VARIABILITY OF VITAMINS (A, E AND C) LEVELS IN ARABI CAMEL MILK IN SUDAN

The present study was done to assess some factors associated with vitamins (A, E and C) content of Arabi camels’ milk in Sudan. Camel milk samples were collected from 120 healthy she camels at different production systems (Traditional nomadic and semi-intensive system). The she camels studied belong to different ecotypes of camel (Butana, Nefidia and Kenana) and they were also at different stages of lactation (early, mid, late and latest stages of lactation) and parity numbers (1-5 parities). The vitamins level were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Higher values of vitamins in camel milk were recorded for the traditional nomadic system (Nefidia camel) followed by those from semi-intensive system (Khartoum) compared to the traditional nomadic system (Butana camel). Nefidia camel showed higher levels for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the milk compared to Kenana and Butana camels. Vitamin A, E and C levels in camels’ milk were higher for Kenana camel of more than 180 days of lactation than for those in earlier lactation. The results concluded that camel milk vitamins (A, C and E) levels were affected mainly by the production systems and breeds (P<0.05), while the stages of lactation and parity numbers have minor influences. It was also noted that there was a negative correlation between the levels of retinol and tocopherol and a positive correlation between ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels in camel milk and that ascorbic acid showed positive correlation with management systems, breeds, lactation stage and parity number.