International Journal of Food Science
Volume 2019 (2019), Article ID 5782974, 11 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5782974

Review Article

Potential Hazards Associated with Raw Donkey Milk Consumption: A Review

F. Conte and A. Panebianco

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy

Correspondence should be addressed to F. Conte; fconte@unime.it

Received 5 February 2019; Revised 20 March 2019; Accepted 2 April 2019; Published 2 June 2019

Academic Editor: Haile Yancy

Copyright © 2019 F. Conte and A. Panebianco. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Donkey milk can be used as a substitute for infants and children who suffer from cow milk proteins intolerance and multiple food hypersensitivity. Up to date, this is one of the main reasons why donkey milk has become a substantial area for reasearch, with an increase over the the last fifteen years. In donkey milk chain, risk analysis should be the object of particular attention because children are the main consumers of this food. In fact, this process is one of the main tool to achieve a high level of protection of human health and life; thus, the most important safety hazards should be monitored in order to attain this goal. This review focuses on the main hazards possibly present in raw donkey milk, including bacteria, fungal toxins, parasites, and chemical pollutants. Literature data have been considered, including some information that is not provided in the international literature. In the authors’ opinion, the current scientific knowledge should be improved, with the aim of allowing a suitable risk assessment along the whole donkey milk chain. However, in the meantime, the competent authorithies must carry out more stringent official controls, with particular attention given to the level of primary production. The issue of a traceability system in donkey milk chain should be considered of paramount importance.

1. Introduction

Cow, goat and sheep’s milk account for the majority of the global production; buffalo milk production is in second place worldwide [1]. Bovine milk represents over 80% of the world’s milk production and is a major source of essential nutrients for growth, development, and maintenance of human health [2].

Minor dairy animal species are nutritionally and economically important in several countries; despite this, donkey, Bactrian camel, reindeer, musk ox, llama, moose, yak, and alpaca have been regarded as underutilized milk-producing animals and are defined as “species with underexploited potential for contributing to food security, health and nutrition.” [3]

Donkey milk is used as breast-milk substitute in European small-scale farms that choose diversified production. Donkeys, horses, and yaks production accounts for less than 0.1%, compared to all species, including cattle, but no world-specific statistics are available. Nevertheless, at present, the consumers’ interest in donkey milk is increasing, and this product is gaining importance and international acceptance. This food is regarded as a “niche business” with high commercial value [1]; nowdays, it is used in maternity hospitals for the feeding of infants, for example in Italy. Furthermore, until the beginning of the 20th century, it was meant for the feeding of orphan infants, unhealthy children, and the elderly. It can be considered as an alternative ingredient in the “solid food-based diet” or after the first year of life in sensitive infants [4]. The use of donkey milk was considered an important solution for the treatment of infants with multiple food intolerance; in this case, it needs to be complemented with medium-chain triglycerides to reach the daily caloric intake recommended during the growth recovery phase in distrophic patients [5]. Throughout time, it was confirmed that donkey milk feeding can offer an important solution for the treatment of the most complicated cases of multiple food intolerance in young children affected by cow milk allergy [6, 7]. High content of ω-3 fatty acids supports the use of donkey milk as an effective functional food, in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and chronic inflammatory processes; in addition, the high percentage of medium and short-chain fatty acids potentiates the antioxidant properties of this milk. Both colostrum and milk from donkey may be useful in the treatment of human immune-related diseases. It may be helpful in the prevention of atherosclerosis, in view of strong vasodilatory and antimicrobial properties. In fact, pathogens and/or their products may play a proatherogenic role [8–10].

In Italy, donkey milk is configured as “pharmafood” for its nutritional, nutraceutical, and functional properties [11]. The raw milk for human consumption can be sold directly at farms; it is also pasteurized (rarely, UHT-treated or freeze-dried), packed, and sold in shops, pharmacies, or it is sold online [12]. It is not always or easily available on the market and domestic milk freezing of donkey milk is a common practice [13].

The traditional use of donkey milk would be the reason why donkeys farms were set up in Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany at the beginning of the 20th century [4]. In Italy, new farms were built in several regions [12], and Sicily was defined a “leading producer” of donkey milk [14].

In some geographical areas, raw donkey milk consumption is not unusual, as is the case of cow milk, in order to avoid thermal degradation of the valuable substances. This trend holds a risk for the consumer, due to the possible occurence of human pathogenic microorganisms in raw milk [15].

