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.
Publication Date: 2024-10-18 PubMed ID: 39420862PubMed Central: PMC11726596DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13966Google 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
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.
- Vitamins analyzed included:
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
Researcher Affiliations
- Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- Lactiker Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- 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.
References
This article includes 52 references
- Sheng Q, Fang X. Bioactive components in mare milk. .
- Salimei E, Fantuz F. Equid milk for human consumption. Int Dairy J 24:130–142 (2012).
- Pieszka M, Łuszczyński J, Zamachowska M, Augustyn R, Długosz B, Hędrzak M. Is mare milk an appropriate food for people? A review. Ann Anim Sci 16:33–51 (2016).
- Devle H, Vetti I, Naess‐Andresen CF, Rukke E, Vegarud G, Ekeberg D. A comparative study of fatty acid profiles in ruminant and non‐ruminant milk. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol 114:1036–1043 (2012).
- Hsu Y, Jhang W, Lee M, Bat‐Otgon B, Narantungalag E, Huang C. Lactose‐riched Mongolian mare's milk improves physical fatigue and exercise performance in mice. Int J Med Sci 18:564–574 (2021).
- Shariatikia M, Behbahani M, Mohabatkar H. Anticancer activity of cow, sheep, goat, mare, donkey and camel milks and their caseins and whey proteins and in silico comparison of the caseins. Mol Biol Res Commun 6:57–64 (2017).
- Song JJ, Wang Q, Du M, Ji XM, Mao XY. Identification of dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV inhibitory peptides from mare whey protein hydrolysates. J Dairy Sci 100:6885–6894 (2017).
- Zava S, Barello C, Pessione A, Garoffo LP, Fattori P, Montorfano G. Mare's colostrum globules stimulate fibroblast growth in vitro: A biochemical study. J Med Food 12:836–845 (2009).
- Navrátilová P, Borkovcová I, Kaniová L, Dluhošová S, Zachovalová H. The content of selected vitamins and iodine in mare's milk. Acta Vet Brno 88:473–480 (2019).
- Holmes AD, McKey BV, Wertz AW, Lindquist HG, Parkinson LR. The vitamin content of mare's milk. J Dairy Sci 29:163–171 (1946).
- Pearson PB. The thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid contents of mare's colostrum and milk and ascorbic acid content of the milk. J Dairy Sci 30:73–77 (1947).
- Collins RA, Harper AE, Schreiber M, Elvehjem CA. The folic acid and vitamin B12 content of the milk of various species. J Nutr 43:313–321 (1951).
- Markiewicz‐Kęszycka M, Czyżak‐Runowska G, Wójtowski J, Jóźwik A, Pankiewicz R, Łęska B. Influence of stage of lactation and year season on composition of mares' colostrum and milk and method and time of storage on vitamin C content in mares' milk. J Sci Food Agric 95:2279–2286 (2015).
- Teichert J, Cais‐Sokolińska D, Bielska P, Danków R, Chudy S, Kaczyński ŁK. Milk fermentation affects amino acid and fatty acid profile of mare milk from Polish Coldblood mares. Int Dairy J 121:105–137 (2021).
- Csapó J, Stefler J, Martin TG, Makray S, Csapó‐Kiss Z. Composition of mares' colostrum and milk. Fat content, fatty acid composition and vitamin content. Int Dairy J 5:393–402 (1995).
- Marconi E and Panfili G, Chemical composition and nutritional properties of commercial products of mare milk powder. J Food Compos Anal 11:178–187 (1998).
- nBondo T and Jensen SK, Administration of RRR‐‐tocopherol to pregnant mares stimulates maternal IgG and IgM production in colostrum and enhances vitamin E and IgM status in foals. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutrn95:214–222 (2011).
- Álvarez R, Meléndez‐Martínez AJ, Vicario IM and Alcalde MJ, Carotenoids and fat‐soluble vitamins in horse tissues: a comparison with cattle. Animal 9:1230–1238 (2015).
- Danyer E and Bilal T, Effects of dietary fish oil and alpha‐tocopherol supplementation on selected blood parameters and fatty acid profiles in mares and their foals. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 105:3–17 (2020).
- La Terra S, Marino VM, Manenti M, Licitra G and Carpino S, Increasing pasture intakes enhances polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipophilic antioxidants in plasma and milk of dairy cows fed total mix ration. Dairy Sci Technol 90:687–698 (2010).
- nLang Y, Gao N, Zang Z, Meng X, Lin Y, Yang Sn., Classification and antioxidant assays of polyphenols: a review. J Future Foodsn4:193–204 (2024).
- nAndrés‐Lacueva C, Medina‐Remon A, Llorach R, Urpi‐Sarda M, Khan N, Chiva‐Blanch Gn., Phenolic compounds: chemistry and occurrence in fruits and vegetables, in Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value, and Stability, ed. by de la Rosa LA, Alvarez‐Parrila E and González‐Aguilar GA. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, pp. 53–88 (2009).
- Sik B, Buzás H, Kapcsándi V, Lakatos E, Daróczi F and Székelyhidi R, Antioxidant and polyphenol content of different milk and dairy products. J King Saud Univ Sci 35:102839 (2023).
- Blanco‐Doval A, Barron LJR and Aldai N, Changes during lactation in the mineral element content of mare milk produced in semi‐extensive rural farms. J Food Compos Anal 123:105629 (2023).
- Zafra‐Gómez A, Garballo A, Morales JC and García‐Ayuso LE, Simultaneous determination of eight water‐soluble vitamins in supplemented foods by liquid chromatography. J Agric Food Chem 54:4531–4536 (2006).
