Abstract #W469

# W469
Comparative study between two traditional camel rearing systems effects on milk fat and its fatty acids profile.
Amir Ahmadpour1, Abdol Hamid Karimi2, Rupert Bruckmaier3, Mousa Zarrin*4, 1Department of Animal Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran, 2Department of Animal Science, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Shiraz, Fars, Iran, 3Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, 4Department of Animal Science, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.

Raising awareness about harmfulness of high saturated fatty acid content of milk fat caused to increase the study to improve milk fat quality. The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) is an important domestic animal in eastern Iran. In spite of importance of this specie, few studies have been reported on camel milk. The objective of the present study is comparison of the effects of different rearing systems on fat content and fatty acids profile of milk fat in camel. Eighteen lactating camels were assigned in 2 treatment groups include very extensive (VE, n = 9) and extensive (E, n = 9) rearing system. In the EV group, camels depended merely on pasture, but in the E group camels received 750g/animal barley after daily grazing. Animals watered twice daily and received 250 g/animal salt weekly. Animals were milked twice a day. Milk samples (250 mL from each camel) collected in the morning and analyzed for milk constituents. Thin-layer chromatography used for separation of triacylglycerol and fatty acids profile measured by gas chromatography method. Data are presented as means ± SEM. The fat content was 33.2 ± 9.2 g/L and 32.5 ± 11.6 g/L for VE and E group respectively. The amounts of short-chain (C4 – C8) and medium-chain (C10 – C13) fatty acids were higher in E group compared with VE group (P < 0.05), whereas the C14 like C16:0 and C16:1n-7 were higher in VE group (P < 0.01). Although C18:0 had no significant difference between groups, C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 in E and C18:3n-3 in VE were higher (P < 0.05). Moreover 20:0, 20:5n-3, 22:3n-3, and 22:6n-3 of VE was higher (P < 0.05). Milk fat of VE was less saturated (P < 0.05). Except free cholesterol and phospholipids that were lower and higher respectively in VE (P < 0.05), no significant difference observed between groups for cholesteryl esters, free fatty acids, triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and monoacylglycerols. The results demonstrated that the VE rearing system increases total polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreases free cholesterol compared with E group rearing system. In conclusion, the VE rearing system could produce healthier milk fat in camels.

Key Words: camel, milk, fat