The seasonal variations in the cholesterol content in butter in relation to the fatty acid compositions were studied. No statistically significant differences in the cholesterol content depending on the season of the year were found. The differences in the cholesterol content in butter manufactured conventionally or continuously were also insignificant (p=0.05). The analysis of correlation showed statistically significant (p=0.05) dependence between the butter cholesterol content and iodine value (r=0.47), volatile fatty acids content (r=-0.38), and the C16:0/C18:0 ratio (r = 0.36).
The differences in the butter content of cholesterol depending on the butter plasma acidity and type of lactic acid bacteria used for cream ripening were examined. Statistically significant effect of the plasma acidity on the content of cholesterol in butter was shown. Lower content of cholesterol was found in the butters with the higher plasma acidity. The butter content of cholesterol was also found to decrease when the Lactobacillus acidophilus strains, unusual in butter production, were employed for cream ripening.