Authenticity of domestic animal milk: An identification strategy by supercritical fluid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The research explores a novel method for identifying and verifying the authenticity of milk from various domestic animals, including cows, goats, horses, camels, yaks, and buffaloes, using a technique known as supercritical fluid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SFC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with chemometric methods.

Background

• The study is rooted in the need to develop an effective and accurate method for identifying the source of milk products. This is in response to illegal trade practices where low-grade raw materials may be maliciously added to higher grade milk.
• The authors note that milk from domestic animals such as camels, yaks, and buffaloes have been less studied in previous research, providing an opportunity in this study.

Methodology

• The researchers separated and authenticated triacylglycerols (TAGs) components of milk from several animal species using the SFC-Q-TOF-MS technique. This is a powerful method that gives a detailed molecular profile of the milk
• Following this, the molecular fingerprints of TAGs from the different milk samples were modeled using statistical techniques known as chemometric methods.

Results

• The results of the investigation indicated that the similarities between different milk types were in line with the taxonomy of the species they originated from. In other words, the molecular fingerprints of the milk samples closely resembled the taxonomical classification of the animals.
• Further, the accuracy of both internal and external validations of this methodology proved satisfactory, offering a strong testament to its potency.

Implications

• Overall, the research provides a groundbreaking blueprint for verifying the authenticity of milk from diverse livestock. This is especially useful for regulatory and quality control bodies.
• Furthermore, the study serves as an exceptional model for creating nutritional databases since the methodology could potentially be used to document the unique molecular profile of different types of milk.