COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MILK COMPOSITION FROM CATTLE, SHEEP AND GOAT

Abstract

This study was carried out to establish the differences or similarity in the milk composition of cattle, sheep and goat. Eighteen lactating animals (six cattle, goat, and sheep) were used for this experiment. The milk samples collected were refrigerated at 4 ̊C and analysed in a standard laboratory for protein, fat, ash and total solid while lactose and solid-non-fat were calculated using standard equation. Phenotypic correlation and regression of parameters were also determined. Protein, Ash and Lactose were regressed against total solid and solid-non-fat. Resultn obtained were statistically analysed and significance determined at P<0.05 and P<0.01. The result revealed that milk composition of sheep and goat do not vary (P>0.05), but vary (P<0.05) from that of cattle. Higher values were obtained from sheep and goat as compared to cattle. Protein and total solid, protein and solid-non-fat, lactose and solid-non-fat all showed a positive significant difference (P<0.01) for goat, sheep and cattle respectively. Regression of cattle and sheep milk for lactose (Y= -0.20 - 0.37(TS) + 0.83(SNF) and protein (Y= -1.81 + 0.22(TS) + 0.50(SNF) respectively against total solid and solid-non-fat were significant at P<0.01, while goat milk protein (Y= -4.10 + 0.72(TS) + 0.05(SNF) was significant at P<0.05. It was concluded that sheep and goat milk had higher values than cattle. Also, total solid and solid-non-fat can be used to predict lactose content for cattle milk and protein content for sheep and goat.