TRIGLYCERIDE COMPOSITION OF EWE, COW, AND GOAT MILK-FAT

The separation and identification of the components in milk fat, which are mainly triglycerides, is a challenge due to its complex compositi on. A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) meth od with gradient elution and light-scattering detection is described i n this paper for the triglyceride analysis in ewes' milk fat. Triglyce ride identification was carried out by combining HPLC, gas-liquid chro matography (GLC), and the calculated equivalent carbon numbers of seve ral triglyceride standards. Quantitation of partially resolved peaks i n the HPLC chromatogram was accomplished by applying a peak deconvolut ion program. Forty-four fatty acids were identified by GLC analysis, b ut only 19 were used for the following prediction of triglyceride mole cular species; 181 triglycerides were identified, some of which were g rouped at the same peak and needed application of the deconvolution pr ogram. Consequently, coefficients of variation were close to or lower than 5%. Moreover, the triglyceride composition of ewe, cow, and goat milk fat were compared by using these methods. These results show that ewe milk fat is richer in short- and medium-chain triglycerides, and cow milk fat is richer;in long-chain and unsaturated triglycerides.