Factor Determining Colour of Milk Fat

The colour of milk fat is dependent upon its:

Correct Answer: Carotene content

The colour of milk fat is determined by its β-Carotene (Carotene) content.

Carotene and Milk Colour

• Cow milk: Yellow/creamy colour — cows cannot fully convert β-carotene to Vitamin A, so excess carotene gives fat its yellow tint.
• Buffalo milk: White — buffaloes efficiently convert all β-carotene to Vitamin A; no residual carotene remains to colour the fat.
• Grass-fed cattle: More yellow milk (higher carotene from green fodder)
• Stall-fed cattle: White-yellowish milk (lower carotene)

Other Milk Colour Facts

• Greenish-yellow colour of whey → Riboflavin
• Bluish colour of skim milk → Riboflavin
• White colour of buffalo milk → Casein protein