-Ass's milk yield and chemical composition were investigated in two lactations at d 28,45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 135 and 150 after parturition. Milk yield per milking (averaging 740 mL) of 6 asses of Martina Franca (n = 3) and Ragusana (n = 3) breeds, which quickly adapted to the milking machine procedures, increased in the second (or third) milking per day but was unaffected by stage of lactation or breed. Year of lactation, stage of lactation, breed and milking time did not influence the gross composition of the milk, except for fat and protein contents. The overall average protein percentage (1.72 g·100 g -1 of milk), showing a significant negative trend throughout lactation, was characterised by low casein (47.3% of crude protein) and whey protein contents (36.9% of crude protein). A specific whey protein profile was also found, being the relative percentage on total whey protein 4.48%, 6.18%, 29.85%, 21.03% and 22.56% for respectively lactoferrin, serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin, lysozyme and α-lactoalbumin. The low average fat content of ass's milk (0.38 g·100 g -1 of milk), showing a high individual variability, was significantly affected by the year of the study; the lipid fraction was also characterised by high levels of linoleic (average 8.15 g·100 g -1 of total fatty acids) and linolenic acid (average 6.32 g·100 g -1 of total fatty acids). The ash content of ass's milk (0.39 g·100 g -1 of milk) was constant throughout the experimental period and showed high levels of Ca and P, the ratio of which, ranging between 0.93 and 2.37, was on average 1.48. 135 et 150 jours après la mise bas. Au total, 6 ânesses de race Martina Franca (n = 3) et de race Ragusana (n = 3), rapidement adaptées à la traite mécanique, ont été utilisées. La production laitière par traite et par jour (en moyenne 740 mL) a été supérieure lors de la seconde (ou troisième) traite. Elle n'a été affectée ni par le stade de lactation ni par la race. L'année de lactation, le stade de lactation, la race et l'heure de traite n'ont pas influencé la composition brute du lait sauf ses teneurs en lipides et en protéines. Le pourcentage de protéines (moyenne de 1,72 g·100 g -1 de lait) a eu tendance à diminuer significativement tout au long de la lactation, et a été caractérisé par une teneur réduite en caséine (47,3 % des matières azotées) et en protéines sériques (36,9 % des matières azotées). Un profil particulier des protéines sériques a été mis en évidence, avec un pourcentage relatif par rapport aux protéines sériques totales de 4,48, 6,18, 29,85, 21,03 et 22,56 %, respectivement, pour la lactoferrine, la sérum albumine, la β-lactoglobuline, le lysozyme et l'α-lactalbumine. La faible teneur du lait en matières grasses (0,38 g·100 g -1 ) a été caractérisée par une variabilité individuelle élevée. La fraction lipidique a présenté des niveaux élevés d'acide linoléique (moyenne de 8,15 g·100 g -1 d'acides gras totaux) et linolénique (moyenne de 6,32 g·100 g -1 d'acides gras totaux). Le contenu en cendres (0,39 g·100 g -1 de lait) n'a pas var...

No abstract

No abstract

Donkey milk could be considered a good and safer alternative, compared to other types of milk, for infants affected by cow's milk protein allergy, when breastfeeding is not possible. Interestingly, donkey milk has low allergenicity, mainly due to the low total casein amount, and the content of some whey proteins that act as bioactive peptides. The amount of lysozyme, an antibacterial agent, is 1.0 g/L, similar to human milk. Lactoferrin content is 0.08 g/L, with this protein being involved in the regulation of iron homoeostasis, anti-microbial and anti-viral functions, and protection against cancer development. Lactoperoxidase, another protein with antibacterial function, is present in donkey milk, but in very low quantities (0.11 mg/L). β-lactoglobulin content in donkey milk is 3.75 g/L-this protein is able to bind and transport several hydrophobic molecules. Donkey milk's α-lactalbumin concentration is 1.8 g/L, very close to that of human milk. α-lactalbumin shows antiviral, antitumor, and anti-stress properties. Therefore, donkey milk can be considered as a set of nutraceuticals properties and a beverage suitable, not only for the growing infants, but for all ages, especially for convalescents and for the elderly.

No abstract