Question

The fat soluble pigment which is responsible for yellow colour of milk, cream, butter, ghee, etc., is:

• A. Riboflavin
• B. Carotene
• C. Anthocyanin
• D. Betalin

Hint:

Buffalo milk is whiter than cow milk because buffaloes efficiently convert all the dietary carotene into colorless Vitamin A.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks us to identify the fat-soluble pigment responsible for the yellow color of milk, cream, butter, ghee, etc. Let's analyze the given options one by one:

1. Riboflavin: This is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as Vitamin B2. It has a yellow-orange color when isolated, but it is not fat-soluble and does not primarily affect the color of dairy products.
2. Carotene: Carotene is a fat-soluble pigment found in plants, and it is responsible for giving carrots their orange color. It is present in animal products like milk due to the diet of cows, which can include carotene-rich feeds. When cows consume these plants, carotene is transferred to milk and milk products, imparting a yellowish color.
3. Anthocyanin: These are water-soluble pigments and are responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in many fruits and vegetables. They are not involved in coloring dairy products yellow.
4. Betalin: Betalins are also water-soluble, pigments found in the red and purple colors of beets, and do not contribute to the yellow color of dairy products.

Based on the above analysis, the correct choice is Carotene, as it is fat-soluble and imparts the characteristic yellow color to milk, cream, butter, and ghee. This is due to the presence of carotene in the cow's feed and its concentration in milk fat.