Abstract:

Pomegranate peel is a nutritive-rich byproduct whose amounts are extensively growing due to the exponential increase in the production of pomegranate juice and "ready to eat" arils. Pomegranate peel is a rich source for antioxidants and thus may serve in the prevention of cattle diseases and in the improvement of beef and dairy products, making it an attractive component in cattle diets. Two experiments, in experimental and commercial dairy farm, respectively, were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of concentrated pomegranate extract (CPE) on performance of lactating cows. In Experiment 1, we determined effects of dose of CPE on cows' voluntary intake and milk performance whereas, in Experiment 2, we measured effects of 4% CPE addition to total mixed ration (TMR) on dry matter basis fed to lactating cows, on milk antioxidant capacity, fatty acid profile and vitamin E concentration. Furthermore, we tested the effect of pasteurization on milk antioxidant capacity.

The main results indicate that: 1. Milk antioxidant capacity can be markedly improved, presumably through the increase of CPE originated phenols. 2. a- and y-tocopherol isomers of vitamin E were higher in milk CPE-fed cows. However, these concentrations were lower than expected, presumably due to the need to improve the extraction method. 3. Not in line with our initial hypothesis, dietary CPE failed to modulate milk fatty acids profile. 4. Pasteurization did not have deleterious effects on milk antioxidant capacity. These results encourage further research on the use of dietary supplementation of CPE in dairy cows to improve health and production.