Comparative Analysis of the Nutritional Composition and Specific Gravity of Cow, Camel, and Goat Milk in Nangarhar Province Relative to Literature Standards for Human and Buffalo Milk

Abstract

Establishing objective physicochemical baselines for local dairy supplies is critical for quality control and public health. This study evaluates and compares the physical and macronutrient profiles of raw cow, camel, and goat milk samples from Nangarhar Province, benchmarked descriptively against archival literature data for human breast milk and buffalo milk. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using 60 independent raw milk samples (n=20 per species) collected from 15 local farms across Nangarhar Province. Standardized laboratory protocols quantified pH, fat, crude protein, and specific gravity at the Khatiz Dairy Processing Factory laboratory. Triplicate measurements (n =3) were taken. Human breast milk and buffalo milk values were compiled strictly from published reference literature for descriptive juxtaposition. Data were analyzed using a One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Welch's robust ANOVA (p < 0.05) via IBM SPSS v26.0. Empirical testing revealed a mean baseline pH of 6.75 ± 0.05 across the evaluated animal cohorts. Cow’s milk exhibited a mean protein content of 3.50% ± 0.12%, fat content of 4.62% ± 0.18%, and a specific gravity of 1.032 ± 0.002. Camel’s milk demonstrated 3.42% ± 0.15% protein, 4.30% ± 0.22% fat, and a specific gravity of 1.030 ± 0.003. Goat’s milk exhibited the highest nutrient density with 4.82% ± 0.24% protein, 6.73% ± 0.35% fat, and an anomalously elevated specific gravity reading of 1.050 ± 0.005. One-Way ANOVA and post-hoc tracking confirmed that these species-specific variations were statistically significant (p < 0.001).Significant macronutrient and physical discrepancies exist among the evaluated local animal milk types. The anomalous specific gravity of 1.050 in goat milk indicates potential methodological factors, such as temperature-correction artifacts or supply-chain concentration effects, which require systematic validation. These regional baseline values provide preliminary data for localized dietary configurations, though direct clinical trials are necessary to validate therapeutic outcomes.