H.E. Mohamed1 and A. Al-Rasheedi2
1Department of Animal production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University
2Department of Food and Nutrition; College of Home Economics, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to assess vitamin C contents of camel milk in relation to season and stage of lactation. Milk samples were collected from Anafi camels in Butana region, Sudan. The mean ascorbic acid contents during dry and rainy seasons were 41.0±3.70, and 33.0±4.00 mg/l, respectively. There was a trend of increase in the vitamin C content with the advancement of lactation from 40.10 during the first three months to 44.40 mg/l at 290-360 days of lactation. The increase during summer season and with the advancement of stages of lactation could not be justified, and may be related to the unique glucose metabolism of camel.
Key words: Camel, milk, season, stage of lactation, vitamin C