Abstract: An on-line somatic cell analyser and a method for evaluating the quantity of somatic cells present in a sample of milk are provided. A flow cell is connected to a milking hose and admits a constant volume of sampled milk into a flow chamber. A probe with two electrodes is positioned in a zone of optimal sensing inside the flow chamber and provides a modulated signal with an intensity value corresponding to the number of sodium ions present in the sample. A detection unit receives the modulated signal and generates a ion count signal whenever the number of sodium ions is above a reference value. A control unit converts the ion count signal into a somatic cell count (SCC) score. A step graph comprising a plurality of SCC thresholds defining a plurality of milk categories is stored in a memory and used by the control unit to classify the sample in a quality category according to the SCC score of the sample.

Abstract: An on-line somatic cell analyser and a method for measuring a somatic cell count (SCC) are provided. A flow cell is connected to a milking hose and admits a constant volume of sampled milk into the flow chamber. A probe with two electrodes is positioned in a zone of optimal sensing inside the flow chamber, and provides a modulated signal according to the number of sodium ions present in the sample. A control unit receives the modulated signal, generates an ion count, and compares same with a plurality of SCC thresholds for classifying the sample in a quality category. A set of parameters characterizing the respective quality category, as well as the presence of mastitis in the animal, are finally displayed.