Gerber method
Encyclopedia
The Gerber Method is a primary and historic chemical test to determine the fat content of milk
and other substances. The Gerber Method is the primary testing method in Europe
and much of the world. The fairly similar Babcock test
is used primarily in the United States
, although the Gerber Method also enjoys significant use in the U.S. as well.
The Gerber Method was developed and patented by Dr. Niklaus Gerber
of Switzerland
in 1891.
Milk fat is separated from proteins by adding sulfuric acid. The separation is facilitated by using amyl alcohol and centrifugation. The fat content is read directly via a special calibrated butyrometer. Gerber developed specialized butyrometer
s (tubes), pipettes, and centrifuges. Water baths built specifically for the Gerber tubes are often used.
The test is still in widespread use today and is the basis for numerous national and international standards. The test continues to be improved and standardized.
Fat content of milk
The fat content of milk is the proportion of milk, by weight,made up by butterfat. The fat content, particularly of cow's milk, is modified to make a variety of products...
and other substances. The Gerber Method is the primary testing method in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and much of the world. The fairly similar Babcock test
Babcock test
The Babcock test is the first inexpensive and practical test factories could use to determine the fat content of milk.-Motivation:Until the 1890s, dishonest farmers could water down their milk or remove some cream before selling it to the factories because milk was paid for by volume...
is used primarily in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, although the Gerber Method also enjoys significant use in the U.S. as well.
The Gerber Method was developed and patented by Dr. Niklaus Gerber
Niklaus Gerber
Niklaus Gerber was a Swiss dairy chemist and industrialist. He was born in 1850 in Thun, Switzerland. He attended the University of Bern and University of Zurich, studied chemistry in Paris and Munich and spent 2 years at the Swiss-American Milk Co. in Little Falls, New York.In 1887, Gerber...
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1891.
Milk fat is separated from proteins by adding sulfuric acid. The separation is facilitated by using amyl alcohol and centrifugation. The fat content is read directly via a special calibrated butyrometer. Gerber developed specialized butyrometer
Butyrometer
Butyrometer is a measuring instrument used to measure fat content in milk or milk products in general. The method used in the determination is Gerber's method as invented by Swiss chemist Niklaus Gerber.thumbnail|Butyrometer...
s (tubes), pipettes, and centrifuges. Water baths built specifically for the Gerber tubes are often used.
The test is still in widespread use today and is the basis for numerous national and international standards. The test continues to be improved and standardized.
External links
- Gerber Method procedures
- A good explanation of the apparatus and procedure for the Gerber test]