As mentioned above, raw milk from donkey is sold at farms and only refrigerated between 0 and 4°C. Given the current increase of donkey milk demand, it could be considered as a potential health hazard source [16]; in fact, contamination caused by human pathogens would seem feasible. It is, therefore, strongly recommended to heat milk before consumption, especially by infants, with the purpose of better ensuring their health protection.

“The pursuit of a high level of protection of human life and health” is one of the fundamental objectives of European food hygiene rules. “An integrated approach is necessary to ensure food safety from the place of primary production up to, and including, placing on the market or for export.” [17]

One of the main tools for protecting human health is “risk analysis” because it “provides a systematic methodology for the determination of effective, proportionate and targeted measures or other actions to protect health.” [18]

Regulation 2017/625/EU on “Official Controls” strictly relates to the “risk analysis”; in fact, it states that official controls should be performed regularly, on a risk basis and with appropriate frequency; and besides, the latter is also defined on a risk basis [19].

In donkey milk chain, special attention should be paid to the “risk analysis,” in view of its principal destination, namely, the infants who are affected by multiple food intolerance or cow milk allergy.

Raw donkey milk assessment should preferably focus on the potential and most relevant hazards throughout the milk chain. For this purpose, the presence of biological (bacteria, parasites, and virus) and chemical hazards should primarily be assessed.

The aim of this review is to present scientifically sound information on potential hazards along the donkey milk chain. For this reason, data from the available literature on various topics will be reported, including some studies which were not provided in the international research networks. This review paper should be seen as a contribution toward the better understanding of the current risk assessment in the donkey milk chain.

2. Microbiological Hazards

2.1. Foodborne Pathogens

Microbial contamination of milk can originate from the interior and the exterior of the udder, from handling practices, and the storage equipment [20].

A primary route of pathogen transmission in milk is fecal contamination during milking [20].

Intrinsic contamination of milk may result from systemic disease in the animal or localized infection such as mastitis. Subclinical mastitis are those for which no visible changes occur in the appearance of milk or the udder; if this milk is poured into the bulk tank, it enters the food chain and can be hazardous to consumer health.

It seems that raw donkey milk generally does not harbor foodborne pathogens, thanks to its antimicrobial properties [21]; this statement can be only partially shared.

Bacterial microflora isolated from donkey milk, mainly in Europe, can be briefly summarized as follows: Bacillus (B.) cereus, Campylobacter spp., coliforms, Cronobacter (Cr.) sakazakii (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii), Enterobacter (En.) cloacae, En. agglomerans, Escherichia coli, Escherichia (E.) hermannii, Listeria spp., Pseudomonas (Ps) aeruginosa, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus S. chromogenes, S. intermedius, S. sciuri, S. warneri, S. xylosus, Streptococcus (Str.) hycus, Str. epidermidis, Str. equi, Str. equisimilis, Str. intermedius, Str. zooepidemicus, Str. dysgalactiae [22]. More details are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Microorganisms isolated from donkey milk.

Bacterial species
Microbial load 
cfuml
Country
References

E. coli 
S. aureus
10
Italy
Conte et al., 2002 [77]

E. coli
2.7x10¹⁰
Italy
Conte et al., 2003 [78]

Staphylococcus sp.
2x10² 
10

Ps. aeruginosa,  
Str. zooepidemicus,  
Str. intermedius,  
S. hyicus
10

S. aureus, S. intermedius,  
Str. dysgalactiae,  
Str. epidermidis
10
Italy
Conte et al., 2005[14]

En. sakazakii 
En. cloacae 
En. agglomerans
n.d.
Italy
Conte and Passantino, 2008 [23]

S. aureus 
Fungi
10¹ 
0.69∗
China
Zhang et al., 2008 [79]

Staphylococcus spp.
S. aureus, S. intermedius, S. chromogenes
n.d.
Italy
Naccari et al., 2009 [35]

S. aureus, Str. equi, 
Str. equisimilis,  
Str. acidominimus

Italy
Pilla, 2010 [24]

S. aureus 
E. coli 
Listeria spp.
10
10² 
n.d.
Italy
Colavita et al., 2010 [80]

S. aureus
27∗∗

Cascone et al., 2011 [70]

