Vol. 8, Issue 10 (2019)

Author(s):
Annie VR, Karthiayini K, Sreekumar TR, Rajesh K and Lucy KM

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to evaluate the changes in the antioxidant level of milk in different phases of lactation in Malabari goat and Vechur cattle, the native breeds of Kerala. Milk samples from 6 animals each of Malabari goats and Vechur cattles were collected separately at early, mid and late lactation period. Total antioxidant capacity was estimated by using ferric reducing antioxidant power. The study revealed that, irrespective of species the antioxidant capacity of milk at early lactation was higher than that at mid and late lactation. Throughout the lactation period the antioxidant capacity of Vechur milk was higher than that of goat milk (p<0.01). The study further indicates that, irrespective of the species milk during the early lactation contained significantly higher content of antioxidants than the other two stages of lactation. High antioxidant capacity of milk of Vechur cattle is suggestive of high medicinal value which may be due to abundant presence of bioactive pep­tides.