Among the bovine milk, the milk from Desi cows (Bos indicus) could be a better alternative infant food when human mother’s milk is not available. These were the findings of a study on Biochemical analysis of milk reported by Dr Chandra Shekhar Nautiyal, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow and the same is published in the journal Food Control in 2006.
Dr Nautiyal reported a rapid method for distinguishing human and bovine milk samples. The method was based on quantifying soluble phosphate content in milk. The study was performed on 40 milk samples comprising 10 samples each from healthy human, Sahiwal cows (Bos indicus), Holestin cows and buffalo. The study reported soluble phosphate levels in the milk samples of human, Sahiwal cows (Bos indicus), holestin and buffalo as 1.45, 17.63, 37.91 and 39.89 µg/ml respectively. The study showed Sahiwal cow milk was closer to human mother’s milk compared to the milk from holestin cow and buffalo. Therefore, when human mother’s milk is not available, among the bovine milk, Sahiwal cow’s milk may be a better alternative than from holestin or buffalo.
Reference:
Sangeeta Mehta, Chandra Shekhar Nautiyal, A method of distinguishing human and bovine milk samples based on soluble phosphate content. Food Control 2006; 17:180-182.
