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Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Elsevier
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Abstract: |
Camel’s milk is an important part of staple diet in several parts of the world, particularly in the arid and
semi-arid zones. Camel’s milk is rich in health-beneficial substances, such as bioactive peptides, lactoferrin, zinc, and mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These substances could help in the treatment of
some important human diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, and jaundice.
Camel’s milk composition is more variable compared to cow’s milk. The effects of feed, breed, age, and
lactation stage on milk composition are more significant in camel. Region and season significantly change
the ratio of compounds in camel’s milk. Camel’s whey protein is not only composed of numerous soluble
proteins, but also has indigenous proteases such as chymotrypsin A and cathepsin D. In addition to their
high nutritional value, these whey proteins have unique characteristics, including physical, chemical,
physiological, functional, and technological features that are useful in the food application. The hydrolysis
of camel’s milk proteins leads to the formation of bioactive peptides, which affect major organ systems of
the body and impart physiological functions to these systems. The camel’s milk has antioxidant, antimicrobial, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, antidiabetic as well as anticholesterol activities.
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