Concentration of selected fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and β-carotene in late lactation mares' milk

Non-Targeted Metabolomics of White Rhinoceros Colostrum and Its Changes During Early Lactation by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Dynamic changes in components from colostrum to mature milk occur in any mammal. However, the time it takes to reach the mature milk stage differs between taxa and species, as do the final concentrations of all the components. The white rhinoceros belongs to the family Perissodactyla, of which the milk and milk metabolome of the domesticated Equidae have been studied to some detail. Metabolomic information on the colostrum and milk of the Rhinocerotidae is lacking.

METHODS

Colostrum and milk were obtained from seven white rhinoceroses. Of note is that it was their first parturition and all followed the same diet, two factors known to affect colostrum composition and its changes during early lactation in domesticated mammals. Milk serum was prepared by the ultrafiltration of the milk samples. Untargeted 1N NMR spectra were processed with Topspin 3.2, calibration was carried out according to the alanine signal and the identification of signals was carried out with Chenomx and assignments in the literature. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using MetaboAnalyst 6.0.

RESULTS

The changes in the metabolites were followed during the first 7 days of lactation as well as on day 20. The amounts of amino acids and their derivatives, organic acids and lipid metabolites decreased over lactation, while carbohydrates and their derivatives increased. The colostrum phase ended on day 2, while the transition to mature milk seemed to be complete by day 7. From day 3 to 7, galactose metabolism and tyrosine metabolism were uprated. Of interest is the presence of the oligosaccharide 3'-sialyllactose on days 3 and 4 of lactation.

CONCLUSIONS

Mainly the content of carbohydrates increased over lactation, specifically lactose. The 3'-sialyllactose content peaked on days 3 and 4 of lactation. The colostrum phase ended on day 2. The mature milk stage was reached by day 7. The galactose metabolism and tyrosine metabolism were uprated after day 3 of lactation.

Characterization and monitoring of changes during lactation in the profile of multiple bioactive compounds of milk from grazing mares

BACKGROUND

Mare milk has often been considered a food product with potential functional properties. However, the bioactive compound composition of mare milk, including vitamins and other minor bioactive compounds, as well as factors affecting this composition have scarcely been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the changes during lactation in the content of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and total polyphenols, and the total antioxidant capacity of mare milk from semi-extensive farms. A total of 310 individual milk samples from 18 mares belonging to three commercial farms and 12 lactation times were analyzed. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinic acid and niacinamide (vitamins B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxal and pyridoxine (vitamins B6), folic acid (vitamin B9), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) and retinol and retinyl esters (vitamin A) were quantified using liquid chromatography. Total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity assays were analyzed using spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

The concentration of most bioactive compounds tended to decline as lactation progressed, with the exception of polyphenols and the total antioxidant capacity that oscillated during lactation. On the other hand, the effect of the different semi-extensive management of the farms was only significant for vitamin B3 content.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides the most in-depth description of the vitamin profile of mare milk as well as new insights into polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of mare milk. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Mare's Milk from a Small Polish Specialized Farm-Basic Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Healthy Lipid Indices

Simple Summary

As mare’s milk has high nutritional and biological value, it has a number of therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to determine the basic composition, fatty acid profile, and values of health-related indices of milk from mares of different lactation stages, ages, and birth orders. The study was conducted on milk obtained from Coldblood mares in weeks 10, 15, and 25 of lactation. The mares were aged between five and 14 years. It was found that milk produced from the 15th week of lactation had the most beneficial fatty acid composition and very beneficial values of health-related indices (low values of the atherogenic index—AI and thrombogenic index—TI), which is important with regard to the prevention of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Moreover, the study found a dependence between birth order and the atherogenic index, which was lower in milk derived from older mares (birth order > 7). The findings from the study indicate that it is possible to modify the fatty acid profile of milk by appropriately managing the age structure of the herd of mares, among other things. To confirm this dependence, the study will be continued on a larger group of mares.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and values of healthy indices of milk from a specialized farm of Polish Coldblood mares of different ages, birth orders, and lactation stages. Milk samples (n = 48) were collected for analysis in weeks 10, 15, and 25 of lactation from mares aged between five and 14 years. The study showed that the stage of lactation has a significant effect on the fatty acid (FA) profile of the milk produced on the farm. The highest concentration of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FAs was found in milk produced from the 15th week of lactation. The milk was also characterized by low values of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, which indicate the health benefits of milk with respect to the content of fatty acids and their potential to prevent or cause atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The study also found a significant correlation between the number of foalings (birth order), the fatty acid profile, and atherogenic index of milk produced on the farm. The findings from the study indicate that it is possible to modify the fatty acid profile of bulk tank milk through appropriate management of the age structure of the herd of mares. To confirm this dependence, the study will be continued on a larger group of mares.

