Characterization of lipid composition and physicochemical properties of clarified yak milk fat

In the present study, the samples of clarified milk fat (CMF) of yak species (Arunachali yak and yak-cow hybrid) were collected and analysed for physicochemical parameters, colour values, fatty acid composition and triglyceride profile, and FT-IR characteristics. The obtained results showed that CMF contains a variable amount of moisture (0.25 %–20.28 %), free fatty acid (0.12–2.03 % oleic acid), peroxide values (0.30–1.20 meq.O2/kg fat), Reichert Meissl value (19.06–23.54) and Butyro-Refractrometer reading (43.03–44.47). The colour value (L*, a*, b*) varied with altitude level and region significantly (p < 0.05). The regional variations in triglycerides and fatty acid profile of CMF were also found significantly (p < 0.05). The preliminary data of FT-IR spectra of all samples showed almost similar functional groups but slight difference in the absorbance as well as peaks in the finger print region.