Influence of Breed and Agroecological Diversity in Northern Cameroon on Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Raw Cow Milk

Abstract

While the mechanisms of antioxidant activity have been well identified and described for plant products, this is less true for dairy products. Their antioxidant potential has never been highlighted, making it particularly interesting to focus on them. It is in this dynamic that the present study was initiated with the aim of assessing the effect of agro-ecological diversity on the physicochemical and antioxidant parameters of raw milk in northern Cameroon. 81 samples of raw milk from four cattle breeds (Holstein, Montbeliarde, Goudali and Red Fulani) were collected from three production basins (Vina, Diamaré, Logone et Chari) to assess some physicochemical and antioxidant activity parameters. The physicochemical parameters vary significantly according to the sites: pH (6.2±0.08 to 6.6±0.01); TA (18.01±0.7 to 19.29±0.05°D); glucose concentration (43.93±0.52 to 52.59±0.21 g/l); lactose (45.85±1.08 to 47.68±0.05 g/l); reducing sugar (23.88±2.63 to 32.29±0.42 gEqGalactose/l); protein (3.80±0.7 to 4.85±0.29%); and amino acid (21.31±0.06 to 30.16±0.25 gEqAlanine/L). The antioxidant activity of milk, DPPH (56.79±0.93 to 74.25±0.17%), ABTS (54.16±2.27 to 69.71±4.93%), FRAP (53.14±1.59 to 65.57±0.54 Eq Trolox/l), vitamin C (12.81±0.11 to 17.35±0.42 mg Eq Ascorbic Acid/l) and vitamin A (6,39±0,21 à 9,4±0,7 µg/L) varies significantly (p <0.05) between basins production. Overall, agroecological diversity significantly influences (p <0.05) the measured parameters.