Abstract
Of the 58 quarter samples of milk analysed, 41 were definitely negative, and 17 were doubtful for latent mastitis. However, the milk from all quarters were normal in appearance. The presence or absence of infection in the individual quarter samples was determined on the basis of pH, chloride test, leucocyte count, and Hotis test of foremilk. Ascorbic acid in freshly drawn milk was determined spectrophotometrically by the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method. Difference in ascorbic acid content of individual quarter milk was not significant. The average content of ascorbic acid in milk drawn from mastitis negative quarters was 1.92 mg per 100 ml, and it was also found that in case of latent mastitis studied the ascorbic acid was reduced as much as 10 to 20 percent. About 10 percent of dehydroascorbic acid was to be found without fail in all freshly drawn milk irrespective of infection.
