Characteristics and Composition of Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Milk: The White Gold of Desert

Camel milk (CaM) have therapeutic characteristics with fortified nutritive values and is well known for these peculiar features. The fat portion in camel milk is properly emulsified with very fine globules and doesn’t form a typical layer over surface. The fat is present in evenly distributed small micelles throughout the milk. CaM has very handsome share of protein and lactose percentage which is well tolerant to humans and doesn’t cause lactose allergy. So, the CaM can easily be used in lactose intolerant cases. The SNF and solids of CaM are in almost same proportion as in cattle milk, so it is healthier enough. There are different antibodies, insulin, antioxidants and antimicrobial properties which gives special characteristic features to it. Thus; CaM is being used as remedial purposes in the treatment of many diseases and may also as quality aphrodisiac. It is enriched in α-lactalbumin and lacks protein β-lacto globulins and is healthier having ↑ proportion of C14-C18 fatty acids. With ample clue from the literature data; the current study was planned to investigate the milk and colostrum composition of Pakistani dromedary camel and to relate with the reported values by other scientists. The CaM samples were taken from Thal Desert in natural habitat. The milk fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat and total milk solids % were found to be 4.79, 3.56, 4.92, 9.09, 13.88 and 2.02, 4.4, 6.4, 11.78, 13.8 in regular milk and colostrum, respectively. The data obtained will be a useful addition to build the country’s database for future studies of this field.