Elemental and In vitro Antioxidant Studies of Some Bracharia species and Milk from Bowen University Dairy Farm

Abstract

This study investigated the constituent elements present in three Bracharia grasses and milk samples from the Bowen Dairy cows. Bracharia grasses and milk samples were subjected to Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for determination of K, Ca, Na, Mn, Fe, Cd and Cu, and in vitro antioxidant activities. Levels of K, Ca and Na in both fresh and sterilized milk were also comparable to the RDA. No levels of Cd and Cu were determined all samples. The level of Mn in fresh milk was 0.80 ± 0003 ppm, but was not determined in sterilized milk. The AAS result shows that the levels of K, Ca and Na in Brachiaria sabia methanol extract (BSME), Bracharia gayana methanol extract (BGME) and Bracharia maradu methanol extract (BMME) were lower than the RDA value. However, Cd and Cu were not determined in the three samples, except in BMME. The fresh and sterilized milk samples had better antioxidant potentials compared to quercetin standard. This study indicates that the Bracharia grasses and milk samples from Bowen University Dairy Farm are rich in K and Fe. In addition, both fresh and sterilized milk samples possess strong in vitro antioxidant capacity.