Skimmed milk direct from the 'magic' cow Marge
Monday May 28 2007
IT may soon be possible to produce skimmed milk straight from the cow - a development that could revolutionise the dairy industry.
Scientists in New Zealand have discovered some cows have genes which give them a natural ability to deliver skimmed milk.
They plan to exploit the discovery to breed herds of cows to meet the rising demands of health-conscious consumers.
Biotech company ViaLactia Biosciences, a research and development arm of Fonterra, screened milk from millions of cattle in New Zealand.
The company identified a cow, Marge, with the required genes. As an added bonus, the milk contains omega-three oils.
"The eureka moment was when we found her daughters produced milk just like their mother," said a company spokesman. The development of a commercial herd is now likely, reports the magazine 'Chemistry & Industry'.
Although details are commercially sensitive, "what we can say is Fonterra has made milk products from 'Marge's' milk and they maintain the positive taste with other desirable benefits", said a Fonterra spokesman. "But we are uncertain at this stage how long it will take to develop a commercial herd."
The company has also found a cow that produces milk low in saturated fats, which should be high in polyunsaturates and monounsaturated fats.
The milk may have the ability to make butter that is spreadable straight from the fridge.
But the company would not say whether the cow is Marge or another unusual cow.
(© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Roger Highfield
