Calidad Composicional y Concentración de Ácidos Grasos Omega-3 (ALFA-LINOLÉNICO) y Omega-6 (LINOLEICO) Presentes en Leche Bovina de Tres Regiones Naturales del Ecuador

Cow's milk is an important component in human diet and one of its nutritional contributions is the lipid fraction formed by various fatty acids, including linoleic acid (AL) of the omega-6 family and alpha-linolenic acid (AAL) of the omega-3 family, both structural constituents of cell tissue, membranes, and metabolic regulators. Due to its importance, the purpose of this research was to determine the concentration of omega-3 (alpha-linolenic) and omega-6 (linoleic) fatty acids present in bovine milk, by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS), establishing a relation between the influence of the region (Costa, Sierra and Amazonía) and the season (rainy and dry), and the concentration of these acids. 30 collection centers were analyzed and collected, according to the LCL-INS-01 protocol. The compositional analysis was carried out under the method ISO 9622-IDF 141/2013 /LCL-PE-01, and the analysis of the lipid profile was made by GC-MS. The results obtained show average concentrations (%) of 2,72 and 0,06 for AL and AAL respectively on the lipid profile. Regarding the region factor, Costa presented 2,07%, Sierra 3,03% and Amazonía 3,06%, showing significant difference (p ≤ 0,01) in AL, while the AAL showed no variation. With reference to the season factor, AL showed 2,63% in the dry season and 3,03% in the rainy season, and AAL 0,14 and 0,06% respectively. The results allowed to conclude that the region factor influences AL concentration but does not influence in AAL, and the season factor is not influential neither on AL nor on AAL concentration.