Physicochemical characteristics of Syrian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk

This study aims to estimate the values of Syrian buffalo milk components, and the correlations between them, and to study the effect of some environmental factors on milk components. The study was conducted on Syrian buffalo at Shatiha station, Al-Ghab plain, Hama governorate. Thirty milking buffaloes were randomly selected to collect milk samples immediately after milking. Then it was taken to a laboratory to estimate some of the components of milk. The values for fat (F%), protein (PRO%), lactose (LAC%), non-fat solids (NFS%), ash%, and density of milk (DE), g/cm(3) were 6.13 +/- 0.19, 3.41 +/- 0.05, 4.36 +/- 0.07, 8.57 +/- 0.12, 0.77 +/- 0.01, 1.027 +/- 0.0003, respectively. NFS% was affected by parity, F%, and PRO% by month of calving, and F%, PRO%, and DE by milk period. The correlations between LAC%, PRO%, ash%, and DE were positive and highly significant. The correlation between NFS% and ash% was positive and significant, as well as between PRO% and DE. This research concluded that components of milk could be improved by providing better care of the Syrian buffalo herd and balanced nutrition throughout the milking period. In addition, raising energy and coarse feed levels in the diet increased milk content and improved LAC% and F%, especially during the late milking period.