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Foods (Basel, Switzerland)2023; 12(4); 853; doi: 10.3390/foods12040853

Milk from Halari Donkey Breed: Nutritional Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profiling.

Abstract: This current research set out to characterize Halari donkey milk by investigating its nutritional constituents, including its proximate analysis, water activity, titratable acidity, energy, and microbiological analysis. A comprehensive profiling of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids was also carried out. It was found that the composition of Halari donkey milk was consistent with previously published donkey milk literature and was comparable to that of human milk. Halari donkey milk has low 0.86 ± 0.04% fat content, 2.03 ± 0.03% protein content, 0.51 ± 0.05% ash content, and high 5.75 ± 0.15% lactose content making it sweet and palatable. The energy content of Halari donkey milk was 40.39 ± 0.31 kcal/100 g, and the water activity ranged from 0.973 to 0.975. Titratable acidity was 0.03 ± 0.01%. Halari donkey milk can be considered acceptable and microbiologically safe, having low total plate count and yeast and mould counts. Mineral testing revealed that Halari donkey milk included significant amounts of magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. The concentration of different vitamins and amino acids such as isoleucine and valine also contribute to the nutritional value of Halari donkey milk.
Publication Date: 2023-02-16 PubMed ID: 36832927PubMed Central: PMC9957152DOI: 10.3390/foods12040853Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This study analyses the nutritional composition of Halari donkey milk, providing a specific profile of its vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The research shows that Halari donkey milk is not only comparable to human milk, but it also has a low fat content and high lactose content, making it a potentially beneficial and palatable alternative for certain dietary needs.

Characterization and Nutritional Analysis

In their investigation, the researchers used a range of analyses to characterize the nutritional values in Halari donkey milk. They focused on:

  • Proximate analysis: A method used to determine the basic makeup of biological materials, which includes measuring the moisture, ash, protein, and fat in the milk. The results demonstrated low fat and ash content, and high protein and moisture content in the Halari donkey milk.
  • Water activity: Refers to the amount of unbound water in the milk, available for microbial growth. The lower the amount of free water, the less the milk is subject to microbial deterioration. The water activity in the milk was found to be moderately high, ranging from 0.973 to 0.975.
  • Titratable acidity: The total acidity in the milk, obtained by titration with a standard alkali. This was fairly low in Halari donkey milk, signifying less sourness.

Energetic and Microbiological profile

Energy content and microbiological safety are key factors in evaluating the nutritional value of a food source. The researchers found that:

  • The energy content was 40.39 ± 0.31 kcal/100 g, showcasing the calorific value of the Halari donkey milk.
  • Microbiologically, the milk was shown to have a low total plate count and yeast and mould count, indicating it is free from microbial contamination and hence safe for consumption.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profile

A critical part of this research was identifying the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids present in the Halari donkey milk. These nutrients are essential for bodily functions and maintaining health. The milk was found to contain:

  • Prominent amounts of vital minerals including magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.
  • Vitamins, although the specific types were not mentioned in the abstract.
  • Essential amino acids such as isoleucine and valine, which are crucial for protein synthesis and energy production in the body.

In sum, this examination of Halari donkey milk offers significant insights into its nutritional value and safety, validating its use as a potential food source with particular benefits for dietary needs.

Cite This Article

APA
Garhwal R, Bhardwaj A, Sangwan K, Mehra R, Pal Y, Nayan V, Iquebal MA, Jaiswal S, Kumar H. (2023). Milk from Halari Donkey Breed: Nutritional Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profiling. Foods, 12(4), 853. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12040853

Publication

ISSN: 2304-8158
NlmUniqueID: 101670569
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
PII: 853

Researcher Affiliations

Garhwal, Renu
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303002, India.
Bhardwaj, Anuradha
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar 125001, India.
Sangwan, Karnam
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303002, India.
Mehra, Rahul
  • Food Science & Technology MMICT & BM(HM), Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala 133203, India.
Pal, Yash
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar 125001, India.
Nayan, Varij
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, India.
Iquebal, Mir Asif
  • Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India.
Jaiswal, Sarika
  • Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India.
Kumar, Harish
  • Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur 303002, India.

Grant Funding

  • F. no. Agril. Edn.4-1/2013-A&P / Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics (CABin)

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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