Carotenoid, Tocopherol, and Phenolic Compound Content and Composition in Cover Crops Used as Forage

Abstract

Secondary compounds of grassland and forage plant species such as vitamins or phenolic compounds are involved in different health-promoting effects in animals. However, information on their concentration and composition in forage plant species remains scarce. The objective of this study was to characterize the composition of secondary compounds of seven grazed cover crop plant species harvested at two stages of growth. Carotenoids and tocopherols were characterized and quantified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array, and soluble phenolic compounds were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. All species were rich in carotenoids, especially at the vegetative stage, even if the concentrations varied between plant species. Variations in tocopherol concentrations and phenolic composition were more important between plant species than between stages within species. Among the plant species tested, sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop) contained the most secondary metabolites.

Morpho-physiological and anatomical characteristics of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in silvopastoral and monoculture systems

“…In both treatments, carotenoids were greater (p < 0.05) in the first three periods of the wet season and in the transition period (dry-wet) than in the last period of the wet season, the transition period (wet-dry) and the dry season (Table 4). Carotenoids are essential components in the photosynthetic antenna complex, contributing to the absorption of incident radiation and dissipation of excess absorbed energy, among other functions (Taiz et al, 2015) and, in general, forage grasses and cover crops used as forage are rich sources of carotenoids (Maxin, Cornu, Andueza, Laverroux, & Graulet, 2020;Nozière et al, 2006). Under water or light stress conditions, carotenoids concentration in the leaves tends to increase (Shao et al, 2014), which corroborates the results found in this experiment.…”

Fatty acid profile, secondary compounds and antioxidant activities in the fresh forage, hay and silage of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium)

“…The FA proportions of fresh sainfoin, hay and silage are in line with those reported by Lobón et al, 9 Toral et al 23 and Girard et al, 24 respectively. Previous work has reported data for the carotenoids and tocopherols in fresh sainfoin, 25,26 but not for silage or hay. Cabiddu et al 27 reported the FA profiles for fresh sulla at different stages and Priolo et al 28 reported that fresh sulla before flowering contained the most abundant C18:3 n-3, C16:0 and C18:2 n-6 contents, but no data on the FA, carotenoids, tocopherols and antioxidant activity of preserved sulla are available.…”

“…and Girard et al ., 24 respectively. Previous work has reported data for the carotenoids and tocopherols in fresh sainfoin, 25,26 but not for silage or hay. Cabiddu et al 27 .…”

Plasma fatty acid profile in Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows supplemented with natural polyphenols from the olive plant Olea Europaea L.

“…In pasture-based grazing systems, access to polyphytic pastures, with high plant biodiversity, ensures an appropriate polyphenol intake ( Avondo et al., 2013 ). In intensive systems, it is beneficial to supplement the diet with polyphenol-rich feed supplements ( Fraisse et al., 2007 ; Maxin et al., 2020 ). Several studies where the management strategy included diets supplemented with natural antioxidants showed an improvement of bovine milk ( Castillo et al., 2013 ) and goat meat ( Adeyemi et al., 2016 ) quality, the improvement of animal health, and a strengthening of the immune response with a consequent reduction in the use of antibiotics and hormones ( Cimmino et al., 2018 ).…”

“…Polyphenols represent a wide class of plant substances with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties ( Gupta et al., 2014 ). Several studies have shown that the inclusion of polyphenols in the diet of farm animals, through plant extracts, induces positive effects on the quality of animal products with beneficial effects on animal welfare and human health ( Castillo et al., 2013 ; Gupta et al., 2014 ; Adeyemi et al., 2016 ; Cimmino et al., 2018 ; Maxin et al., 2020 ). Alagawany and Abd El-Hack ( 2015 ) reported that the administration of rosemary extract, rich in phenolic compounds, to laying hens resulted in an increase in blood concentrations of IgA and IgM and in superoxide dismutase activity resulting in an increase in competence immunity and antioxidant capacity.…”