A preliminary investigation into the unsaponifiable fraction of donkey milk: Sterols of animal origin, phytosterols, and tocopherols.

We investigated the main sterols, phytosterols, and the α- and γ-tocopherol content in donkey milk during the first 2 mo of lactation. Cholesterol was the main sterol in milk (mean ± standard deviation = 0.97 ± 0.443 g/100 g of fat). Lanosterol was the main minor sterol of animal origin, followed by desmosterol (0.003 ± 0.001 and 0.001 ± 0.001 g/100 g of fat, respectively). Of the phytosterols, β-sitosterol was the main sterol of vegetal origin in donkey milk (0.005 ± 0.002 g/100 g of fat), but lower levels of campesterol, brassicasterol, and stigmasterol were also recorded. Mean levels of α- and γ-tocopherol were 0.01 ± 0.007 and 0.003 ± 0.001 g/100 g of fat, respectively. We observed no significant changes in sterol or tocopherol content during the first 2 mo of lactation. The presence of lanosterol in donkey milk is of particular interest, because lanosterol is a potential drug and has important physiological effects. The presence of phytosterols, which are considered nutraceutical molecules, enhances the nutritional quality of donkey milk fat for consumers. Copyright © 2021 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

M Martini, I Altomonte, R Licitra, F V Bartaloni, F Salari. A preliminary investigation into the unsaponifiable fraction of donkey milk: Sterols of animal origin, phytosterols, and tocopherols. Journal of dairy science. 2021 Feb;104(2):1378-1383

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PMID: 33189282

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