Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
The medicinal property of camel milk was understood by Pastoralists and Muslim
communities from their day today life experience and holly Quran and Prophet
Mohammed’s sayings respectively. It is also used as a traditional medicine to treat
several diseases, and as a result, it builds the immune system of human beings when
consumed occasionally (Kumar et al. 2004; Sharma and Singh 2014; Yadav et al. 2015;
Jilo 2016). Therefore, camel milk is at the core of some pastoralists’ culture, life and
health and is considered as white gold of the desert (Gul et al. 2015).
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Fresh camel milk and their products are a good bioactive adjuvant for the people living
in the arid and semiarid areas. Moreover, some studies have revealed that camel milk also
possesses insulin-like properties and can control blood sugar due to hypoglycemic
properties in diabetic patients. It can be used as a natural medicine for diabetic patients
(Shabo et al.2005). Similarly camel milk can address various issues like nutrition and
food security in Arid and semi-arid areas and the entire world. Peri-urban camel
production system emergence to encourage through commercialization of camel milk
resulting from increased demand by an urban population which helps in addressing the
issue of food security in relation to vision 2030. There are reports that pastoralists are
becoming less nomadic and production of milk for market purpose is gaining importance
to match the sedentary life (Abdulqadir, 2019).
Even though camel milk have extraordinary in terms of nutrition and therapist value, its
production and consumption in Ethiopia was confined to the pastoral areas. As a result
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scholars advocate extensive research investigations to confirm the projected health
benefits and characterize the properties of this natural adjuvant, to create economic and
social space for camel milk and products (Ayele et al.2014; Kula J., 2016; Hailegebrael
and Bayew, 2017; Ngussie et al.2017; Bano et al.2019; Yaseen G., et al.2019). Despite
the significance of camel milk to livelihoods of the pastoralists in oromia, camels milk
potential medicinal value, chemical composition and its consumption among non-
pastoralist community is not fully investigated. Therefor the current study will be
designed.
The research result would serve as a potential input for the governmental and non-
governmental organizations to improve the livelihood of pastoral community through
identifying challenges and consumption of camel milk and creating awareness about the
benefit of camel milk consumption for non-pastoral community. The study fills the
existing research gaps and contributes to the literature on innovative approaches to
Medicinal value of camel milk and plant species browsed by camel. It relies on empirical
evidences to examine the role of innovative approach in all aspects to promote nutritional
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and medicinal value of camel milk. It will have a paramount role to excavate the
traditional knowledge of the community about medicinal value of camel milk and putting
a footprint on this knowledge through supporting with experimental evidence. So far, the
research done in this area focused heavily on creating a sustainable livelihood for the
pastoral community by improving production and consumption of this miraculous
product to treat numerous disease which are highly prevalent in Ethiopia. It may also
help researchers as a baseline for further study in other parts of the Ethiopian regions of
similar areas.
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2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Camel’s milk has generally an opaque white colour and has a faint sweetish odour and
sharp taste; sometimes, it can be salty (Abbas et al. 2013). Its opaque white colour is
because of the fats that are finely homogenized throughout the milk, whereas the changes
in taste are caused by the type of fodder and availability of drinking water (Kumar et al.
2015). Its density ranges from 1.026 to 1.035 and the pH from 6.2 to 6.5; both are lower
than those of the cow’s milk, and the maximum buffering capacity of skim milk is at pH
4.95 (Gul et al. 2015).
Various minerals such as Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and vitamins (A, E, C and B1) are
present in camel milk (Khasmi et al. 2001; Onjoro et al. 2003). The values of trace
minerals were significantly higher in camel milk as compared to cow’s milk (Agrawal et
al. 2004). The concentration of vitamin C in camel milk is two to three times higher as
compared to cow’s milk (Stahl et al. 2006). The low pH due to higher concentration of
vitamin C stabilizes the milk and therefore it can be kept for relatively longer periods
without cream layer formation. The availability of relatively higher amount of vitamin C
in camel milk is of significant relevance from the nutritional point of view, as it exerts
powerful antioxidant activity (Mal et al. 2007). The levels of vitamin A, E and B1 were
reported to be low in camel milk compared to the cow’s milk. Cow’s milk contains a
carotene that lacks in camel milk (Stahl et al. 2006).
Health benefit potentials of camel milk are obtained through a number of bioactive
components in camel milk (Al Haj OA, Al and Kanhal HA.2010). The camel milk is
being consumed for centuries by nomadic peoples due to its nutritional and medicinal
properties. . Currently, the value of camel milk has increased worldwide due to its high
therapeutic value for human health. The medicinal properties of camel milk can be
attributed to the presence of protective proteins, which may possibly play a pivotal role
for the enhancement of immune Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Sharma and Singh 2014).
