EFFECTS OF COMMON MALLOW (MALVA SILVESTRIS L.) ON ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF JENNY MILK

Dehydrated common mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) capsules have been fed to jennies in lactation as a supplementary food to evaluate their effect on the antioxidant activity of milk. Common mallow is widespread in Mediterranean pastures and its nutraceutical properties are known. Jennies were divided into 2 equal groups, one group receiveing the additional dietary supplement of mallow capsules. Milk was collected at day 30 post foaling and every 30 days for 4 times. In this period we have also surveyed the flora of the pastures near the farm. The chemical composition and the antioxidant characteristics of milk from two groups were determined. No differences were observed in chemical composition. The antioxidant activity (ABTS essay) resulted significantly higher (P<0.05) in the treated group in the last control only (79.54 vs 55.52 %).