The Chemical Composition and Nitrogen Distribution of Chinese Yak (Maiwa) Milk

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Haimei Li²  Ying Ma²  Qiming Li¹  Jiaqi Wang¹  Jinju Cheng²  Jun Xue³ 

[1] Research and Development Central of New Hope Dairy Holding Company, Chengdu 610041, China; E-Mails:;School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; E-Mails:;Guelph Food Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1341 Baseline Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C5, Canada; E-Mails:

关键词: chemical composition;    nitrogen distribution;    seasonal changes;    yak milk;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12084885

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The paper surveyed the chemical composition and nitrogen distribution of Maiwa yak milk, and compared the results with reference composition of cow milk. Compared to cow milk, yak milk was richer in protein (especially whey protein), essential amino acids, fat, lactose and minerals (except phosphorus). The contents of some nutrients (total protein, lactose, essential amino acids and casein) were higher in the warm season than in the cold season. Higher ratios of total essential amino acids/total amino acids (TEAA/TAA) and total essential amino acids/total non essential amino acids (TEAA/TNEAA) were found in the yak milk from the warm season. However its annual average ratio of EAA/TAA and that of EAA/NEAA were similar to those of cow milk. Yak milk was rich in calcium and iron (p < 0.05), and thus may serve as a nutritional ingredient with a potential application in industrial processing.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.