Physico-chemical Properties and Processing Characteristics of Camel Milk as Compared with Other Dairy Species: A Review

Abstract

Camels are the most climate resilience dairy species which survives and produces more milk in dry lands. Camel milk has a significant role in livelihood improvement and become the most promising industrial products in the future. Additionally, it has medicinal values, rich source of bioactive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant substances. Camel milk differs markedly from other dairy species by its protein composition, milk fat structure and mineral and vitamin. These characteristics have an obvious impact on product processing characteristics and product quality. Systematic review method was used; in which published and unpublished scientific research literatures were reviewed. In camel milk the absence of β-lactoglobulin, β-casein content, the colloidal structure and amino acid composition are the main factors which affect camel milk product processing. During processing chymosin extracted from calf cow does not allow the optimal clotting of casein micelles in camel milk, but lead to a weak curd. The higher content of whey protein to casein ratio, broader casein micelles structure and lower ê-casein content are considered the main factors responsible for the differences in cheese coagulation between a camel and bovine milk. Moreover, the thicker and smaller fat globule results for the formation of a weak gel during fermentation processing. Therefore this review document provide the scientific evidence about the physicochemical property and processing characteristics of camel milk as well as point out where research is lacking.