| en |
Comparison of the Mineral Content and Apparent Biological Value of Milk from Human, Cow and Goat
Belewu, M. A. and Aiyegbusi, O.F.
Abstract
The mineral content and apparent biological value (ABV) of milk from Human (T1),
White Fulani (Bunaji) cow (T2) and West African dwarf goats (T3) (n=10) were
assessed following a completely randomised design model and covariance analysis
respectively. Concentration per million (ppm) were 210, 150 and 52 Na,
(goat, human and cow milk) while potassium content was similar (P>0.05) in
human (1.60) and goat (1.55) milk compared to that of cow milk. Quantity of Ca,
Mg, P, Fe, Cu and Mn were higher in goat and human milk. They were lowest in cow
milk: 4.03, 0.92, 1.07, 0.25 and 1.59ppm respectively. In these three
treatments, the respective ratios Ca.P-1 were 4.2:1 (T1), 4.4:1 (T2)
and 4.6:1 (T3) while Ca.Mg-1 and P.Mg-1 were decreased
from 3.9 (cow milk) to 1.9 (human milk) and 0.89 (cow milk) to 0.45 (human
milk). In conclusion, the milk of goat (West African dwarf) which contained more
of these mineral contents similar to that of human milk, is a pointer to the
nutritional contribution of goat milk in a country like Nigeria where prevailing
undernourishment and malnutrition are accompanied by low intake of some minerals
and vitamins among the populace and most especially the vulnerable (pregnant,
lactating mothers, infants and weanlings and the sick) groups.
Keywords
West African dwarf goat, White Fulani (Bunaji) cow, Mineral composition, Apparent Biological Value
|
