The main difference between A1 and A2 milk is the type of beta-casein protein found in the milk, which is determined by the genes of the cow that produced the milk:
A1 milk
Contains A1 beta-casein, which is found in milk from cows that originated in northern Europe.
A2 milk
Contains only A2 beta-casein, which is found in milk from cows that originated in the Channel Islands and southern France.
The A1 and A2 proteins are almost identical, differing only in the 67th amino acid in the chain. A1 has a histidine amino acid, while A2 has a proline amino acid. This difference can cause the body to process A1 and A2 milk differently, which may impact digestion and other health factors:
Digestion
Some studies suggest that A2 milk may be easier to digest and less likely to cause bloating and indigestion.
Inflammation
One study found that participants had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood after drinking regular milk.
Brain function
Another study found that participants took longer to process information and made more errors on a test after drinking regular milk.
Heart disease
Some research suggests that consuming A1 protein is associated with a higher risk for heart disease.
Characterization of African elephant beta casein and its relevance to the chemistry of caseins and casein micelles
African elephant milk lacks αS-caseins with β-casein as the major component of its milk (Madende et al., 2015). Similar to African elephant milk, human milk also lacks αS2-casein, contains low levels of αS1-caseins and constitutes a high β-casein content. The study of milk with unique composition and casein properties and quantities, such as human milk, has shed more light into casein properties and their technological applications as ingredients in functional foods (Kunz & Lönnerdal, 1990). Similarly, the study of non-dairy novel species that have a unique protein composition, such as African elephant milk, has the potential to unravel some of the less understood properties of milk, such as the casein micelle structure (Holt, 2016, Madende et al., 2015).
Buffalo Milk, Sheep Milk,Goat Milk Camel Milk and in fact Human Milk is A2 whereas Cow Milk can either be A1 or A2 based on the breed.
Milk Composition of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in a Natural Environment in Myanmar during Late Lactation
National Library of Medicine; research article By : Ellen S Dierenfeld 1,2,*, Yadana A M Han 3,4, Khyne U Mar 5,6, Aung Aung 4, Aung Thura Soe 7, Virpi Lummaa 8, Mirkka Lahdenperä 9 April 22, 2020
Simple Summary
In this study, we analyzed longitudinal milk samples and consumed plant species from six Asian elephants managed in their natural environment and consuming native plants in Myanmar to evaluate seasonal or animal-related changes in milk content and diet. Milk from mothers nursing calves aged one-and-a-half to three years was high in fat; milk solids and protein percentages increased for older calves, and protein levels increased in both milk and plants during the wet versus dry season. Higher protein levels in plants eaten by these elephants during the wet season compared to the dry season may underlie the seasonal milk changes observed. Milk consumed by female calves was higher in protein compared with male calves. Maternal traits such as size, age, origin (captive-born vs. wild-born) and number of previous calves, were also significantly associated with milk composition. Understanding such factors influencing milk production and composition contributes to improving feeding management strategies to optimize the nutrition, health, and feeding management of both wild and captive elephant populations.
Abstract
The nutritional content of milk from free-living Asian elephants has not previously been reported, despite being vital for better management of captive populations. This study analyzed both milk composition and consumed plant species of Asian elephants managed in their natural environment in Myanmar. Longitudinal samples (n = 36) were obtained during both the wet and the dry season from six mature females in mid to late lactation in 2016 and 2017. Milk composition averaged 82.44% water, with 17.56% total solids containing 5.23% protein, 15.10% fat, 0.87% ash, and 0.18 µg/mL vitamin E. Solids and protein increased with lactation month. Total protein in milk was higher during the wet vs. the dry season. Observed factors linked with maternal (age, parity, size and origin) and calf traits (sex) had significant associations with milk nutrient levels. Primary forages consumed contained moderate protein and fiber. Higher dietary protein during the wet season (11–25%) compared to the dry season (6–19%) may be linked with increased milk protein observed. Our results call for further field studies of milk and diet composition, over entire seasons/lactation periods, and across maternal and calf traits, to improve feeding management, with an overall goal of maximized health and survival.
Also I am including links to the complete article. I have also other readings of studies that concluded the nutrient content of Elephant forages (whether grazing or browsing,) was greater in the wet season.
Mynamar Elephant Article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7222762/
Analysis of A1-type and A2-type β-casein in Maiwa Yak and Pien-niu milk by HPLC-high-resolution MS and tandem MS
National Library of Medicine; Article credit: Yutian Chen 1, Yiping Ren 2, Lili Wang 1, Zhongping Huang 1
Abstract
In this study, a peptide-based method employing ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was developed for quantification of A1-type and A2-type β-casein in milk from Yak, cows, and their offspring of crosses, Pien-niu. The specific peptides of A1-type and A2-type β-casein were screened and confirmed by protein software after analysis of high-resolution mass spectrometry. The multiple reaction monitoring method was established based on the qualitative results, and isotope-label peptides were used as internal standards. The linear correlation coefficients of this method were >0.99. The relative standard deviations of repeatability test were 0.2-3.6%. The recovery rate ranged from 93.3 to 114.4% with relative standard deviations <6% at three different spiking levels. The method was applied to analyze 45 milk samples from different species. The results showed that β-casein in Yak and Pien-niu milk was about 30% higher than that in cow milk. Furthermore, the β-casein in the Yak milk only contains A2-type β-casein. A1-type and A2-type β-casein coexist in most samples of Pien-niu and cow milk, a few samples contain only one type of β-casein. These results provide further understanding in nutritional value of milk from Yak and Pien-niu.
Link to Article:
Analysis of A1-type and A2-type β-casein in Maiwa Yak
Manure notes 2024
DUNG / MANURE MANAGEMENT:
As I don’t know alot about this subject, I will start my study here..
USDA – Economic Research Service: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/crop-livestock-practices/manure-management
USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/technical-assistance/manure-and-nutrient-management
Manure Management Mechanics
Sustainable Herbivore Manure Management Heating Systems in a Zoological Setting – If this interests you, let me know….
As Elephants forage through the day, browsing, grazing drinking, they drop quite a load along the way. Elephants 9 and up drop approx 200 lbs a day. This can slightly vary for larger animals. So how much fertilizer does the area need? Is the dung disposal costly? Is it being done properly? (legal). Also, is it sustainable? I have designed a sustainable furnace for use in a zoological setting. This furnace will operate independently of city infrastructures (no city utilities or water). Any electricity needed for the project will be produced by utilizing solar power & battery storage. Water used is to come from cisterns throughout the grounds. These cisterns are to be filled with rainwater, collected via tile drains and also dispersed throughout the Zoo grounds. Are Tile drains possible on hillsides? Heavy rainfall threatens to landslide even just hilly terrain. Tile drains quickly removing water from a hillside could hinder such occurances while catching and storing water to use in the dry season. Other organic “Green” waste materials (leaves, grass, twigs, branches) are utilized with manure.
Water catch will be for the steam. Also, consideration has been made for carbon catch and storage. Materials used for carbon catch can then be used for storage, perhaps a place that needs soil fortification? I have much more study, but I believe overall, this mechanism of manure management is thus far TOTALLY SUSTAINABLE, with NO NEED of public utilities. Also has vertical function and purpose. Overall durable and long-lasting. (with quality construction) So, as it is just a theory with very little mechanics, hopefully, I will be able to find some mechanical engineers to ask for technical advice. Variables such as cost, size, and other variables. Cistern system for rain catch and irrigation reclamation.