RESUMO
The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the chemical composition of 8 tetra pack milk samples, Olpers [S1], Haleeb [S2], Good milk [S3], Everyday [S4], Milk Pack [S5], Dairy Queen [S6], Dairy Umang [S7], Nurpur [S8] available in local markets and to detect the presence of various chemical adulterants in tetra pack milk samples in Southern Punjab [Pakistan]. Density, pH, solid not fat, total solids, lactometer reading, specific gravity and fat contents were analyzed to determine the chemical composition of milk samples. Our results revealed that all the studied parameters had statistically non significant differences [P>0.05] except total fat in milk samples which was significantly different [P=0.03] among the 8 studied milk samples. Presence of a number of chemical adulterants, formalin, cane sugar, starch, glucose, ammonium sulphate, salt, pulverized soap, detergents, skim milk powder, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, borax, boric acid and alkalinity were also detected in milk samples following standard procedures. Results indicated that formalin, cane sugar, glucose, alkalinity and benzoic acid were present in all samples while salt test was positive only for Olper milk. All other studied adulterants were not detected in 8 milk samples under study.% fat was the only significantly different feature among the studied milk quality parameters with S8 containing lowest while S5 having the maximum% fat.