the data as a whole, however, the differences in the vitamin A content of the 

 butter before and after storage are statistically insignificant. Certainly there 

 is no evidence of deterioration in potency during storage. 



Ohio. — At the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station 156 samples of butter 

 were stored at 0° F. for 6 months, and 96 of these samples were stored for 12 

 months. No loss in vitamin A occurred but the carotene content was slightly 

 lower after storage, which indicates there was little change in total vitamin A 

 potency of the butter. The results were as follows: 



Micrograms per gram of butter 



Carotene Vitamin A 

 Storage period: 

 156 samples: 



Fresh 5.30 4.97 



6 months 5.23 5.02 



96 samples: 



Fresh 4.51 4.53 



12 months 3.84 4.62 



California. — The California Agricultural Experiment Station purchased 

 six samples of butter at three different markets on June 2, 1943, and deter- 

 mined the carotene and vitamin A content at the time of purchase and also 

 after 7 months' storage. The averages for the six samples were as follows: 



Micrograms per gram of butter 



Carotene Vitamin A 

 Market butter: 



When purchased 6.02 7.46 



After 7 months' storage 5.91 6.70 



The California investigators stated that 1 -pound prints, from which these 

 samples were taken for analysis and scoring, even when carefully rewrapped, 

 can hardly be expected to yield the same results after storage as tubs of 

 butter similarly tested. Significant losses in 6 months and 1 year of storage 

 occurred in the tub butter of only one creamery. This creamery had only a 

 small operation, and frequently the cream was 4 days old at the time of 

 churning, and required fairly heavy neutralization. This interfered with the 

 test. 



Montana. — The average carotene and vitamin A content of 15 samples of 

 butter analyzed by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station before and 

 after storage was as follows: 



Micrograms per gram of butter 



Carotene Vitamin A 

 Storage time and temperature: 



Fresh 5.62 10.10 



30 days at 40° F 5.46 12.69 



90 days at 0° F 5.67 10.73 



180 days at 0° F 5.28 9.01 



It would be difficult to be certain that there was a significant change in 

 either carotene or vitamin A as a result of the storage of these samples; 

 certainly there was no obvious change as a result of storage for 90 days, and 

 one might even question the significance of the difference between the caro- 

 tene and vitamin A content of the fresh samples and those stored for 180 days. 



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