PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COW S AND BUFFALO S MILK IN QENA GOVERNORATE

This study was carried out to evaluate some physical properties and chemical composition of lactating animals in Qena governorate, Egypt. Composite samples of cows (baladi breed) and buffalo s milks were collected from twelve individual farms in Qena. Physical parameter used to monitor the quality of milk samples was physical (specific gravity). The samples were also analysed for gross composition, as well as the incidence of some minerals, and fatty acids composition of milk fat. The specific gravity for both cow s baladi and buffalo s milk were similar, and contents significantly (p 0.05) higher amounts of fat, protein, ash and total solids were detected in buffalo milk than for cow milk. Cow milk fat differed contained significantly (p 0.05) lower amounts of medium chain fatty acids (C10:0) and contained significantly (p 0.05) higher content of (C16:1 and C18:1), than buffalo milks, while buffalos milk fat contained significantly (p 0.05) higher contents of (C16:0) and (C18:0) than cow milks. The levels of Ca, P, Na, K and Fe in the buffalo s milk ash were significantly higher (P 0.05) than those in the cow milk ash.