Chemical composition, whey protein profile, and fatty acid profile of milk from Sokólski horses in relation to Polish Halfbred horses

Abstract

The study was carried out on milk from cold-blooded Sokólski mares and warm-blooded Polish Halfbred mares. Milk samples were analysed for content of dry matter, protein, fat, lactose, and ash; density; energy value; percentage of α-lactalbumin (α-La), β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), serum albumin (SA), immunoglobulin (Ig), lactoferrin (Lf) and lysozyme (Lz) in the total protein; and fatty acid profile. Milk from cold-blooded mares was found to be similar in protein and fat content to that of warm-blooded mares, but had higher content of dry matter, including lactose and ash. It also had significantly (P≤0.01) higher content of α-La, SA and Lz, and lower content of β-Lg, Ig and Lf in comparison to milk from warm-blooded mares. Milk from Sokólski horses had a significantly (P≤0.01) higher proportion of SFA, including C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0 (P≤0.01) and C18:0 (P≤0.05), while the milk of warm-blooded mares had a significantly (P≤0.01) higher proportion of MUFA, including C16:1n-9 and C18:n-9, and PUFA, including C18:2n-6 and C18:3n3. The share of n-6 and n-3 PUFA was significantly (P≤0.01) higher in milk from warm-blooded horses, but their ratio (n-6/n-3) was lower (more favourable) in milk from cold-blooded mares. In addition, milk from warm-blooded horses had a lower (P≤0.01) share of HSFA and a higher proportion of DFA compared to cold-blooded horses, as well as lower values for AI and TI. Despite these minor differences in comparison with warm-blooded mares (Polish Halfbred), milk from cold-blooded Sokólski mares was shown to be a food product of high nutritional value, which is one argument in favour of the use of this horse breed for dairy purposes.

The Influence of Selected Factors on the Nutritional Value of the Milk of Cold-Blooded Mares: The Example of the Sokólski Breed

“…The composition and nutritional value of the milk of dairy animals depends on genetic factors (breed and individual traits), physiological factors (stage of lactation, age) and environmental factors (diet, time of year) [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In the case of horses as well, research indicates that the composition of milk is influenced by the breed, stage of lactation, parity, and diet [ 18 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. We assumed that horses’ sensitivity to various factors may be modified by breeding work on the species and changes in the maintenance of the animals.…”