Productive performance, composition and lipid profile of Saanen goats milk fed with different concentrations of CITRAL (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal)

• Grant number: 12/06941-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2012
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Taissa de Souza Canaes
• Grantee: Karla Carolina de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Improve production efficiency by manipulating the ruminal microbiota using alternative additives in animal feed, has been the target of recent research, mainly due to increasing public concern related to microbial resistance to antibiotics and ionophores. As substitute products are herbal compounds such as citral, the main compound of the essential oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) that has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, and anticancer potential. Some studies have suggested that citral may cause alterations in rumen microbial population and significant effects on lipid profile of milk. However, research has focused on the use of this compound in the diet of rodents, with no reports of use in the diet of ruminants. The addition of new compounds such as citral in the diet of dairy goat, can be an alternative to improve the energy efficiency of the animal, and hence productivity and performance while adding value to their milk, improving the acceptance and commercialization. In this context, this research aims to evaluate the inclusion of different percentages of citral on physical and chemical characteristics of milk, and lipid profiles of 16 non-cannulated Saanen dairy goats housed in individual pens. (AU)