Analyze Diet
Journal of equine veterinary science2022; 115; 104006; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104006

A Systematic Review of the Bioactive Components, Nutritional Qualities and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Donkey Milk.

Abstract: In addition to providing individualized, specific, and ample nutritional compounds, donkey milk (DM) offers immunological modulation during health and disease. Recently, DM has attracted major interest in preparing infant formulas due to its similarity to human milk in terms of high protein and lactose content and low-fat concentration. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and hypo-allergenicity properties of DM in human infants are well-documented. The purpose of this review is to summarize the knowledge of studies done in characterizing the composition of DM, including bioactive macronutrient levels influenced by the lactation status. The manufacture of DM-based food products and promising therapeutic applications in humans will also be discussed. The beneficial health effects of DM have been extensively studied as a valuable alternative source to breast milk. DM has proven to be a suitable nutrient to relieve milk-related allergies in human infants as opposed to cow's milk. Factors that influence the levels of macronutrients in DM include lactation status, processing, and manufacturing techniques. A wide variety of dairy products have been prepared using DM, such as cheese, ice cream, milk powder, novel functional fermented beverages, and milk powder for infant formulas. The bioactive macromolecules of DM exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects as well as hypo-allergenicity, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant properties.
Publication Date: 2022-05-06 PubMed ID: 35526725DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104006Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the nutritional properties and potential therapeutic uses of donkey milk (DM), which is shown to have high protein and lactose content, low fat concentration, and bioactive compounds which contribute to overall health.

Composition and Bioactive Compounds of Donkey Milk

This section of the review summarises the existing knowledge on the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds found in donkey milk (DM).

  • The bioactive compounds found in DM, such as proteins and lactose, are influenced by the current lactation status of the donkey.
  • DM is known for its high protein and lactose content and low-fat concentration.
  • The components of DM offer nutrient-richness and have immunomodulatory properties, which means they can regulate or normalize the immune system.

Manufacturing of Donkey Milk-based Food Products

The researchers delve into how DM is used in the production of various food items.

  • DM is being used to manufacture various dairy products like cheese, ice cream, milk powder, fermented beverages.
  • These products are designed not just for their taste, but also for their potential health benefits.
  • DM is promising for its application in preparing infant formulas due to its closeness in composition to human milk.

Therapeutic Applications of Donkey Milk

The review also explores the potential therapeutic applications of DM in human health.

  • DM is documented to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
  • DM is also hypoallergenic, making it a suitable alternative to cow’s milk for infants with milk-related allergies.
  • The bioactive macromolecules in DM show a marked resistance against bacterial, viral, and fungal effects.
  • Moreover, the immunomodulatory properties of DM make it beneficial during health and disease conditions.

Each of these factors, combined with DM’s closeness in composition to human milk, makes it a promising alternative to traditional milk sources. The manufacturing of DM into various food items and its potential therapeutic benefits could broadens its applications in human nutrition and health.

Cite This Article

APA
Garhwal R, Sangwan K, Mehra R, Kumar N, Bhardwaj A, Pal Y, Buttar HS, Kumar H. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Bioactive Components, Nutritional Qualities and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Donkey Milk. J Equine Vet Sci, 115, 104006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104006

Publication

ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 115
Pages: 104006
PII: S0737-0806(22)00144-7

Researcher Affiliations

Garhwal, Renu
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
Sangwan, Karnam
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
Mehra, Rahul
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India; Department of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Hotel Management, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
Kumar, Naveen
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
Bhardwaj, Anuradha
  • ICAR- National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India. Electronic address: dranu.biotech@gmail.com.
Pal, Yash
  • ICAR- National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India.
Buttar, Harpal Singh
  • Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, School of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Kumar, Harish
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. Electronic address: harishkanwar3@gmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Allergens
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / veterinary
  • Milk, Human
  • Powders

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Laus F, Laghi L, Bazzano M, Cifone MG, Cinque B, Yang Y, Marchegiani A. Donkey Colostrum and Milk: How Dietary Probiotics Can Affect Metabolomic Profile, Alkaline Sphingomyelinase and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity.. Metabolites 2023 Apr 30;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/metabo13050622pubmed: 37233663google scholar: lookup
  2. Garhwal R, Bhardwaj A, Sangwan K, Mehra R, Pal Y, Nayan V, Iquebal MA, Jaiswal S, Kumar H. Milk from Halari Donkey Breed: Nutritional Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profiling.. Foods 2023 Feb 16;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/foods12040853pubmed: 36832927google scholar: lookup