**Abstract**

Milk composition and production varies from species to species, reflecting its diversified benefits on health. Lipids from caprine and ovine milk are anti-obesity and anti-atherogenic while prebiotic in the case of caprine. Higher contents of selenium from caprine and iron from camel milk play a role in immune system and oxygen transport system, respectively, whereas enriched vitamins like riboflavin, folic acid, B6, vitamin A of bovine, and foliate of cattle are effective in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and high niacin content of caprine is anti-cancerous. Camel milk is found to have characteristics of anti-carcinogenic, antidiabetic, and autoimmune therapeutic. Various processing techniques like pasteurization, skim milk powder processing, and ultra-high temperature processing are necessary for safe provision of milk to meet consumers' demand. Change in flavor, loss of micronutrients, biofilm production, and spore-forming bacteria are prominent challenges during processing. Antimicrobial resistance and disease conditions are exaggerating factors of milk deterioration with respect to quality and quantity. Preclinical trials like somatic cell count, California mastitis test, proteomic analysis, Raman spectroscopy-based analysis, and X-ray fluorescence analysis are helpful in avoiding the spread of disease and controlling of economic losses. This chapter focuses differential functions of bioactive of milk, issues arising during processing techniques, and preclinical studies of milk for safer production and consumption of milk.

**Keywords:** milk composition, bovine, camel, caprine, ovine, mare, differential functions, processing techniques, preclinical milk tests

### **1. Introduction**

 Milk, according to USDA, is a sterile lacteal secretion from mammary glands by full milking of one or more animals and considered free of colostrum. Basically, milk is composed of significant components that may be categorized into macro and micro milk components. The former category is comprised of protein, lipids, and oligosaccharides mainly lactose, whereas the latter contains minerals and vitamins [1]. Utilization of milk from various species of animals depends upon likelihood of people and access to the dairy animals. In such situations, some of dairy animals are overlooked due to their limited population in specific regions of the world. Camel and caprine milk is specifically medicinal in nature that is limitedly utilized as

staple use. The production systems are fewer than needed which is a grave situation. It is a dire need to explore bioactive components of milk from various animals and to investigate alternative resources to feed the hungry and to be benefited by pharmacological aspects.

The likelihood of food consumption stresses it to be natural, free from chemical preservatives, and microbiologically safe with extended shelf life [2]. The rapid development of our society in the past few decades and the careless use of large amount of agricultural services are appearing to be a burden over human health. The hunger of the increasing population cannot be satisfied with fresh milk due to unequal production and utilization system. Previous 15 years have noticed dairy industry emerging as technology revolution in product processing [3]. But there are several harms to the soundness of milk associated with processing techniques in terms of quality and quantity losses. The current chapter encompasses bioactive components of milk from different milk-producing animals and their chances of being deteriorated by processing techniques.
