ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-PLATELET PROPERTIES OF MILK FROM GOATS, DONKEYS AND COW: AN IN VITRO, EX VIVO AND IN VIVO STUDY

A study was conducted to evaluate the biological properties of milk from different animals and breeds such as cows, goats (Prisca, Ionica or Saanen breeds) and donkeys (Martina Franca breed). Methods included in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments to evaluate the activity of milks on platelet aggregation and antioxidant capacity. The in vitro trials results demonstrated the highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in goats’ milk, especially from Prisca breed. Ex vivo trials showed that Prisca goats’ milk inhibits platelet aggregation at lower amounts than milk from other species. Consumption for 40 days of 0.6 L day1 of Prisca goats’ milk significantly increased TAC in healthy volunteers. This study contributes to defining the biological properties of milk from these animals/breeds. Goats’ milk from the autochthonous Greek breed (Prisca) provided the best antioxidant capacity and inhibitory properties on platelet aggregation of the milk samples tested.