Abstract
This study was aimed for the evaluation of somatic cell count (SCC), physicochemical, and microbiological parameters during the end of lactation in the raw milk of Alpine and native Red goat breed. In the experiment, 102 milk samples from Alpine and native Red goats were included. Two different groups within the same breed were analyzed: a group consisting of animals in their first lactation and the second group consisting of animals from the fifth lactation. The milk samples were individually and daily collected during late lactation for three consecutive weeks, and milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and total bacteria with enterobacteria were assessed. Fresh milk of goats from late lactation period had a number of somatic cells (SC) within the expected value with log10 of 5.8–6.18 cells/ml for the compared groups. In both breeds, the total mesophilic bacteria were fewer in numbers, however, in the native Red goat, a larger population of such bacteria was enumerated. The number of coliforms and enterobacteria was below 100 cfu/ml. In the current study, we were able to show a significant difference among the studied breeds depending on lactation and season for fat (p = 0.002), but not for lactose and protein content. A positive correlation for total protein (TP), lactose, and fat as well as for lactose and SCC was found in the native Red goat breed. In the Alpine goat breed, a strong positive correlation (0.821**) was found for lactose and enterobacteria count (EC). In conclusion, these findings evaluate different goat milk parameters during late lactation period and provide an indirect measure to monitor goat mammary gland health for both breeds.
Highlights
Milk is the only food for mammals in their first period of life
The mean values for protein, fat, and lactose content in the milk of native Red and Alpine goat breed were different and the measured constituents were increased over the 3 weeks during late lactation (Supplementary Table 1)
The milk composition varied significantly between Alpine and native Red goat breed in their fifth lactation season, while the composition of milk was very similar between Alpine and native Red goats in their first lactation season
Summary
Milk is the only food for mammals in their first period of life. This nutritive fluid is secreted from the mammary gland of different animals such as cows, sheep, goats, buffalo, as well as humans. Goat milk is an essential source of food for home consumption and in addition, it contributes to the family economy, while in the developed countries, goat milk products such as cheese and yogurt are mainly consumed [2]. In the Mediterranean area and the Middle East, as well as Kosovo, goat breeding has a century-long history. These small ruminants have been used for milk production and milk products, as well as for meat, skin processing, and cosmetics [2]
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