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Donkey milk research · Study 197
Milk of Indian small grey donkeys: nutrients, fatty acids and taste in the lab
According to the abstract, fresh milk from jennies of the Indian Small Grey breed contained 6.30% lactose, 1.96% protein and 0.76% fat with 90.63% water. Among minerals, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium stood out, while iron and zinc were low. The authors rated microbial counts and sensory attributes as acceptable.
At a glance · tap the cards
The key figures
Study design
How it was studied
Milk analysis by a group at the University of Agricultural Sciences (Raichur and Bengaluru, India). Fresh milk from jennies of the Indian Small Grey breed was analysed using AOAC and other standard methods: gross composition, particle size, proteins by UHPLC, minerals, vitamins and amino acids (according to the abstract by ICP-MS), fatty acids by gas chromatography, total plate count and yeasts and moulds, plus a sensory evaluation. Assessed based on the abstract; the full text was not available to the editorial team. Number of animals and samples, lactation stage, feeding and individual values for minerals, vitamins and fatty acids are therefore not known.
Interactive chart · values from the study
Solid components of fresh donkey milk
Source: study abstract; moisture 90.63%. Number of samples not stated.
Results
What the study measured
The fresh donkey milk contained 90.63% water, 0.76% fat, 1.96% protein, 6.30% lactose and 0.40% ash. Mean particle size was 355 nm.
According to the UHPLC analysis, lysozyme was present in larger amounts in the sample. The abstract gives no figure.
Calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium, vitamins C and E and the amino acids glutamic acid, leucine and proline stood out. Iron, zinc, vitamins A and B1 and methionine were lower.
In the fatty acid profile, butyric and lauric acid were relatively high and unsaturated fatty acids lower.
According to the authors, total plate count and yeasts and moulds were within acceptable limits; the sensory test showed the desired attributes.
Authors’ conclusion: Milk from the Indian Small Grey breed was described as nutrient-rich, microbiologically “safe” and sensorially appealing. Contents and counts were measured in the milk of one breed; the study says nothing about any effect in humans or about comparisons with other origins.
Critical appraisal
Strengths and limitations
Only the abstract assessedClear limitation
Number of animals and samples, variability and individual values for minerals, vitamins and fatty acids are missing. Funding and conflicts of interest could not be checked.
One breed, one regionNote
The values apply to milk from Indian jennies. Breed, feeding and lactation stage influence composition.
Unclear methods statementNote
According to the abstract, vitamins and amino acids were confirmed by ICP-MS, a method for elements. How exactly they were measured cannot be clarified without the full text.
No comparison milkNote
Terms such as “more” or “less” refer to rankings within donkey milk; according to the abstract, no cow or human milk was measured in parallel.
Broad range of analysesStrength
Gross composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, microbiology and sensory attributes were recorded for the same milk.
Editorial note: The paper provides baseline data on donkey milk from a little-studied Indian breed. The basic values are in line with what is typical of donkey milk: high lactose, low fat and protein. For the other components the abstract gives only rankings, not contents. To the research archive.
Research question for DON DONKEY’S®
How do the fat, protein and lactose contents of our donkey milk differ between partner farms and across seasons – documented by batch analysis?
Original publication
Physico-chemical composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acid profile and sensory evaluation of donkey milk from Indian small grey breed
Original title: Physico-chemical composition, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acid profile and sensory evaluation of donkey milk from Indian small grey breed
Nayak C.M., Ramachandra C.T., Nidoni U., Hiregoudar S., Ram J., Naik N.
Journal of Food Science and Technology · 2020 · 57(8), 2967–2974
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur and Bengaluru, India (according to the paper)
DOI: 10.1007/s13197-020-04329-1
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
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.
100 ml bottle / 100ml · Unit price: €249,00 / 1 l · incl. VAT, plus shipping
Also in our shop
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.
20g · Unit price: €1.245,00 / 1 kg · incl. VAT, plus shipping