A Study on The Changes of Linoleic Acid Concentration in Major Domestic Forage Species

Abstract

We investigated the range of linoleic acid concentrations in different forage species and harvest stages. The linoleic acid concentrations in main cultivated grasses and forage crops were analyzed at three harvesting dates in Korea. The experiment compared 19 species of main grasses and forage crops, including eight species of grasses (Perennial ryegrass, Reed canarygrass, Tall fescue, Timothy, Bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Orchardgrass and Wheat grass), six legumes (White clover, Red clover, Sweet clover, Crimson clover, Alfalfa and Hairy vetch) and five forage crops (Italian ryegrass, Barley, Rye, Oat and Rape) in Korea with three cuts (8 May, 19 May and 28 May). The linoleic acid concentrations of Reed canarygrass and Timothy were the highest, and Bromegrass was the lowest among the grass species. All grass species had high concentrations of linoleic acid at the late May harvest stage but were low at the mid May harvest stage. Legumes had higher linoleic acid concentrations than those of grasses, and harvesting in mid-May resulted in the highest linoleic acid concentration. Rape had the highest linoleic acid concentration and rye showed high concentrations of linoleic acid when compared with those of forage crops. All species of grasses and forage had decreased linoleic acid concentrations by the harvest stage. We have demonstrated opportunities to change the composition of ruminant products through breeding, selection, and management of grasses for altered levels of linoleic acid as a precursor to conjugated linoleic acid.