Comparative analysis of nutrient composition of milk from different breeds of cows

Dandare, S. U, Ezeonwumelu, I.

Abstract

Exogenous nutrients supply in the human diet is required because of their biological significance for general life maintenance. Milk is said to be the most unique and ideal class of food, because it meets the nutritional needs of the body better than any single food. This study investigated the major constituents of milk obtained from four different breeds of cows viz; Holstein Friesian (HF), White Fulani (WF), Red bororo (RB) and a crossbreed (HF+WF) found in Sokoto metropolis. Proximate parameters - moisture, ash, crude protein, lipid and lactose were determined using the AOAC methods while EDTA titration and spectrophotometric methods were used to determine calcium and phosphorus respectively. The results of the proximate composition showed no significant difference (P>0.05) with the exception of the ash content which differed significantly (p