Donkey milk research · Study 180

Donkey milk protein and echovirus 5: a laboratory finding

In a laboratory experiment, all three protein fractions tested from Ragusano donkey milk significantly inhibited the replication of echovirus 5 at 1 mg/ml. Whey protein and a low-molecular-weight whey fraction under 30,000 Da were active at all concentrations tested (1, 5 and 10 mg/ml); the authors observed the clearest effect for whey protein.

Important: A laboratory experiment with viruses and isolated protein fractions. It does not show that drinking donkey milk protects against viral infections.

At a glance · swipe or use the arrows

The key figures

3fractions: casein, whey protein, low-molecular-weight whey fraction

unter 30 kDamolecular size of the low-molecular-weight whey fraction

1 mg/mlall fractions significantly inhibited virus replication

5 mg/mlsecond concentration, whey fractions only

10 mg/mlthird concentration, whey fractions only

Caseintested at 1 mg/ml only

Wheyclearest effect according to the authors

Echovirus 5virus that can infect the human gastrointestinal tract

RagusanoSicilian donkey breed that provided the milk

2013year of publication, International Dairy Journal

Study design

How it was studied

Laboratory study by a Norwegian-Italian research group. Three protein fractions were obtained from Ragusano donkey milk: casein (CN), whey protein (WP) and a low-molecular-weight whey fraction under 30,000 Da (LWP). WP and LWP were tested at three concentrations (1, 5 and 10 mg/ml) for their effect on the replication of echovirus type 5; casein only at 1 mg/ml. Evaluated based on the abstract: it does not give the cell system used, the number of replicates, inhibition rates or the number of animals.

Laboratory study

Study typeLaboratory study (in vitro)CountryNorway and ItalyYear2013JournalInt Dairy J

Results

What the study measured

At 1 mg/ml, all three protein fractions significantly inhibited the replication of echovirus 5.

Whey protein and the low-molecular-weight whey fraction inhibited virus replication at all concentrations tested: 1, 5 and 10 mg/ml.

Casein was tested only at the lowest concentration; there are no data for higher concentrations.

The authors observed the clearest antiviral effect for the whey protein fraction.

The abstract contains no inhibition rates in per cent or other figures.

Authors’ conclusion: According to the authors, the different whey proteins in donkey milk, probably acting together, have antiviral activity against echovirus 5 and might help prevent gastrointestinal viral infections in humans. This conclusion goes beyond the data: isolated fractions were tested in the lab, not people and not digested milk.

Critical appraisal

Strengths and limitations

Laboratory test, not humansClear limitation

Isolated protein fractions were tested directly against viruses. The trial does not test whether any of this remains active after digestion in the gut.

Conclusion goes beyond the dataClear limitation

Preventing infections in humans is a hypothesis of the authors, not a measured result.

Only the abstract assessedNote

Cell system, inhibition rates and replicates were not available. The paper is also a short communication of 3 pages.

One virus, one breedNote

Only echovirus 5 was tested, with milk from one donkey breed. Other viruses or origins were not studied.

Fractions and doses tested separatelyStrength

The study compares three protein fractions and several concentrations, showing which fraction responded in the lab.

clear limitationnotestrength

Editorial note: The paper is an early laboratory finding on the activity of donkey milk whey proteins against a virus. It allows no statement on whether drinking donkey milk protects against infections. To the research archive.

Research question for DON DONKEY’S®

How are casein and whey protein distributed in our donkey milk, and does this ratio stay the same after freezing and drying?

Laboratory studyWhey proteinsVirus

Original publication

Antiviral activity of donkey milk protein fractions on echovirus type 5

Original title: Antiviral activity of donkey milk protein fractions on echovirus type 5

Brumini D., Furlund C. B., Comi I., Devold T. G., Marletta D., Vegarud G. E., Jonassen C. M.
International Dairy Journal · 2013 · 28(2), 109–111

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Ås), Norwegian Veterinary Institute and University of Catania, Italy (according to author profiles; not stated in the database record)

DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2012.08.010

Transparency: funding and conflicts of interest could not be checked from the abstract. No product-related statement for DON DONKEY’S®.

Summarised and checked by the DON DONKEY’S editorial team against the original publication · As of: November 2026

End of the study summary

Note on our products

The study summarised above was carried out independently of DON DONKEY’S® and does not relate to our products. It serves solely to inform about the state of research.

DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk and donkey milk powder are foods. They are not intended to prevent, treat or cure any disease and do not replace medical advice.

From our shop

DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk

100 % donkey milk · raw milk, frozen

On this page we report the findings of a published study. Independently of that, you will find our donkey milk here: 100 % donkey milk, frozen as raw milk.

Transparency: The study examined milk from another herd – not the milk from our partner farms.

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Donkey Milk Powder

Donkey milk in powder form

For anyone who prefers a longer shelf life: our donkey milk in powder form – easy to store and portion.

Transparency: The study did not examine our donkey milk powder.