This study investigated the effect of season (wet and dry) on milk composition of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). Milk samples representing the wet and dry seasons were analyzed for total solids (TS), fat (F), solids-non-fat (SNF), ash, crude protein (CP), nitrogen soluble at pH 4.6 (SN), mineral content (MC) and casein fraction (CnF). Camel milk had higher (P<0.05) fat content in the wet season. Crude protein, TS, SNF and SN contents (%) were also higher (P<0.01) during the wet season. Ash content was similar (P>0.05) in the two seasons. The concentrations of Mg, Na and K were affected by season while the concentrations of Ca and Cl were not. The results from the present study indicate that the increase of milk CnF observed in the wet season was not due to the increase in β-casein and α1-casein contents. Among caseins, the κ-casein and α2-casein fractions did not differ between the two seasons. Conversely, milk from summer camels showed higher contents of αs1-casein and β-casein. It was concluded that the effects of season on the chemical composition of camel milk may impact the processing characteristics of camel milk. تفاصيل المقالة

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of somatic cell counts (SCC), differential SCC (macrophage (MAC), lymphocyte (LYM) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)), number and stage lactation on milk composition in camel and cow milk. Camel milk appeared to contain significantly (P<0.05) a higher content of minerals. Lipolysis level is similar in camel milk compared to cow milk. Lipolysis level increased as MAC level increased in camel’s milk but not in cow’s milk. Our results suggest that MAC play a role in the degradation of dromedary milk fat. Mineral compositions were significantly affected by the SCC in camel milk. The milk composition was not affected by lactation number in both species. Total solid, Ca and Na content in camel’s milk were gradually decreased through lactation. تفاصيل المقالة