S. aureus
<10

Salerno et al., 2011 [81]

B. cereus
1.2 x 10³
Italy
Scatassa et al., 2011 [25]

E. coli (STEC serotypes)
n.d.
Iran
Momtaz et al., 2012 [28]

S. aureus
n.d.
Italy
Conte et al., 2012 [82]

E. coli O157
Campylobacter coli
<10
Italy
Albeghini et al., 2012 [27]

B. cereus
1.3x10²
Italy
Cavallarin et al., 2015[83]

S. aureus 
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus
n.d.
Italy
Ragona et al., 2016 [33]

Staphylococcus spp.
Yeasts and molds
1.6x10³ ∗∗
4.9 x 10³∗∗
Greece and Cyprus
Malissiova et al., 2016 [84]

B. cereus
<10
Italy
Giribaldi et al., 2017 [26]

E. coli O157
Campylobacter coli
<10
Italy
Mottola et al., 2018 [29]

⁢At present Cr. sakazakii; n.d.=not determined; ∗log cfuml; ∗∗m.v.=maximum value.

En. sakazakii (at present Cr. sakazakii) was isolated for the first time from 2 raw donkey milk samples. Two En. cloacae and one En. agglomerans strains, from different samples, were also recovered. In the case report, it was stressed that for a proper risk assessment for Cr. sakazakii a good knowledge on its occurrence in foods is necessary, especially those intended for infants. Furthermore, the risk assessment could not be developed without utilizing knowledge from epidemiological studies. The authors have expressed their concern about the possibility that donkey milk could become a high-risk food [23].

The isolation of 176 Staphylococcus spp. strains from donkey milk samples was reported; coagulase positive strains were recovered; 27 out of 30 specimens were identified as S. aureus, 1 as S. intermedius, and 2 as S. chromogenes; a total of 146 coagulase negative strains were found [24].

Coagulase-positive staphylococci were found in the raw donkey milk, with an average count of 1.7 × 10² cfu/ml [13].

Bacillus cereus was detected in 3 bulk milk samples (maximum concentration: 1.2 x 10³ cfu/ml), in 3 individual milk samples (10, 20, and 60 cfu/ml, respectively), in the milk filter (5 cfu/cm²), in the soil (maximum concentration: 1.5 x 10³ cfu/g), on the hands and gloves of two milkers, and on animal hide (from 1 to 3 cfu/cm²), but no spores were detected. A total of 8 Bacillus cereus sensu strictu strains were analyzed for diarrhoic toxin, and 6 strains were enterotoxins producing [25]. In further donkey milk samples in Italy, B. cereus was isolated by other researchers [26].

Alberghini et al. [27] identified 1 Campylobacter coli strain by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in donkey milk from a farm in north Italy; furthermore, for one E.coli O157 strain, the authors indicated the presence of verocitotoxins encoding genes [27].

E. coli strains isolated in Iran from raw donkey milk were Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) serotypes; particularly, four were O157 and one was O111 serotypes, respectively. Twelve different virulence genes were isolated from these strains. The study introduced donkeys as reservoirs of E. coli O157 for the first time, as well as camels and buffaloes. [28].

Mottola et al. [29] showed that out of 90 samples of donkey milk, one (1.11%) contained E. coli O157 harboring the Shiga-like- toxins (SLT-I and SLT-II); in one sample (1.11%) Campylobacter (C.) coli was recovered. The authors stated that the isolation of C. coli and E. coli O157 in donkey milk aroused a great public health issue. The presence of these bacterial species was attributed to several factors, such as farm size, number of animals on the farm, and hygiene and management practices. Generally, the detection of Enterobacteriaceae in donkey milk shows the importance to improve the hygienic practices on farm level [30].

2.2. Mastitis Agents

Some bacterial species, recovered from donkey milk samples, may act as pathogens for mammary gland, resulting into an inflammation.

Mastitis is a well-known problem for dairy farms. Udder inflammation can be caused by a large variety of bacteria including S. aureus, some coliforms, and Brucella (for some EU countries); they are frequently found in infected animals and can be transmitted to humans through milk [31].

Only limited data are available in the literature concerning the incidence of mastitis in donkey, as well as in mare.

