Role of Goat Milk in Infant Health and Nutrition

Abstract

Goat husbandry is widespread due to high adaptability of goat to different and extreme environments. Goat milk is valuable from a nutritional point of view in terms of both protein and lipid fraction. The complex polymorphism of its casein fractions as well as the peculiar fatty acid profile makes goat milk interesting for its high potential in exploitation for human health. Genetic polymorphisms of milk proteins play an important role both in eliciting different allergic reaction and for derived peptides with functional properties. The purpose of the present chapter is to report information on the possible impact of goat milk protein and lipid fractions on cow’s milk protein allergy, and on some infant diseases as generalized epilepsy and metabolic disorders.