Simple SummaryFreezing point is an indicator used regularly in the dairy industry to detect adulteration in cow milk, but for camel milk there is a lack of reference values. The few published references in the literature are based on few milk samples and overall, on routine analytical methods using automatic milk analyzers, which are generally not calibrated for camel milk. The present study was based on the monitoring over several months of many milk samples, analyzed with two methods, including the reference method. In addition, several potential variation factors, such as season, breed, milk composition and microbiological status, were considered. The preliminary results showed a higher freezing point of camel milk compared to cow milk published in the literature and a relatively weak correlation between the Reference and the Express method.AbstractThe freezing point degree of milk (FPD) is a classical indicator of cow milk quality. In camel milk, few references are available in the literature regarding the main factors of variation. In the present paper, two methods of FPD determination were used: the Reference method (RM) (using Cryostar) and the Express method (EM), using a milk analyzer (Milkoscan-FT1). The RM was used to determine FPD in 680 bulk raw or pasteurized camel milk samples. Regarding EM, 736 individual milk samples, 1323 bulk samples, 635 samples of pasteurized milk and 812 samples of raw milk used for cheese making were available. The variability of FPD was investigated according to month, lactation stage, milk composition, milk production and microbiological status. Correlations between methods were explored. FPD was highly correlated with most of the milk components and tended to decrease in cases of high contamination by coliforms or high total flora count. However, the weak significant correlations between the two methods indicated the necessity to specifically calibrate an automatic milk analyzer for camel milk.