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What is in the milk of Halari donkeys, a recently recognized donkey breed from western India? An Indian research team analyzed 81 milk samples from nine Halari donkeys – from fat, protein, and lactose to minerals, B vitamins, and amino acids. The milk was low in fat and rich in lactose, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. However, several contradictions between the text and tables were found upon review.
Descriptive analysis of milk from nine donkeys – no statement about its effects on humans. Donkey milk is a food.
Study at a glance
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Original title | Milk from Halari Donkey Breed: Nutritional Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profiling |
| Authors | Garhwal R., Bhardwaj A., Sangwan K. et al. |
| Journal | Foods, 12(4): 853 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Country | India |
| Study type | Descriptive milk analysis (without a control group) |
| Sample | 81 raw milk samples from 9 Halari donkeys, weeks 21 to 30 of lactation |
| DOI | 10.3390/foods12040853 |
What question did the researchers ask?
There are three registered donkey breeds in India. Halari donkeys come mainly from the state of Gujarat, are predominantly white, and are traditionally kept as pack animals. According to the authors, there had previously been no data on the composition of their milk. The researchers therefore wanted to provide an initial overview: basic composition, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.
How the study was conducted
- Samples: Nine Halari donkeys at the research farm of the National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar. Hand-milked in the morning and evening, between weeks 21 and 30 of lactation (August to October). The milk from both milkings was pooled for each animal and stored at −20 °C.
- Basic analysis: Fat by Gerber, protein by Kjeldahl (based on nitrogen content), ash in a muffle furnace, plus lactose, dry matter, and casein according to Indian standards. Energy and carbohydrates were calculated.
- Minerals: Measured by ICP-MS, a form of mass spectrometry, in an external testing laboratory.
- Vitamins and amino acids: B vitamins in an external laboratory; amino acids by liquid chromatography (HPLC) after acid hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid.
The results
The milk of the Halari donkeys contained on average 0.86% fat, 2.03% protein, and 5.75% lactose (milk sugar). Among the measured minerals, calcium was the highest, and among the B vitamins, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Vitamin B12 was not detected.
| Parameter | Mean ± SD | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fat, % | 0.86 ± 0.04 | 0.81–0.89 |
| Protein, % | 2.03 ± 0.03 | 2.00–2.05 |
| Lactose, % | 5.75 ± 0.15 | 5.65–5.93 |
| Dry matter, % | 9.61 ± 0.08 | 9.54–9.69 |
| Casein, g/100 g | 0.84 ± 0.01 | 0.83–0.85 |
| Calcium, mg/100 mL | 61.25 ± 0.93 | 60–62.24 |
| Potassium, mg/100 mL | 47.39 ± 0.69 | 46.55–48.24 |
| Phosphorus, mg/100 mL | 32.99 ± 0.76 | 32.10–33.96 |
| Zinc, mg/100 mL | 1.83 ± 0.05 | 1.78–1.89 |
| Pantothenic acid (B5), mg/100 mL | 0.224 ± 0.02 | 0.206–0.238 |
Regarding the amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, the table lists valine (0.80 g/100 g) and glutamic acid (0.412 g/100 g) as the highest values. A total of 14 amino acids were reported.
The study provides initial figures on the composition of the milk of an Indian donkey breed in the second half of lactation – as a description, not a comparison.
Critical assessment
- Small sample, one time window: Nine animals at one research farm, only weeks 21 to 30 of lactation. The values cannot be generalized to the entire lactation or to other herds.
- No control group, no tests: Comparisons with human, cow, or mare milk come from the literature, not from the authors' own measurements.
- The text and tables contradict each other: For several vitamins, the text lists the lower end of the range instead of the mean values. For biotin, the mean value (6.659 µg/100 mL) is even below the stated range (6.808–6.957).
- Implausible amino acid values: Valine at 0.80 g/100 g would correspond to around 39% of the total protein. The 14 amino acids together add up to 2.10 g – more than the 2.03 g of protein.
- Energy: Using the factors stated in the methods section, the calculated value is around 42.4 instead of 40.39 kcal; the unit switches between per 100 g and per 100 mL.
Funding, conflicts of interest, and level of evidence
The work was funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, an agency of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture. According to the paper, there are no conflicts of interest. The authors work at the Amity University Rajasthan and at institutes of this research council.
Level of evidence: Basic research (descriptive milk analysis) – describes composition, makes no statement about effects.
What does this mean for donkey milk as a food?
The study confirms the known basic pattern of donkey milk: low fat, high lactose, low ash. However, it also shows that values for vitamins and amino acids from individual studies should be interpreted with caution. The authors describe donkey milk as almost identical to breast milk and as a substitute for it. This was not investigated. Donkey milk is not a substitute for breast milk or infant formula.
Our research question: Which vitamins and minerals are in the milk from our partner farms – and how much do the values fluctuate throughout the year?
Frequently asked questions
What are Halari donkeys?
A donkey breed registered in India, mainly from the state of Gujarat. The animals are predominantly white and are traditionally used as pack animals.
How much calcium did the milk contain?
On average, 61.25 mg per 100 mL. Calcium was thus the highest of the six measured minerals, ahead of potassium (47.39 mg/100 mL) and phosphorus (32.99 mg/100 mL).
How reliable are the vitamin and amino acid values?
Only to a limited extent. The text and tables contradict each other in several places, and individual values such as valine seem implausible. We therefore report the table values and point out the inconsistencies.
You can find all measured values, interactive graphics, and the full critical assessment on our research page: Study 71: Milk from Halari Donkeys. Further studies in the research archive.
Garhwal R., Bhardwaj A., Sangwan K., Mehra R., Pal Y., Nayan V., Iquebal M. A., Jaiswal S., Kumar H. (2023). Milk from Halari Donkey Breed: Nutritional Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids Profiling. Foods, 12(4), 853. DOI: 10.3390/foods12040853
Summarized and reviewed by the DON DONKEY'S editorial team based on the original publication · As of October 2026. This summary does not replace the original work.
End of study summary. The study was conducted independently by DON DONKEY'S® and does not refer to our products. Our donkey milk is a food.
