Fatty acid composition, vitamin A content and oxidative stability of milk in China

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of geographical region and lactation stage on the fatty acid composition, vitamin A content and oxidative stability of milk from Holstein cows and to determine the relationship between milk fat components and milk stability. Fatty acids composition (C10:0, C11:0, C12:0, C13:0, C14:1, C18:0, C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, γ-C18:3, α-C18:3, C20:0, C20:1 and C22:0), vitamin A and oxidative stability were differed between region, but were not affected by stage of lactation. Differences in milk composition could be related to region differences because the use of grass-based forage and altitude condition in four regions. The oxidation stability of milk was closely related to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and all-trans-retinol. MUFA were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase (r = −0.207). All-trans-retinol was positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity value (0.208), and negatively correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (r = −0.265). These findings may be used to assess and improve milk quality of china.

Keywords

• Fatty acids
• vitamin A
• oxidative stability
• geographical regions
• lactation period