Comparison of whey proteins and lipophilic vitamins between four cow breeds maintained in intensive production system

The aim of the study was to determine the content of whey proteins and fat-soluble vitamins in milk samples of four cow breeds maintained in Poland, i.e. Holstein-Friesian, Montbéliarde, Jersey and Simmental. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of certain whey protein fractions, i.e. α-lactalbumin (α-La), β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), bovine albumin serum (BSA), lactoferrin and lysozyme, and lipophilic vitamins (A, D3 and E) were performed using a RP-HPLC method. According to the obtained results, the breed of cow significantly affected the level of whey proteins and lipophilic vitamins in milk. The lowest amounts of these nutrients were found in milk produced by the Holstein-Friesian cows. Milk of Simmental cows contained the statistically significant and highest levels of antioxidant substances, i.e. vitamins A - 0.465 mg L-1, E - 1.302 mg L-1 and D3 - 0.653 µg L-1 at P≤0.05, as well as β-lactoglobulin (3.28 g L-1 at P≤0.01). In addition, Simmental cow milk was also characterized by higher content of antimicrobial proteins - lactoferrin and lysozyme (respectively: 121.23 mg x L-1 at P≤0.01 and 9.66 µg x L-1 at P≤0.05) if compared with other cow breeds.