Introduction: Goats milk provides health benefits due to its unique fatty acid composition that
comprises relatively high amounts of short- and medium-chain fatty acids, which make goats
milk easy to digest.
Methods: A total of 20 powdered goats milk samples were selected based
on ease of availability in shops in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Proximate composition and fatty
acids, specifically C6:0, C8:0 and C10:0 were determined using AOAC methods (2000), and
gas-chromatography, respectively.
Results were compared with commercial pure goats milk
(CBM®). Results: Wide variations in the proximate composition and fatty acid contents were
found among the samples when compared with the CBM® sample. The mean range values for
energy were 368 to 498 kcal/100 g, moisture: 2.46 to 4.28 g/100 g, ash: 2.04 to 6.61 g/100 g,
protein: 2.80 to 26.24 g/100 g, fat: 1.68 to 25.90 g/100 g and carbohydrates: 44.81 to 87.64
g/100 g. The total short and medium-chain fatty acids contents ranged from 3.22% to 12.97%.
Conclusion: There is a need for standardisation of the proximate composition and fatty acids
contents of goats milk available in Malaysia.