Particles in bulk milk capable of causing falsely high electronic cell counts

Abstract

SUMMARY: Bulk milk with an apparently high electronic cell count (ECC) was found to have a normal cell count when the latter was determined directly with a microscope or when cell nuclei were counted with a Fossomatic apparatus. Particles in the form of collapsed spheres formed by aggregated casein micelles were found in bulk milk which accounted for the falsely high ECC values. The ECC value agreed with the values obtained by the other methods if the milk was heated to 55 °C for 15 min before fixation. The shape of the particles and the fact that they were only present after the milk had passed through the milking machine suggested that they may be produced as vacuum vacuoles arising from cavitation in the pump.