Buyer protection
Contents
How do we actually know how much fat, protein, or lactose is in donkey milk? The laboratory provides the answer. Using standardized procedures, experts measure the individual components of the milk. In this article, we show you how such analyses are generally carried out, what methods are available, and why the results are always given as ranges.
It all starts with the sample
Every laboratory analysis begins with a sample. It must be representative, meaning it must accurately reflect the milk as it actually is. To achieve this, the milk is thoroughly mixed, cleanly collected, and brought to the laboratory refrigerated or frozen. Errors during sampling cannot be corrected later in the laboratory.
This is particularly important with donkey milk because the quantities are small and the composition varies between animals and throughout the lactation period. A single result therefore always describes only the sample that was tested.
How fat is measured
There are several established methods for determining fat content. In some, the fat is extracted from the milk using solvents and then weighed. Other methods separate the fat in special test tubes and read the proportion directly. Both approaches are among the classic methods of milk analysis.
In donkey milk, the fat content is approximately 0.3–1.8 g per 100 ml, usually less than 1 g. This wide range shows how much the value can fluctuate.
How protein and lactose are determined
Protein: A classic method measures the nitrogen content of the sample. Since protein contains nitrogen, the protein content can be calculated from this using a conversion factor. For donkey milk, this results in approximately 1.5–1.9 g per 100 ml. To distinguish between different types of protein more precisely, such as casein and whey proteins, laboratories also use separation methods such as electrophoresis or chromatography.
Lactose: Milk sugar is often determined using enzymatic tests or liquid chromatography. In donkey milk, it is approximately 6–7 g per 100 ml, which is therefore rather higher than in cow's milk, at around 4.7 g.
Minerals, dry matter, and proteins such as lysozyme
- Dry matter: The sample is dried and weighed. What remains are all the solid components without water.
- Minerals: After the sample has been ash-digested, individual minerals such as calcium can be measured using spectroscopic methods. For donkey milk, approximately 60–90 mg of calcium per 100 ml is stated.
- Lysozyme and lactoferrin: These proteins occur naturally in donkey milk. Laboratories determine them, for example, using chromatographic methods or activity tests. The result describes the quantity in the milk, not an effect on humans.
Why rapid methods are tricky with donkey milk
In large dairies, cow's milk is often analyzed using rapid infrared measuring devices. These devices are calibrated using cow's milk. Donkey milk, however, has a different composition: less fat, less casein, more lactose. Without appropriate calibration, such devices can provide less accurate values for donkey milk. This is why studies on donkey milk often use reference methods.
What laboratory values indicate – and what they do not
Laboratory values describe the composition of a sample. They form the basis for the nutritional table on the label, which always provides average values. However, they say nothing about what consumption does in the body. At DON DONKEY'S, the donkey milk is laboratory-tested in Germany before it is delivered to you frozen.
You can read about the questions that research is generally investigating regarding donkey milk in our article The Science Behind Donkey Milk: What Researchers Are Investigating. An overview of research topics is also available on our page about donkey milk research.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the fat content of donkey milk measured?
Using classic methods of milk analysis, in which the fat is separated and weighed or read from test tubes.
Why are there no fixed values for donkey milk?
Because the composition varies depending on the animal, feeding, and lactation phase. This is why ranges or average values are given.
What does "laboratory-tested" mean?
The milk is examined in a laboratory for defined quality parameters. At DON DONKEY'S, this is done in Germany.
Do laboratory values say anything about the effect?
No. Laboratory values describe the composition of the milk, not its effect on the body.
