Milk quality characteristics of Boutsiko, Frisarta and Karagouniko sheep breeds reared in the mountainous and semimountainous areas of Western and Central Greece

In this study, the chemical and microbiological characteristics of ovine milk from three indigenous Greek breeds was assessed. The breeds selected for this study were Boutsiko, Frisarta and Karagouniko. The milk yield of each breed was recorded at the early, mid- and late stages of lactation for two consecutive years. Among the three breeds, the average milk compositions obtained were similar for protein, lactose and total solids; however, fat values were significantly lower in Frisarta milk compared with Boutsiko and Karagouniko milk. The major fatty acids (FAs) in ovine milk were palmitic and oleic. The microbiological quality of Boutsiko and Karagouniko milk was superior to Frisarta milk.