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Small ruminants milk from Tunisian oasis: physicochemical characteristics, mineral contents, and microbiological quality

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Abstract

Characteristics and quality aspects of milk from native ovine Queue Fine de l’Ouest (QFO) and the exotic D’man (DMN) breeds were investigated and compared with those of two subgroups of the local goat population Arbi and Serti. A total of 418 individual milk samples were collected from multiparous lactating animals reared in the continental oasis region of Tunisia. Samples were analyzed for physical parameters (pH, density, and acidity), chemical composition (dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, casein, ash, and casein/protein ratio), mineral concentrations (Ca, P, Na, K, and Ca/P) and microbiological features (total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), total coliforms count (TCC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), sulphite-reducing Clostridium (CSR), yeast and molds (Y/M), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella) according to standard methods. The values obtained for physicochemical, mineral, and microbial parameters revealed noticeable differences in the milk of the four studied breeds. On the whole milk samples, the mean value of pH, density, and acidity in milk collected from sheep breeds appeared higher than in milk collected from goat subgroups. As for milk composition, results showed a remarkable disparity between studied breeds and clear superiority of sheep breeds compared to goat’s subgroups in all chemical contents being studied (dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, casein, and ash). The differences are more important, especially for dry matter, fat, protein, and casein content, whereas casein/protein ratio distinguished goat’s genotypes, and the highest one was obtained for Serti Subgroup. When comparing sheep versus goat’s milk for macro-minerals, the current study indicated lower K and higher concentrations of Ca, P, and Na. The milk of QFO sheep, the richest in casein and protein, was expressed with significantly higher levels of calcium and phosphorus compared to the DMN sheep breed and the two goat subgroups. The microbiological examination evidenced that the milk of both species complies with standard criteria required by the Tunisian legislation on the hygiene of milk and dairy products. The microbial quality of ewe milk was higher than goat milk, based on LAB and Y/M, while goats produced milk with better quality referring to TMAB and TCC counts. No significant differences were found for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli between examined breeds. Got results highlighted the complete absence of the two dangerous pathogens Salmonella and CSR in all investigated samples of small ruminants’ milk.

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Data availability

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the farmers who permitted us to obtain milk samples from their animals. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff of CRRAO and the Public Health Laboratory of Tozeur for their technical help and assistance. The authors would also like to thank Ms. Khaldi Thouraya for checking the manuscript for English grammar, syntax, and spelling.

Funding

This work was supported financially by the Regional Center for Research in Oasis Agriculture (CRRAO). The funding body had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and in writing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Production, Regional Center for Research in Oasis Agriculture, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, University of Carthage, Route Tozeur Km1, Degueche, Tunis, Tunisia

    Zahran Khaldi & Mounir Nafti

  2. Regional Public Health Laboratory of Tozeur, Ministry of Public Health, 2233, Bled El hadar, Tozeur, Tunisia

    Mohamed Tabarek Jilani

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  1. Zahran Khaldi
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Contributions

KZ was responsible for the study design, milk sample collection, physicochemical and mineral analysis, contributed to the microbiological analysis, performed statistical analysis and interpretation of data, drafted the manuscript, and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. NM participated in the study design, milk sample collection, physicochemical, and mineral analysis, contributed to the microbiological analysis, analysis, and interpretation of data, and was a contributor in writing the manuscript. TJ took part in the design of the study, performed the microbiological analysis of milk samples, and participated in the data interpretation. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Zahran Khaldi.

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Khaldi, Z., Nafti, M. & Jilani, M. Small ruminants milk from Tunisian oasis: physicochemical characteristics, mineral contents, and microbiological quality. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-03000-x

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