Determination of the fatty acid profile in Mexican buffalo milk at the beginning of lactation

Abstract

The water buffalo arrived in Mexico in 1990 via Belize as an option for national livestock farming. It was established in the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Veracruz. It is used for livestock diversification and to take advantage of areas that are practically impossible for conventional livestock to access. Buffalo milk has high fat concentrations and is of good quality. Buffalo milk provides considerable amounts of cholesterol, vitamin E, vitamin C, and fatty acids (FA). This research was conducted in the municipality of Hidalgotitlán, Veracruz. A total of 50 Mediterranean and Buffalypso breed animals were analyzed at the beginning of lactation. Milk samples were collected by manual milking in sterile 50-mL flasks. These samples were placed in coolers with cooling gels for preservation. A gas chromatograph was used to determine the FA profile of the milk. The analysis for the fatty acid profile was carried out using the FAME-LEE analysis method integrated by the FAME-37 control method. A total of 17 FAs were identified in the first period. The results showed a total of saturated FAs of 64.51%, this was mainly reflected in the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, which had concentrations of 25.26%. It should be ruled out that the CLA presented concentrations above those reported by other authors, having benefits for human health such as antiadipogenic, antidiabetogenic, anticarcinogenic and antiatherosclerosis properties; this indicates that the breeds established in the country have excellent productive potential and that the buffalo milk produced in Mexico has great quality and growth potential in the area of ​​​​livestock production.