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.
Abstract: Mares' milk is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe. This study was thus aimed at investigating the impact of stage of lactation and season on chemical composition, somatic cell count and some physicochemical parameters of mares' colostrum and milk, and at developing a method for the determination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in mares' milk and to determine its content in fresh and stored milk. Results: The analysis conducted showed an effect of the stage of lactation on contents of selected chemical components and physicochemical parameters of mares' milk. In successive lactation periods levels of fat, cholesterol, energy value, citric acid and titratable acidity decreased, whereas levels of lactose and vitamin C, as well as the freezing point, increased. Analysis showed that milk produced in autumn (September, October, November) had a higher freezing point and lower concentrations of total solids, protein, fat, cholesterol, citric acid and energy value in comparison to milk produced in summer (June, July, August). Mares' milk was characterised by low somatic cell count throughout lactation. In terms of vitamin C stability the most advantageous method of milk storage was 6-month storage of lyophilised milk. Conclusions: In general, the results confirmed that mares' milk is a raw material with a unique chemical composition different from that produced by other farm animals.
© 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.
Publication Date: 2014-11-20 PubMed ID: 25298151DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6947Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article explores how the lactation stage, season, and storage time and method influence the composition of mares’ milk and its vitamin C content. The study found that each of these factors significantly affects the milk’s chemical components, somatic cell count, and some physicochemical parameters.
Stage of Lactation and Milk Composition
- The study discovered that the stage of lactation significantly affects the composition of mares’ milk. Specifically, the levels of fat, cholesterol, energy value, citric acid, and titratable acidity decreased over time, while those of lactose and vitamin C, along with the freezing point, increased.
Seasonal Influence on Milk
- The research identified distinct seasonal differences in milk composition. Milk produced in the fall had a higher freezing point but lower concentrations of total solids, protein, fat, cholesterol, citic acid, and energy value compared to milk produced in the summer.
Somatic Cell Count
- Additionally, the study highlighted that mares’ milk consistently exhibited a low somatic cell count, regardless of lactation stage.
Vitamin C Stability and Storage
- The researchers also explored the effects of storage method and duration on vitamin C stability in the milk. Based on their findings, they deemed the optimal storage method to be a 6-month period of lyophilized milk storage.
Conclusion
- Overall, the study’s findings affirm that mares’ milk has a unique chemical composition that sets it apart from the milk produced by other farm animals. This uniqueness may contribute to its growing popularity in Western Europe.
Cite This Article
APA
Markiewicz-Kęszycka M, Czyżak-Runowska G, Wójtowski J, Jóźwik A, Pankiewicz R, Łęska B, Krzyżewski J, Strzałkowska N, Marchewka J, Bagnicka E.
(2014).
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(11), 2279-2286.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6947 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Department of Small Mammals Breeding and Raw Materials of Animal Origin, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 62-002, Suchy Las, Poland.
- Department of Small Mammals Breeding and Raw Materials of Animal Origin, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 62-002, Suchy Las, Poland.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland.
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland.
- Animal Production Department, Neiker-Tecnalia, Arkaute Agrifood Campus, E-01080, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
- Cell Count
- Colostrum / metabolism
- Diet
- Europe
- Female
- Food Storage
- Freeze Drying
- Freezing
- Horses
- Humans
- Lactation / metabolism
- Lactose / metabolism
- Milk / metabolism
- Nutritive Value
- Pregnancy
- Seasons
- Vitamins / metabolism
Citations
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