Differences of some indicators of raw milk properties and especially mineral composition between small ruminants as compared to cows in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Sheep and goat farming is returning back into the Czech Republic (CR) because of positive effects of alternative milk consumption on human health. Especially the elements Ca and Mg are important for nutrition. Paper presents the comparison of mineral milk composition of goats (White short-haired-W, n = 60), sheep (Tsigai-C, n = 60) and cows (Holstein-H, n = 36; Czech Fleckvieh-B, n = 93). Cow milk results were considered as reference. The herds were kept at altitude 260m (H), 360 m (B), and 572 m above sea level (W, C) with total precipitation 449, 700 and 1200 mm per year and mean air temperatures 9.6, 7.0 and 3.7°C. Bulk milk samples (4-8 animals in sample) from the first two thirds of the lactation and the winter and summer season were investigated. Goat milk freezing point differed from other species (P < 0.001), -0.6048 for C < -0.5544 W < -0.5320 H < -0.5221 °C for B. Cow milk Ca values were comparable to former results although milk yield (MY) was higher. Along lower MY the Ca was higher (1299.6 > 1172.0 mg.kg-1; P < 0.001) in B than H, similar trend was in Mg (122.0 > 107.4 mg.kg-1; P<0.001). Differences (P > 0.05) between species were in Ni and also mostly in Cu. Iodine results differed between species but not between cow breeds (P < 0.001; 462.8 H and 434.9 B > 126.0 W and 164.2 μg.l-1 C). It could be explainable by using of I disinfection at teat treatment in cows and absence of treatment in small ruminants. Macroelements were mostly highest (Ca, P, Na, Mg) in sheep milk, with exception of K. Phosphorus values (950.1 H, 1016.9 B, 1042.6 Wand 1596.7 mg.kg-1 C) in species were linked with crude or true protein and casein values. Small ruminant milk could be good source of minerals for human nutrition, especially in the case of Ca and Mg of sheep and goat milk.