Three cases of subclinical udder inflammation from donkeys reared in Sicily were described; quantitative, cytological, and bacteriological evaluations were referred. Somatic cells count was very high in milk samples (2.639.000, 3.897.000, and 4.543.000 cells/ml, respectively). One Staphylococcus aureus strain and one Pseudomonas sp. strain were isolated from two different milk samples; no bacterial specimen was identified from the third milk sample. Cytological pictures allowed a diagnosis of subclinical mastitis. Because of the rarity of the observed findings and the lack of references on the topic, the case reports were considered very interesting [32].

Pilla et al. [24] described several cases of mastitis in donkeys caused by S. aureus (5 strains), Str. equi (2 strains), Str. equisimilis (1 strain), Str. acidominimus (1 strain), and coagulase negative staphylococci (1 strain). No S. aureus isolate carried the genes coding for any enterotoxin, toxic-shock syndrome toxin, or antibiotic resistance [24].

S. aureus and Str. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, as mastitic agents, were isolated in one and in two donkey milk samples, respectively. The isolation concerned the individual milk samples collected during the second lactation period; on the contrary, the samples examined during the first lactation period were negative for mastitic agents.

The authors stated that the isolation of S. aureus in milk emphasised the importance of preventing contamination in the primary production to ensure the achievement of the objectives reported in the relevant community legislation [33].

Several situations can increase the risk for mastitis, including postmilking teat disinfection, poor hygiene of milking equipment, barn type, drinking water quality, etc.

2.3. Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Donkey Milk

The development of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents poses a serious threat to human health. Raw milk may be a source of bacteria (primary or opportunistic pathogens) that are resistant to antimicrobials. Transfer of resistance affects the emergence and selection of multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens. Raw milk may be a source of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, depending on the reservoir of bacteria in the farm and in the animals environment [20, 34].

In raw milk from donkey, antibiotic resistance (AR) was described in two En. sakazakii (at present Cr. sakazakii) strains from 2 samples; bacterial strains were assessed for antibiotic susceptibility to 33 molecules. Both strains were susceptible to aminoglycosides; one strain was sensitive to ciprofloxacin, oxolinic acid, and framicetin. The resistance to macrolides, novobiocins, penicillins, cephazolin, ceftazidime, cephotaxime, and cephalotin has been emphasised. In fact, some molecules, such as nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and oxolinic acid, are commonly used to treat infected human patients [23].

Four coagulase positive staphylococci and ten coagulase negative strains were isolated from donkey milk samples; the strains were methicillin (METH) resistant; 7 coagulase positive and 25 coagulase negative strains were oxacillin (OXA) resistant. Five coagulase negative strains, susceptible to METH and OXA, were positive for mecA gene. According to the authors, these strains could play a significant role in the colonization of various animals; the latter could become carriers of resistance determinants, with subsequent dissemination and trasmission to pathogens. Humans could acquire the saprophytic and pathogenic flora by consuming donkey milk [35].

In a further study, S. aureus, Str. equi, Str. equisimilis, and Str. acidominimus, recovered from donkeys affected by mastitis, exhibited no resistance to the tested antibiotics. Indeed, all bacteria species were sensitive to the antibiotics used in veterinary practice (β-lactams or methicillin, aminoglycosides, macrolides, vancomycin, and lincosamides or tetracyclines) [24].

E. coli strains were isolated in Iran from raw donkey milk; E. coli O157 was the most prevalent serotype in milk samples. One O157 serotype showed the highest AR to penicillin and enrofloxacin [28].

The potential hazards related to antibiotic resistance should also concern donkey milk; the literature data on this topic are extremely scarce.

3. Other Potential Biological Hazards

Risk occurrence can only be hypotesized for some microbiological hazards; the literature data on the topic are reported below.

3.1. Brucella spp.

Brucellosis has been eradicated in many developed countries like Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand. However, it is still endemic in most areas of the world, such as the Africa, Mediterranean, Middle East, parts of Asia, and Latin America. Nearly, all animal species are susceptible; the prevalence of brucellosis varies very widely in equine, bovine, caprine, ovine, and camelidae; humans have the least prevalence [36].

Brucella melitensis might infect equids, and further studies are required on the isolation of the organism and the role played by equids in the epidemiology of brucellosis.

It was shown that donkeys and horses are not a reservoir of brucellosis in some geografical areas in Mexico [37]. On the contrary, in Sudan, equines may be a reservoir of brucellosis and may also play an important role in the epidemiologic patterns of this disease in the sampled geographical area [38].

