Vol. 11, Special Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
K Sudharani, G Swarnalatha and K Prabhakar Rao

Abstract:
Nowadays, there is more increasing interest in the consumers and manufacturers about the health promoting natural foods. Colostrum, is the product of the initial secretion of mammary gland after birth of calf. It is the vital and key food for all the new-born mammals which provides high amounts of nutrient and non-nutrient biologically active substances. This study was mainly focused to determine the changes in the gross composition of cow, sheep and goat milk during lactation period. Six cows, sheep and goats were chosen and drawn the colostrum samples immediately after calving and analyzed the changes in composition of milk during post-partum period up to 10 days. The samples were analyzed for total solids, protein, fat, lactose and ash. Fat and crude protein content was found higher in first 3-5 days of post-partum for sheep and goat, whereas it was only for 3 days in cow milk. Sheep milk had highest crude protein (13.57%), cow milk showed intermediate (12.95%) and goat milk found lowest (8.8). Lactose content was increased and ash content was decreased gradually up to 5 days in all the species. Sheep colostrum was found rich source of total solids, fat, crude protein and lactose as compared to cow and goat colostrum. Hence it is recommended that the first three days of colostrum from all the species will provide maximum health benefits to new-borns.