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Research Article

The content of selenium in cow milk from milk machines in Szczecin in accordance to a season

Anna Mituniewicz-Małek, Bogumiła Pilarczyk, Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak, Renata Pilarczyk, Małgorzata Bąkowska

West Pomeranian University of Technology, Department of Dairy Technology and Food Storage, Faculty of Food Science and Fisheries, Szczecin, Papieża Pawła VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland

West Pomeranian University of Technology, Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, Szczecin, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland

West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Laboratory of Biostatistics, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 16(3), 2017, 53‒56
2. DOI: 10.21005/asp.2017.16.3.07

Abstract. The aim of this work was to assess the content of selenium in cow milk served in milk machines in Szczecin in accordance to a season. The research material included samples of milk collected in 5 milk machines located in Szczecin. The study was targeted to the evaluation of selenium content in accordance to a season. The mean content of selenium in milk from milk machines was diversified in a particular seasons and ranged from 0.013 to 0.034 µg · ml^–1. The mean selenium content in cow milk from milk machines was 0.023 µg/ml. The lowest level of selenium was noted in summer (0.013 µg · ml^–1), whereas the highest was found in autumn (0.034 µg · ml^–1). No statistically significant differences were observed between the content of selenium in milk in winter and spring but in case of other seasons the noted differences were significant. Our study has shown that a particular attention has to be paid on the content of selenium in cow milk in summer, as in 72.22% of the tested samples the level of Se was marginal, and in 27.78% the level was deficient. Low concentration of selenium in cow milk in summer indicates that the animals residue in an area poorly supplied in this element. Thus, it is particularly relevant to introduce an early-diagnostics program evaluating the levels of selenium in dairy cattle and showing the possible need of selenium supplementation in cows.

Keywords: selenium, cow milk, milk dispending machines, seasons, Szczecin