Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Milk Fat of Some Sudanese Camels

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-lionlenic acid (ALA) (C18:3n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) (C22:6n3). Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for structural development of the brain and eyes in the infants and maintenance of normal vision and neural functions in adults. Fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been associated with fetal development, cardiovascular function and Alzheimer’s disease. This study was conducted to investigate omega-3 fatty acids in camel milk fat of Sudanese Arabi camel managed under two production systems (traditional nomadic and semi-intensive). Bulk milk samples (n=105) were collected from different production systems (35 samples/sys-tem) with different camel breeds (Nefidia, Butana and Kenani) in Khartoum and Sennar states during July to August 2013 and were subjected to fat extraction and fat analysis by using GCMS. The ALA content was found as 0.14% and 0.32% of total fatty acids of milk at for Butana and Kenana camel, respectively. The EPA content re vealed values of 0.08% and 0.14% of the total fatty acids for Butana and Nefidia camel milk fat, respectively. The DHA content varied with non significant (P>0.05) differences as it revealed 0.20% and 21% of the total fatty acids in camel milk fat for Butana and Kenana camel milk fat, respectively. Also the study reported significant (P<0.05) dif ferences on omega-3 fatty acids among she camels in the different parity orders and stages of lactation. The study concluded that breed, parity and stage of lactation have significant effect on ome -ga-3 fatty acids composition of camel milk fat.