Milk composition of white rhinoceros over lactation and comparison with other Perissodactyla

The proximate composition of milk from fifteen free-ranging white rhinoceroses at different lactation stages is reported with detailed analysis of fatty acid composition and minerals. Lactose is the main component at 7.93 ± 0.53%, followed by 0.93 ± 0.19% protein, 1.76 ± 0.39% fat, 0.40 ± 0.18% ash, 0.05 ± 0.01% glucose, and 0.04 ± 0.02% non protein nitrogen The interindividual variation of all the components is high, showing no trend of change over lactation. The K and P content decreased over lactation. The fatty acid composition of rhinoceros milk is characteristic with a high saturated fatty acids content of 62%-84%, of which the medium chain fatty acids form the major portion. The C10:0, C12:0, C16:0, and C18:1c9 are the major fatty acids in the milk fat. The results are compared with the two other Perissodactylae families, the Equidae and Tapiridae. Differences in gross composition are small, but the milk of the Rhinocerotidae have the lowest gross energy, while the milk fats consist of the highest amounts of saturated fatty acids, while the low levels of C16:1c9 and C18:1c9 indicate the lowest mammary Δ9-desaturase activity.

Chemical composition and lipid profile of mare colostrum and milk of the quarter horse breed

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition and lipid profile of colostrum and milk of purebred Quarter Horse mares. Thirty-four (34) purebred mares were selected, which were then separated into groups according to age, birth order and lactation stage. Colostrum samples were collected in the first six hours after delivery and milk samples from the 7^th postpartum day, with intervals of 14 days until the end of lactation. The samples were refrigerated and sent to the Milk Laboratory of the University (Laboleite—UFRN), where they were analyzed for chemical composition. Colostrum was assessed by refractometry. The lipid profile was determined by gas chromatography through a separation of methyl esters. The data were tabulated and subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance by the F-Test, and the groups were compared by the Tukey test using a significance level of 5%. There was high protein content and reduced lactose content for the colostrum of the Quarter Horse mares, differing from other breeds. The milk composition was not influenced by the mares’ age. However, variations in the lactation stage and in the birth order of the Quarter Horse mares altered the milk’s chemical composition. There is variation in the lipid composition of milk according to the lactation stage, without changing the characteristic profile of the mares’ milk or diminishing the nutritional quality of the lipid fraction.

The Comparison of Nutritional Value of Human Milk with Other Mammals' Milk

(1) Background: The variation in the concentration of different components found in milk depends on mammalian species, genetic, physiological, nutritional factors, and environmental conditions. Here, we analyse, for the first time, the content of different components (cholesterol concentration and fatty acids composition as well as the overall fat and mineral content determined using the same analytical methods) in milk of different mammal species. (2) Methods: The samples (n = 52) of human, cow, sheep, goat and mare milk were analyzed in triplicate for: cholesterol concentration, fatty acids profile and fat and mineral content (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc). (3) Results: The highest fat content was reported in sheep milk (7.10 ± 3.21 g/dL). The highest cholesterol concentration was observed in bovine (20.58 ± 4.21 mg/dL) and sheep milk (17.07 ± 1.18 mg/dL). The saturated fatty acids were the lowest in human milk (46.60 ± 7.88% of total fatty acids). Goat milk had the highest zinc (0.69 ± 0.17 mg/dL), magnesium (17.30 ± 2.70 mg/dL) and potassium (183.60 ± 17.20 mg/dL) content. Sheep milk had the highest sodium (52.10 ± 3.20 mg/dL) and calcium (181.70 ± 17.20 mg/dL) concentration values. (4) Conclusions: The differences in nutritional value of milk could be perceived as a milk profile marker, helping to choose the best food for human nutrition.

