A2 · Buffalo Milk
Is Buffalo Milk A2? What the Genotype Studies Show
Yes. Buffalo milk contains the A2 type of beta-casein, not A1. In a 2023 study of 172 Murrah and graded Murrah buffaloes in Tamil Nadu, every animal was A2A2, while Jersey and HF crossbred cows in the same study carried A1. So genuine buffalo milk, and the ghee made from it, is A2 by nature — though a brand should still confirm its own milk with a test.
Quick take
- Buffalo milk is A2 — no A1 beta-casein.
- 172 of 172 Murrah buffaloes A2A2 in a 2023 study.
- Jersey and HF crossbreds in the same study carried A1.
- Buffalo ghee is A2 by nature; testing confirms the milk is pure buffalo.
“A2” became a premium label for cow milk and ghee. Buffalo milk rarely gets mentioned, even though it was A2 all along.
Our A2 buffalo bilona ghee is made from Murrah milk confirmed A2A2 by TaqMan PCR (lab report).
A1 vs A2 in one paragraph
Beta-casein is one of the main milk proteins. Its A1 and A2 forms differ by a single amino acid; when A1 is digested it can release a peptide called BCM-7, which is why some people prefer A2. The health evidence is still limited and mixed (what the research says, what is A2 milk?).
The buffalo evidence
A 2023 study in the Indian Journal of Animal Research genotyped 172 Murrah and graded Murrah buffaloes with allele-specific PCR. The A2A2 genotype frequency was 1.00: every buffalo was A2A2 and the A2 allele was fixed. In the same study, Jersey crossbred cows were 38% A1A1 and 62% A1A2, and HF crossbreds 29% A1A1 and 71% A1A2.
How that compares with cows
| Animal | A2 status |
|---|---|
| Murrah buffalo | A2A2 in all 172 tested (2023) |
| Indian desi cows (Gir, Sahiwal etc.) | Mostly A2; some herds carry A1 (A2 cow breeds) |
| Holstein Friesian, Jersey | Carry A1; A1 allele 0.44 in HF bulls (2012) |
More on exotic breeds: is Jersey cow milk A1 or A2?
So is buffalo ghee A2?
Yes — ghee made only from buffalo milk is A2 ghee. Ghee itself holds almost no protein (ours tests below 0.01 g per 100 g), so the A2 label mostly tells you which animal the milk came from (A2 buffalo ghee). The real risk is mixing: “buffalo ghee” blended with cheaper cow or crossbred milk fat, or with vanaspati. A genotype test on the milk and a purity report settle that (how fake A2 ghee is caught).
Bottom line
If you want A2 without worrying about which cow breed or herd, buffalo milk is the simplest route. Side by side with A2 desi cow milk: buffalo milk vs A2 cow milk.
Sources & references
- Kathiravan P et al. A study on β-casein gene polymorphism in crossbred cattle and Murrah / graded Murrah buffalo in Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 2023; 57(7)
- Sodhi M et al. Screening of taurine and crossbred breeding bulls for A1/A2 variants of β-casein gene. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2012; 82(2)
- EFSA. Review of the potential health impact of β-casomorphins and related peptides. EFSA Scientific Report 231, 2009
Frequently asked questions
Is buffalo milk A1 or A2?
A2. In a 2023 study all 172 Murrah and graded Murrah buffaloes tested were A2A2.
Is buffalo ghee A2 ghee?
Yes. Ghee made only from buffalo milk is A2 ghee, since buffalo milk carries the A2 type of beta-casein.
Is buffalo milk better than A2 cow milk?
Both are A2. Buffalo milk is richer in fat, calories, protein and calcium; A2 desi cow milk is lighter.
Do I need to test buffalo milk for A2?
The animal is A2 by nature, but a test on the milk confirms it is pure buffalo milk and not blended.
A2 by nature, confirmed by PCR
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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