To evaluate the whey proteins during the lactation, whey obtained from 48 milk samples collected from 12 Jersey cows before milking were studied. Cows were distributed into three groups as follows: early (30-120 days), middle (121-210 days) and end of lactation (more than 211 days). The proteinogram consisted of total proteins concentration determined by biuret method and polyacrymalide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A gradual and significant decrease of some fractions of the whey was observed during the lactation cycle albumin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, β-lactoglobulin and α -lactoalbumin. The normal ranges obtained for the whey proteins of Jersey cows were: whey total proteins 569.0 to 713.0mg/dL, lactoferrin 36.0 to 49.0mg/dL, albumin 24.0 to 34.0mg/dL, immunoglobulin's heavy chain 38.0 and 51.0mg/dL; immunoglobulin's light chain 59.0 to 95.0mg/dL, β-lactoglobulin 207.0 to 256.0mg/dL, α-lactoalbumin 117.0 to 157.0mg/dL; protein with 226 KDa 5.80 to 12.0mg/dL, and protein with 118 KDa 2.30 to 6.80mg/dL.
Proteins; polyacrymalide gel electrophoresis; SDS-PAGE; β-lactoglobulin; α-lactoalbumin; lactation phase