Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Milk Yield and Quality in Italian Mediterranean Lactating Buffaloes

Abstract

Buffaloes are raised mainly to obtain milk that is nutritionally very rich. The technological characteristics of buffalo milk are optimal for processing into cheese, and it is mainly used to produce mozzarella cheese. Under stressful conditions, buffaloes, like other animals, produce milk qualitatively poorly. The stressors that can affect the quality of production are, in addition to other factors, deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the quality of buffalo milk. Sixty-six buffaloes were enrolled and subdivided into two balanced groups of 33 each. The ZnSe group received 0.2 kg/head/day of Bufalo Plus® containing antioxidants and barley meal, CaCO3 and MgCO3 mix; the control group was supplemented with 0.2 kg/head/day of barley meal, CaCO3 and MgCO3 mix. The two groups were fed ad libitum with a total mixed ration (TMR). The amount of diet distributed was recorded daily, and the residue in the trough manger was recorded three times per week. TMR samples were taken every two weeks for each group. Daily milk yield was recorded twice a week. Milk samples were collected every four weeks and analysed for chemical and technological properties. Furthermore, milk total antioxidant capacity was determined. The results obtained showed that the antioxidant supplement had no effect on feed intake, feeding behaviour, and feed efficiency. The treatment positively influenced milk production while it did not affect the chemical characteristics of the milk. In addition, the supplement of antioxidants improved the milk clotting properties (MCP). The supplement did not affect the antioxidant activity of the milk.

Responses of Dairy Buffalo to Heat Stress Conditions and Mitigation Strategies: A Review

“…Different nutritional strategies have been implemented ( Table 7 ). Some of them [ 69 , 90 , 91 ] supplemented the diet with minerals and/or vitamins that act like antioxidants, i.e., chemical substances that counteract the production of free radicals formed during exposure to HS [ 92 ]. Wafa et al [ 93 ] supplemented the diet with Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) which contained tannins, glycosides, anthocyanin, thiocarbamates, and polyphenols that can protect against oxidative stress.…”

“…Evangelista et al [ 90 ] and Chaudhary et al [ 91 ] found that treatment did not affect dry matter intake but positively influenced MY with an increase in 3.5% and 10.9% L/day, respectively. Evangelista et al [ 90 ] did not find any significant differences in milk fat, protein, and lactose content. In contrast, Chaudhary et al [ 91 ] observed an increase in fat, protein, and lactose percentage.…”

“…In contrast, Chaudhary et al [ 91 ] observed an increase in fat, protein, and lactose percentage. Moreover, Evangelista et al [ 90 ] examined milk coagulation traits and observed the positive effects of treatment on milk coagulation properties. Chaudhary et al [ 91 ] and Wafa et al [ 93 ] found positive effects for treatment on physiological parameters showing a significant reduction in RT, ST, and RR ( Table 7 ).…”