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Journal of the science of food and agriculture2024; 105(3); 1894-1903; doi: 10.1002/jsfa.13966

Characterization and monitoring of changes during lactation in the profile of multiple bioactive compounds of milk from grazing mares.

Abstract: Mare milk has often been considered a food product with potential functional properties. However, the bioactive compound composition of mare milk, including vitamins and other minor bioactive compounds, as well as factors affecting this composition have scarcely been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the changes during lactation in the content of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and total polyphenols, and the total antioxidant capacity of mare milk from semi-extensive farms. A total of 310 individual milk samples from 18 mares belonging to three commercial farms and 12 lactation times were analyzed. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (vitamin B), riboflavin (vitamin B), nicotinic acid and niacinamide (vitamins B), pantothenic acid (vitamin B), pyridoxal and pyridoxine (vitamins B), folic acid (vitamin B), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B), tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) and retinol and retinyl esters (vitamin A) were quantified using liquid chromatography. Total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity assays were analyzed using spectrophotometry. Results: The concentration of most bioactive compounds tended to decline as lactation progressed, with the exception of polyphenols and the total antioxidant capacity that oscillated during lactation. On the other hand, the effect of the different semi-extensive management of the farms was only significant for vitamin B content. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides the most in-depth description of the vitamin profile of mare milk as well as new insights into polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of mare milk. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-18 PubMed ID: 39420862PubMed Central: PMC11726596DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13966Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

Overview

  • This research studied how the levels of various bioactive compounds, including vitamins, polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity, change in mare milk during lactation.
  • It provides detailed information on these compounds’ profiles from mares on semi-extensive grazing farms and identifies variations over the course of lactation.

Study Purpose

  • To characterize the content and changes over time of water- and fat-soluble vitamins in mare milk.
  • To assess total polyphenol content and the antioxidant capacity of mare milk during different lactation stages.
  • To evaluate the impact of semi-extensive farm management on these bioactive compounds.

Methodology

  • Sample Collection:
    • 310 individual milk samples were collected.
    • Samples came from 18 mares on 3 commercial, semi-extensive grazing farms.
    • Milk was collected at 12 different lactation time points to monitor changes over time.
  • Compound Quantification:
    • Vitamins analyzed included:
      • Water-soluble: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal, pyridoxine, folic acid, cyanocobalamin (all various forms of vitamin B).
      • Fat-soluble: Tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E), retinol and retinyl esters (vitamin A).
    • Liquid chromatography was used to quantify vitamins.
    • Spectrophotometric assays measured total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity.

Key Findings

  • Vitamin Concentrations:
    • Most vitamins showed a declining trend throughout the lactation period.
    • This suggests that early lactation milk contains higher amounts of various vitamins.
  • Polyphenols and Antioxidant Capacity:
    • Unlike vitamins, total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity did not steadily decline but showed fluctuations during lactation.
    • This indicates dynamic changes possibly related to environmental factors or mare physiology.
  • Farm Management Impact:
    • The differences in semi-extensive grazing management between farms affected only the vitamin B content.
    • Other bioactive compounds were not significantly influenced by farm management styles.

Conclusions and Significance

  • This study is one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of the vitamin composition in mare milk, especially under grazing conditions.
  • It highlights significant variations in bioactive compound levels throughout lactation, particularly the decrease in vitamin content.
  • The research adds new knowledge on polyphenol presence and antioxidant activity, showing they do not simply decline but oscillate during lactation.
  • These results can guide nutritional and functional evaluation of mare milk as a food product with potential health benefits.

Cite This Article

APA
Blanco-Doval A, Barron LJR, Bustamante MÁ, Aldai N. (2024). Characterization and monitoring of changes during lactation in the profile of multiple bioactive compounds of milk from grazing mares. J Sci Food Agric, 105(3), 1894-1903. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13966

Publication

Journal of the science of food and agriculture
ISSN: 1097-0010
NlmUniqueID: 0376334
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 105
Issue: 3
Pages: 1894-1903

Researcher Affiliations

Blanco-Doval, Ana
  • Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Barron, Luis Javier R
  • Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Bustamante, María Ángeles
  • Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Aldai, Noelia
  • Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Lactation
  • Milk / chemistry
  • Milk / metabolism
  • Horses / physiology
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Vitamins / metabolism
  • Vitamins / chemistry
  • Vitamins / analysis
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Polyphenols / metabolism
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / analysis

Grant Funding

  • Basque Government through Biotasma (Elkartek, 2019)
  • IT-944-16 / Behor Esne (Cooperation, 2020)
  • IT1568-22 / Behor Esne (Cooperation, 2020)

Conflict of Interest Statement

None.

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