Besides being hypoallergenic, camel milk may offer protection to the gut against harmful enzymes and promote better digestion.
Recent findings from Edith Cowan University (ECU) indicate that camel milk has a higher concentration of naturally occurring bioactive peptides compared to cow’s milk.
“This is promising news. We’ve confirmed that not only is camel milk likely to be hypoallergenic in contrast to cow’s milk, but it also has a greater potential to produce bioactive peptides with antimicrobial and anti-hypertensive properties,” explained PhD student Mr Manujaya Jayamanna Mohittige.
“These bioactive peptides can selectively target specific pathogens, helping to cultivate a healthy gut environment, and may also lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases later on.”
Nevertheless, Mr Mohittige emphasized that further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of these bioactive peptides.
The study reinforced that camel milk does not contain significant quantities of the milk allergen β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), making it a suitable alternative for individuals allergic to cow’s milk. Existing research points out that camel milk has lower lactose content compared to cow’s milk.
Nutritional Comparison
Previous studies show that cow’s milk generally consists of about 85% to 87% water, containing 3.8% to 5.5% fat, 2.9% to 3.5% protein, and 4.6% lactose.
In comparison, camel milk is composed of approximately 87% to 90% water. Its protein levels range from 2.15% to 4.90%, fat content varies from 1.2% to 4.5%, and lactose is between 3.5% and 4.5%.
Growing Demand
At present, about 81% of milk produced worldwide comes from cows, with camel milk ranking fifth, following buffalo, goat, and sheep milk. Camel milk contributes to only about 0.4% of the total global milk production.
Mr Mohittige pointed out that Australia’s semi-arid climate and its existing camel population — even if they are somewhat wild — provides strong reasons to enhance both the production and consumption of camel milk.
“There is a growing interest in camel milk worldwide, partly due to environmental factors. It can be hard to raise traditional cattle in arid or semi-arid regions, but camels thrive in such conditions,” he noted.
While several camel dairies are already operating in Australia, overall production remains limited. In contrast to dairy cows, which can yield up to 28 liters of milk daily, camels typically produce around 5 liters a day.