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The medicinal properties of camel milk can be attributed due to presence of protective
proteins like, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and immunoglobulin’s mostly IgA
which may possibly play pivotal role for enhancement of immune defense mechanism.
Antibacterial and antiviral activities of camel milk proteins have been investigated. In
addition camel milk also plays an important role to control number of health disorder
such as diabetes, allergy, autism, hepatitis, arthritis etc (Sharma et al., 2014). In addition,
camel milk also plays an important role to a control number of physical health disorders
or even mental disorders.
Camel milk have been acknowledged for a long time in different parts of the world to
provide a potential treatment for a series of diseases such as dropsy, jaundice,
tuberculosis, asthma, and leishmaniasis or kala-azar (Asresie A, and Yusuf M. 2014).
Also revealed that several studies have shown that milk is an important nutritional and
functional source of food and provide particular health benefits due to the presence of
bioactive substances in it. In the same way, in all camel rearing countries, the breeders
are convinced that camel milk has special medicinal properties, especially for dropsy,
jaundice and conditions affecting the lungs and spleen (Yohannes M. et al. 2007, Sharma
C. and Singh C. 2014).
Camel milk is enriched with various protective proteins like lysozyme, Lactoferrin,
lactoperoxidase, NAGase, PGRP, IgG and IgA which exert antibacterial, antiviral,
antifungal and antiphrastic activity, immunological properties, growth promotion activity
and anti-tumor activity (Mona EY. et al. 2010).According to Conesa and
coworkers(Conesa C. et al. 2008) ,protective proteins and their immunological action in
camel milk have therapeutic effects. LZ participates in primary immune system based on
targeting structures common to invading pathogens, whereas Immunoglobulins give the
immune protection to the body against infections. Another protective protien in camel
milk LF prevents microbial growth in gut.
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immuno-modulatory effects (Lo ¨nnerdal&Iyer, 1995; Vorland, 1999; Hooijdonket al.,
2000; Conner et al., 2002). LF exhibits inhibitory activity against various viruses,
including cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C viruses, poliovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
by preventing entry of the viruses into the host cells (van der Strate et al., 2001). LPO, in
combination with its physiological substrates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and thiocyanate
(SCN), displays a wide spectrum of virucidal activity against HIV, HSV-1, RSV and
echovirus (Pourtois et al., 1990; Mikola et al., 1995)
Rotaviruses are the most frequent cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in infants or calves
in most parts of the world. Camel milk-purified immunoglobulin (IgG) and secretory
immunoglobulin A (sIgA) are reported to be effective against rotaviruses isolated from
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bovine or form human sources (El-Agamy et al. 1992; El-Agamy EI. 2000). The
antirotavirus activity, i.e., antibody titer in colostrum, was strong due to IgG, while sIgA
in normal milk was high. This indicates that raw camel milk is considered a strong viral
inhibitor to human rotavirus. These findings may explain the reason for use of camel milk
as a remedy to treat diarrhea by camel herdsmen (El-Agamy et al. 1992; El-Agamy EI.
2000).
Scientific publications have shown that camel milk cures both hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
The special fat in camel milk soothes the liver and has beneficial action on chronic liver
patients (Redwan el-RM and Tabll A 2007). There is also a possibility that the relatively
high concentrations of ascorbic acid in camel milk helps in improving liver function (Gul
W. et al. 2015). But Subsequent studies have shown that camel Lactoferrin markedly
inhibits hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection through preventing the entry of the virus
into the cells (Abdel Galil M. et al. 2016). Additionally, camel Lactoferrin is more potent
anti-viral agent than bovine and human Lactoferrins, even its anti-parasitic action can
clear Schistosoma Mansoni (Maghraby AS. et al.2005, Choi SK. et al. 2013).
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control of DM in both humans9,19e21 and experimental animals(Kappeler et al.2005, El-
Hatmi H et al. 2007. Strong support for this notion comes from camel breeders in
India who consume CM regularly and who have zero incidence of DM compared to 5.5
percent in other communities in which CM is not consumed (Zicarelli L., 2004).
Additional support comes from the more recent finding that the consumption of CM by
type I diabetic patients resulted in a 30-35% reduction in the daily insulin requirements,
with significant decreases in both blood glucose levels and micro-albuminuria (Musaad
A.M., 2013).
These benefits can be related in part to the unique composition of CM, which is rich in
insulin, insulin-like proteins, minerals, immunoglobulins and trace elements with anti-
inflammatory properties (FAO, 2013, Sisay F, Awoke K 2015). Additionally, CM
possesses antioxidants and free radical scavengers (D'Urso S et al.2008, Haddadin MS
2008). Further, camel insulin possesses unique features that make it different from human
and other animal insulin and more effective when orally administered. Camel insulin,
unlike the insulin contained within other animal and human milks, is contained within
micelles and is thus protected from digestion and proteolysis in the upper gastrointestinal
tract; it has also been proposed that camel insulin is encapsulated.
