Factors Associated with Chemical Composition of Camel Milk from Different Production Systems in Sudan

Abstract

In this study, the impact of different management systems, parity orders, stages of lactation and age of she camels on the chemical composition of milk were evaluated. The study was conducted during August to October 2018 to compare camel milk from three production systems that include the traditional nomadic in Kuma locality (North Darfur State) to the semi-nomadic (Red Valley in Eastern Nile and Hamid Well in Western Omdurman (Khartoum State) and the intensive in El Huda in Western Omdurman (Khartoum State). The milk samples investigated belong to three groups; parity orders, lactation stages and ages; of she-camels. The samples (n=120) were examined to determine the percent of fat, solids not fat, lactose, protein and density in camel milk. The results showed significant (P≤0.05) differences between milk samples obtained from camels reared in different management systems. The semi-nomadic system in Hamid Well area recorded high values for the chemical constituent in comparison to other systems and locations. Stages of lactation of she-camels kept in the intensive production system showed significant effect on the values of SNF, protein, lactose and the density of milk. However non-significant differences were recorded on milk chemical composition depending on parity orders and age of she-camels. In conclusion, the variations of the values of the chemical composition of camel milk from different locations is strongly correlated to the management systems that influenced by the availability of water and feed as well as other factors including lactation stages.