Formaldehyde influence, used in milk conservation, on the peroxidase, redutase and phosphatase tests

Abstract

Knowing the use of formaldehyde (1:20.000) in milk preservation and its ulterior elimination by the sodium bisulfite (1:5.000), the AA. studied the influence of such treatment upon the peroxidase, reductase and phosphatase tests. The results show that the peroxidase test is not absolutely influenced, while the phosphatase one is scarcely modified. The reductase test was influenced in those samples mantained in ambient temperature; this fact may be atributed to the peculiar action of the formaldehyde because it produces sensible reduction in the germs content without leading to the complete sterilisation.