Effect of dry forage of grasses and legumes species on the fatty acid profile of goat milk

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile and Health Promoting Index (HPI) of milk obtained from goats fed with dry forage of four grasses and three legumes. During the experimental period, 15 days, forty Derivata di Siria goats homogeneous for milk production, days in milk and BCS were allotted to seven groups and fed with: Lolium perenne (LP), Hordeum vulgare (HV), Avena sativa (AS), Triticosecale (TS), Medicago sativa (MS), Vicia sotiva (VS) and Trifolium incornatum (Tl). Fatty acids were detected by gas-chromatography as shows as g/100g FA. HPI was evaluated according to Chen et al., (2004). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and mean values were compared by Tukey-test. Fatty acid profile and HPI were affected by forage species. The ALA (-linolenic acid) content of milk from legumes (TI, MS and VS) showed a significant (P<0.05) increase (0.73, 0.81, 0.16) compared to grasses species AS, TS, HV, and LP (0.30, 0.40, 0.64, 0.66). On the contrary CLA (Conjugated linoleic acid) content of HV, AS and LP (0.69,0.66 and 0.57) grasses forage was higher than legumes TI, MS and VS (0.56,0.47 and 0.41). Milk from HV and TI groups showed the highest content of MUFA (Monounsaturated fatty acids) and LCFA (Long-chain fatty acids),and the lowest content of SFA(Saturated fatty acids). OBCFA (Odd-and branched-chain fatty acids) values significantly decreased from LP to HV group (4.64 to 3.76), within legumes species TI showed the highest content (4.33). The best HPI for grasses and legumes was observed in milk of HV (0.82) and TI (0.62) group, respectively. Dry forage seems to characterize in different way the fatty acids profile and HPI of milk. Milk of HV and TI groups were the most interesting from a nutritional point of view.