Bovine colostrum: Postpartum changes in fat globule size distribution and fatty acid profile

Abstract

Although "zero waste" valorization concepts are gaining increasing attention, colostrum, a byproduct of milk production, remains underused due to technological challenges. Information about the fat fraction and the size of fat globules is needed to address these challenges, but such information is currently lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap in the knowledge by measuring the size distribution of bovine colostrum fat globules (CFG) and analyzing its relationships with postpartum milkings, parity, and fatty acids (FA) profile. Four sequential postpartum colostrum samples were collected from 44 cows and analyzed for the abovementioned parameters. The results indicated that CFG size increases almost twice during postpartum milkings (from ~5 to ~10 µm), whereas lactation has little, if any, effect on CFG size. The FA profile analyses showed that the content of most FA in the fourth postpartum milking was different from the previous milkings. The correlation analyses between CFG size and FA profile also demonstrated that the fourth milking was clearly distinguishable from the first 3 postpartum milkings. For example, the saturated FA content from the first 3 milkings had a positive correlation with smaller CFG (and a negative correlation with larger CFG), whereas the fourth milking demonstrated no correlations. Based on these CFG size and FA profile analyses, the results of this study suggest that the first 3 postpartum milkings can be considered as colostrum, whereas the fourth milking represents transition milk. Information about CFG size distribution enables modification of the FA profile of colostrum products and the ability to create better valorization technologies for colostrum-based food and feed supplements.

Triglyceride and fatty acid composition of bovine colostrum and transition milk in pasture‐based dairy cows supplemented prepartum with inorganic selenium, organic selenium or rumen‐protected choline

“…Sats et al . (2022) reported similar proportions of ω‐3 and ω‐6 in colostrum to those reported here (1.19 and 2.6 g/100 g FA respectively).…”

“…Given the anti-inflammatory functions of DPA derivatives (Groeger et al 2010;Cipollina et al 2014), high proportions in colostrum and transition milks may have significant benefits in calf neural development (Helland et al 2003). Sats et al (2022) reported similar proportions of x-3 and x-6 in colostrum to those reported here (1.19 and 2.6 g/100 g FA respectively).…”

Patterns of Fourier-transform infrared estimated milk constituents in early lactation Holstein cows on a single New York State dairy

“…Although these PLS models have been created to analyze milk across most of a lactation, they were not designed to analyze constituents during the transition from colostrum to milk. Research by Sats et al (2022) indicated that the fourth milking of a postpartum cow is colostrum transition milk, and all prior milkings are colostrum. Because the study farm milked 3 times a day, a cow could still be producing transition milk on 2 DIM, depending on when she calved.…”

Dynamic Light Scattering and Its Application to Control Nanoparticle Aggregation in Colloidal Systems: A Review

“…The electrostatic charge that the particles carry is essential for the stability of the milk emulsion. Monitoring the particle size is crucial to ensure milk satisfies consumer demands, legal requirements, and shelf-life regulations [ 109 ].…”