Milk identification of different species:: 13C-NMR spectroscopy of triacylglycerols from cows and buffaloes' milks

Triacylglycerols from cows and buffaloes' milk fat were investigated by C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. By the addition of pure triacylglycerols standards, we identified the resonances of both milk fats, and the peaks were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of acyl groups. Multivariate analysis treatment of triacylglycerols distribution and composition parameters enabled us to identify milk. This study shows that NMR can safely be used to quantitate milk fatty acid content, providing unique information for milk identification of different animal species.