Abstract
Simple SummaryGlobal commodity milk production relies mainly on Holstein-Friesian cows. Intensive selection has made this breed highly productive, but deterioration of health, reduced longevity, and problems with milk quality have been observed. Much of the milk produced is used for cheese production, where its coagulation capacity is crucial. Dietary modifications are used to improve the health and milk quality of cows. Recent years have seen growing interest in humic substances in animal diets. Humic substances are natural organic substances formed in soil during humification of dead organic matter. Their main components are humic acids, fulvic acids and humins. Moreover, humic substances are a rich source of easily absorbed minerals. They are considered natural and safe feed additives with a number of positive effects, including improve of animal welfare and the quality of animal products. The literature lacks information on the results of the use of humic mineral substances in the diet of cows on the suitability of milk for cheese production. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the effect of the addition of humic mineral substances from oxyhumolite to the diet of high-producing cows on the chemical composition, mineral content and rennet clotting ability of milk.The study was conducted to determine the effect of humic mineral substances from oxyhumolite added to the diet of Holstein-Friesian cows on the coagulation properties, proximate chemical composition, and mineral profile of milk. The experiment was conducted on 64 cows divided into two groups of 32 each, control (CON) and experimental (H). The group H cows received the humic mineral substances as feed additive, containing 65% humic acids, for 60 days (100 g cow/day). Milk samples were collected twice, after 30 and 60 days. After 30 days no significant changes were observed in the chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC), mineral content (except potassium), or curd texture parameters. However, the coagulation properties improved. The milk from group H after both 30 and 60 days coagulated significantly (15%) faster on average (p < 0.05), and the curd was about 36% and 28% firmer after 30 and 60 days, respectively (p < 0.05). After 60 days there was an increase in the content of fat (by 0.27 p.p.; p = 0.041), protein (by 0.14 p.p.; p = 0.012), and casein (by 0.12 p.p.; p = 0.029). SCC decreased by 20% (p = 0.023). The curds were significantly harder and less fracturable compared to the control. Calcium and iron content increased as well. The results indicate that humic mineral substances from oxyhumolite in the diet of cows can improve the suitability of milk for cheese production.
Highlights
Global milk production is continually growing, and a large portion of it is used for cheese production
After 30 days of use of the feed additive no significant changes were noted in the chemical composition or somatic cell count of the milk
We found no information in the literature about the effects of the use of humic acids in the diet of cows on the texture parameters of rennet curds
Summary
Global milk production is continually growing, and a large portion of it is used for cheese production. A key element of the suitability of milk for cheese production is its coagulation properties, which are associated with factors including chemical composition (content of protein, casein, fat, and minerals) [1,2] and somatic cell count [3]. In the European Union and in many other countries around the world, commodity milk production relies mainly on Holstein-Friesian cows. Cows of this breed are distinguished by high milk yield but are often inferior to other breeds in terms of milk quality. Research indicates problems affecting the suitability of the milk of high-producing cows for cheese production, as it may have a long clotting time and produce an insufficiently firm curd [4]. Stocco et al [1], in an assessment of the coagulation parameters of the milk of six cow breeds
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