Transfer of formaldehyde from feed to milk during the feeding of fresh cut grass treated with formaldehyde-containing preservative

Authors

• Matti Kreula Biochemical Research Institute Kalevankatu 56 b, 00180 Helsinki 18, Finland
• Aino Rauramaa Biochemical Research Institute Kalevankatu 56 b, 00180 Helsinki 18, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71909

Abstract

6 cows were fed for 2 weeks with fresh cut grass treated with formaldehyde-containing preservative. The formaldehyde content of the treated grass, as fed, averaged 490 mg/kg fresh weight and the consumption was 32—44 kg fresh material/ cow/day. The formaldehyde content of the milk rose rapidly from a pre-feed level of 0 to 0.6—2.2 mg/kg, and fell to 0 immediately after the feeding period. The faeces and urine contained 150-260 and 16—26 mg formaldehyde/kg fresh weight respectively during the feeding period, background values being about 10 and 1 mg/kg.