Manipulation of the Fatty Acid Composition of Milk by Feeding Protected Canola Seeds

¹ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, PO Box 239 Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia 2148
² Australian Agricultural Consultants, 60 Margaret Street Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2000

The feeding to dairy cows of canola seed protected from ruminal metabolism by emulsification and encapsulation in a matrix of aldehyde-treated protein resulted in a 10% increase in milk fat and no change in milk yield or protein content. Feeding the protected canola supplement significantly reduced the proportions of saturated fatty acids C_16:0, C_14:0, and C_12:0 in milk fat; there were corresponding increases in proportions of C_18:0, C_18:1, C_18:2 and C_18:3. Yield of C₁₈ monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased by 54%, which is equivalent to 143 g/d. Canola seed, enriched in C_18:1, can be included in the diet and can result in significant changes in the proportions of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat.

Key Words: protected canola • milk fat • fatty acids

Submitted on August 2, 1991
Accepted on November 18, 1991

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