Lactoferrin concentration in buffalo milk

Abstract

The objective of this study was to quantify lactoferrin (Lfe) in buffalo milk and to examine the factors affecting milk Lfe, such as the lactation stage, daily milk yield, parity, and milk somatic cells count (SCC). Milk Lfe concentration was detected by the SDS-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The overall mean of Lfe concentration was 0.332±0.165 g/kg and ranged from 0.030 to 0.813 g/kg. Milk Lfe concentrations increased (P<0.01) with the increase of days in milk, but it was not affected by parity. Milk Lfe concentration was significantly affected by SCC. The differences became significant when the levels of SCC increased up to 200,000/mL. This is the first investigation on the levels of Lfe in buffalo milk in reference to daily milk production, lactation stage, parity and SCC. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between Lfe and SCC in buffalo milk.