Donkey Milk: A Novel Source of Functional Biomolecules in Biotechnology
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DécouvrirMilk from Equus asinus (donkey) is rapidly emerging as a valuable raw material in biotechnology, owing to its content of bioactive proteins and peptides with immune-regulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. With advanced molecular tools now available, researchers can isolate and study these components for use in therapeutics, diagnostics, and functional nutrition.
Protein Isolation and Advanced Purification Technologies
Biotech workflows now employ state-of-the-art systems for extracting and analyzing donkey milk proteins:
OmniLyse enables efficient mechanical lysis of cells and extracellular vesicles, preserving native protein structures during sample prep.
Cultrex matrices simulate 3D extracellular environments and are used to assess cellular behavior influenced by milk peptides.
ExoQuick-TC / ExoQuick TC are precipitation kits widely used to isolate milk-derived exosomes, which may carry immunomodulatory peptides.
Immunological and Apoptotic Insights Using Donkey Milk Peptides
Some donkey milk immunoglobulins exhibit structural similarity to mouse IgG2a, a key antibody subclass involved in adaptive immunity. These proteins are frequently tested in apoptosis models using inhibitors like Ac-DEVD-CHO, a specific blocker of caspase-3, to evaluate their role in cell death regulation, inflammation control, and tissue repair.
Glycoprotein Targeting via Plant Lectins
Lectins such as Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), known to bind specific glycan structures, are often used to detect and quantify glycosylation patterns in donkey milk proteins. This is especially relevant in the development of biosensors, vaccine adjuvants, and targeted delivery systems.
Applications in Human and Animal Health
Donkey milk peptides may serve as natural immunonutrients or adjunct therapies in biomedical contexts, including:
