Question

Greenish yellow colour of whey is due to the presence of ______

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

Hint:

To remember:
- Creamy yellow color of milk fat = Carotene (fat-soluble).
- Greenish-yellow color of whey = Riboflavin (water-soluble).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Whey is the liquid byproduct remaining after milk has been coagulated and curdled during cheese or paneer making.
It contains water, lactose, whey proteins, minerals, and water-soluble vitamins.
The characteristic greenish-yellow tint of whey is due to a specific water-soluble vitamin.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the pigments and vitamins in milk:
- Carotene is a fat-soluble pigment responsible for the creamy yellow color of cow milk and milk fat (ghee), and it remains with the curd/fat during coagulation.
- Anthocyanins and chlorophyll are plant-derived pigments not typically found in milk.
- Riboflavin (also known as Vitamin B2) is a highly water-soluble vitamin.
Because it is water-soluble, it partition into the serum phase (whey) rather than the curd (casein and fat) during the coagulation of milk.
Riboflavin possesses a natural, fluorescent greenish-yellow color, which imparts this exact tint to the whey.
Therefore, the greenish-yellow color of whey is due to the presence of Riboflavin.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The greenish yellow color of whey is caused by the presence of Riboflavin.