Physico-chemical composition and antimicrobial protein content of early lactation donkey milk

The influence of early lactation on chemical composition and the concentration of antimicrobial proteins of donkey’s milk produced in Cyprus were investigated. Milk samples from 10 female donkeys in their first season of lactation were collected at 7, 15 and 30d postpartum. The average contents of donkey milk gross composition were 1.40% protein, 0.16% fat and 8.74% total solids. Results showed that lactation had a significant negative effect on protein concentration, while total solid concentration showed an increased followed by a decrease. Composition of antimicrobial proteins also showed a significant decreased during lactation period except from lactoferrin which showed an increase. On the other hand, throughout the lactation, pH and fat were constant

Consumer acceptance of dairy products with a saturated fatty acid-reduced, monounsaturated fatty acid-enriched content

Agriculture-based reformulation initiatives, including oleic acid-rich lipid supplementation of the dairy cow diet, provide a novel means for reducing intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) at a population level. In a blinded manner, this study evaluated the consumer acceptance of SFA-reduced, monounsaturated fatty acid-enriched (modified) milk, Cheddar cheese, and butter when compared with control and commercially available comparative samples. The effect of providing nutritional information about the modified cheese was also evaluated. Consumers (n = 115) rated samples for overall liking (appearance, flavor, and texture) using 9-point hedonic scales. Although no significant differences were found between the milk samples, the modified cheese was liked significantly less than a regular-fat commercial alternative for overall liking and liking of specific modalities and had a lower liking of texture score compared with the control cheese. The provision of health information significantly increased the overall liking of the modified cheese compared with tasting the same sample in a blinded manner. Significant differences were evident between the butter samples for overall liking and modalities of liking; all of the samples were significantly more liked than the commercial butter and sunflower oil spread. In conclusion, this study illustrated that consumer acceptance of SFA-reduced, monounsaturated fatty acid-enriched dairy products was dependent on product type. Future research should consider how optimization of the textural properties of fatty acid-modified (and fat-reduced) cheese might enhance consumer acceptance of this product

Donkey milk as a supplement in infant formula: Benefits and technological challenges

The aim of this review paper is to assess the applicability of donkey's milk to infants suffering from Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) compared to human and other available milk types. The bioactive and immune-supportive character which could be beneficial as a fortifier to the formula-fed infants is described while limitations of this type of milk are also discussed. Studies showed that human and donkey's milk have similar, overall, chemical composition as well as protein homogeneity and antigenic similarities. Several in vitro and in vivo studies showed that donkey's milk has nutraceutical and functional properties that can support immunity, alter metabolism and beneficially modify gut microbiota. Clinical studies illustrated that donkeys' milk is well tolerated (82.6%-88%) by infants. Finally, the effect that processing (i.e. thermal, non-thermal treatments, drying methods) has on donkey milk components is also discussed pointing out the need for minimally processing this type of milk