The low prevalence of intramammary infections in donkeys suggests that milk might be considered a safe food. Unfortunately, in some areas of the world (e.g., northeastern Nigeria), these animals are a potential source of Brucella infection, both for people living in close contact with donkeys [39] and through ingestion of unpasteurised milk [40].

3.2. Mycobacterium spp.

Isolation of Mycobacterium (M) spp. seems not to occur in donkey milk. Horses are considered very resistant to mycobacterial infections; similarly, it could be hypotesized for donkeys [41].

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in equids is extremely low, especially in countries with established control programs. In contrast to M. bovis that is known to affect a wide range of natural hosts, susceptibility to M. tuberculosis remains not well defined for many mammal species including horses and other mammals (e.g., donkeys, goats, and sheep) even after a direct or indirect contact with infected animals [42].

3.3. Toxoplasma gondii

Any warm-blooded animal including most pets, livestock, birds, and humans can become infected with Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. This protozoan has developed several potential routes of transmission within and between different host species. Infection occurs mainly within congenital and horizontal transmission; the latter may also occur through ingesting infectious oocysts from the environment or tissue cysts or tachyzoites contained in meat, offal of many different animals; raw or undercooked milk, and unwashed fruit and vegetables [43, 44].

Although the “frequency of occurrence” of T. gondii in raw milk seems to be unknown [15], the single-celled parasite was found in milk of several intermediate hosts, e.g., sheep, goat, donkey, camel, buffalo, and breast-fed infant whose mother acquired a primary infection with T. gondii. Any type of raw milk is a potential source of toxoplasmosis [43, 44].

Little is known about T. gondii infection in donkeys [43], and donkey milk contamination by T. gondii is not well documented. In the milk of pregnant Egyptian females, the antibodies against toxoplasmosis were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); milk from 15 out of 75 donkeys was positive in 7 samples, with a contamination rate of 46.3% [45].

Mancianti et al. [16] detected the parasite in Italian donkeys using molecular tools; the Nested-PCR technique showed that 3 out of 6 tested milk samples were contaminated.

In further studies, the effects of T. gondii on milk safety, yield, and quality in 18 sero-positive donkeys with parasitemia were investigated. The results of serological test showed 4 positivities (22.22%) for T. gondii, and each serological positive donkey presented parasitic DNA both in the blood and milk. In the light of preliminary results, the authors believe that in vivo studies are needed to assess more thoroughly the risk of transmission of T. gondii through donkey milk [46].

3.4. Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia

Criptosporidia are parasites colonizing digestive and/or respiratory systems of birds, fish, reptiles, and mammals, including equines.

Cryptosporidium spp. are responsible for diarrhea in humans and animals. The infective oocysts from both are ubiquitous in the environment, and cryptosporidiosis can be acquired via the fecal-oral route directly from infected humans or animals or indirectly from food or water contaminated with the faeces of infected hosts.

The isolation of zoonotic parasites, including Cryptosporidium (C.) and Microsporidia, from fecal sample of donkeys and horses, has shown that these equids have the potential to transmit human-pathogenic parasites. This risk appears to be negligible, given the low prevalence of all parasitic taxa [47].

Nevertheless, the risk of human infection through donkey milk consumption should be considered.

Compared to cryptosporidiosis in horses, the knowledge in donkeys is poor, with particular reference to the identity of species that might affect these equids; till date, only two Cryptosporidium species (C. parvum and C. muris) have been identified.

C. parvum, C. erinacei, and Cryptosporidium horse genotypes were detected in horses and donkeys and have caused infection in humans [47].

Microsporidian species have been increasingly recognized as opportunistic pathogens in immunodeficient patients [48]. Fecal-oral routes, such as ingestion of contaminated water and food, are the major routes of microsporidia transmission which consist of 1300 named species [49].

Among the species that infect humans, Enterocytozoon (Er.) bieneusi, is the most prevalent agent of diarrhea pulmonary and hepatobiliary diseases. Encephalitozoon (Ez.) intestinalis has been considered the second most prevalent microsporidian species, causing gastrointestinal infections. Ez. intestinalis spores were detected in faeces from several mammals including donkey, cow, goat, and pig. These animals harbored the spores and disseminated them into the environment [48]. This parasite affects donkeys, causing infections in the gastrointestinal, ocular, genitourinary, and respiratory tracts [50].

