Main Article Content

Variation in Mineral Composition of Raw Milk of Cow and Sheep Breeds from Kano and Jigawa States, Nigeria, with Season


A.Z. Yusha'u
C. E. Gimba
P. A. Ekumemgbo
K. I. Omoniyi

Abstract

The study evaluates the effects of seasons on mineral compositions of the raw milk of cow and sheep breeds. The study was conducted at Fulani settlements within Kano and Jigawa states, Nigeria. Raw milk samples were analysed for mineral elements using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and Flame Emission Spectrophotometer (FES). The results of the present analyses showed that K had the highest concentration, while Mn had the lowest in all the breeds during rainy season (RS) and dry season (DS). K, Na, and Mn were highest in cow breeds for the RS and DS, while Ca, P, Mg and Zn were highest in sheep breeds during the RS and DS, Among the cow breeds Ca, P, Fe, Mn and Cu were highest in the raw milk of Red Bororo cow (RBC) for both RS and DS, K, Na and Zn were highest in the raw milk of White Fulani cow (WFC) during the RS and DS, while Mg was highest in the raw milk of Sokoto Gudali cow (SGC) during the RS and DS. For sheep breeds Ca, Mg and Zn were highest in the raw milk of Uda sheep (US) during the RS and DS, K, P, Na and Mn were highest in the raw milk of (BS) during the RS and DS, while Fe and Cu were highest in the raw milk of (YS) during the RS and DS. Generally K, P, Na and Mn were high in the raw milk of cow breeds during Rainy season (RS), while Ca, Fe, Mg, Zn and Cu were high during RS in the raw milk of sheep breeds. Some of the nutritional elements concentrations were below the Institute of Medicine (IOM) standard requirements for human consumption. There is a need for improvement of the local breeds in the nutritional elements to meet the standard requirements.

Keywords: raw milk, breeds, mineral composition


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2384-6208
print ISSN: 2276-707X