Lipid composition and its molecular classes of milk fat globule membranes derived from yak, buffalo, and holstein cow milk were characterized based on UHPLC-MS/MS and untargeted-lipidomics

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a unique three-layer biofilm wrapped around milk fat globules, possessing multiple nutritional components and active functions. The lipid composition of MFGMs in Holstein, buffalo, and yak were characterized by non-targeted lipidomics. A total of 1748 lipid components were identified which belonged to 38 lipid subclasses. Notably, the present study observed for the first time that MFGM contained bis-methylphosphatidic acid (BisMePA), methylphosphatidylcholine (MePC), and dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine (dMePE). These methylated PL components play crucial roles in maintaining membrane intermolecular structure and participating in PL component methylation reactions. The characteristic lipid composition of MFGM in yak milk (TG (6: 0₁8: 1₁8: 2), TG (8: 0₁8: 1₁8: 3), TG (10: 0₁4: 0₂2: 5), TG (10: 0₁8: 3₁8: 3), TG (12: 0₂0: 3₂0: 5), TG (18: 1_ 18: 1₂2: 5) ), Holstein milk ( (DG (36: 4), LPC (10: 0), LPC (18; 2), PE (8: 0p₁0: 0), and SQDG (40: 4) ), and buffalo milk ( (BisMePA (18: 2e18: 1), Cer (d20: 0₂4: 0), MePC (30: 3e), MePC (39: 3e), PC (16: 1e18: 1), PC (42: 2e18: 1), PC (16: 1e18: 1), PC (42: 2e18: 1), PC (16: 1e18: 1), PC (16: 1e18: 1), PC (42: 2e18: 1₂2: 5) ) were confirmed. Lipid metabolic pathway analysis reveals that the glycerophoric metabolism is the primary metabolic pathway involved in differential lipids. This study provides insights into the lipid composition of MFGM from different cow's milks, providing a theoretical basis for subsequent research. Graphic abstract. Lipid composition and its molecular classes of milk fat globule membranes derived from yak, buffalo, and Holstein cow milk were characterized based on UHPLC-MS/MS and Untargeted-lipidomics. A simplified version of the experiment conducted in this study. • Characterised lipids in MFGM from yak, buffalo, and Holstein milk were identified. • A total of 1748 lipid components were identified belonged to 38 lipid subclasses. • MFGM contained BisMePA, MePC, and dMePE was first found. • The glycerophoric metabolism is the primary metabolic pathway.