Donkey Milk:The New Elixir
Donkey milk has recently become popular in the dairy industries due to its magnificent health benefits compared to cow, buffalo and goat milk. This may sound surprising but yes, the benefits of milk obtained from donkey (female Jenny) have been discussed for thousands of years.
Humans have been using milk from donkeys for cosmetic and health purposes since antiquity, particularly the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Today, dozens of new businesses in Greece are producing donkey milk for the global markets.
Hippocrates, the Greek physician who is considered the father of medicine, was the first to write about the medicinal virtues of donkey milk. He prescribed the milk for a variety of ailments, including fevers, healing wounds, and liver problems.
Sources from antiquity state that ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra used to bathe in donkey milk to keep her skin soft and glowing. It is said that the milk of 700 donkeys was used to fill her tub.
Ancient Roman poet Ovid also suggested women use donkey milk on their faces to improve the health an appearance of their skin.
Today, we know that this milk is gentle and soothing for people with sensitive skin and it’s far richer in vitamin C than cow’s milk, while being equally rich in proteins.Because one donkey only produces around a litre of milk each day, donkey milk is considered a special commodity. It may be found in yogurts and cheeses, as well as powdered form in some overseas chocolates; however it is not commonly accessible in India. Donkey milk is used in newborn formulae and medicinal meals in Italy, despite its popularity throughout Europe.
Additionally, it is well tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant and donkey milk often contains more probiotics,which are essential to gut health, than cow’s milk.
Throughout Europe, milk from donkeys was traditionally given to small children as a “formula” to help give them essential nutrients. It also has a sweet, pleasant taste, which makes the drink enjoyable for kids. This practice remained popular in many countries until fairly recently.
Donkey milk has many dermatological benefits as well, and it is widely used by people with skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema or extensive dryness as it is considered to be a natural way to ease their symptoms.
Donkey (Equus asinus) is an important dairy animal and has been used for milk production since the Roman age (Salimei 2011). Donkey milk has been used not only for its nutritional value but also for its beneficial properties in skin care (Salimei 2011). Recently, donkey’s milk has been revalued as an alternative food for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA), the most common food allergy in childhood (Monti et al 2007; Salimei 2011). Moreover, the milk is highly palatable making it suitable for feeding young children (Nayak et al 2017).
Donkey milk is produced and consumed in many countries in the world including Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal and Greece (Salimei 2011; Aspri et al 2017). In Asia, donkey milk is produced in China, which has the largest donkey population (8.7 million) in the world (Salimei 2011; Aspri et al 2017). The milk is also consumed in Africa and Latin America (Salimei and Fantuz 2013).
Donkey milk has unique properties which resemble human milk in composition. It is similar to human milk in terms of protein composition, that is, low casein content and high whey protein content (Barłowska et al 2011). This similarity to human milk has made donkey milk an alternative as a substitute by people who are suffering from cow milk protein allergy (Barłowska, et al 2011; Aspri et al 2017). Clinical studies have demonstrated that donkey milk could substitute breast feeding in infants affected by severe immunoglobulin E (Ig-E) mediated milk allergies (Polidori et al 2009).
Donkey milk also contains large amounts of lysozyme (13.13-15.34% of total protein) in contrast to cow, sheep, and goat milk (Barłowska et al 2011). The lysozyme has both bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. Therefore, the high lysozyme content of donkey milk may be associated with the low bacterial count reported in the literature and also makes this milk suitable for prevention of gastro-intestinal infections in infants (Polidori et al 2009). Donkey milk has been reported to have low fat content (Guo et al 2007) and it is also characterized by a fatty acid profile that is different from milk of other animal species. Additionally, it is very rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): linoleic (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) (Barłowska et al 2011).
