Two years after a tainted milk scandal that left six children dead and 300,000 sick, Chinese researchers have discovered natural "biomarkers" in cow's milk which they intend to use as a new standard for testing the quality of milk.

We've found that there is a new group of molecules in milk called microRNAs. There are special characteristics related to these microRANs in the milk, so in the end we selected seven microRNAs as boimarkers to test its quality in raw milk and for using quality control.

In the paper published in Cell Research on Tuesday June 15th, Chinese scientist discribed how they analyzed raw milk taken from a farm in eastern China and found that they contain naturally occurring molecules called microRNAs.

They can be used to test the quality of milk made in different places, but these seven microRNAs are relatively stable as we examine milk from different origins in stages of production. Since it is stable throughout, we can use it as a measure in testing raw milk.

At least 50,000 babies across China were hospitalized in 2008. Many of them with kidney stones after drinking poor quality milk tainted with melamine. The scandal sparked intense public fury, and as a result many Chinese families who can afford to now rely on imported formula for their children.

Theoretically, if the milk is deluded or other things are added to the milk, there's no way to restore the microRNAs to its original level, so as long as we test and confirm the level of microRNAs, we'll be able to tell original raw milk from milk that has other additives.

Zhang said the seven molecules or biomarkers can be used to design test kits for sampling milk.

Jill Kitchener reports,Reuters.