Effect of the average daily milk yield during postpartum transition period on various physico-chemical, compositional and microbiological characteristics of bovine colostrum

Abstract

The current investigation was undertaken with the aim of studying the effect of average milk yield of the animal on various physico-chemical, compositional and microbiological characteristics of colostrum. In this study the data was generated using the colostrum obtained from animals with different milk yield. The animals were then assigned to three different groups viz group A, group B and group C according to their average milk yield per day, Group A – animals yielding 2-4 litres of milk per day; Group B – animals yielding 5-7 litres of milk per day; Group C – animals yielding 8-10 litres of milk per day. During the study, it was found that the specific gravity and fat content of the colostrum samples of group A animals possessed significantly (et al 0.05) higher values compared to group B animals. Fat, total protein, whey proteins and total solids of group C animals was significantly (et al 0.05) higher compared to group B animals. The Casein protein of group C animals showed significantly (et al 0.05) higher values compared to both group A and group B animals which among themselves possessed comparable values. The lactose content of group A animals was significantly (et al 0.05) higher than both group B and group C animals which among themselves possessed comparable values for lactose. The solids not fat, ash, pH, electrical conductivity and total plate count (TPC) of the colostrum samples from different milk yield groups showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference among themselves.