Quantitative analysis of nutrient metabolite compositions of retail cow’s milk and milk alternatives in Thailand using GC-MS

•Retail milk samples were characterized for sugars, amino acids, fatty acids.•Metabolite profiles of cow’s milk were distinct from the others due to FA.•Plant-based milk samples exhibited greater brand-to-brand variation.•FA profiling could be applied to detect soymilk adulteration with cow’s milk.•No distinct profiles of cow’s milk due to heating processes and lactose hydrolysis.