Camel Milk Research Articles

Preparation, characterization, and mechanism of DPP-IV inhibitory peptides derived from Bactrian camel milk

In this study, double enzyme hydrolysis significantly enhanced the DPP-IV inhibition rate compared to single enzyme. The α + K enzymes exhibited the highest inhibition rate. Ultrasonic pretreatment for 30 min improved the hydrolysis efficiency and DPP-IV inhibition rate, potentially due to the structural changes in hydrolysates, such as the increased surface hydrophobicity, and reduced particle size, α-helix and β-turn. Six peptides were screened and verified in vitro. QPY, WPEYL, and YPPQVM displayed competitive inhibition, while LPAAP and IPAPSFPRL displayed mixed competitive/non-competitive inhibition. The interactions between these six peptides and DPP-IV primarily occurred through hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Network pharmacological analysis indicated that LPAAP might inhibit DPP-IV activity trough interactions with diabetes-related targets such as CASP3, HSP90AA1, MMP9, and MMP9. These results uncover the potential mechanism of regulating blood glucose by camel milk hydrolysates, establishing camel milk peptide as a source of DPP-IV inhibitory peptide.

Chitosan nanoparticles, camel milk exosomes and/or Sorafenib induce apoptosis, inhibit tumor cells migration and angiogenesis and ameliorate the associated liver damage in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice

BackgroundIt is crucial to improve cancer patients' quality of life by developing medications that can treat cancer with minimum adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and camel milk exosomes (CMEs) alone or in combination with Sorafenib (SOR) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice and to assess whether EAC-associated liver injury would be ameliorated due to this combination. Liver function and oxidant/antioxidant status were determined spectrophotometrically, while the levels of inflammatory cytokines were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe tumor burden in EAC-bearing mice was reduced after treatment with CNPs ± CMEs ± SOR as indicated by (1) reduced ascetic fluid volume and tumor-cell viability; (2) induction of apoptosis [high p53, BCL2 associated X (Bax), caspase 3, low B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl2)]; (3) increased intracellular reactive oxygen species; (4) decreased migration [high matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and low TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1)]; (5) declined angiogenesis [low vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These treatments also reduced liver injury induced by EAC as noticed by (1) restored liver function indices [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and albumin]; (2) restored redox balance [low malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and high superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities]; (3) increased antioxidant gene expression [high nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)]; (4) declined inflammation [low interleukin-1β (IL1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) levels), and (5) enhanced structure of liver. SOR + CNPs-treated mice showed the most improvement, followed by SOR + CMEs-treated animals.ConclusionsBased on these findings, we determined that CNPs and CMEs enhanced SOR's anticancer efficacy and had an ameliorative role against EAC-induced liver injuries.Graphic abstract

Comparative analysis of nutritional quality and microbial contamination in camel milk: Evaluating safety and public health risks between camel milk obtained from street vendors and farms in Saudi Arabia.

To evaluate the nutritional quality and microbial contamination of raw camel milk sourced from street vendors and compare it with milk obtained from farms, with a particular emphasis on pathogenic organisms. Twenty samples were systematically collected from street vendors and farms between July 2022 and February 2023 and analyzed at King Fahad Medical Research Centre and the Pharmacy College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The microbial analysis employed culture-dependent techniques for colony-forming unit analysis and isolation of microbial colonies from milk samples. Microbial identification utilized advanced methods, including VITEK-MS equipment and the MALDI-TOF technique. The chemical composition was analysed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The findings revealed significant differences in microbial loads, with milk sourced from street vendors exhibiting considerably higher microbial counts than farm-sourced milk, including pathogenic species like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results indicated that camel milk from street vendors possessed a higher level of microbial contamination, suggesting potential health risks associated with its purchase and consumption from these sources. This study highlights the urgent need for stringent food safety practices in handling, selling, and distributing camel milk to reduce microbial risks to safe levels, thereby mitigating potential health hazards.

Insights on the microbiology of Ethiopian fermented milk products: A review.

