Comparison of the principal proteins in bovine, caprine, buffalo, equine and camel milk

J Dairy Res. 2012 May;79(2):185-91. doi: 10.1017/S0022029912000015. Epub 2012 Feb 27.

Abstract

Proteomic analysis of bovine, caprine, buffalo, equine and camel milk highlighted significant interspecies differences. Camel milk was found to be devoid of β-lactoglobulin, whereas β-lactoglobulin was the major whey protein in bovine, buffalo, caprine, and equine milk. Five different isoforms of κ-casein were found in camel milk, analogous to the micro-heterogeneity observed for bovine κ-casein. Several spots observed in 2D-electrophoretograms of milk of all species could tentatively be identified as polypeptides arising from the enzymatic hydrolysis of caseins. The understanding gained from the proteomic comparison of these milks may be of relevance both in terms of identifying sources of hypoallergenic alternatives to bovine milk and detection of adulteration of milk samples and products.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Buffaloes*
  • Camelus*
  • Caseins / analysis
  • Cattle*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Goats*
  • Horses*
  • Lactoglobulins / analysis
  • Milk / chemistry
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / prevention & control
  • Milk Proteins / analysis*
  • Milk Proteins / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Proteomics
  • Species Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Whey Proteins

Substances

  • Caseins
  • Lactoglobulins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins