Question

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) is a technique used for estimation of

• A. Lactose
• B. Calcium
• C. Fat
• D. Protein

Hint:

Analytical Methods in Dairy Science:
Calcium Minerals Trace Metals $\rightarrow$ ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRY (AAS).
Nitrogen Total Protein $\rightarrow$ Kjeldahl Method.
Fat $\rightarrow$ Gerber Mojonnier.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Instrumental elemental spectroscopy: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) vaporizes samples into ground-state free atoms that absorb element-specific resonance radiation, accurately quantifying metallic minerals like calcium ($ ext{Ca}^{2+}$).
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ A = \log \left( \frac{I_0}{I} \right) = k \cdot C_{\text{Mineral}} \quad [\text{Specific for Metallic Cations: Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu}] \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In analytical chemistry and instrumental dairy testing:
1. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) (B): An instrumental optical analytical method based on the absorption of optical radiation by free ground-state gas-phase atoms. It is used specifically and with high sensitivity for the quantitative determination of metallic elements and minerals in milk, most notably Calcium (Ca) (at $422.7\text{ nm}$ resonance line), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and heavy metals.
2. Lactose Estimation: Polarimetry, Lane-Eynon method, HPLC.
3. Fat Estimation: Gerber method, Mojonnier, Rose-Gottlieb.
4. Protein Estimation: Kjeldahl method, Dumas method, Lowry assay.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, AAS is used for estimation of Calcium, matching option (B).