REVIEW - GENETIC-POLYMORPHISM IN OVINE MI LK-PROTEINS

Studies upon genetic polymorphism in ovine milk proteins, including me thods of analysis and the potential technological application, are rev iewed. In the casein fraction the existence of one genetic variant for alpha(s1)-casein (alpha(s1)-CN), the Welsh casein, and two variants f or alpha(s2)-CN were proven. One of them has been described for the fi rst time in Manchega ewe's milk breed. For kappa- and beta-CN a non-ge netic polymorphism, due to various degrees of glycosilation (kappa-CN) and phosphorilation, (beta-CN) has been described. In addition, for b eta-CN several types of variant profiles were observed by means of ele ctrophoresis at alkaline pH. In the whey protein fraction, three genet ic variants (A, B and C) were described for beta-lactoglobulin (beta-L g) and two for alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-La).