Influence of stabilizers on the salt balance and pH of buffalo milk and its concentrate

The influence of three different concentrations (0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%) of two stabilizers, disodium phosphate and trisodium citrate on the salt balance (concentration and molar ratios of salt constituents in the dissolved phase) and pH of buffalo milk and its 2:1 concentrate was determined. The disodium phosphate caused a significant shift in all the salt constituents (calcium, magnesium, phosphate and citrate) from the dissolved to the colloidal phase while the trisodium citrate produced a significant shift from the colloidal to the dissolved phase. Further, the phosphate caused a uniform decrease in the molar ratios of Ca/P and (Ca+Mg)/(P+Cit.) in the dessolved phase, while the citrate produced only a small and non‐significant effect. Both salts caused a significant increase in pH which was progressive with increase in the concentration of added salts. Therefore, the primary effect of stabilizers in stabilizing or destabilizing the milk is a consequence of their influence on the pH and not on the mineral equilibrium of milk.