YAK MILK: Novel Fluid Milk-Processing Tactics

This review explores the emerging significance of minor dairy species, with a focus on yak milk production, using novel fluid-processing tactics, and its potential impact on the natural, ecological, and economic landscape. Yak milk, rich in nutrients and possessing distinct physiological properties, has witnessed a recent surge in commercialization efforts, leading to the development of various products such as liquid milk, fermented varieties, casein, and milk powder. Enormous studies are available on bovine milk-processing using cutting-edge technologies, including ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, ohmic heating, enzymatic, supercritical fluid, high pressure, ionizing radiation, cold plasma and microwave-assisted treatment from the perspective of immune-active components retention and microbial safety. From various literature reviews we couldn't find any novel fluid-processing approach to yak milk, the core part of this chapter focused on the application of some cutting-edge technologies, including high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF), ohmic heating (OH), UV-C, and ultrasonication (US) that have already been applied to bovine milk-processing that could be utilized for yak milk-processing. Pasteurization and ultra-high temperature processing are commonly used to maintain milk quality and safety. However, the drawbacks associated with intense heat treatments, such as nutrient loss, color alterations, and flavor changes, have prompted the exploration of new technologies. This pursuit aims to create milk products that retain nutrients and biological components more effectively. Notable among these emerging technologies, particularly for milk and its products, are both thermal methods like ohmic and microwave heating, as well as non-thermal methods like high-pressure processing, UV treatment, ultrasound, and pulsed electric field applications. These advancements offer promising avenues to produce wholesome milk products while addressing the limitations of traditional heat treatments.