Study Properties of Fermented Camels’ and Goats’ Milk Beverages Fortified with Date Palm (<i>Phoenix dactylifera L</i>.)

Abstract

Camels’ milk (CM) and goats’ milk (GM) are rich in nutrients and vitamins necessary for the health of humans and have therapeutic properties as they are rich in antioxidants and have a protective role against free radicals that have harmful effects on human health. Date palm (DP), camels’ milk and goats’ milk have been reported to be used for the prevention and treatment of vari ous diseases in Arab countries. This study was designed to mix date palm with camels’ milk and goats’. Eight formulations of both camels’ milk and goats’ were made from different percentages of date palm. These formulations were added at ratios of 0 (control), 10%, 20% and 30% (w/v) to camels’ milk and goats’ and the effect of this date palm on the composition and texture properties of the fermented obtained products were followed. It has been found that pH, protein, fat decreased and total solid, carbohydrate, ash, viscosity, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants increased with the increase of the added percentage of date palm compared to control. Microbial counts of the fermented camels’ milk (FCM) and goats’ milk (FGM) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the addition of different formulations and during storage. Also, fermented camels’ milk (FCM) and fermented goats’ milk (FGM) fortified with different ratios date palm (DP) concentration resulted in good properties and higher acceptable sensory values (at a rate of 10% - 20%) in fresh and till the end of storage periods. The addition of the date palm to all treatments improved the composition, viscosity, microbiological quality of fermented camels’ and goats’ milk with nutritional functional values and acceptable sensory attributes.