Milk composition of Pakistani camel (Camelus dromedaries) kept under station/farmer's conditions

Abstract

A six month study involving milk samples from 14 freshly calved she-camels was undertaken at Barani Livestock Production Research Institute (BLPRI), Kherimurat, District Attock (Punjab-Pakistan). These animals were maintained on vegetation mainly comprised Pholai (Acacia modesta) Kandair (Alhaji eamelorum) and Kahu (Olea ferruginea). Representative milk samples from experimental animals were collected on monthly basis and analysed for various milk constituents by standard methods. Average percentage values of protein, fat, solids-not-fat (SNF), total solids(TS) and titratable acidity (TA) in milk were 2.85± 0.036; 3.57± 0.09; 9.00± 0.13; 12.36± 0.19 and 0.20±0.005, respectively. Fat percentage was found lower than that of many cattle breeds. Moreover mean specific gravity of camel milk was 1.03± 0.007. On overall basis, average milk composition observed during the first month of lactation in the present study remained almost constant for the first six month. Results of the present study contributed to the nutritive quality of camel milk and overall knowledge of this animal species as a food source for an overpopulated and underdeveloped country like Pakistan.