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Received: March 19th, 2023 ; Accepted: May 7th, 2023 ; Published: May 22nd, 2023 ; Correspondence: alltane.kryeziu@uni-pr.edu The aim of this study was to compare the changes in chemical composition and physical properties of raw milk from crossbred ‘Sharri’ sheep as a function of altitude (1,200 m - variant A and 1,600 m - variant B) and lactation period. Milk composition (total solids - TS, milk fat–MF, solids non-fat-SNF, protein - P, lactose - L, ash, freezing point - FP, titratable acidity - TA, active acidity - AA, and density - D) were analysed once per month during the period of June, July, August, and September of 2021. Sheep milk at 1,600 m altitude showed significantly higher values (P < 0.05) for all analysed parameters and lower values for FP compared to milk from 1,200 m altitude, except SNF, FP and AA, which were not statistically significant. The analysed milk during the four months of lactation period has significantly increased (P < 0.05) in TS (from 15.65 to 25.46%); MF (6.49 to 10.80%); SNF (9.16 to 14.66%); P (4.46 to 6.94%); L (3.96 to 6.52%); ash (0.74 to 1.20%); TA (9.90 to 14.53 °SH); whereas changes in FP value (-0.611 to -0.709 °C), AA (6.68 to 6.76) and D (1.035 to 1.053 g cm-3 ), have been statistically non-significant. The interactions between altitude*lactation period on milk composition (TS, MF, SNF, P, L, ash) of crossbred ‘Sharri’ sheep and physical properties (FP, TA, AA and D) were nonsignificant. |
