Evaluation of the nutritive value of wild almond seed (Amygdalus scoparia) and its effect on performance, milk fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity in lactating goats

A total of 21 dairy goats in mid lactation were randomly assigned to three experimental diets in a completely randomized design. The diets contained 0, 3, or 6% WAS, and consisted of 45% forage and 55% concentrates. Milk fat and the ratio of milk fat to milk protein were significantly lower in goats fed diets containing 6% WAS (P≤0.01). Digestibility of crude fat was higher, and that of neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber was lower in the goats fed diets containing WAS (P≤0.05). Milk fatty acids C14: 1 and C18: 1 and C16: 1, C18: 2, CLA and C18: 3 were significantly higher in animals which received diets containing WAS. Total mono unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, poly unsaturated FA (PUFA), and PUFA/saturated FA (SFA) ratio were significantly higher in the goats fed diet containing 6% WAS (27.04%, 3.94% and 0.05, respectively). Desaturation index for C16: 1 was significantly higher in WAS goats (P≤0.01). Concentration of plasma HDL in goats (38.14-39.28 mg/dL) was higher WAS goats (P≤0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of WAS to dairy goats at a level of 3 and 6% was an effective means of increasing concentrations of unsaturated FA, especially oleic, linoleic, CLA, linolenic, and PUFA in milk fat, and plasma HDL.

Evaluation of the nutritive value of wild almond seed (Amygdalus scoparia) and its effect on performance, milk fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity in lactating goats Keywords:

unsaturated fatty acid , desaturation index , dairy goat , digestibility , milk fat