SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BUFFALO MILK

In this study the seasonal variations of buffalo milks' composition and fatty acids profile with emphasis on the percentage of Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA), Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) and Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) was investigated. In each season we gathered 30 samples of milk from the same farm located in North Transylvania. The mean data from the 120 samples gathered in all four season (September 2009 - August 2010) were compared using the ANOVA test. There were no significant differences in the amount of lactose, but the protein percent differed in a noticeable manner from winter to spring season. The significant differences were found also at the average percent of milk fat that ranged between 6.69% - 12% with a peak in the months of winter. The content of PUFA varied very little, the main fatty acid being the linoleic acid (C18:2). Our data show that the season influences the buffalo milk's biochemical composition and the fatty acids profile probably via the type and quality of forages consumed and of course the amount of supplementation used in the buffaloes' diet.