A Comparison of Milk Protein, Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Profiles of River Buffalo and Their F1 and F2 Hybrids with Swamp Buffalo in China

The objective of this study was to compare milk protein, amino acid and fatty acid content and composition among two breeds of river buffalo (Murrah and Nili-Ravi), and their hybrid F1 and F2 (crossbreeding with local swamp buffalo). The protein and fat content in milk from crossbreed F1 and F2 were significant higher than that of river buffalo, but the milk yield was still lower than Nili-Ravi and Murrah. The protein composition in crossbreed milk was similar to Nili-Ravi, except κ-casein. Most of amino acid profile of crossbreed milk was similar with river water buffalo, however, significant difference was found in three essential amino acids (Met, Leu and Phe) and four nonessential amino acids (Ser, Glu, Ala and Cys). The fatty acid profile of crossbreed milk was also similar with Nili-Ravi milk, but the content of SFA was lower and UFA content was higher than Murrah milk. However, PUFA content in crossbreed’s milk was lower than that of river buffalo. In brief, crossbreeding improved the milk quality and yield of Chinese swamp buffalo, but the crossbreed’s milk has similar nutrition to the river buffalo such as Murrah and Nili-Ravi.