Properties, preservation and evaluation of buffaloes, and cows, colostrum

This study was designed to follow the changes in properties of Egyptian buffalo and Holstein cow colostrum after parturition, select the proper heat treatment of buffalo and cow colostrum that would produce no significant changes in viscosity and IgG concentration, compare between freezing and freeze-drying methods for colostrum preservation and evaluate the safety of long-term consumption of Egyptian buffalo or Holstein cow colostrum on young Wistar rats. The obtained results illustrated that at calving, buffalo colostrum was characterized by significantly higher fat, lactose, ash, total solids, phosphorus, vitamin E, Val, Met, lie, Phe, His, Lys, Asp, Pro, Cys, Tyr and lGF-l as well as viscosity; and significantly lower Mg, Na, K, Zn, vitamin A, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala, Arg and lactoferrin concentrations compared to cow colostrum. Also, data obtained showed that as the lactation period advanced, the levels of total protein, whey proteins, fat, ash, total solids, bioactive components (lgG, IgM, lGF-l and lactoferrin), specific gravity, viscosity and titratablce acidity in both colostrums decreased and those of lactose and pH conversely increased. As for essential and non-essential amino acids macro and micro elements, and vitamins A and E, data obtained showed some significant and non- significant changes in both colostrums during the first 5 days and after 14 days of parturition. Comparing with cow milk, buffalo milk had significantly higher fat, total solids, Ca, Mg, vitamin E, lle, Phe, His, Lys, Cys, Tyr; and significantly lower Na, P, Cu, Zn, vitamin A, Leu, Asp, Gly and Ala concentrations on the fifth day of parturition. Heat treatment of buffalo and cow colostrum at 60°C/60 min could be sufficient to eliminate pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli) and maintained colostral IgG and fluid characteristics. Freeze-drying had no effect on the colostrum bioactive substances. The bioactive substances of frozen or freeze-dried colostrum decreased gradually during the six months of storage. The greatest influence of the storage was found on the concentration of IgM. The present study revealed that at the end of the experimental period (90 days), there was no difference between buffalo or cow colostrum-fed animals at dose of 0.5 ml / I00g body weight of rat and the control group in clinical signs, hematology, most parameters of blood chemistry (carbohydrate metabolism, liver and kidney functions) and histological structure of liver, kidney and duodenum.