Effect of the plasmin inhibitor 6-amino-n-hexanoic acid on somatic cell proteases (equivalent to 2.3 X 10(6) cells/ml) was determined using a model system of casein micelles dispersed in Jenness/Koops buffer (1.5% wt/vol). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to quantitate casein. There was no effect of 120 mM 6-amino-n-hexanoic acid on casein proteolysis by somatic cell proteases. Molecular weights of casein proteolysis products produced by somatic cell proteases were different from those produced by plasmin. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of pasteurized mastitic milk by SDS-PAGE indicated that a portion of the somatic cell proteolytic activity survived pasteurization. Because 6-amino-n-hexanoic acid does not inhibit somatic cell proteases, it can be used to establish the relative contribution of somatic cell proteases and plasmin to total proteolytic activity in mastitic milk.