Chemical and Microbiological Evaluation of Camel Milk in Egypt

Introduction: Studies on camel milk concentration of chemical and trace elements or its microbiological view are limited especially here in Egypt, and warrants further investigation.Camel milk is gaining more popularity. Most camel milk is consumed fresh.Purpose: To determine chemical and mineral composition; and microbiological quality of Egyptian camel milk, as well aflatoxin M1 detection. Study Design: One hundred and eight camel milk samples were obtained at random from camels all over the country. Protein, fat, carbohydrates, moisture, ash and lactose were determined. Minerals as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu),phosphorous (P) and manganese (Mn) were measured in the ash. Twenty-one samples of camel milk were investigated for their microbiological quality. Also 21 samples from lactating mothers were collected for their microiological assay.Results and Discussion: Proximate analyses indicated that Egyptian camel milk contain 4.26% fat, 3.27% protein, 4.31% lactose, 12.95% total solids, 0.75% ash, and 87.05% water. Lactose is the main component of Egyptian camel milk. It comprises 92.37% of the carbohydrate. Proximate analyses indicated that mineral composition (mg/100 gm) of Egyptian camel milk was: 111.36 Ca; 81.17 P; 0.23 Fe; 0.51 Zn; 57.84 Na; 156.32 K; 6.70 Mg; 0.061, Cu; and 0.0127 Mn. Human milk was free from any microbes while some camel milk are contaminated and had bacterial load above the permitted level. Both human and camel milk are free of Aflatoxin M1.Conclusion: The major components of mature camel milk differs from those reported previously for camels milk. Protein, ash (mineral) contents of camel milk are higher than human beings; energy yield and fat, moisture, and total solids are similar to human milk. Camel milk is low in carbohydratesor lactose content relevant to human milk. Mineral content of camel milk agree with some reports and disagree with others on comparing with other camels milk. Mineral content of camel milk are higher than that of human milk. The increase range from ≈ 2 folds for Mg or Cu to ≈ 18 folds for Mn. On the other hand, disregard of sanitary practices will result in heavily contaminated milk that spoils rapidly. However, milking performed under hygienic conditions with strict attention to sanitary practices will result in a product with low bacterial load and good keeping quality. Camel milk could be used as supplements in infant feeding but can not replace mothers milk.