COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF NATURAL MILKS

This study presents a comparative analysis of the nutritional composition of human milk, cow milk, and goat milk, focusing on proximate, vitamin, and mineral content. The proximate analysis revealed that cow milk has the highest protein (14.24 ± 3.86) and fat content (44.23 ± 8.44), making it a rich source of energy, while goat milk is distinguished by its higher carbohydrate content (59.52 ± 8.38). Human milk, adapted to the specific needs of infants, has a balanced nutrient composition with moderate levels of protein and fat. In terms of vitamins, cow milk contains the highest Vitamin A (14.05mg/100ml), human milk has the highest Vitamin C (3.32 mg/100ml), and goat milk stands out with the highest Vitamin E content (99.38 mg/100ml). The mineral analysis showed that cow milk has the highest sodium concentration (38.29 ± 0.02), while goat milk excels in potassium (172.56 ± 0.10), calcium (136.32 ± 0.13), magnesium (15.3 ± 0.07), and zinc (0.74 ± 0.01). Human milk, although lower in many minerals, provides the most bioavailable forms of nutrients, particularly copper (0.77 ± 0.01) and iron (2.35 ± 0.01), which are crucial for infant development. The study concludes that while cow milk is ideal for individuals needing higher protein and fat, human milk is the optimal choice for infant growth due to its balanced composition and bioavailability. Goat milk offers benefits like higher carbohydrate content and digestibility, making it a viable alternative, particularly for those with sensitivity to cow milk. Based on these findings, it is recommended that human milk should be the preferred choice for infants, with goat milk as a suitable alternative in cases of intolerance to cow milk.