Potential Health Benefits and Metabolomics of Camel Milk by GC-MS and ICP-MS

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2017 Feb;175(2):322-330. doi: 10.1007/s12011-016-0771-7. Epub 2016 Jun 11.

Abstract

None of the research reports reveals the metabolomics and elemental studies on camel milk. Recent studies showed that camel milk possesses anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity. Metabolomics and elemental studies were carried out in camel milk which showed us the pathways and composition that are responsible for the key biological role of camel milk. Camel milk was dissolved in methanol and chloroform fraction and then vortexed and centrifuged. Both the fractions were derivatized by N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and TMCS after nitrogen purging and analyzed by GC-MS. Camel milk was also analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion. We found that higher alkanes and fatty acids are present in the chloroform fraction and amino acids, sugars and fatty acid derivatives are present in aqueous fractions. All the heavy metals like As, Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, and Ni were in the safe limits in terms of maximum daily intake of these elements. Na, K, Mg, and Ca were also present in the safe limits in terms of maximum daily intake of these elements. These results suggested that the camel milk drinking is safe and there is no health hazard. The present data of GC-MS and ICP-MS correlate the activities related to camel milk.

Keywords: Camel milk; Elements; GC-MS; Health benefits; ICP-MS; Metabolomics.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Camelus
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics*
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Milk / chemistry*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy