Identification of mare milk adulteration with cow milk by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry based on proteomics and metabolomics approaches.
Abstract: Mare milk(MM)production is lower than that of cow milk (CM), making it a premium product. Unfortunately, sellers adulterate MM with cheap CM to unscrupulously gain more profits. This study aimed to analyze MM adulteration with CM using proteomics and metabolomics. Using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, the relative abundances of certain proteins of caseins and secretoglobin family 1D member were found to be higher with a higher CM admixture percentage. In addition, several metabolites, such as orotic and 4-aminonicotinic acids, increased in the mare-cow milk mixture with an increased CM percentage. Accordingly, these proteins and metabolites distinguished MM adulterated with CM at levels as low as 1 %.These findings can serve as the basis for clarifying the differences at the proteome and metabolome in milk from minor dairy animals and ensure milk authenticity.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-11-10 PubMed ID: 36413843DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134901Google 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.
This research shows that it’s possible to identify when mare milk has been contaminated with cheap cow milk to falsely increase profits, using methods called proteomics and metabolomics. Certain proteins and metabolites were found to be more abundant in such adulterated milk, thus forming a basis for ensuring milk authenticity.
Context and Aim of the Study
- The researchers are focusing on mare milk (MM), which is a premium product due to its lower production compared to cow milk (CM). This makes it susceptible to adulteration by unscrupulous sellers, who mix it with cheaper CM to unjustly earn more profits.
- The main aim of this study is to determine whether or not it is possible to identify adulteration of MM with CM, through the use of proteomics and metabolomics—an analysis of proteins and metabolites respectively.
Methodology of the Study
- The researchers used univariate and multivariate statistical analysis methods with high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze a mare-cow milk mixture.
- They were interested in the relative abundances of certain proteins (e.g. caseins and secretoglobin family 1D member), as well as several metabolites such as orotic and 4-aminonicotinic acids.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers found clear differences in the mixture, depending on the percentage of CM used. As more CM was added, the concentrations of the studied proteins and metabolites increased.
- These proteins and metabolites could differentiate pure MM from MM adulterated with CM, even when the added CM was as low as 1%.
Implications of the Study
- The study offers a reliable way to ensure the authenticity of mare’s milk. It provides a basis for distinguishing minor dairy animal milk at a molecular level, particularly from the viewpoint of proteome and metabolome.
- This research could also be instrumental in setting new standards to protect consumers. If a method for identifying adulteration is widely adopted, it could deter potential frauds and ensure that customers get the quality product they pay for.
Cite This Article
APA
Ji Z, Zhang J, Deng C, Hu Z, Du Q, Guo T, Wang J, Fan R, Han R, Yang Y.
(2022).
Identification of mare milk adulteration with cow milk by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry based on proteomics and metabolomics approaches.
Food Chem, 405(Pt B), 134901.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134901 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Feed Research, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Animal Husbandry Station, Jinan 250022, Shandong, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Feed Research, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
MeSH Terms
- Cattle
- Animals
- Female
- Horses
- Proteomics
- Milk
- Mass Spectrometry
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Metabolomics
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Tian H, Xiong J, Chen S, Yu H, Chen C, Huang J, Yuan H, Lou X. Rapid identification of adulteration in raw bovine milk with soymilk by electronic nose and headspace-gas chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry. Food Chem X 2023 Jun 30;18:100696.
- Karamoutsios A, Lekka P, Voidarou CC, Dasenaki M, Thomaidis NS, Skoufos I, Tzora A. Assessing Milk Authenticity Using Protein and Peptide Biomarkers: A Decade of Progress in Species Differentiation and Fraud Detection. Foods 2025 Jul 23;14(15).
- Zhang Q, Li Q, Wang X, Wu Y, Chen R, Sun Y, Pan Y, Li S, Wang Z. Comprehensive analysis through multi-omics integration to compare and elucidate the specific substances in milk of donkey、horse、camel、human and pig. Food Chem X 2025 May;28:102592.
- Karn RC, Laukaitis CM. A Broad Genome Survey Reveals Widespread Presence of Secretoglobin Genes in Squamate and Archosaur Reptiles that Flowered into Diversity in Mammals. Genome Biol Evol 2025 Mar 6;17(3).
- Khalil MA, Yong WH, Batool T, Hoque A, Chiong LY, Goh HH, Kurniawan TA, Soliman MS, Islam MT. Highly sensitive split ring resonator-based sensor for quality monitoring of edible oils. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 17;15(1):2283.
- Zhang S, Chen J, Gao F, Su W, Li T, Wang Y. Foodomics as a Tool for Evaluating Food Authenticity and Safety from Field to Table: A Review. Foods 2024 Dec 25;14(1).
- Jiang L, Yeung OY, Ho WW, Shum TF, Wong MS, Lam CSY, Chiou J. Multi-omics analysis reveals alterations of breastmilk metabolites and proteins in Hong Kong lactating mothers. FASEB J 2024 Dec 15;38(23):e70240.
- Mohammadi S, Gowen A, O'Donnell C. Vibrational spectroscopy data fusion for enhanced classification of different milk types. Heliyon 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e36385.
- Ji Z, Zhang J, Deng C, Guo T, Han R, Yang Y, Zang C, Chen Y. Identification of pasteurized mare milk and powder adulteration with bovine milk using quantitative proteomics and metabolomics approaches. Food Chem X 2024 Jun 30;22:101265.
- Kang M, Wang H, Chen C, Suo R, Sun J, Yue Q, Liu Y. Analytical strategies based on untargeted and targeted metabolomics for the accurate authentication of organic milk from Jersey and Yak. Food Chem X 2023 Oct 30;19:100786.
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