Fermented milk products play a vital role in the diets of Ethiopians. They are produced from either spontaneous fermentation or back-slopping methods at the household level, in which lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts predominate. As a result, the processing steps are not standardized and overall safety is still of public health relevance. Therefore, quality and safety improvement, standardization of traditional manufacturing practices, and commercialization of products to a wider market are important. Hence, this systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbiology of traditional Ethiopian fermented milk products, including ergo (spontaneously fermented whole milk), dhanaan (fermented camel milk), ititu (concentrated sour milk or spontaneously fermented milk curd), ayib (traditional cottage cheese), qibe (traditional butter), arrera (defatted buttermilk), and hazo (spiced fermented buttermilk). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and searched relevant databases and search engines, including the Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Furthermore, the pertinent literature was checked individually and identified. Dairy fermentation provides shelf-life extension and improves the organoleptic quality of products. Nonetheless, the aforementioned Ethiopian fermented foods may be contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., or Staphylococcus aureus due to inadequate processing and handling practices. This systematic review also revealed that these traditional milk products lack consistent quality and safety due to poor hygienic preparation techniques, non-controlled fermentation, and limited knowledge or awareness of small-holder dairy farmers. Therefore, the use of suitable procedures including good hygienic practices and controlled fermentation is recommended.

Metric-based meta-learning combined with hyperspectral imaging for rapid detection of adulteration in domain-shifted camel milk powder

Camel milk powder possesses high nutritional and economic value. The adulteration of camel milk powder with other varieties seriously compromises consumer rights. In the practical application of hyperspectral analysis for camel milk powder detection, the sample categories used for testing often differ from those used to construct the model. As a learning approach adept at domain-shifted and few shot scenarios, meta-learning is employed to tackle this issue. In this study, we used camel milk powder adulterated with cow milk powder as training samples and adulterated with goat milk powder as test samples. In the detection of eleven adulteration levels, the detection accuracy for pure camel milk powder reached 98.92%. Notably, the detection accuracy for the less conspicuous 70% adulteration level achieved 77.69%. The comprehensive detection accuracy of meta-learning reached 84.4%, showcasing notable improvements compared to SVM, BP, and CNN, which saw increases of 24.67%, 28.16%, and 18.4%, respectively. The detailed analysis of feature vectors and contributions substantiates the reliability and stability of the meta-learning-based qualitative analysis. The introduction of meta-learning methods is poised to make significant contributions to rapid detection by relevant testing agencies and the protection of consumer rights.

Usefulness of Moringa oleifera seed extract as Coagulant for the production of fresh camel cheese

The current study aimed to enhance the coagulation properties of camel milk using enzymatic extracts derived from Moringa oleifera seeds. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the clotting activities of Moringa extract on camel milk and compare them with cow milk. Our results regarding the characterisation of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield of 54.3±1.8%. The optimum coagulation conditions were determined to be pH 5 and a temperature of 55°C. In addition, the enzymes exhibited substantial clotting activity (2.54 RU) on both camel and cow milk. The cheese samples showed significant oxidative and antibacterial activity.

In vitro assessment of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from camel milk: enhancing sustainable foods

Probiotic properties of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from sustainable foods including camel milk are the potential research domains. For this purpose, camel milk samples (n = 20), from four different herds of Camelus dromedarius, were processed for the identification of LAB strains based on biochemical profiles followed by amplification and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The probiotic characteristics, i.e., acids and bile salts tolerance, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, hemolytic and antimicrobial activities, auto-aggregation assay, and adhesion to HT-29 epithelial cells were determined. Thirteen out of 20 milk samples were initially found positive for the growth of probiotics or LAB which were further confirmed as Lacticaseibacillus casei (5) and Pediococcus pentosaceus (3). The probiotics/LAB strains showed maximum survival (%) = 92.06 ± 1.82 and 81.35 ± 3.64 against acids and bile salts, respectively. The LAB strains were found sensitive to amoxicillin, ceftazidime, imipenem, linezolid, ofloxacin, tetracycline, tobramycin, and vancomycin. None of the LAB strains showed hemolytic activity. L. casei-04 strain showed a maximum zone of inhibition (15.33 ± 0.58) against multidrug-resistant E. coli AZ1 strain whereas, L. casei-05 showed a maximum zone of inhibition (16.33 ± 1.15) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus Saba-1 strain. L. casei-03 showed maximum percentage auto-aggregation (28.65 ± 1.96) at 4 h while L. casei-01 showed (41.10 ± 3.03) at 24 h of incubation. Maximum adhesion was shown by P. pentosaceus-01 (11.14%) followed by L. casei-02 (9.73%). Altogether, the current findings suggested that camel milk has significant potential of providing probiotics/LAB strains into human food chain and enabling camel milk as potential sustainable food.