The claimed anti-cancer action of camel products is widely accepted by local healers who
use of a mixture of camel milk and urine in the treatment of patients suffering from a
variety of cancers, including breast, nasopharyngeal, lung and others. This, in addition to
the difficulties faced by modern medicine in finding a lasting cure for cancer, prompted
the current flurry of studies attempting to find evidence to support these claimed anti-
cancer actions of camel milk and urine and eventually succeed in identifying the anti-
malignant component in camel milk or urine that could ultimately lead to the discovery of
an effective anticancer drug (A.G.M. Abdel Gader and A.A. Alhaider, 2016).
Research reports declare that, the local healers’ practice of prescribing milk along with
urine has a double advantage as both products are endowed with anti-cancer actions;
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additionally, the milk disguises the identity and taste of the urine and makes its
consumption palatable to the patient (A.G.M. Abdel Gader and A.A. Alhaider, 2016).
Milk consumption in Ethiopia shows that most consumers prefer purchasing of raw milk
because of its natural flavor (high-fat content), availability and lower price. Specific
upper income market segments prefer and can afford packaged processed milk.
Packaging costs alone may add up to 25% of the cost of processed milk depending on the
type of packaging used (Abebe B. et al. 2013).
However consumption milk is different in the pastoral area, they get milk from different
species like camel and goat to be the most beneficial for children’s overall health,
strength, and growth. During the rainy season, milk consumed by pastoral children can
account for 67% of the mean daily energy they require and 100% of their protein
requirements (L Sadler and Catley, 2009). Lack of availability and access to milk in the
dry season decreased daily consumption amounts by almost 25% with milk contributing
only 16% and 50% of energy and protein requirements respectively. In dry season,
children’s milk consumption will drop an average of 50% (Land O Lakes, 2011).
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3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study will be conducted in Western Hararghe Zone of Oromia National Regional
State, Ethiopia. West Hararge is one of the Zones in the Ethiopian Region of Oromiya.
West Harerge is bordered on the south by the Shebelle River which separates it from
Bale, on the southwest by Arsi, on the northwest by the Afar Region, on the north by the
Somali Region and on the east by East Hararghe. Chiro is the town of West Hararghe
Zone and 325 km far from the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Abeba. The study area is
located between 70 52’ 15’’- 90 28’ 43’’ N latitude and 400 03’ 33’’– 400 34’’ 13’’ E
longitude with an altitude of 1200-3600m above sea level. The mean annual rain fall of
the area is from 650-1500 mm and average temperature 20.5-24 ˚c (West Hararge Zonal
Agriculture and Natural Recourse Office, 2016).
The total livestock and poultry population in West Hararghe Zone is estimated to be
about 3.767 million, including 0.997 million cattle, 0.884 million goats, 0.193 million
sheep, 0.22 million donkey, 34,467 camels, 3,340 mules and 1.433 million poultry and in
addition to this 67,655 beehives (CSA, 2015).
The study will have two part i.e. survey and laboratory. The survey part will be employ to
assess challenges and opportunities in consumption, marketing, traditional knowledge of
medicinal value of camel milk and plant species browsed by camel. Whereas the
experimental one will be conducted to investigate the prospective of camel milk for upper
respiratory disease, diabetes and biochemical properties of camel milk and browsed pant
species respectively.
Three-stage sampling procedure will be employed to select camel herding samples. First,
Two pastoral districts will be selected purposively based on their access to the market and
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accessibility to roads and towns. Second, the same procedure will be followed to select
three pastoral kebeles from each district. Third, random sampling method will be used to
select households having lactating camels herding from the selected kebeles.
The sample size will be determined based on Arsham (2007) formula at 5% standard
error since the camel herders have a homogenous production system and social values.
N= 0.25/ SE2
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3.4.2. Camel milk sample collection
Besides the major plants frequently browsed by camels will be collected from the study
areas, with great thoughtfulness for plant parts browsed by the animal and inflorescence
and fruits for identification. The respondents will identify and rank the top browsed plant
species. Taxonomic identification of the plant species will be undertook at Addis Ababa
national Herbarium. The collected plant materials will be dried under shade to protect the
loss of any compound due to sun radiation, and grind by means of IKA Universal Mixer
M20. Nutrient analysis will be done in Addis Ababa University nutrition laboratory. The
rest of the powders will be stored for further analysis of plant extracts for eliciting
information concerning their effect on selected viral strain and diabetes positive rats.
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3.5. Experimental work procedure
A camel milk samples collected from previously surveyed districts will be transported to
Bisheftu, Ethiopian dairy and meat development institute for the chemical composition
analysis by using milkoscan. The analysis will be performed within 36 hours after
sampling (Alganesh et al., 2007).