Donkey milk is reported to contain anti-ageing, anti-oxidant and regenerating compounds. It may prevent certain skin diseases and as a result used in manufacturing of cosmetics such as facial bathing soaps and body lotion (Chiofalo et al 2006). It is recommended for heart and cholesterolemic patients (Cosentino et al 2012; Cosentino et al 2015); it balances the metabolic activities of cells, corrects blotchy skin and rejuvenates facial expression lines. Face creams made with jenny milk allow a better skin hydration and moisturisation compared to conventional cosmetics (Cosentino et al 2013; Cosentino et al 2015). Reports also indicate that jenny milk prevents skin-aging process by hydrating and restructuring the dermal intercellular substance (Cosentino et al 2013).
Donkey milk has been mentioned as a health supplement and beauty product since ancient times. Cleopatra was famously rumored to bathe in donkey milk as a skin care treatment.
Nowadays donkey milk is a trendy ingredient in some yogurts or cheeses. It also shows up in skin care products thanks to its reputation for skin hydration. There is a lot of hype around the health benefits of donkey milk for a good reason. Recent research shows that donkey milk may have actual health benefits.
Donkey milk is considered a “pharma food” because it has such notable health effects. Research has shown that it can boost immune function, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation in lab studies. It may even reduce symptoms of type II diabetes.
The donkey milk is closet to cow milk. It may sound like a trendy newcomers to milk market but it has been more than thousand year past. It has recently gain popularity in some parts of Europe due to its nutritional and health benefits. Donkeys belong to the family Equidae, which also includes horses and zebras. Various breeds of donkey have been domesticated around the world. The female donkey known as Jennies has been known for thousands of years for their milk . The donkey milk compared with other dairy animals like goat, buffalo, sheep, cow and camel is most likely to resemble with human breast milk. Although, it was used to feed orphaned infant in the 19th century . The donkey farming becomes popular in the European countries due to their nutritional and health benefits. The female donkey produces very less quantity of milk as compared to other farming animals. One Jennies only produce about 4 cups (1 liter) of milk per day. Thus the milk is very difficult to find and considered a rare item . It is widely available as freeze dried powdered form and an ingredient in some European-imported chocolate bars. In Italy donkey milk is key component in some infant and medical nutrceuticals . On the other hand there is not any real disadvantage of this incredible gift of nature. Health experts or dieticians always suggested it should be used regularly. But there is one disadvantage of this milk is less production due to small size of donkey udder that makes it slightly more expensive than cow milk. One liter of this nector is cost around $50. In view of the fact the donkey milk is healthy as well as tasty truly be a perfect combination for more pleasant and responsible way of living.
Health Benefits of Donkey Milk
Donkey milk has properties that make it a high-quality addition to a healthy diet. It’s very nutritious and people who can’t tolerate cow’s milk can often drink it. It can’t replace prescribed medicines but it may reduce certain symptoms like inflammation or uncontrolled blood sugar.
Here are some of donkey milk’s health benefits.
Low allergy risk. One benefit of donkey milk is how similar it is to human milk. It is a better substitute for human milk than cow’s milk. It has been used to feed infants for centuries.
Donkey milk is also less allergenic than cow’s milk. People who cannot tolerate cow’s milk due to allergy or lactose intolerance can often drink donkey milk without problems.
Antimicrobial. Donkey milk doesn’t usually contain the foodborne pathogens you might find in other kinds of milk. That means it has a longer shelf life before it starts to spoil.
Scientists believe that the protein content of donkey milk gives it antimicrobial effects. Some studies have shown that it can help reduce stomach illnesses caused by both viruses and bacteria.
Donkey milk may also help promote the growth of bacteria that are good for your gut. It has been used in some countries as a folk medicine for viruses like whooping cough. But there is not yet any scientific research to prove this.
Immune system benefits. Donkey milk contains proteins that can have a positive effect on your health. In the lab, it can stimulate the release of powerful immune response cells called macrophages, natural killer cells, and cytotoxic T cells. These cells can reduce your body’s inflammatory reactions.
Donkey milk can also prompt the release of nitric oxide. This chemical can open your blood vessels up to improve circulation and prevent the build-up of plaque in your arteries. Researchers have suggested that donkey milk could improve overall immune function among older adults.
Anti-diabetic. Some researchers believe that donkey milk might help treat Type II diabetes. Donkey milk has a high whey protein content. So it might improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.
