Seasonal and physiological variation of gross composition of camel milk in<br>Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Weekly milk samples from ten lactating she camels (Camelus dromedarius) were analyzed regularly for 11 months after parturition. The main values for all samples were 2.54 ± 0.72g/100g fat matter, 3.07 ± 0.30g/100g protein, 4.21 ± 0.37g/100g lactose and 0.76 ± 0.10g/100g ash. Fat content decreased from 3.41% at the first week to 2.29% at 36th week post-partum with rising at the end to 2.95% while protein decreased from 3.44% at week 1 to 2.79% at the end of lactation, and lactose from 4.48% to 3.90%. Ash increased from 0.72% to 0.82% then decreased down to 0.71%. Regarding seasonal variation, maximum level of fat was observed in January (3.46%) and minimum at summer time (2.29% in July). Protein content was maximum in February (3.32%) and minimum in October (2.76%). For lactose, the maximum mean value was 4.38% in February and the minimum in September (3.83%). The ash content was quite variable in January then stable all over the year. All components were highly positively correlated, except between fat and ash content which was not significant. No significant effect of parity, gestation length, calf body weight at birth or adult weight on all milk content. The average total milk production was 1207 L for 11 months range between 875 and 1616 L. The correlation between milk production and milk components are significantly negative.

Camel colostrum: Nutritional composition and improvement of the antimicrobial activity after enzymatic hydrolysis

“…Therefore, changes in camel milk composition occured along of lactation stage, because towards the end of the lactation, the fat, protein, solids and mineral contents increase, while the lactose content decreases (Benkerroum et al, 2003;Konuspayeva et al, 2007;Musaad et al, 2013).…”

Biochemical, Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Camel Raw Milk Marketed in Bechar city (South-West Algeria): Hygienic and Safe Consumers Approach

“…The values obtained are higher than those reported by Bengoumi et al, (1994): (69.5g/l) and less than that reported by Siboukeur (2007) (113.11g/l) and that reported by Chethouna (2011) (102.42g/l). Indeed, the dilution of milk during hot season reflects a phenomenon of adaptation of the camel in the desert and through which the camel is supplemented with sufficient nutrients and water (Musaad et al, 2013). On the other hand, the water content of the milk is affected camel by the water content of the plants ingested camel or fraud by the addition of water by individual traders.…”

Nutritional value and sanitary evaluation of raw Camels milk

“…at summer time. Yet, camel having a seasonal reproductive cycle, the summer time is corresponding with the lactation peak when fat and protein in milk are at their lower values (Musaad et al, 2013).…”