Four independent studies were conducted in the course of two years to determine the retentions (or the losses) of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid during the ultra-high temperature sterilization of pre-pasteurized milk (85 degrees C without hold-up time) by means of the Alfa-Laval-Vtis-C apparatus (140 degrees C, 3-4 s, direct heating with subsequent expansion). The following retentions (or losses) were stated: vitamin A, 97.2% (2.8%); beta-carotene, 93.9% (6.1%); vitamin B1, 82.2% (12.0%); vitamin B2, 97.6% (2.4%); vitamin B6, 92.7% (7.3%) nicotinic acid, 96.0% (4.0%); and pantothenic acid, 96.4% (3.6%).