Ez. intestinalis, Ez. cuniculi genotypes I and II, and Er. bieneusi (genotypes D, EbpA, G, and WL15), detected in horses and donkeys, have been shown to cause human infection [50, 51]; no relation was found with donkey milk consumption.

In China, Er. bieneusi was first genotyped in donkeys worldwide. These equids were considered a potential source of animal and human microsporidiosis [49].

On the basis of the above, donkey milk contamination by microsporidia and consequent human infection cannot be ruled out.

3.5. Giardia spp.

Giardia (G.) intestinalis is the only species known to cause illness in humans, it is distributed worldwide and it can infect many vertebrates. The main symptom of giardiasis is diarrhea and its transmission is mainly through ingestion of Giardia cysts in contaminated food or water. The majority of cases of human giardiasis are reported in developing countries [52].

Although G. intestinalis infections are known in humans and in a variety of animal species, there is little information on donkeys (Equus asinus). Zhang et al. [53] suggested that donkeys could be a source of giardiasis outbreaks in China.

The zoonotic potential of these parasites in donkeys should be elucidated.

3.6. Tick-Borne Pathogens

The literature data did not show the recovery of tick-borne causative agents in donkey milk.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is regarded as one of the most common and potentially fatal zoonoses affecting human central nervous system. TBE is endemic in Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia; a wide geographical areas can be involved, as for example Alsace Lorraine and Scandinavia, or northeast China, and northern Japan [20, 54].

Goats, sheep, and cattle are important for the so-called alimentary TBE [55]. During viraemia, TBEV is excreted into the milk and can be ingested via consumption of raw milk or cheese made from raw milk (mainly from goat) [20, 54].

As in the case of small ruminants, in donkeys the virus might be considered a significant hazard when the animals are exposed to ticks carrying TBEV that could be transferred to milk.

Coxiella (C.) burnetii is considered the most representative tick-borne pathogen in dairy animals. It is the causal agent of Q-fever, a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution. Numerous animals can be infected by C. burnetii; among livestock, dairy cattle, sheep, and goats are the major reservoirs of this rickettsial bacterium and are more frequently related to the outbreaks of human Q-fever than other animal species. The zoonosis is essentially airborne; infection from commercial milk is unlikely because a thermal treatment is used. Raw milk or dairy products from unpasteurized milk may harbor virulent C. burnetii [56].

To the best of our knowledge, having considered the literature on the topic, C. burnetii was never found in donkey milk.

4. Chemical Hazards

Unacceptable amounts of chemicals, and their residues in milk supply, pose a potential threat to human health, particularly children, who are the primary consumers and whose sensitivity is potentially greater than that of adults [2].

Chemical hazards may be introduced into milk during production, dairy processing, or packaging. Veterinary drugs, heavy metals, radionuclides, mycotoxins, and pesticides, as chemical contaminants, can enter animal feeds and leave their residues in milk [57].

Maximum levels for several contaminants in food were set, but non-regulated chemicals are of particular concern. Although competent authorities have taken adequate measures to minimize the individual exposure to food contaminants, further steps need to be taken to minimize the health risks related to chemical food contamination [58]. This is particularly true for donkey milk; in fact, there are only few data available on the topic; moreover, regulations on maximum levels of some contaminants in equids milk are lacking.

4.1. Potentially Toxic Trace Elements

Scientific reports on the levels of heavy metals in milk of several animal species are available from different geographical areas; on the contrary, there is only very limited information on trace elements in donkey milk.

The concentrations of nontoxic iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn), and potentially toxic elements arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and antimony (Sb) in donkey milk, forage, and feed samples from three Italian farms (Sicily, Calabria, and Emilia Romagna) were reported.

Donkey milk would appear a good source of selenium for both adults and children; furthermore, the majority of milk samples did not reveal dangerous residue levels for human health. Cd concentrations were nearly similar to the values for cow milk from Calabria and Sicily [59]. Pb levels in some samples were higher than the European maximum level (0.02 mg/kg) [60]. Finally, it was underlined the need for further study on the quality and safety of donkey milk, providing more consistent data, in order to rule out any toxicological risks for human health [59].

