Milk fat is dispersed in milk as small, spherical globules, stabilized in the form of emulsion by its surrounding membrane. This membrane, called the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), is created in the secretory cells of the mammary gland, and represents an ordered and unique biophysical system. This review characterizes the main milk fat globule components, their structure, and intracellular origin. The milk fat globule membrane has many potentially bioactive components. These are discussed in terms of their health effects for the native and processed globules. Because of their functional and nutritional properties, MFGM components can be used as valuable ingredients in the manufacture of new functional foods.
The aim of this study was to identify and analyse consumer perceptions regarding the health benefits of different dairy products in Poland. This study examines the consumption frequency of selected dairy products in Poland and the health benefits which consumers associate with their regular consumption. It also explores how demographic factors, such as age, gender, and consumption frequency, influence these perceptions and identifies which dairy products are the most linked to specific health benefits. This study involved a quantitative survey of a representative sample of 2009 Polish consumers aged 19–30 and 66–75 years. This study revealed that the vast majority of the consumers recognise the health benefits of dairy products, particularly in areas such as better bone health, enhanced immune function, and improved digestion. The benefits associated with the regular consumption of milk, natural fresh cheeses, and natural fermented milk beverages were most frequently recognised. The respondents’ age had no significant effect on their perceptions of the health benefits of the selected dairy products. A statistically significant effect of gender was found only for the perceived benefits of consuming flavoured, fermented milk beverages. The frequency of consumption had a significant effect on the respondents’ perceptions of the benefits of all the studied groups of dairy products. In general, the consumers had positive attitudes towards the dairy products and believed in their potential health benefits. These findings have important implications for policy-makers. They underline the need for targeted public health campaigns to promote the consumption of dairy products as part of a balanced diet, emphasizing their specific health benefits. Such efforts could be especially effective if tailored to demographic factors such as gender and dietary habits.
This manuscript presents results of a research aimed at conducting a statistical analysis of correlation between the percentage addition of water to milk and its electrical parameters, which are used to determine the degree of milk dilution and the level of milk adulteration with water. The results of milk conductivity parameters analysed in the study showed admittance and conductance to decrease systematically with water addition from ca. 10.8 to 7.8 mS. In contrast, impedance and resistance values were observed to increase from ca. 91 to 128 Ω. Results of the measurements of capacitance parameters showed that with an increasing content of distilled water in milk the value of equivalent parallel capacitance was decreasing from 1.4 to 0.65 μF. In turn, along with water content increasing to 15%, the value of equivalent series capacitance was increased from 212 to 237 μF. Still, at water content of milk exceeding 15%, the value of that parameter remained unchanged. The statistical analysis demonstrated a close linear correlation (0.989 ≤ r ≤ 0.998) between the percentage of water added to the milk and electrical parameters of impedance, resistance, admittance, conductance, as well as equivalent parallel capacitance of milk.