Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
D Deepak, UK De, Ahmad Fahim and Ram Kumar Singh

Abstract:
Buffalo milk is blessed with illustrious nutritive profile viz. richer in energy, protein, vitamin and mineral content and is also one of the most consumed dairy products. Higher nutritive profiles make it as preferable food for consumption and processing to other nutraceutical dairy products and also predisposes buffalo milk for quick development of microorganisms. This predisposition to infection is further reinforced by high susceptibility of periparturient period for high bacterial infection of milk and mammary gland which ultimately affects milk quality. Existing animal husbandry feeding practices are predisposing livestock to the deficiency of micronutrient antioxidants. Enhanced oxidative stress in association to deficient micronutrient antioxidants and negative energy balance during transition period can compromise milk composition. Therefore, the present study was performed to study the effect of administration of micronutrient antioxidants around periparturient period on milk composition of murrah buffaloes. Clinically healthy twenty four buffaloes in their last month of gestation were selected and redistributed into three groups viz. control, VE and MM. VE and MM groups were administered with injection of Vitamin E & selenium & multiminerals respectively on 30th day of prepartum, 7th day of prepartum and day 2 of postpartum. The milk sample was collected on day 1, day 7, day 14 and day 28 of calving. The investigations revealed a significant increase (p<0.001) in milk fat content on day 1 of calving in the Vitamin E and selenium administered group as compared to the control group. No significant change in milk SNF, lactose, protein and pH of milk were observed between control and supplemented groups. Finally, the study concluded that the parenteral administration of vitamin E and selenium during the periparturient period improves the composition of buffalo milk.