Physicochemical and Mineral Content of Milk from Talesh Buffalos, Sheep, Goats, and Cows, Saanen Goats and Talesh-Mediterranean Buffalos: A Comparative Analysis

The aim of the present study was to compare quality, macro, and micro constituents of milk between Talesh buffalo, Talesh sheep, Talesh cow, Talesh-Mediterranean buffalo, Talesh goat and Saanen goat. Milk samples were collected during 2021. The main characteristics and constituents of milk including colour, odour, taste, freezing point, dry matter free of fat, acidity (lactic acid), density (in 15 & DEG;C), pH, fat and protein were determined according to the standard methods. Macro and micro elements of milk were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Data were subjected to the two-way ANOVA analysis to determine the significant differences between species/breeds. The acidity, density and fat in Talesh sheep's milk was higher than milk from other species/breeds (P<0.01). Also, the amount of protein in Talesh sheep's milk was significantly higher (P<0.05) than all animals tested with the exception of Talesh buffalo milk. The pH of Saanen goat's milk was higher than the pH of milk from all other species/ breeds (P<0.01), whereas the pH of milk from Talesh-Mediterranean buffalos was lowest (P<0.01). Talesh sheep's milk had the lowest freezing temperature (P<0.01). The results of the present study also demonstrated significant differences among species for most macro and micro elements including Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cs, Fe, In, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Pd, Pt, Re, Rn, S, Sc, Sr, Se, Ta, B, Li, and Zn (P<0.01). Significant differences were observed for As, Ce, He, Ir, Nb, Sb and Th in sheep's milk (P<0.05), and K and Rb (P<0.05) in Talesh goat's milk compared with other species/breeds. In conclusion, buffalo milk is richer in most nutrients compared with cow's and goat's milk and should perhaps be considered a stronger candidate to meet human nutritional needs in regions of the world where they can be properly managed.