Effect of Production System on Chemical Composition and Macro-Minerals of Sudanese camels Milk

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the production system effect on camel milk composition and macro-elements content in Sudan. Methodology: Sample purchased from camel milk production markets (Albutana- Tumbool, Kordfan-Elobied, and Khartoum-Alsalam market) in 6 replicates. Findings: There were no difference in moisture, and protein % among camel milk from different area, on the other hand there were significantly different in fat and ash content % with highest values for Khartoum camel milk and lowest values for Kordofan camel milk. Macro-minerals (Na, K, Mg, Ca, and P) content in camel milk were determined and there was different content. Ca, Na, K, Mg and P higher in Khartoum camel milk and lowest content values for Kordofan camel milk. The study was extended to determine soil macro-elements contents in Albutana and Kordofan areas which were fed by grazing system, and ignored soil in Khartoum whereas camels lives in a farm. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Camels produce more milk of high nutritional quality and for a longer period of time than other species in an environment that might be rightly termed as hostile in terms of extreme temperature, drought and lack of pasture, in Sudan camel’s milk constitutes the sole diet of camel herders for considerable periods and they rely completely on camel’s milk for more than month without having drinking water especially during the migratory routes. Camel milk from different areas and production system had different chemical content in fat and ash % and similar in moisture and protein %, within the same season. However, macro-minerals in camel milk increasing by soil macro minerals contents specially on grazing system.