- nValdivielso I, Bustamante M, Buccioni A, Franci O, de Gordoa JCR, de Renobales Mn., Commercial sheep flocks: fatty acid and fat‐soluble antioxidant composition of milk and cheese related to changes in feeding management throughout lactation. J Dairy Resn82:334–343 (2015).n
- nVázquez CV, Rojas MGV, Ramírez CA, Chávez‐Servín JL, García‐Gasca T, Martínez RAFn., Total phenolic compounds in milk from different species. Design of an extraction technique for quantification using the Folin‐Ciocalteu method. Food Chemn176:480–486 (2015).n
- nGila‐Díaz A, Herranz Carrillo G, Cañas S, Saenz de Pipaón M, Martínez‐Orgado JA, Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Pn., Influence of maternal age and gestational age on breast milk antioxidants during the first month of lactation. Nutrientsn12:2569 (2020).n
- nOchirkhuyag B, Chobert J, Dalgalarrondo M and Haertlé T, Characterization of mare caseins. Identification of n‐ and n‐caseins. Laitn80:223–235 (2000).
- nEgito AS, Girardet J, Miclo L, Mollé D, Humbert G and Gaillard J, Susceptibility of equine ‐ and ‐caseins to hydrolysis by chymosin. Int Dairy Jn11:885–893 (2001).
- nClaeys WL, Verraes C, Cardoen S, De Block J, Huyghebaert A, Raes Kn., Consumption of raw or heated milk from different species: an evaluation of the nutritional and potential health benefits. Food Controln42:188–201 (2014).
- nSchweigert FJ and Gottwald C, Effect of parturition on levels of vitamins A and E and of ‐carotene in plasma and milk of mares. Equine Vet Jn31:319–323 (1999).n
- nMarkiewicz‐Kęszycka M, Wójtowski J, Czyżak‐Runowska G, Kuczyńska B, Puppel K, Krzyżewski Jn., Concentration of selected fatty acids, fat‐soluble vitamins and ‐carotene in late lactation mares' milk. Int Dairy Jn38:31–36 (2014).
- Stowe HD, Vitamin A profiles of equine serum and milk. J Anim Sci 54:76–81 (1982).
- Fox PF, Uniacke‐Lowe T, McSweeney PLH and O'Mahony JA, Vitamins in milk and dairy products, in Dairy Chemistry and Biochemistry, ed. by Fox PF, Uniacke‐Lowe T, McSweeney PLH and O'Mahony JA. Springer, Berlin, Germany, pp. 271–297 (2015).
- Schweigert FJ, Metabolism of carotenoids in mammals, in Carotenoids, ed. by Britton G, Liaaen‐Jensen S and Fander HP. Birkäuser, Berlin, Germany, pp. 249–284 (1998).
- Cabezuelo MT, Zaragozá R, Barber T and Viña JR, Role of vitamin A in mammary gland development and lactation. Nutrients 12:80 (2020).
- Pikul J and Wójtowski J, Fat and cholesterol content and fatty acid composition of mares' colostrums and milk during five lactation months. Livest Sci 113:285–290 (2008).
- nValdivielso I, Bustamante MA, Aldezabal A, Amores G, Virto M, de Gordoa JCRn., Case study of a commercial sheep flock under extensive mountain grazing: pasture derived lipid compounds in milk and cheese. Food Chemn197:622–633 (2016).n
- nMagan JB, O'Callaghan TF, Zheng J, Zhang L, Mandal R, Hennessy Dn., Effect of diet on the vitamin B profile of bovine milk‐based protein ingredients. Foodsn9:578 (2020).n
- Ball GF ed, Vitamins: Their Role in the Human Body, 1st edn. John Wiley & Sons, Oxford, UK: (2004).
- Bogan KL and Brenner C, Nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside: a molecular evaluation of NAD precursor vitamins in human nutrition. Annu Rev Nutr 28:115–130 (2008).
- Cabiddu A, Delgadillo‐Puga C, Decandia M and Molle G, Extensive ruminant production systems and milk quality with emphasis on unsaturated fatty acids, volatile compounds, antioxidant protection degree and phenol content. Animals 9:771 (2019).
- nDelgadillo‐Puga C, Cuchillo‐Hilario M, León‐Ortiz L, Ramírez‐Rodríguez A, Cabiddu A, Navarro‐Ocaña An., Goats’ feeding supplementation with pods and their relationship with milk composition: fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. Animalsn9:515 (2019).n
- nAmrit BK, Ponnampalam EN, Macwan S, Wu H, Aziz A, Muir Sn., Comprehensive screening and characterization of polyphenol compounds from pasture grasses used for livestock production under temperate region. Anim Feed Sci Technoln300:115657 (2023).
- nCosentino C, Notarnicol G, Paolino R, D'Adamo C, Labella C, Musto Mn., Colostrum and milk characteristics in Murgese breed mares. Czech J Anim Scin62:466–472 (2017).
- Grażyna C, Hanna C, Adam A and Magdalena BM, Natural antioxidants in milk and dairy products. Int J Dairy Technol 70:165–178 (2017).
- Hachana Y, Nasraoui C, Frija I and Fortina R, Arabian mare's milk characterisation and clotting ability. J Food Sci Technol 59:1840–1846 (2022).
- Traber MG and Stevens JF, Vitamins C and E: beneficial effects from a mechanistic perspective. Free Radic Biol Med 51:1000–1013 (2011).
- Blaner WS, Shmarakov IO and Traber MG, Vitamin A and vitamin E: will the real antioxidant please stand up? Ann Rev. Nutr 41:105–131 (2021).
- Hellmann H, Goyer A and Navarre DA, Antioxidants in potatoes: a functional view on one of the major food crops worldwide. Molecules 26:2446 (2021).
- Arias A, Feijoo G and Moreira MT, Exploring the potential of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables and strategies for their recovery. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 77:102974 (2022).
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists