Sheep milk fatty acid composition under two sustainable production systems in Portugal

Serra da Estrela and Merino are the most important sheep breeds of Portugal. Milk from these breeds is used for manufacture of AOP cheeses (Serra da Estrela and Serpa). Bulk milk samples from each ewe breed/production system were collected and fatty acid composition was determined A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. The overall results of this study indicate that ewe milk production systems are clearly separated according to fatty acids profile.