-oxidized flavors were detected after 4 h of light exposure (2000 lx) in the whole and reduced fat milk and after 8 h in nonfat milk. The different types of milk show a significant difference in relative flavor scores. By 16 h at 2000 lx, relative light-oxidized flavor development was lower in nonfat milk than in whole or reduced fat milk. The presence of milk fat appears to protect against vitamin A degradation in fluid products, but adversely affects the flavor quality of milk after exposure to light. In summary, these findings demonstrate that even a brief, moderate light exposure (2 h; 2000 lx) can reduce the nutritional value and flavor quality of fluid milk products.