Fatty acid profile of milk from Nordestina donkey breed raised on Caatinga pasture

• Published in: Journal of dairy research 2021-05, Vol.88 (2), p.205-209
• Main Authors: Messias, Tayanna Bernardo Oliveira Nunes, Alves, Susana Paula, Bessa, Rui José Branquinho, Madruga, Marta Suely, Pacheco, Maria Teresa Bertoldo, Queiroga, Rita de Cássia Ramos do Egypto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal fat; Animals; Breastfeeding & lactation; Fatty acids; Gas chromatography; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Lactation; Linolenic acid; Lipids; Milk; Milk production; Pasture
• ISSN: 0022-0299; 1469-7629
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029921000388

In this research communication we describe the composition of fatty acids (FA) present in the milk of the Nordestina donkey breed, and how they differ during lactation. Milk samples were taken from 24 multiparous lactating Nordestina donkeys that grazed the Caatinga, comprising 5 animals at each of around 30, 60 and 90 d in milk (DIM) and a further 9 animals ranging from 120 to 180 DIM. The milk fat content was analysed by mid infrared spectroscopy and the FA profile by gas chromatography. The milk fat percentage ranged from 0.45 to 0.61%. The main FA found in milk were 16:0 and 18:1c9. These did not differ among DIM classes and comprised 23% and 25% of total FA. Notably, the α-Linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) was the third most abundant FA and differed (P < 0.05) with DIM, being lowest in the 30 and 60 DIM samples (around 10.7% of total FA) and highest in the 60 and 90 DIM classes (around 14.6% of total FA). The low-fat content and the FA profile of the donkey milk gives it potential as a functional ingredient, which could help to preserve the commercial viability of the Nordestina donkey breed.