On the basis of what is stated in Regulation 1881/2006/EC [60], the maximum limit of Pb fixed for “raw milk,” as defined in the Regulation 853/2004/EC [61], can be applied to the secretion of the mammary gland of farm animals. Consequently, the limit shall also apply to donkey milk.

In further studies on toxic metals, the concentrations of titanium (Ti) vanadium (V), As, rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), Cd, cesium (Cs), and Pb were assessed in donkey milk and blood serum from a dairy farm in the north of Italy.

The authors reported that As, Cd, and Pb concentrations were lower than those referred by other authors [59]. When compared with published data on human milk, donkey milk generally showed similar or lower concentrations of V and Mo, higher values of Ti and Sr, and lower values of Cs and Rb. Compared with cow milk, donkey milk revealed similar or lower levels of Ti, lower V, Mo,Rb, and Cs levels, and higher leveles of Sr [62].

Paksoy et al. [63] evaluated the concentrations of essential elements and heavy metals in milk of dairy donkeys, goats, and sheep in Turkey. Regarding heavy metals, the authors stated that Ni, Cd V and barium (Ba) concentrations (expressed in μg/L) in donkey milk were lower than the detection limit (1 mg/L). The results of the study showed a low health risk of human exposure to heavy metals through milk consumption [64].

4.2. Pesticides

Milk-producing animals accumulate pesticides residues through contaminated feed, grass/hay and by air; donkey milk could be contaminated in the same way.

Current literature on pesticides in donkey milk is very scanty. The first report, in 2010, concerns the evaluation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in donkey milk samples from three farms in Sicily [65].

The examined OCPs were 4,4′-DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), aldrin, and dieldrin; their amounts were always below the limits fixed by law for cow milk. Seven PCB target congeners were also assessed; furthermore, 12 Dioxin-Like PCBs (DL PCBs) were evaluated.

PCBs residues were observed in 80% of samples from the first farm, in 60% of samples from the second farm, and in 80% of samples from the last farm. Their sum was always below the limit of 100 ng/g of fat fixed for cow milk. Levels of six PCB congeners were lower than their quantification limit; in any case, the results were lower than the legal limit set for cow milk (3 pg/g fat) [65].

In a further study, donkey milk, forage, and feed samples were also examined; OCPs and PCBs amounts in donkey milk samples were the same as those reported by the authors in 2010 [65].

The study showed very low pesticides leveles in forage and feed samples from different farms. The amount of contaminants in donkey milk samples were considered similar to those found in other types of milk, as shown in the literature data. According to the authors [66], estimated daily intake (EDI) values suggested that the consumption of donkey milk will not present a health risk to consumers. As a consequence, the results did not cause any concern; despite this, children fed donkey milk are inevitably exposed to the examined pollutants [66].

4.3. Aflatoxins

Mycotoxins are natural contaminants produced by a range of fungal species (mainly Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, and Claviceps spp.) during plant growth in the field, harvesting, storage or feed processing. Mycotoxins detection in milk and dairy products mainly concerns aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN) and its metabolites, fumonisin (FUM), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), sterigmatocystin (STC), and patulin (PAT) [19]. AFs are considered the most important for dietary exposure from dairy products and, subsequently, the only mycotoxins for which maximum limits have been established for milk and its products [31].

AFs are among the well known and widely investigated groups of mycotoxins which can be found as contaminants in food and feed worldwide. As it is well known, AFB1 and AFB2, after ingestion, are metabolized by the liver into their hydroxylated metabolites M1 (AFM1) and M2 (AFM2), which can be excreted in urine and feces, transferred to milk, and to a lesser extent, to meat. AFM1 is excreted into the milk of both lactating humans and animals after ingestion of contaminated food and feed, respectively [1, 67].

The presence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products worldwide has been known for a long time; nevertheless, milk and dairy products contamination is a relevant problem [68]; AFM1 in milk and dairy products could pose a risk to humans as well as animals’ health. The presence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products is an important issue, relating to children and infants, who are more susceptible than adults [68].

Numerous studies on AFM1 in raw and heat-treated milk from several species have been presented [69]; literature data on AFM1 concentrations in sheep and goat milk are scarce in comparison to cow milk [67].

Recently, Iqbal et al. [69] provided an interesting review on different topics: the occurrence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products from many areas of the world; toxin stability during processing; strategies for its reduction; regulations; latest developments in detection methodologies; and future challenges [68].

