Impact of parity on the profile of fatty acids with potential importance for human health in camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of parity on the proportion of fatty acids with potential health significance in camel milk fat. Milk samples were collected from four multiparous and four primiparous camels in intensive husbandry at mid-lactation stage. Fatty acid methyl esters were analysed by gas chromatography in conjunction with a flame ionisation detector. Parity had a significant effect on fat and total solids content (p<0.05); mutiparous camels produced milk with lower fat and total solids content. In contrast, protein and ash content were not affected by parity (p>0.05). Primipara camels produced milk richer (p<0.05) in odd and branched chain fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, C17:0, C15:0, omega-3 fatty acids, oleic acid, vaccenic acid and α-linolenic acid, while poorer (p<0.05) for total short-chain fatty acids, total medium-chain fatty acids, total saturated fatty acids, C6:0, C10:0, C14:0, c9-C16:0, C16:0 and iso-C16:0. In addition, the desaturation index for C16, which is an indicator of Δ9-desaturase activity, and the atherogenicity index were lower in primiparous camels (p<0.05). Parity had no effect on conjugated linoleic acid content (p>0.05). Overall, the milk fat of primiparous camels appears to have a relatively high nutritional value, as it contained higher levels of beneficial fatty acids and lower levels of saturated fatty acids.