The content of selected vitamins and iodine in mare’s milk

The aim of the study was to contribute to scarce literature data on the content of selected vitamins and iodine in mare’s milk. The study focused on the content of selected lipophilic vitamins (A, E), hydrophilic vitamins B1, B2, B6) and iodine in milk samples obtained from 8 mares during 6 months of lactation. The content of micronutrients was evaluated according to the stage of lactation. Vitamins B2 and B6 were determined using ion-pair reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, vitamin B1 by fluorescence detection by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, vitamins A and E by the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection and iodine by the spectrophotometric method. Mean concentrations of vitamins A (0.06 ± 0.08 mg/l), E (0.083 ± 0.14 mg/l), B1 (256.24 ± 44.19 µg/l), B2 (111.40 ± 81.88 µg/l), B6 (0.30 ± 0.12 mg/l) reached lower values in mare’s milk compared to cow’s milk. The mean value of iodine in mare’s milk reached 44.48 ± 54.45 µg/l. Lactation stage proved to be a significant factor for vitamin B6 and iodine.

Factors affecting human colostrum fatty acid profile: A case study

The role of maternal colostrum to infant development has been extensively studied and presented. Among the main factors which contribute to breast milk composition are maternal diet, age and body mass index, parity, duration of pregnancy and stage of lactation. This study aims to investigate the potential impact of several factors including demographic (i.e. maternal age and nationality) on the colostrum fatty acid profile. Colostrum was collected the third day postpartum in a Greek maternity hospital. Certain lipid quality indices and fatty acid ratios were estimated and results were statistically processed. The main identified fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1ω-9), and linoleic (C18:2ω-6) acids. Among fatty acids, saturated fatty acids predominated (47.61%), followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (39.26%), while polyunsaturated fatty acids had the lowest proportion (13.13%). Values of lipid quality indices were within the reported in the literature ranges. Maternal body mass index, nationality, age, mode of delivery, gender and fetal weight percentile were studied in respect to their potential influence on the fatty acid profile of colostrum fat. Results suggest that colostrum fatty acid profile was mainly dependent on maternal nationality and age rather than mode of delivery and maternal BMI. Regarding the effect of maternal nationality, significant differences were found for saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Of the most interesting findings is that colostrum fat from older (≥35 years) mothers had less saturated fat and more appropriate LQIs values. Finally, a reversed correlation was observed between the customized centile of the infants and the colostrum fat content.

Influence of stage of lactation and year season on composition of mares' colostrum and milk and method and time of storage on vitamin C content in mares' milk

BACKGROUND

Mares' milk is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe. This study was thus aimed at investigating the impact of stage of lactation and season on chemical composition, somatic cell count and some physicochemical parameters of mares' colostrum and milk, and at developing a method for the determination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in mares' milk and to determine its content in fresh and stored milk.

RESULTS

The analysis conducted showed an effect of the stage of lactation on contents of selected chemical components and physicochemical parameters of mares' milk. In successive lactation periods levels of fat, cholesterol, energy value, citric acid and titratable acidity decreased, whereas levels of lactose and vitamin C, as well as the freezing point, increased. Analysis showed that milk produced in autumn (September, October, November) had a higher freezing point and lower concentrations of total solids, protein, fat, cholesterol, citric acid and energy value in comparison to milk produced in summer (June, July, August). Mares' milk was characterised by low somatic cell count throughout lactation. In terms of vitamin C stability the most advantageous method of milk storage was 6-month storage of lyophilised milk.

CONCLUSION

In general, the results confirmed that mares' milk is a raw material with a unique chemical composition different from that produced by other farm animals.