There is not yet any medical research to prove this. More study is necessary before scientists can clearly identify all of donkey milk’s health benefits.
Donkey Milk in Cosmetics
The story about Cleopatra and her donkey milk baths may be an ancient urban legend. But there is evidence that donkey milk is good for your skin.
Research shows that proteins in donkey milk attract and retain water. That makes skin care products that contain donkey milk extra hydrating. The anti-inflammatory effects may also be soothing to irritated skin.
Where to Buy Donkey Milk
You probably won’t be able to find donkey milk in the dairy case at your local grocery store. Donkey milk is hard to produce since donkeys don’t yield much milk. There are more producers in Europe than in the United States at the moment.
Some specialty stores may carry cheese, yogurt, or beverages that contain donkey milk. It is also available in powdered form. You can typically find it from online retailers. Donkey milk may be listed as an ingredient in certain cosmetics. Sometimes it’s even in the name of a product.
If you are considering adding donkey milk to your diet, talk to your doctor first. They can tell you whether donkey milk is the right choice for you.
Cleopatra used to bathe in it to preserve her legendary beauty, and now more than 2000 years later donkey milk is back in fashion not just as a beauty product but as a super food as well, already fetching Rs 700 for 100 ml. Select entrepreneurs across the country, from Kochi to Pune to Delhi-NCR, have woken up to the ancient wisdom of donkey milk’s nutraceutical & therapeutic properties that include anti-ageing and antioxidant qualities to roll out personal care products such as fairness
fairness creams, soaps and shampoos besides liquid donkey milk.
Nutritional characteristics of donkey milk
The jenny milk exceptionally having high nutritional benefits amongst other farming animals milk. Production of jenny milk may be an interesting, profitable and alternate activity for farmers. Considering its unique nutritional category, donkey milk may be widely employed to fulfill the nutritional requirement of newborn, heart and cholesteromic patient . The increasing health problem including cow milk allergy, heart disease and hypercholesteromic and other health problem, the acquisition of jenny milk will be important in clinical and nutritional aspects. Few researchers have been reported that the human breast milk and donkey milk are very much similar in nutritional value. It is the source of various vitamins and minerals along with essential proteins. It is also less in fat content and thus lowers calories and has mire vitamin D than other milk . The nutritional information for 100 ml of donkey milk, vitamin –D-fortified cow milk and human breast milk depicted in Table 1.
| Table1: Nutritional information of donkey milk, vitamin –D-fortified and human breast milk. | ||||
| Composition of Donkey’s, Mare’s, Human Breast and Cow’s milk (g/100 g) [10]. | ||||
| Composition | Donkey | Mare | Human Breast | Cow |
| pH | 7.0 – 7.2 | 7.18 | 7.0 – 7.5 | 6.6 – 6.8 |
| Protein g/100g | 1.5 – 1.8 | 1.5 – 2.8 | 0.9 – 1.7 | 3.1 – 3.8 |
| Fat g/100g | 0.3 – 1.8 | 0.5 – 2.0 | 3.5 – 4.0 | 3.5 – 3.9 |
| Calories g/100g | 49 | 51 | 70 | 61 |
| Carbs g/100g | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Lactose g/100g | 5.8 – 7.4 | 5.8 – 7.0 | 6.3 – 7.0 | 4.4 – 4.9 |
| Total Solids (TS) g/100 g | 8.8–11.7 | 9.3–11.6 | 11.7–12.9 | 12.5–13.0 |
| Casein Nitrogen (CN) g/100 g | 0.64–1.03 | 0.94–1.2 | 0.32–0.42 | 2.46–2.80 |
| Whey protein g/100 g | 0.49–0.80 | 0.74–0.91 | 0.68–0.83 | 0.55–0.70 |
| NPN g/100 g | 0.18–0.41 | 0.17–0.35 | 0.26–0.32 | 0.1–0.19 |
| Casein Nitrogen (CN) % | 47.28 | 50 | 26.06 | 77.23 |
| Whey protein % | 36.96 | 38.79 | 53.52 | 17.54 |
| NPN % | 15.76 | 11.21 | 20.42 | 5.23 |
| Vitamin D% | 23 | 21 | 9 | 1 |
| Calcium % | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| Cholesterol % | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Riboflavin % | 2 | 25 | 2 | 13 |
