ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to compare the nutrient composition of five common brands. of whole milk powder packaged in sachets and marketed in Umuahia Main market. The milk samples were analyzed for total solids (TS). butter-fat (BF), crude protein (CP), lactose, solid-not-fat • (SNF), ash, calcium and phosphorus. The values obtained were converted to liquid milk equivalent. The TS values varied significantly (P<0.05) among the brands and were 12.36, 12.56, 12.10, 13.68 and 12. 78% respectively for Loya, ·Peak, Coast, Nido and Blueboat. The corresponding values for CP (N x 6.38%) were 3.55, 3.62, 3.63, 3.84 and 3.59. All the nutrients varied significantly in the five milk brands. The mean values for BF and SNF were 3 29, 9.08, 3.42, 9.14,8.74 3.35; 3.38, 10.30, and 3.57, 9.20% respectively. The relationships between the various nutrients in the five samples were analyzed. In Loya brand, the relationship between TS and C'P. TS and BF, TS and Lactose, BF and Lactose, Ash and Calcium and Calcium and· Phosphorus were positive and non significant. These relationships were only positive and significant between TS and CP and Ash and Calcium, in Peak brand, whereas in Coast brand, only TS and Lactose and BF and Lactose were positive and significant. (P0.05) In Nido brand, TS and BF and Ash and calcium were positive and significant while in Blueboat only ash and calcium showed positive and significant relationship. It was observed that Nido brand recorded· superior values for TS, CP and SNF contents among the 5 brands. .