Main protein fractions and fatty acids composition of mare milk: some nutritional remarks with reference to human and cow milk

Recently in Italy a certain interest is rising for mare milk, due to 2 main reasons: as a substitute of cow milk or formulas for allergic children, and to find a new exploitation for local equine breeds. For all mammal species, milk composition is widely variable with reference to genetic, physiological and feeding factors and environmental conditions. Aim of this survey is to review average mare milk composition in comparison to human and cow milk, considering main protein fractions and fatty acids content, the most important compounds with plastic and energetic function, to highlight differences and similarities among the 3 kinds of milks. Protein fraction is about 2.2% in mare milk, 1.3% in human milk and 3.3% in cow milk; casein is about 1.2%, 0.4% and 2.5% in the 3 milks, respectively. Fat content is lower in mare milk (1.6%) compared to human (4.5%) and cow milk (3.8%). The distribution of di- and triglycerides in mare milk is very similar to that of human milk. Polyunsaturated fatty acids proportion in mare and human milk is remarkably higher than in cow milk. Mare milk shows some structural and functional peculiarities that make it more suitable for children nourishment than cow milk.