Volatile organic compounds of camel milk and shubat across Kazakhstan's regions, seasons, and breeds

Despite extensive research in recent years on camel milk composition and health benefits, limited scientific data exists on the volatile organic compound profiles of camel milk and its fermented product, shubat. This study analyzed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in raw camel milk and shubat from six Kazakh farms across all seasons. We found that camel milk displayed higher concentrations of aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols with the main two compounds in milk being acetone and (2-Aziridinylethyl) amine. Conversely, the majority of volatile organic compounds in shubat samples belonged to esters, but the predominant compounds by concentration were ethanol, dimethylamine, propanoic acid, and octanoic acid. Seasonality emerged as the primary driver of variation in milk, with heptanal being the most discriminative compound. Fermented milk showcased regional diversity likely driven by distinct microbial communities. Findings demonstrate the dynamic nature of camel milk's aromatic properties, which are influenced by multiple factors that contribute to its distinctive sensory characteristics.

Review on camel genetic diversity: ecological and economic perspectives.

Camels, known as the "Ship of the Desert," play a vital role in the ecosystems and economies of arid and semi-arid regions. They provide meat, milk, transportation, and other essential services, and their resilience to harsh environments makes them invaluable. Despite their similarities, camel breeds exhibit notable differences in size, color, and structure, with over 40million camels worldwide. This number is projected to increase, underscoring their growing significance. Economically, camels are crucial for food production, tourism, and trade, with camel racing being particularly significant in Arab countries. Their unique physiological traits, such as low disease susceptibility and efficient water conservation, further enhance their value. Camel products, especially meat and milk, offer substantial nutritional and therapeutic benefits, contributing to their high demand. Genetic diversity studies have advanced our understanding of camels' adaptation to extreme environments. Functional genomics and whole-genome sequencing have identified genes responsible for these adaptations, aiding breeding programs and conservation efforts. High-throughput sequencing has revealed genetic markers linked to traits like milk production and disease resistance. The development of SNP chips has revolutionized genetic studies by providing a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing. These tools facilitate large-scale genotyping, essential for conserving genetic diversity and improving breeding strategies. To prevent the depletion of camel genetic diversity, it is crucial to streamline in situ and ex situ conservation efforts to maintain their ecological and economic value. A comprehensive approach to camel conservation and genetic preservation, involving advanced genomic technologies, reproductive biotechniques, and sustainable management practices, will ensure their continued contribution to human societies.

Effect of Camel's Milk Processing on Orotic Acid Stability

Effect of Camel's Milk Processing on Orotic Acid Stability

A Comparative Study on the Composition and Structure of Human Milk Phospholipids and its Natural Resources: Based on a Similarity Evaluation Model

Human milk phospholipids (HMPLs) play an indispensable role in the neurodevelopment and growth of infants. In this study, a total of 37 phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) species and 139 phospholipid molecular species were detected from human milk and other natural phospholipid sources (including 5 animal-derived species and 2 plant species). Moreover, a similarity evaluation model for HMPLs was established, including phospholipid classes, PLFAs, and phospholipid molecular species, to evaluate their natural substitutes. The closest scores for HMPL substitute in these three dimensions was 0.89, 0.72, and 0.77, which belonged to mare milk, goat milk, and camel milk, respectively. The highest comprehensive similarity score was obtained by camel milk at 0.75, while the lowest score was observed in soybean phospholipid (0.22). Therefore, these results not only monitored the stereochemical structure of HMPLs and their substitutes, but also further provided new insights for the development of infant formulae.

Growing Importance of Camel Milk in Human Health

Milk is considered as a complete food as it is rich in proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for human nutrition. Camel milk, a dietary staple in hot and arid regions for millennia, has recently gained attention for its nutritional richness and therapeutic properties. With a global camel population of 35 million, countries in East and Central Africa harbor the largest populations, with Ethiopia ranking second in production after Somalia. Beyond its significance in pastoralist communities, camel milk exhibits diverse health benefits, including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Its unique chemical composition, including high levels of vitamin C, essential minerals, and protective proteins like lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins, and lysozyme, makes it a potential alternative to bovine milk. Camel milk lacks β-lactoglobulin, which causes allergic to cow milk proteins. Notably, camel milk's role in managing conditions such as diabetes, allergies, autism, cancer, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and arthritis. Moreover, its hypoallergenic nature and antimicrobial properties make it a promising functional food. Insulin-like proteins, which imitate insulin's role in controlling blood sugar levels and hence improve glucose uptake, contribute to its efficacy. Camel milk has cosmetic effects due to the presence of α-hydroxy acids, which help to plump the skin and smooth fine lines. Despite its importance, camel milk remains underappreciated, necessitating further research and awareness efforts to unlock its full therapeutic potential and promote its consumption. This paper aims to shed light on the diverse health benefits of camel milk.

