Comprehensive Investigation of Humic-Mineral Substances from Oxyhumolite: Effects on Fatty Acid Composition and Health Lipid Indices in Milk and Cheese from Holstein-Friesian Cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the oxyhumolite supplementation in the feed of cows on the profile and the nutritional indices of fatty acids (FA) in milk and cheese. To the diet of 30 cows, a 100 g/per cow/per day humic-mineral supplement with 65% humic acids was included. Milk was sampled three times: control (0 day, before the dietary modification) and on days 30 and 60 after the introduction of the supplement. For chemical analyses, samples from each cow and for cheese manufacture samples of bulk milk were taken. Fat content in the milk and the cheese, and partial sums of fatty acids profile, nutritional fatty acid ratios and indices were determined. The indicated changes in milk fat quality are difficult to unequivocally assess from a dietary point of view. Negative changes were found in the increase in the proportion of hypercholesterolemic acids (HSFA), atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices, and a decrease in the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio, the proportion of desired (DFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) FA over time of supplementation. Positive changes were also found: the increase in polyunsaturated (PUFA), branched-chain (BCFA), short- and medium-chain (SCSFA) and long-chain (LCSFA) FA percentages, and also content was reported. The cheese (30 and 60 d) showed an increase in the content (mg/100 g) of SFA (including SCFA and LCSFA), OCFA (odd-chain FA), BCFA, MUFA, and DFA. Adverse changes were observed with an increase in PUFA n6, the n6/n3 ratio, and HSFA and TI. No significant differences were found for the AI index. The preliminary results obtained are promising, although further research is needed.