Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption.

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Powder as a Supplement to Improve Preweaning Dairy Calves’ Health: Effect on Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Gut Bacterial Diversity

“…Usharani et al [ 42 ] also reported that 250 mg and 500 mg Emblica officinalis capsules twice daily supplementation for humans improved the antioxidant status of type 2 diabetes patients (improved activities of glutathione and reduced MDA level). Fresh Amla fruit supplementation in dairy cows also improved the activity of SOD in blood [ 13 ]. The increased activity of SOD, along with increased activities of CAT and GSH-Px in the PE5 group, in the current study, is important as the balance of the antioxidants is essential for the body.…”

“…It is a small- to medium-sized deciduous plant known for its essential role in traditional ayurvedic medicine [ 10 ], with the fruit being the most useful part in this regard [ 11 ]. Amla fruit is rich in phytochemical compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and organic acids [ 12 , 13 ]. There are variations in the phytochemical contents of Amla fruit extracts reported in different studies, which could be due to the variety, source of the fruit, stage of development during harvest, and methods of collection, processing, and extraction.…”

The content of saturated fatty acids in the blood plasma of cows in the winter period depends on autonomic nervous regulation

“…Завдяки даним сполукам є можливість передачі нервових імпульсів, енергетичне живлення клітин, синтез певних гормонів і ліпідів, синтез модифікованих білків, запасання енергетичних резервів за допомогою синтезу триацилгліцеридів. Споживаючи поживні субстрати, в організм вивільняється певна кількість вільних жирних кислот (Cheng et al, 2021;Młynek et al, 2021;Tilahun et al, 2022). В кровотоці вони захоплюються білками та надходять у клітину.…”

Meta-analysis of flavonoids use into beef and dairy cattle diet: Performance, antioxidant status, ruminal fermentation, meat quality, and milk composition

“…Particularly in beef cattle and dairy cows, some studies have evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with FLAs on animal performance ( 19 , 22 ), serum antioxidant status ( 23 , 24 ), rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility ( 16 , 20 ), meat physicochemical characteristics ( 25 , 26 ) and milk production and composition ( 15 , 27 ). However, the results obtained so far are still inconsistent and controversial, probably due to the wide variability among these studies regarding the experimental periods, the doses, and the type of FLAs used ( 14 ).…”