In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Rumen-Protected Microencapsulated Supplement Comprising Linseed Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, and Hydrogenated Palm Oil on Rumen Fermentation, Physiological Profile, Milk Yield, and Milk Composition in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of adding dietary rumen-protected microencapsulated supplements into the ruminal fluid on the milk fat compositions of dairy cows. These supplements comprised linseed oil, vitamin E, rosemary extract, and hydrogenated palm oil (MO; Microtinic® Omega, Vetagro S.p.A, Reggio Emilia, Italy). For in vitro ruminal fermentation, Holstein–Friesian dairy cows each equipped with a rumen cannula were used to collect ruminal fluid. Different amounts (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) of MO were added to the diets to collect ruminal fluids. For the in vivo study, 36 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows grouped by milk yield (32.1 ± 6.05 kg/d/head), days in milk (124 ± 84 d), and parity (2 ± 1.35) were randomly and evenly assigned to 0.7% linseed oil (LO; as dry matter (DM) basis) and 2% MO (as DM basis) groups. These two groups were fed only a basal diet (total mixed ration (TMR), silage, and concentrate for 4 weeks) (period 1). They were then fed with the basal diet supplemented with oil (0.7 LO and 2% MO of DM) for 4 weeks (period 2). In the in vitro experiment, the total gas production was found to be numerically decreased in the group supplemented with 3% MO at 48 h post in vitro fermentation. A reduction of total gas production (at 48 h) and increase in ammonia concentration (24 h) were also observed in the group supplemented with 4% to 5% MO (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the in vitro fermentation results, including pH, volatile fatty acids, or CH4 among groups supplemented with 0%, 1%, and 2% MO. The results of the in vitro study suggest that 2% MO is an optimal dosage of MO supplementation in cows’ diets. In the in vivo experiment, the MO supplement more significantly (p < 0.01) increased the yield of total w3 fatty acids than LO (9.24 vs. 17.77 mg/100 g milk). As a result, the ratio of total omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was decreased (p < 0.001) in the MO group compared to that in the LO group (6.99 vs. 3.48). However, the milk yield and other milk compositions, except for milk urea nitrogen, were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that the dietary supplementation of 2% MO is beneficial for increasing omega-3 fatty acids without any negative effects on the milk yield of dairy cows.

Free and Microencapsulated Essential Oils Incubated In Vitro: Ruminal Stability and Fermentation Parameters

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its type to show the comparison between the ruminal stability of free and microencapsulated forms of different essential oil products containing either a single essential oil or a blend of different essential oils (cinnamaldehyde, thymol, and eugenol), vitamins, or pro-vitamins. Kim et al [ 34 ], in a recent in vitro study, reported a high protection effect (99%) from rumen microbes for linseed oil coated with hydrogenated palm oil after 8 h of incubation.…”

“…Microencapsulation is an emerging technology that is commonly used nowadays in human and animal nutrition for the preparation of stable products (vitamins, minerals, (polyunsaturated) fatty acids, and so on) [ 34 ]. Many studies have been conducted in the past on encapsulated EOs using different kinds of matrices to obtain the desired stability and site-specific, slow release of the products; e.g., microencapsulation with a lipid matrix is the most frequently used method for effective delivery of the product to the small intestine [ 35 ].…”

Effect of a Rumen-Protected Microencapsulated Supplement from Linseed Oil on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Fatty Acid Composition in Korean Native Steers

“…The ingredients of the rumen-protected microencapsulated fatty acid from linseed oil (MO) were linseed oil (35%), vitamin E (0.5%), rosemary extract (0.3%), and hydrogenated palm oil (64.2%). The main components of the MO were crude fat (95%) and ash (5%) [ 15 ].…”

“…The samples were dried for 10 min and then further dried in a dry oven for 48 h at 60 °C before weighing. The levels of NDF and ADF digestibility were calculated based on the following equations [ 15 , 18 ]: NDF, ADF (%) = [dried residue − (filter bag weight × C)]/sample weight × 100. Correction (C) = dried blank bag weight/original blank bag weight.…”

Improvement of nutritional quality of ruminant feed composed of soybean straw and ryegrass hay

“…Different strategies can be performed to increase the quality of animal diets, such as the use of coagulants [31]. In recent years there has been an increase in the studies about microencapsulation of organic compounds in order to improve the quality of animal diets [32,33,34], because protein protection is important. The choice of the encapsulating agent is performed according to the pH of four different ruminants' stomachs.…”