The donkey milk is contain very heterogeneous group of molecule including casein, whey proteins, milk fat globule proteins, enzyme and other miscellaneous minor proteins . The molecules present in donkey milk shows close proximity with human milk. The protein composition of donkey milk is considerably different from cow milk. The total protein content is lower (1.5-1.8 g/100g) than cow milk and relatively similar to that of human and mare milk. Due to low protein content it put fewer loads on renal system . Donkey milk contain high amount of lactose content (5.8-7.4%) which is higher than cow milk and much similar to human milk. The high content is responsible for the good palatability of milk and facilitates the intestinal absorption of calcium that is essential for infant’s bone mineralization . The donkey milk mainly has three proteins viz. α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and lysozyme. Recently, some study suggested that α-lactalbumin has antiviral, antitumor and antistress properties. One of the main protein allergens in children is β-lactoglobulin that is the major whey protein in cow milk and absent in human milk. The content of β- lactoglobulin in donkey milk is approximately 40% of the whey proteins which is lower than that in cow milk . The donkey milk contain two forms of caseins namely, αS-1 and β-caseins that are present in different phosphorylated and glycosylated forms. These casein are present in very less amount then cow milk . Some investigators suggested that the donkey milk contain lower percentage of allergen such β-lactoglobulin and αS-1 than cow milk. Due to the lower percentage of potent allergen in the donkey milk is considered hypoallergenic and suitable for the consumption for both infants and elderly people .
Donkey milk: Substitute of human breast milk
In the world every animal produce a kind of breast secretion called milk to nourish their young one ensuring their growth and development. This is equally true for humans. The best milk for an infant is breast milk which is responsible for healthy and harmonious development. However, some time when it is not possible a safe and valid choice is necessary to find milk that meets the needs of the infant. While choosing the alternative milk the safety, allergic, availability, taste, nutritional component and cost given priority. Donkey milk is considered milk similar to human milk, especially regarding its nutritional component, protein composition and hypoallerginicity. Donkey milk is also an important food in the geriatric field and in cases of calcium deficiency . Some investigators have shown that donkey milk has similar organoleptic characteristic to human breast milk also less allergic . Due to the similarities between donkey milk and human breast milk it is not considered only food but as a nutracetical. Due to its health benefits it is not only used in early childhood nutrition, but also as a supplement in the diet of elderly people. The active ingredient similarities of g/100g of donkey milk and human breast milk shown in Table 2.
| Table 2: Percentage composition (g/100 g) of donkey milk (evidenced in bold) and comparison with human milk [21]. | |||||||
| Milk | Water | Dry Matter | Fat | Proteins | Lactose | Ashes | Energy Value (kJ/kg) |
| Human | 87.57 | 12.43 | 3.38 | 1.64 | 6.69 | 0.22 | 2855.6 |
| Donkey | 90.39 | 9.61 | 1.21 | 1.74 | 6.23 | 0.43 | 1939.4 |
The absorption and metabolism of donkey milk is similar due to similarities in bioactive ingredients. The metabolism and function of donkey milk in human body is depicted in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Metabolism and main function of donkey milk .
Health benefits of donkey milk
Donkey milk is most often taken due to its exceptionally high nutritional content and health benefit. Recently it has gained a lot of attention as an allergen friendly and immune boosting properties. Compared with the protein in cow’s milk, which has about five times more casein than whey, the protein in donkey milk has roughly equal parts casein and whey . Given its significantly lower casein content, many people with a cow’s milk protein allergy can tolerate donkey milk, as they find that donkey milk does not cause an allergic response . In an Italian in 81 children who has allergy to cow milk, swapping to donkey milk found that all were able to digest it without any allergic or negative interaction with regular height and weight gain . Another important component of donkey milk is lactose. It helps body to absorb calcium, which is important for strong bones . The other component present in donkey milk mainly vitamin D may support healthier immune system and lower cardiovascular disorders. A lab study had shown that donkey milk able to induced cytokines production, the protein that stimulate to boost immunity. In the same study it was found that donkey milk also signals cells to produce nitric oxide, a compound that dilate blood vessel thus improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure .
