Tanker Milk Variability According to Farm Feeding Practices: Vitamins A and E, Carotenoids, Color, and Terpenoids

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the variability in the composition of bulk milk mixtures of fat-soluble compounds (vitamins A and E, carotenoids, and terpenoids) and assess the links with milk production conditions. Milk from 10 collection trips in the French department of the Haute-Loire (10 to 36 herds per trip) was sampled in the tanker twice during the winter period and 3 times during the grazing season. The collection trips differed in their altitude (440 to 1,150 m) and the forage system (grass or based on corn silage). Vitamins A and E, carotenoids, and terpenoids of the 50 tanker loads of milk were analyzed. Data of milk production conditions in the 204 farms made it possible to constitute indicators for the collection trip and to define 50 mean herds. The relationships between mean herd characteristics (breed, stage of lactation, and feed) and milk characteristics were investigated. The constituents of tanker loads of milk were comparable to those observed in milk produced by groups of animals receiving contrasting diets (rich in concentrate or corn silage vs. pasture). The characteristics of the milk differed according to the period; those produced at grazing were more yellow (1.02 +/- 0.4; mean of difference) and richer in beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin E (2.0 +/- 1.2, 0.23 +/- 0.12, and 6.1 +/- 5.0 mug/g of fat, respectively), and sesquiterpenes (2.7 +/- 2.5) than winter. The variations observed for beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin E were linked to the proportion of grazed grass or grass silage in the forage (r = 0.66, 0.69, and 0.51, respectively), unlike the vitamin A content. During grazing, 20 of the 32 terpenoids identified were associated with the proportion of permanent grassland available for grazing or cut. These results show that feeding is an effective way to modify the quality of dairy products, even in the case of bulk tank milk mixtures. Dairy plants could market different milks, which would contain specific compositions.

Effect of short-term versus long-term grassland management and seasonal variation in organic and conventional dairy farming on the composition of bulk tank milk

“…The higher concentrations of α-tocopherol, β-carotene and unchanged concentrations of retinol in milk from the indoor feeding periods compared with the outdoor feeding periods were unexpected and in contrast to other studies (Lindmark-Månsson et al, 2003;Agabriel et al, 2007). Concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins in silage decrease during storage (Beeckman et al, 2010), and therefore lower values in milk would be expected during the indoor feeding periods.…”

Carotenoids, ergosterol and tocopherols in fresh and preserved herbage and their transfer to bovine milk fat and adipose tissues: A review

“…A commonly known effect of season has been demonstrated by the data of Agabriel et al (2007) in French tank (bulk) milk. Milks produced during the grazing period were yellower than during winter feeding with preserved forages.…”

“…Agabriel et al (2007) demonstrated the effect of season in French tank milks. Mean α-tocopherol contents were 18.8-21.7 and 10.5 mg kg -1 of milk fat between May and September, and in March, respectively.…”

Organic vs. Conventional Milk: Some Considerations on Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Iodine Content

“…In particular, these fat-soluble vitamins present in organic milk are positively correlated with the animal feed, and the highest concentrations are found in grass, legumes, and other green plants [30,43]. Hence, as highlighted by many studies, organic milk is richer in alpha tocopherol and beta carotene (only present in cow's milk) than conventional milk.…”