Distribution of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper and iron between the soluble and colloidal phases of ewe's and goat's milk

Abstract

This paper examines the distribution of main elements (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) and microelements (zinc, iron, manganese and copper) between the soluble and colloidal phases of ewe's and goat's milk. The percentages of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were higher in the soluble phase of goat's milk (32.8, 66.4 and 38.6% respectively) than in that of ewe's milk (20.8, 56 and 34.8% respectively). In both species most of the zinc (91.6% in ewe and 87.5% in goat) and the manganese (93% and 89% in ewe and goat respectively) were found in the micellar fraction. The distribution of iron and copper differed more. The soluble phase of ewe's milk contained 28.5% iron and the soluble phase of goat's milk 44.3%. Ewe's milk contained more soluble copper (33.3%) than did goat's milk (18.1%).