Comparative study on chemical composition and minerals content of buffalo milk in Assiut city

The study was carried out to evaluate the chemical composition and minerals content of buffaloes milk collected from individual animals and vendors bulk milk in Assiut city. Samples were collected and analysed each 10 days from three individual farmers (one buffalo from each), and three milk vendors during the period between December (2010) to February (2011).The obtained results showed that the main milk constitutes were found to be at higher levels in the individual samples. Values of total solids, fat, total nitrogen and lactose, ranged between 14.430 to 16.550%, and 5.4 to 7.2% and 0.665 to 0,940% and 3.828 to 5.500% for the individual milk, respectively. In bulk milk samples Values of total solids, fat, total Nitrogen and lactose, ranged between 14.604 to 15.293% and5.5 to 6.5% and 0.562 to 0.676% and 3.620 to 4.933% respectively. The specific gravity of individual milk was slightly higher than that of bulk milk samples 1.030 to 1.035 and 1.029 to 1.033 gm/cm3 respectively. Concerning milk fat constants, the iodine number was mostly lower while Polenske and Reichert- meisel number were higher in the individual samples comparing with that for the bulk samles. Howeyer no big differ- ence was found in the saponification number for individual and bulk samples. The results of ash contents showed that bulk buffaloes milk samples showed higher contents ranged from (4.696 to 6.626) mg/kg as compared to individual samples (4.023-5.553)(mg/kg). Metals, i.e. iron, calcium sodium and phosphorus were found in higher levels in bulk samples. However magnesium was found in the same levels in bulk and individual samples available in Assiut markets may suspect to be adulterated by vendors with adding water, or removing cream. The overall picture of buffalo's milk quality in Assiut markets as measured by chemical composition evaluation appears to indicate a need for emphasis on quality roles within milk vendors. There is a need to the activate regulations of the standard limits to control the quality of buffalo milk collected from vendors.