Lipase redistribution in cows' milk during induced lipolysis: I. Activation by agitation, temperature change, blood serum and heparin

Effects of agitation, temperature change, blood serum and heparin on lipolysis and on distribution of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in cold-stored cows' milk were measured. All individual milks (n = 135) were susceptible to activation treatments. With 'gentle' treatments, induced lipolysis was strongly correlated to spontaneous lipolysis (r greater than or equal to 0.74). In contrast, induced lipolysis in response to 'vigorous' treatments was more variable (0.7 greater than r greater than 0.34) and levelled off in milks with high spontaneous lipolysis. Induced lipolysis always resulted from an increase in LPL associated with cream. Strong correlations (0.79 less than or equal to r less than or equal to 0.94) were found between free fatty acid levels and cream LPL. All treatments (except heparin addition) also promoted lipolysis/unit cream LPL.