The interest in natural antioxidants has increased because they are considered to be safe, and have greater application potential for consumer’s acceptability of milk products. Polyphenol compounds being a source of natural antioxidants, which have received substantial attention because of their antioxidant activities for consumers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of red yeast rice polyphenol extract on apparent digestibility, antioxidant activity, milk production, and fatty acid in lactating dairy goats. A total of 32 multiparous Guanzhong dairy goats were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups. The goats were fed a basal diet or a diet supplemented with 1, 2, or 3 g/kg of red yeast rice polyphenol extract. Animals received their diets for 10 wk. Dry matter intake and milk yield were recorded daily, fecal samples were collected in the last 7 d, blood and ruminal fluid were collected at 1, 28, and 56 d, milk quality sample was collected on the last 2 d of each week in the 3 to 10 wk. Our results show that the feeding of red yeast rice polyphenol extract increases apparent digestibility, enhances antioxidant activity, promotes milk production, increases milk n-3 PUFAs, and improves rumen fermentation of dairy goats.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.