Whole-Genome Resequencing Analysis of the Camelus bactrianus (Bactrian Camel) Genome Identifies Mutations and Genes Affecting Milk Production Traits.

Milk production is an important trait that influences the economic value of camels. However, the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying milk production in camels have not yet been elucidated. We aimed to identify candidate molecular markers that affect camel milk production. We classified Junggar Bactrian camels (9-10-year-old) as low-yield (<1.96 kg/d) or high-yield (>2.75 kg/d) based on milk production performance. Milk fat (5.16 ± 0.51 g/100 g) and milk protein (3.59 ± 0.22 g/100 g) concentrations were significantly lower in high-yielding camels than those in low-yielding camels (6.21 ± 0.59 g/100 g, and 3.93 ± 0.27 g/100 g, respectively) (p < 0.01). There were no apparent differences in gland tissue morphology between the low- and high-production groups. Whole-genome resequencing of 12 low- and 12 high-yield camels was performed. The results of selection mapping methods, performed using two methods (FST and θπ), showed that 264 single nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) overlapped between the two methods, identifying 181 genes. These genes were mainly associated with the regulation of oxytocin, estrogen, ErbB, Wnt, mTOR, PI3K-Akt, growth hormone synthesis/secretion/action, and MAPK signaling pathways. A total of 123 SNPs were selected, based on significantly associated genomic regions and important pathways for SNP genotyping, for verification in 521 additional Bactrian camels. This analysis showed that 13 SNPs were significantly associated with camel milk production yield and 18 SNPs were significantly associated with camel milk composition percentages. Most of these SNPs were located in coding regions of the genome. However, five and two important mutation sites were found in the introns of CSN2 (β-casein) and CSN3 (κ-casein), respectively. Among the candidate genes, NR4A1, ADCY8, PPARG, CSN2, and CSN3 have previously been well studied in dairy livestock. These observations provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying milk production in camels as well as genetic markers for breeding programs aimed at improving milk production.

Impact of Storage Conditions on the Quality of Raw Camel Milk

Impact of Storage Conditions on the Quality of Raw Camel Milk

Quantification of pesticide residues in milk by HPLC-UV analysis in Gilan province, Iran

ABSTRACT Eighty milk samples, comprising raw cow’s milk, pasteurised milk, ultra-high temperature milk, and camel milk, were collected randomly from supply centres from December 2022 to March 2023 in Gilan province, Iran. Aldrin, diazinon, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Aldrin and diazinon were observed in all samples. Furthermore, 87.5% of the milk samples were contaminated with DDT. The raw milk sample showed the greatest concentration of aldrin, measuring 9.31 ± 0.80 µg L−1, and there was no significant difference with the camel milk. The samples of camel milk, raw milk, and ultra-high temperature milk demonstrated the greatest levels of DDT, whereas the lowest concentration was detected in pasteurised milk. In all samples, the maximum residue level (MRL) of Codex Alimentarius and the national Iran standard (20 µg L−1 for DDT) was only exceeded by 25.1% of the milk samples.

Serodiagnosis of nasal myasis in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Egypt using third larval instar affinity-purified glycoprotein

The larvae of Cephalopina titillator cause nasopharyngeal myiasis in camels, which parasitize the living tissues of the nasal and paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. C. titillator infestation adversely affects camel health, meat, and milk production, and can even cause death. In our study, to improve the immunodiagnosis of camel nasal myiasis, a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and evaluated using the Concanavalin-A (Con-A) affinity purification for the C. titillator-N-acetylglucosamine (Ct-GlucNAc) glycoprotein fraction from third larval instars as an antigen for detecting C. titillator antibodies. Crude antigens were prepared from larval instars of C. titillator and evaluated by indirect ELISA. The third C. titillator larval antigen (L3Ct) had the highest protein content (P < 0.001) and the best diagnostic value; chi-square = 235 (P < 0.001). Four glycoprotein fractions were purified separately from the L3Ct antigen by Con-A purification and evaluated. The Ct-GlucNAc glycoprotein fraction was the fraction of choice with the highest diagnostic accuracy (P < 0.05). Using Ct-GlucNAc as a coating antigen, indirect ELISA showed a 99.3% sensitivity for positive results in camel myiasis samples and 100% specificity for negative results in healthy camel samples. The diagnostic accuracy was 99.7%, and no cross reactivity was detected for other parasitic diseases. The indirect ELISA results were confirmed by the western immunoblotting which was characterized by comparing sera from naturally infested dromedary camels with C. titillator, sera from healthy camels and sera from camels with other parasitic infections (Echinococcus granulosus, Fasciola gigantica, Hard ticks; Hyalomma dromedarii, Trichostronglid sp., Eimeria spp., and Cryptosporidium sp.). Immunoreactive antigenic bands of 63, 50, 30 and 18 kDa were predominantly detected in sera from camels with nasopharyngeal myiasis and didn’t react with healthy and camel’s sera from other parasitic infections. However, seven immunoreactive bands appeared at 120, 70, 63, 48, 35, 29, and 19 kDa in the crude L3Ct antigen. In addition, a positive rate of C. titillator immunodiagnosis was detected by indirect ELISA (48.6%, chi-square = 483, P < 0.001), which was significantly greater than that of postmortem diagnosis (31%). In conclusion, the current study introduces a new diagnostic immunoaffinity glycoprotein fraction of C. titillator 3rd larval instar-based ELISA as a highly accurate, simple and fast method to detect specific antibodies of nasal myiasis in camels.

