The Physical and Chemical Characterization of Rat’s Milk

Abstract

The physical and chemical characterization of rat's milk on a wet weight basis is presented. The gross appearance of rat's colostrum and milk is very similar. Rat's colostrum contains 22% fat while rat's milk appears to vary considerably with 9.3% as an average value. The quality of this fat differs from that of cow's milk in having no butyric or caproic acids. The 8.7% protein in rat's milk shows no characteristic differences from that of other milks. Rat's colostrum and milk contain the same amount of protein. The amino acid components are quantitatively estimated. The 1.4% ash in the milk is about three times greater than is found in colostrum. The carbohydrate content is the most consistent of the major constituents (3.7% on wet basis). No carotene or vitamin A was found. Other vitamins analyzed are present in quantities similar to those of cow's milk.