The main function of amino acids is to serve as building blocks for proteins.

The side groups are what make each amino acid different from the others. Of the 20 side groups used to make proteins, there are two main groups: polar and non-polar. These names refer to the way the side groups, sometimes called “R” groups, interact with the environment.

Identifying Amino Acids : Example Question #3 Explanation: All amino acids have an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and an R-group that is unique to the amino acid. In this structure, the R-group is a hydrogen, which corresponds to the amino acid glycine.

The essential amino acids include:

• Histidine.
• Isoleucine.
• Leucine.
• Lysine.
• Methionine.
• Phenylalanine.
• Threonine.
• Tryptophan.

Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body. As a result, they must come from food. The 9 essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

The best sources of essential amino acids are animal proteins like meat, eggs and poultry. When you eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids, which are then used to help your body with various processes such as building muscle and regulating immune function ( 2 ).

Casein and whey protein are the major proteins of milk. Casein constitutes approximately 80%(29.5 g/L) of the total protein in bovine milk, and whey protein accounts for about 20% (6.3 g/L) (19-21). Casein is chiefly phosphate-conjugated and mainly consists of calcium phosphate- micelle complexes (20).

Vitamins and proteins are denatured and destroyed when milk is boiled at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius for over 15 minutes. Milk is a vital source for Vitamin D and Vitamin B 12, which help in calcium absorption. Both these vitamins are highly heat sensitive and boiling milk destroys both substantially.

It’s not only rich in high-quality protein but also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. For this reason, it may cut your risk of osteoporosis and reduce blood pressure. Still, some people are allergic to milk proteins or intolerant to milk sugar (lactose).

According to Dr Saurabh Arora, founder, food safety helpline.com, there is no need to boil pasteurized milk at all. “As it has already been given heat treatment during pasteurization, milk is microbe free. If we boil pasteurized milk, we end up diminishing its nutritive value.

According to the Department of Food Science in Cornell University, pasteurised or boiled milk has a longer shelf life than raw milk, contrary to the myth that boiling milk will not reduce its lactose content. Raw milk may harbour E. coli, salmonella and other harmful bacteria.

Milk from Amul or any other packaged milk supplier is packaged following stringent quality norms. So the quality is consistent and you can be sure what you are consuming.