Fatty Acid Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Milk from the Bulgarian Local Donkey Breed
Abstract
Donkey milk has been increasingly studied in recent years and has been proposed to be a functional food. However, its components undergo changes during lactation, including its lipid profile and redox-related properties. This study analyzed the fatty acid composition, antioxidant parameters, and redox-modulating properties of donkey milk from the Bulgarian local donkey breed at three lactation stages (0-30, 31-60, and 61-90 days postpartum). Milk samples from 40 clinically healthy donkeys were grouped by days postpartum. A cross-sectional design with three lactation stage groups was used; one-way ANOVA tested group differences with Tukey's post hoc test, and associations with days postpartum were evaluated using regression models. Fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by GC-FID, and the atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices were calculated. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx-1), GSH, MDA, TAC, and EPR-based redox markers (DPPH, Asc•, ROS, NO•, TEMPOL, and 5-MSL) were analyzed. During lactation, monounsaturated fatty acids decreased (approximately 32% in the first month to ~30% by the third month), while AI increased from ~1.9 to ~2.2, and TI increased to ~2.5. SOD and GPx-1 activities increased with advancing lactation, while total antioxidant capacity decreased (213.4 to 199.7 µmol). DPPH radical scavenging activity remained stable during lactation. EPR-detected ROS and NO• values increased with advancing lactation stage, while thiol-bound 5-MSL decreased,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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