Triglyceride composition of ewe, cow, and goat milk fat

Abstract

AbstractThe separation and identification of the components in milk fat, which are mainly triglycerides, is a challenge due to its complex composition. A reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with gradient elution and light‐scattering detection is described in this paper for the triglyceride analysis in ewes’ milk fat. Triglyceride identification was carried out by combining HPLC, gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC), and the calculated equivalent carbon numbers of several triglyceride standards. Quantitation of partially resolved peaks in the HPLC chromatogram was accomplished by applying a peak deconvolution program. Forty‐four fatty acids were identified by GLC analysis, but only 19 were used for the following prediction of triglyceride molecular species; 181 triglycerides were identified, some of which were grouped at the same peak and needed application of the deconvolution program. Consequently, coefficients of variation were close to or lower than 5%. Moreover, the triglyceride composition of ewe, cow, and goat milk fat were compared by using these methods. These results show that ewe milk fat is richer in short‐ and medium‐chain triglycerides, and cow milk fat is richer in long‐chain and unsaturated triglycerides.