A Review on Camel Milk Composition, Techno-Functional Properties and Processing Constraints.

Camel milk plays a critical role in the diet of peoples belongs to the semi-arid and arid regions. Since prehistoric times, camel milk marketing was limited due to lacking the processing facilities in the camel-rearing areas, nomads practiced the self-consumption of raw and fermented camel milk. A better understanding of the techno-functional properties of camel milk is required for product improvement to address market and customer needs. Despite the superior nutraceutical and health promoting potential, limited camel dairy products are available compared to other bovines. It is a challenging impetus for the dairy industry to provide diversified camel dairy products to consumers with superior nutritional and functional qualities. The physicochemical behavior and characteristics of camel milk is different than the bovine milk, which poses processing and technological challenges. Traditionally camel milk is only processed into various fermented and non-fermented products; however, the production of commercially important dairy products (cheese, butter, yogurt, and milk powder) from camel milk still needs to be processed successfully. Therefore, the industrial processing and transformation of camel milk into various products, including fermented dairy products, pasteurized milk, milk powder, cheese, and other products, require the development of new technologies based on applied research. This review highlights camel milk's processing constraints and techno-functional properties while presenting the challenges associated with processing the milk into various dairy products. Future research directions to improve product quality have also been discussed.

Evaluation of the Toxicological Efficacy of Protein Hydrolysates From Camel Milk β-Casein Against Different Types of Cancer Cell Lines in Vitro

Evaluation of the Toxicological Efficacy of Protein Hydrolysates From Camel Milk β-Casein Against Different Types of Cancer Cell Lines in Vitro

Traditional and complementary medicines in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a narrative review

Many individuals with diabetes often explore traditional and complementary medicines (TCM) as an alternative, believing in their perceived minimal side effects and enhanced effectiveness compared to conventional treatments for diabetes mellitus. This review aims to conduct a narrative review of TCM approaches for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, focusing on diabetic parameters such as glycemic, lipid profiles, weight, and blood pressure. We searched PubMed and ScienceDirect using terms such as "traditional and complementary medicine," "type 2 diabetes mellitus," "diabetes mellitus," "management," and "herbal" over a period of 5 years (2017–2021). The screened articles were based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, which were then validated and extracted. We included a total of 47 articles that met the criteria in this review and categorized them according to diabetic parameters (adapted from CPG Management of T2DM, 2020). The majority of herbal supplements (e.g., ginger, American ginseng, herbal mixtures), health supplements (e.g., Gingko biloba, zinc, vitamin D), dietary supplements (e.g., wheat germ and camel milk), and practices (e.g., acupuncture and homeopathy) exhibited positive effects, improving diabetic parameters towards their intended targets. This review can serve as a valuable reference for healthcare professionals involved in the management of this condition.

Advancements in Camel Milk Drying Technology: A Comprehensive Review of Methods, Chemical Composition, and Nutritional Preservation

With interest in camel milk growing due to its nutrients and biologically active compounds, research into methods of processing and drying it is crucial. In recent decades, extensive studies have explored its chemical composition and health benefits with a focus on drying techniques and their effects on its properties. This review systematically summarizes the available literature on camel milk drying processes and their effects on its chemical composition with a view to shortening the drying time. To achieve this goal, we meticulously reviewed numerous studies published between 2014 and 2024 to identify optimal drying methods that maximize the preservation of camel milk’s nutrient components and bioactive compounds. Our analysis revealed significant findings: freeze drying preserves nutrients better than spray drying, but is less efficient. Spray drying, while faster, tends to compromise some nutritional values. Conclusively, optimizing drying parameters can improve production efficiency and nutrient retention.