Proximate and fatty acid analysis of goat and goat-cow mixed milk cheeses

Goat milk is a valuable resource for food production thanks to its physical, chemical, and biological properties, easy digestibility, and lower allergenicity. The dairy product market in Kazakhstan is growing, leading to advancements in the industrial processing of goat milk. Consequently, this study aimed to analyse the proximate composition of raw goat milk, produce cheeses from goat milk alone and in combination with cow milk and examine the fatty acid profiles of the resulting cheeses. The findings indicated that goat milk contained a higher percentage of protein, while a 1:1 mixture of goat and cow milk exhibited increased levels of lactose and fat (p <0.001). A soft cheese prepared from goat milk exhibited faster coagulation, higher cheese yield and fat in dry matter. Furthermore, the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content was greater in cheeses made from the goat-cow milk blend compared to those made solely from goat milk (p <0.05). Notably, an increased presence of oleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as linoleic, linolenic, and palmitoleic acids, was only detected in 100% goat milk cheeses. Overall, the soft cheese produced from goat milk showed improved nutritional qualities, particularly regarding fatty acid content. However, additional research is needed to assess sensory attributes and consumer acceptance.