Triacylglycerol composition of raw milk from the central region of México

Abstract

Raw bovine milk triacylglycerols, TAG, (C₂₈ - C₅₄) from four different areas (A, B, C, D) of the central part of Mexico were determined by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector, FID. Regional and seasonal (dry and wet) effects in TAG C₂₈ - C₅₄ were studied. The TAG with higher contents were C₅₂, C₅₀ and C₃₈, with values of 15.2, 13.7 y 11.1 (wt %), respectively. The period of the year affected (p< 0.01) average values of TAG C₂₈, C₃₂, C₃₈, C₄₀, C₄₂, C₄₄, C₄₆, C₄₈, C₅₀, C₅₂, and C₅₄. During the dry period high contents of TAG C₃₄ - C₄₂ and low levels of those of C₄₄ - C₅₄ were observed, the opposite happened during the wet season. Higher levels of TAG C₄₈, C₅₀ and C₅₄ were found in area D compared with areas A, B and C, probably due to oilseeds being fed to the dairy cows of those regions.