Today, the available scientific data on AFM1 in donkey milk are lacking, especially when compared to the information on other dairy animals.

To the best of our knowledge, the first recovery of AFM1 in raw donkey milk was described in Sicily; levels lower than 5 ppt were found in bulk milk samples from Ragusano breed donkeys [70].

In Serbia, 5 raw donkey milk samples from small farms were assessed. The authors observed that data about AFM1 occurrence in donkey milk were very limited [71].

In donkey samples from Croatia, the AFM1 levels were comparable to the concentrations found in the milk of other species [67].

In Greece, no AFM1 residues were detected in 90 bulk donkey milk samples. Thirty-six samples were subsequently collected over a one-year period from 12 donkey farms across the same country. The toxin was found in 5 out of 36 samples (13.9%) [72]; concentrations were always lower than the EU maximum levels (50 ng/kg) [60, 72].

The authors reported that AFM1 levels in donkey milk were lower than the amount assessed in other milk types; this difference could be due to the feed and pasture type used for donkey feeding and also to the very low carryover of AFB1 to AFM1 that was reported in donkey. Furthermore, these animals are mainly fed with oats and barley that are not frequently carriers of AFB1, especially in Balkan and Mediterranean countries. The authors stressed that different techniques of analysis, sampling periods, and locations among studies on AFM1 levels in donkey milk, however, did not allow plausible comparison of data [72].

Only one study investigated the AFM1 carryover from feed to donkey milk; the carryover was clearly influenced by animal species; in particular, in monogastric animals, such us donkeys, it seems to be lower than that found in ruminants. According to the authors, further studies would be useful on this topic, and aflatoxins content in donkey milk should be taken into serious consideration [1].

The EU maximum limit that was set for AFM1 in raw milk shall also apply to secretion of the mammary gland of female farm animals and, therefore, to donkey.

4.4. Ivermectin

Different classes of drugs administred to horses and ruminants are also given to donkeys without dosage optimization, and determination of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Because of the lack of registered drugs for donkeys, anthelmintics licensed for horses or ruminants are used in the treatment of parasitic infections in these equids [73].

Anthelmintic drugs have been shown to be effective for the control of parasitic infection in donkeys at doses determined for horses. The studies on the pharmacokinetics of some anthelmintics in donkeys support their use at these dosages, despite the apparent differences in absorption and elimination [74].

Ivermectin (IVM), a macrocyclic disaccharide anthelmintic agent, with broad-spectrum antiparasitic action, is used to control internal and external parasites in bovine, swine, and equides, including donkey [63]. Commission Implementing Regulation 418/2014/EU [75] set out the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for IVM for all mammalian food producing species, applicable to muscle, fat, liver, and kidney. It is not for use in animals from which milk is produced for human consumption [75]; therefore, donkey milk should also not be used.

IVM is not licensed for use in lactating species in the EU, due to its persistent excretion in milk and its lipid-soluble character, which facilitates the absorption in humans after oral administration [63, 76].

As regards the excretion of macrocyclic lactones in milk, various investigations were carried out on dairy animals, including cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo, and camel; no information is available for donkey [73].

The presence of unknown or uncontrolled IVM residues in milk may cause potential risk to consumers’ health. Producers must be informed about possible risks related to the use of this drug in lactating animals, and advice concerning this matter should be given to the veterinarians [63, 76].

5. Conclusions

In European legislation, it is clearly stated that “In order for there to be confidence in the scientific basis for food law, risk assessments should be undertaken in an independent, objective and transparent manner, on the basis of the available scientific information and data” [18].

In view of this statement, the present review should be seen as a deepening of information and data concerning some topics related to donkey milk chain. Further research and literature information would allow to carry out a proper risk assessment.

In the meantime, we can not set aside the fact that donkey milk is primarly intended for use in susceptible group of consumers (i.e., babies and infants); in view of this destination, it is necessary to pay special attention to the security of young consumers and provide stricter official controls. The latter must be applied mostly to records keeping in the primary production industry, as provided by Regulation 852/2004/EC [17].

Finally, an important issue is represented by an integral traceability system in donkey milk chain management; in fact, traceability can be considered as a tool to comply with the present legislation and to meet the food safety and quality requirements.

An effective traceability system will protect donkey milk against fraud or commercial disputes [85] as well as milk safety.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

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