The pre-milk fluid produced from the mother’s mammary glands during the first 24 to 48 hours after giving birth is called colostrum. Colostrum can be divided into immune factors and growth factors [1] .

The body fights off harmful invaders such as viruses, bacteria, yeast and fungi because of the immune factors in colostrum. Over 20 pathogen specific antibodies are present in colostrum [2] . A lowered immune system function precedes or accompanies the onset on most of the infectious and degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Powerful immune factors such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and cytokines are present in colostrum that works to restore immune function. The mucous membranes in the bowel are the entry point for most diseases in the body. Majority of the immunoglobulins and antibodies contained in colostrum are not absorbed, but remain in the gastrointestinal tract where they attack pathogens before they can penetrate the body’s defenses [1] .

The function of growth factors is to help build and restore muscle, bone, connective tissue, nerve tissue, cartilage and skin, increase lean muscle mass, help the body burn fat for fuel, assist in wound healing and slow the signs of aging [2] .

Immune factors are forty times more in bovine colostrum than human colostrum [2] . Moreover, bovine colostrum is not species-specific, which means it can also work effectively in humans and other mammals. As a person ages, the person becomes more vulnerable to disease. It takes a little longer to fight off cold or flu. Skin loses its elasticity, energy and enthusiasm lessens. Person gains unwanted weight and loses muscle tone. After maturity, humans gradually lose the immune and growth factors in the body. Aging, illness and death occur with the loss of immune and growth factors in the human body which can possibly be replaced in the human body with bovine colostrum [1] [3] . Since colostrum is a natural food, it can be consumed without experiencing side effects or drug interactions. Most colostrum manufacturers recommend and optimal intake of about 4g/day of dried colostrum [2] . Whether or not colostrum influences the characteristics of ice cream is not known. The objective was to study the impact of various amounts of colostrum on the key attributes of ice cream.

The aerobic counts are reported in Figure 1. The ice creams with colostrum had significantly higher aerobic counts that the control. With an increase in colostrum up to 3.0 g/pint of ice cream the aerobic counts increased. Microorganisms are known to be associated with milk powders. Microbial content of milk powders is one of the criteria that influence grading of milk powders [7] . Colostrum was added in form of colostrum powder which was also source of microorganisms, hence an increase in colostrum used resulted in increase in aerobic counts. Although there was an increase in aerobic counts, the counts were within the legal limits for ice cream [8] .

The pH values are shown in Figure 2. Use of 4.5 g of colostrum resulted in significantly lower pH compared to control. This may be because colostrum powder used had 23% lactose (manufactures specification) hence the ice cream mixes with the most amount of colostrum would have had more lactose compared to the control (no colostrum). Within the ice cream mix there are indigenous lactobacilli [9] which ferment lactose to lactic acid lowering the pH [10] .

The apparent viscosity values are reported in Figure 3. With colostrum incorporation the apparent viscosity was significantly higher when compared to the control. By incorporating colostrum there is an increase in total solids which in turn would increase product viscosity.

Meltdown is an important characteristic in a frozen dessert like ice cream. Rapid melting is not a desirable attribute. The melt down values are reported in Figure 4. Ice creams with colostrum had a significantly lower meltdown compared to control. Ice creams with colostrum took a longer time to melt compared to control. As colostrum content increased from 1.5 to 3 g, the meltdown values significantly decreased, after which at 4.5 g it seemed to have no influence on melt down. Incorporation of colostrum in ice cream manufacture would have increased its total solids, making more solids particularly proteins available for water binding [11] hence slowing down the melting rate resulting in lower meltdown values compared to control.

The flavor scores are reported in Figure 5. There were no differences in flavor of the colostrum ice creams compared to control. Colostrum content at the amounts studied did not influence the flavor of the ice creams. This in particular is desirable because typically in the process of making a healthier version of a product flavor should not be negatively influenced.

Although incorporation of colostrum will make a small marginal increase in cost per pint of ice cream (based on production volumes and sales), it is not seen as a major limiting factor.

Colostrum incorporation increased aerobic counts, apparent viscosity, but decreased meltdown resulting in slower melting of the ice creams and had no influence on flavor. Use of colostrum can be recommended in ice cream manufacture.