The Effect of Herbal Feed Additives in the Diet of Dairy Goats on Intestinal Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Count

Abstract

Sixty dairy goats of the Polish white improved breed were randomly assigned to five feeding groups of twelve animals each. The animals received a supplement containing seven herbs at 20 or 40 g/animal/day (experimental groups 1 and 2) and a supplement containing nine herbs at 20 or 40 g/animal/day (experimental groups 3 and 4)m, along with pelleted concentrate feed. Group 5 (the control group) received pelleted feed without any herbal supplements. A significant effect of herbal feed additive on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was observed (p < 0.001). The highest number density of LAB was found in the goats receiving the feed additive with nine herbs at 20 g/animal per day (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant effect of lactation stage on intestinal LAB count (p < 0.001). Regardless of the feeding group, the highest number density of LAB was found in animals at the peak of lactation. The LAB count was also affected by the interaction of diet group × lactation stage (p < 0.0001). A probiotic strain of Lactobacillus fermentum was identified in the faecal samples of goats receiving the herbal additive, but not in the controls. Genetic identification of the microorganisms isolated from the faeces of the experimental goats did not reveal the presence of harmful mould spores, although spores of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus were detected in the controls.

Application of UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Apigenin, Apigenin 7-Glucoside and Chlorogenic Acid in Goat Serum

“…Relatively low concentrations of the analyzed compounds in the goat serum result from the administration of the herbal mixture as an additive to the feed received by the animals and, as already mentioned, the unknown degree of absorption (bioavailability) of these substances from the gastrointestinal tract in goats. However, it should be emphasized that despite the low concentrations obtained, the overall nutritional effect in the experiment was very positive, significantly affecting the health of goats, which was demonstrated in our previous work on the effect of herbal feed additive on lactic acid bacteria count in the goats [8]. Therefore, clearly higher concentrations of the tested compounds in the group fed with herbs may in this case serve as indicators of the mixture used to improve the health of goats.…”

“…The ingredients % DM (dry matter) of diet offered to dairy goats were: 15.6% maize silage; 21.6% grass hay silage; 7.8% brewers' grain silage; 37% concentrate mixture; 10.3% meadow hay; 4.4% dried sugar beet pulp; and 3.3% barley straw. All 60 goats used in the feeding experiment were divided into 2 groups: 30 groups were fed the standard diet as mentioned above (Control group) and 30 goats additionally received a supplement containing nine herbs in the daily dose 40 g/day to the received feed (Feeding group with herbal mixture) according to our previous work [8]. The herbs included were common nettle Urtica dioica L. (herb); common agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria (herb-dried flowering shoot tips); coriander Coriandrum sativum (fruit); fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum L. (seeds), as well as fennel Foeniculum vulgare (fruit); peppermint Mentha piperita (leaves); chamomile Matricaria chamomilla L. (flower clusters); milk thistle Silybum marianum (endosperm); and thyme Thymus vulgaris (leaves) [8].…”

“…All 60 goats used in the feeding experiment were divided into 2 groups: 30 groups were fed the standard diet as mentioned above (Control group) and 30 goats additionally received a supplement containing nine herbs in the daily dose 40 g/day to the received feed (Feeding group with herbal mixture) according to our previous work [8]. The herbs included were common nettle Urtica dioica L. (herb); common agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria (herb-dried flowering shoot tips); coriander Coriandrum sativum (fruit); fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum L. (seeds), as well as fennel Foeniculum vulgare (fruit); peppermint Mentha piperita (leaves); chamomile Matricaria chamomilla L. (flower clusters); milk thistle Silybum marianum (endosperm); and thyme Thymus vulgaris (leaves) [8]. A detailed contribution of particular herbal components included in the supplement is presented in our patent applications (Polish Patent Office submissions P.4334426 and P.433779).…”

“…The abovementioned polyphenols, including AP, AP7G, and CA, were chosen based on our previous study [8], and they served as the indicators for assessing the effect of an herbal feed additive on the health of lactating goats. We observed the positive effect of a herbal supplement on the composition of the goat gut microbiota expressed by lactic bacteria count [8]. Up to now, there is no study on the AP, AP7G and CA concentrations in goats.…”

“…The method was applied to analyze the chosen bioactive compounds in 60 lactating domestic goats (Capra hircus), which provide the raw material for the commercial production of dairy products. The animals were fed with standard fodder and an additional supplement containing nine herbs to the received feed, just like in our previous work, leading to improved animal health [8].…”