Interplay of Management Practices and Physiological Factors Influences Camel Milk Characteristics in Tamanghasset, Southern Algeria

Background: In the Saharan ecosystems where the harsh environmental conditions persist, camels (Camelus dromedarius) with stand these conditions through their distinctive physiological adaptation and produce milk more than other animals over extended lactation period. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of breeding system, milked she-camel population and the hygienic status of the udder on the physicochemical and microbiological proprieties of camel milk. Methods: 30 samples of camel milk were gathered during May and June 2024 in Tamanghasset (south Algeria), the samples originated from camels belonging to two populations and managed under two systems. After sanitary milking precautions, milk was subjected to california mastitis test (CMT), physicochemical and microbiological analysis. Result: The results of pH, acidity, conductivity, fat, solids non-fat (SNF), total solids, density, proteins, lactose, salt, freezing point and reviable aerobic mesophilic microflora (RAMF) analysis were 6.17±0.27, 17.4±3.05o D, 5.78±0.86 mS/cm, 2.15±0.94%, 9.03±0.47%, 11.18±1.09%, 31.80±1.72, 3.28±0.18%, 4.94±0.21%, 0.69±0.05%, -0.57±0.03oC and 3.15±1.03 UFC/ml respectively. Further analysis based on the T-test and Mann-Whitney exhibit a significant effect (p less than 0.05) of breeding system on pH, acidity, conductivity and salt level; while only the bacterial load was significantly affected by camel population type, whereas the udder health status seems impact on the pH parameter. Complementing these findings, Principal component analysis (PCA) highlights an overall significant effect of udder health on milk composition and a moderate to slight influence of breeding system and camel population.