DYNAMIC CHANGES IN THE MACRO ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF EWES MILK FROM FOUR SHEEP BREED DURING THE PASTURE FEEDING

Borislav Blazhev, Silviya Ivanova, Ljubomir Angelov

Abstract: The objective of the present investigation was to study the macro element composition of ewe’s milk from Karakachan breed, Rhodope Tsigai, Middle Rhodope sheep breed and Cross breed sheep during the pasture feeding (May–July) in different areas of Middle Rhodope Mountain. The changes of calcium in the ewe’s milk of different breeds ranged from 1.9 to 2.3 g/l as the lowest concentration was obtained in June, while in Cross breed sheep were a decreasing at the concentration from 2.1 to 1.9 g/l. In the phosphorus were observed variations identical to those of calcium. The Karakachan ewe’s milk had the highest concentration of macro element phosphorus with variations from 1.7 to 1.84 g/l. Magnesium content showed relatively constant levels in sheep milk from 0.17 to 0.20 g/l, with the lowest values observed in crosses (0.17 g/l). Potassium content in the milk varies between breeds. The highest K-values (from 1.2 to 1.32 g/l) in the milk of Middle Rhodope breed have been observed. Ewe’s milk of Karakachan breed sheep had the highest concentration with regard to the macro element sodium (from 0.46 to 0.62 g/l).

Keywords: essential macro elements; ewes milk; Karakachan breed; Middle Rhodope breed; Rhodope Tsigai

Date published: 2017-11-17