Physical Characteristics of the Bile of Philippine Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Cattle (Bos taurus)

The bile volume, color, pH, specific gravity, viscosity and percent of solids were determined from the bile of freshly slaughtered, apparently healthy 30 Philippine water buffaloes and 30 cattle. The study showed that bile volume was largest (P<0.05) in male Philippine water buffaloes; pH was highest (P<0.05) in male cattle; and, the specific gravity, viscosity and percent solids were not different between Philippine water buffalo and cattle. As to bile color, light olive green was the most common color observed in cattle (33.0%) and Philippine water buffalo (20.0%). Color, pH, specific gravity, viscosity and percent solids should also be determined in gallbladder bile collected from live animals because these physical characteristics are greatly affected by several factors such as freshness of bile sample.