Application of the activated lactoperoxidase- thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system to improve the storage of raw camel milk

In many arid areas, camels play a central role as milk suppliers. With advancing urbanization raw camel milk is increasingly commercialized in urban areas, and the longer transport times and high environmental temperatures increase contamination and spoilage of milk. In the present work the suitability of the LP-system for preservation of raw camel milk was tested. In a first step thiocyanate content was monitored in the milks of 12 individual camels in different stages of lactation, which ranged from 2.4 to 20.0 ppm. In a second step a LPS field test was performed in rural Kenya. Morning milk was collected until a volume of 55-60 liters was reached and tested with the FAO- and WHO-approved LPS kit for treatment of 50-litre milk volumes. Total bacteria count (TBC) of untreated fresh milk was 1x10 5 cfu/ml. After LPS treatment and transport during 6 h at 30°C, TBC of untreated milk increased to 3x 10 7 cfu/ml, while LPS-treated milk remained the same. Based on these results, it can be concluded that lactoperoxidase treatment can be effective in extending the shelf life of raw camel milk.