Nutritional and medicinal value of camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk

Abstract

The camel (Camelus dromedarius) is of significant socio-economic importance in the United Arab Emirates and its milk constitutes an important component of human diets in this country. In the present study, the analysis of nutritional value and medicinal properties of camel milk was recorded. The mean values of the main components monitored (g per 100 g) were: density (1.024±0.0021), pH values (6.67±0.059), moisture (88.96±1.222), proteins (3.71±0.16), fat (2.21±0.16), lactose (3.36±0.25), ash (0.48±0.05) and total solids (11.26±0.69). The overall mean values (%) were 14.65±7.70 for iron, 8.19±0.01 for zinc, 0.42±0.02 for copper, 0.19±0.01 for potassium, 0.14±0.02 for sodium, 0.11± 0.02 for calcium, 0.05±0.01 for phosphorus and 0.03±0.02 for sulphur. Camel milk is highly nutritious and is very suitable for human nutritional requirements. Camel milk is safe for consumption by human babies. However, be advised that camel milk is saltier than human and cow milk. Camel milk is richer in iron, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, calcium and vitamin C than cow milk which makes it closer to human breast-milk than cow milk. The fat content of camel milk consisting of unsaturated fatty acids, volatile fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid, makes the milk more digestible and more cardiovascular friendly. Camel milk also has valuable therapeutic properties as it contains a high concentration of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic compounds and these help fight serious diseases like hepatitis, Rota viral diarrhoea, tuberculosis, and shistosomiasis. Also, camel milk has been used therapeutically against certain types of cancer, diabetes, colitis, autism and Crohn's disease. Camel's milk can A. T. Al-Juboori be considered an option for individuals intolerant to lactose and children allergic to cow's milk.

Camels, Camel Milk, and Camel Milk Product Situation in Kenya in Relation to the World

“…Mottron and Bzdok [ 68 ] claim that in some instances, casein is broken down to powerfull opioid casomorphine instead of mainly beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein. This opioid is responsible for causing cognitive and behavioural symptoms that signal brain damage [ 69 ]. Yagil [ 70 ] also supports these findings by reiterating that cerebral symptoms result from the malfunction in which opioid casomorphine is formed instead of amino acids from cow milk caseins (beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein), leading to autism.…”

Impact of hydrolyzed lactose by β-galactosidase enzyme on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of fermented camel milk

“…Among the domesticated mammals, camels (Camelus dromedarius) play a significantly important role in the food security of the Bedouins (Arabic pastoral community's), especially in the hot and arid environments of Africa and Asia where poor nutrition is the major shortcoming. Nowadays, there is a fast-growing demand for camel milk and its products not only in the Gulf area and North Africa but also in the European markets due to valuable nutritional value and therapeutic properties (Al-Juboori et al, 2013;Faye, 2015;Khalesi et al, 2017). In Dubai, Saudi Arabia and some areas of North Africa some camel milk products, such as fresh or pasteurized camel milk flavored, ice cream and cheese, have become available in supermarkets, but the fermented camel milk is not appearing in markets, where the fermented camel milk is still not developed enough for commercial application (Faye and Bonnet, 2012) except in Central Asia (Akhmetsadykova et al, 2015).…”

Compositional aspects and bacteriological quality of camel milk from Tunisian oasis

“…The ash content was relatively stable throughout the age class, with a slight uctuation from 6.31 ±1.06 to 7.32±1.37 g/L. The variation of camel milk composition according to age factor was recognized by many authors (Shuiep et al 2008;Al-Juboori et al 2013;Singh et al 2017;Karaman et al 2021). However, reduction in milk composition from older camels as compared to intermediate age groups may be due to wear of teeth resulting in poor feeding activity, reduction in the number and potency of milk secreting cells, and general weakness because of old age (Zeleke 2007).…”