Role of donkey milk in nutrition
Natural hypoallergenic milk for infants: Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a common food allergy among children age below 3 years. On the other hand the donkey milk is used as natural hypoallergenic milk without any adverse effect among the users . Several studies shown that the donkey milk is less allergic than cow milk. In the late 20th century it was used to feed orphaned infants and sick children in the European countries due to its excellent bioactive molecules. Donkey milk is very much resemblance with the human breast milk for its lactose, protein and minerals. The donkey milk having the immune active compound such as lysozyme and lactoferrin probably boosting the immune system of the infants. Donkey milk supplemented with vegetable oil (4ml/100ml) mimic breast milk .
Fermented donkey milk
Equid i.e. donkey and mare milk widely used as a suitable medium for probiotic beverage production by using lactobacillus bacteria. Koumiss fermented equid milk used in central Asia from ancient time . Koumiss is the national drink, of Mongolia. The mongolian have a saying that ‘kumys cures 40 diseases .
Cosmetics with donkey milk
In modern times the cosmetic industry mainly focused on the products made with natural ingredients. The milk origin is natural and it is a key ingredients widely used in the cosmetic industry. Various scientific studies have proven that the cosmetic products containing donkey milk showed exceptional high benefits for the skin . The donkey milk is enrich in protein, minerals, essential fats, bioactive enzymes and various growth factors like riboflavin, vitamin D etc. provide natural nourishment to skin and toned it. The donkey milk naturally contain antibacterial compound such as lysozyme and lactoferrin inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria on skin and reduce the rate of skin infection . Due to these properties the donkey milk formulated with some chemical may used to treat acne, psoriasis, eczema and other related skin infection. Nowadays, donkey milk is also used in the manufacturing of soap and face cream .
Downsides of Donkey Milk
There are a few donkey dairy farms in the world. The price of one litre of donkey milk is relatively high i.e. around Rs. 7000 in India. Also, it would be so expensive to ship the milk from overseas. The nutritional benefits of donkey milk are not known to many. Studies based on the benefits and side effects of donkey milk require more research. As casein in donkey milk is lesser compared to whey, it can be difficult to make other dairy products from the milk such as cheese. Raw donkey milk can cause multiple health hazards due to the presence of bacteria, parasites, fungal toxins and chemical pollutants. It can cause certain gastrointestinal problems like bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea due to its lactose content.
The therapeutic and medicinal benefits of donkey milk can be measured effectively due to the presence of the aforementioned components. In the near future, it can become a widely used dairy in India similar to a cow, buffalo or goat milk due to its multiple uses in different fields of health and food applications.
Donkey has accompanied our lives since ancient times. The mules are used for agricultural activities. But on the other hand female donkeys are of great interest due to their milk. The donkey milk reported that this is very much closest to human breast milk with great health benefit. In the late 20th century the donkey milk used to feed the orphaned and sick children in the European countries. The donkey milk is also less allergic than cow milk so it can help in replacing cow milk protein allergy (CMPA). Due to its pleasant and sweet taste this could be easily included in children’s menu. The donkey milk also enrich with vitamin C (60 times more than cow’s milk) , A , D, E, omega -3 and -6 fatty acids, minerals such as calcium, zinc and magnesium suitable for the growth and development of children. Apart from this the donkey milk also strengthens immunity and other respiratory tract infection such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, cough and asthma. It is also more than beneficial for those suffering from osteoporosis and other bone illnesses due to high percentage of vitamin D and calcium. It is also used in cosmetic industry for the formulation of different soap and cream. Still there is vast gap and research and development is required in this field to explore the more health and nutritional benefits of donkey milk.
DR. VG GOPAL,DAIRY CONSULTANT,CHENNAI
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