20.0 g of the dried plant powder will be weighed in a 100ml Erlenmeyer flask with 70 ml
of hexane of 99% purity grade (the plant sample had to be submerged in a solvent) for
pre-extraction. The Erlenmeyer will be placed in a sonicator-bath (Branson 8210 or some
other type) and sonicated at 40º C for 30 minutes. The mixture will be filtered using filter
paper, followed by washing the Erlenmeyer with 20 ml of hexane and then with 50 ml of
hexane. The filtrate will be poured in a round-bottomed flask and the solvent will be
concentrated in vacuum (at about 11 mm Hg) up to 5-10 ml by means of Rota vapor,
utilizing a water bath at 40º C. This residue will be brought in a 30ml vessel to let the
solvent evaporate. The open vessel will be left overnight in a well-ventilated hood in
order to evaporate the last traces of the solvent in the hexane pre-extract. The solids,
collected on the filter, will be broken up and dried in the air overnight in the hood. The
dried material will be extracted in the same way with methanol-water (90:10).
Adult white Winstar rats will be purchased from Ethiopian Public Health Institute. The
first generation at the ages of 75 to 90 days will be used, which will be housed in the
laboratory animal house with fresh water in feeding bottles and standard rat chow
available ad libitum. They will be maintained in 12-hour light and dark cycles at 22–25 ºC
room temperatures. The use of animals for laboratory purposes will be approved by the
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ethical committee, following the established ethical procedures on the use of animals for
experimental purposes in Ethiopia.
All groups will be fed on rat chow and water ad libitum. The diabetic rats will be
induced to diabetes using STZ at the dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. Streptozotocin
induces diabetes within 3 days by destroying the beta cells (Karunanayake et al., 1975;
Aminu et al., 2016). Body weight and blood glucose level of each rat will be measured at
the beginning of the experiment. Then, blood glucose level will be measured after 72
hours, after first, second, and third weeks of the experimental period so that the chemical
diabetes could be verified in rats injected with Streptozotocin as stated by Bhuyan et al.
(1974). One ml of blood will be taken from the rats to measure blood glucose level (Levi
et al., 1977). Blood samples will be taken for the measurement of glucose for three
consecutive weeks after the initial baseline data will be taken for each group and
subgroups. This phase of the work will be carried out once every week for the following
three weeks in diabetic and control rats as suggested by Thulesen et al. (1997). The
experimental design layout for animal group and the perspective treatment is indicated in
Table3.
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Table 3. Experimental Group and their Treatments
No Group Site/sex Condition Treatment
1 Bordede E1 Bordede Diabetic PE1
2 Bordede E2 Bordede Diabetic PE2
3 Bordede E3 Bordede Diabetic PE3
4 Bordede E4 Bordede Diabetic PE4
5 Meiso E1 Meiso Diabetic PE1
6 Meiso E2 Meiso Diabetic PE2
7 Meiso E3 Meiso Diabetic PE3
8 Meiso E4 Meiso Diabetic PE4
9 Male diabetic M Diabetic Camel milk
Female diabetic F Diabetic Camel milk
10 Male diabetic M Diabetic Water
Female diabetic F Diabetic Water
11 Male diabetic M Non Diabetic Camel milk
Female diabetic F Non Diabetic Camel milk
12 Male diabetic M Non Diabetic Water
Female diabetic F Non Diabetic Water
13 Male diabetic M Diabetic Glibenclamide
Female diabetic F Diabetic Glibenclamide
Data will be coded, cleaned and entered into Microsoft Excel computer software.
Statistical analysis will be carried out by using SPSS version 20. The data obtained from
survey questionnaire will be analyzed on the given statistical package software.
Descriptive statistics presented in frequency and percentage. The General Linear Model
(GLM) procedure of SAS (2009) will be used to analyze chemical composition of milk.
Mean comparisons will be done using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) technique
when analysis of variance shows significant differences between means in milk
composition, plant extract and groups treated with extracts from different plant species.
Differences will be considered statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The
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following model will be used for the analysis of chemical composition of milk and
browsed plant:
Yij = μ + βi + eij
Where,
Yij = individual observation for each test
μ = the overall mean
β = the ith milk source effect (i=1, 2)
eij = the error term
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4. WORK PLAN
Table 4. Major activities and time duration
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5. BUDGET BREAKDOWN
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Table 8. Experimental animal and chemical cost
S. No. Name of chemicals Quantity Estimated cost in ETB
1 Experimental animal 30 10000
3 Feed _ 5000
4 Laboratory fee for milk and plant 15000
composition analysis
Sub total 3030
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5 laboratory work expense 13200
Grand total 0
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