Fatty acid composition and stereospecificity and sterol composition of milk fat from different species

This study showed the different fatty acid (FA), sn-2 fatty acid, and sterol profiles in camel, cow, donkey, goat, and yak milk fat samples. High levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and low levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were observed in donkey and camel milk samples. Goat milk had the highest SFA content among all other samples. In all the samples, the sn-2 position was mainly esterified by C18:1 n-9 and C16:0. Goat milk fat had a lower C18:1 n-9/C16:0 ratio at the sn-2 position compared with milk fat from other species. Donkey and camel milk fat contained more UFAs and less SFAs at the sn-2 and sn-1,3 positions than milk fat from other species. Cholesterol was the major sterol observed in all milk sources. These data help understand the natural differences in functional and nutritional characteristics between milk fat from different species.