Chemical composition and fatty acid profile of Carpathian goat milk as related to the stage of lactation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation of milk production, biochemical composition and milk fatty acid profile according to the lactation stage, on 60 multiparous goats of the Carpathian breed, grown in an extensive system (Dobrogea, southern Romania). The goats were milked twice a day for 8 months, (February to September). Milk yield was recorded monthly and milk samples representative of the two daily milking were analysed for: protein, fat and lactose contents. In addition, fatty acid methyl esters were quantified using a gas chromatograph. The maximum amount of milking milk was recorded at the end of April (1635.23 ± 0.048 g milk/ animal / day) and the smallest milk production was recorded in September (823.14 ± 0.191 g milk / goat / day). The biochemical composition of milk has varied considerably during lactation: in the first and last part of the lactation there was an insignificant increased concentration of its components (fat, protein, lactose, minerals). Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated acids levels increased during the summer months compared to spring months and the saturated fatty acid level decreased during the summer months. The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids recorded the highest value in August (6.16 mean gFAME / 100g Total FAME), and the lowest value was at the beginning of lactation (4.51 mean gFAME / 100g Total FAME). The data recorded in our study show an increase in CLA (conjugated linolenic acid ) concentration by April (0.85 mean gFAME / 100g Total FAME), when it reaches a maximum, it remains at an increased value until July, followed by an insignificant decrease (0.54 mean gFAME / 100g Total FAME) towards the end of the lactation. A ratio of ω6 / ω3 fatty acids decreased in April under 4, the decrease of this ratio being significant compared to the first 2 months of lactation (p <0 ,05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]