The milk antioxidants, by preventing lipid peroxidation, maintain milk quality,
but they also exert a beneficial effect on the consumer’s health, in particular
that of infants. Donkey Milk (DM), for its nutritional, functional and bioactive
components, seems to be one of the best substitutes of breast milk when
the latter is not available. However, there are few data about its antioxidant
properties. In this study, the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of donkey milk was
determined by means of an in micro-plate assay. DM samples were analyzed
at the first, third and fifth month of the lactation period (n 6/period), comparing
results to those obtained in milk of different dairy species (goat, ewes, cows)
and in breast milk using the same assay. The lactation periods did not affect
the TAC of DM, whereas significant different values (P<0.001) were observed
between species. The breast milk showed the lowest TAC value, followed by
its progressive increase in donkey, cow’s, goat’s and ewe’s milk. The rapid test
here adopted can be successfully employed for a reliable monitoring of the TAC
in DM and, thanks to the constant antioxidant supply, DM can also be sponsored
as a valid alternative to infant milk nutrition
