F. Pinto, M. Ragni, A. Caputi Jambrenghi, A. Vicenti, G. Marsico, L. Zezza, G. Vonghia
Abstract
The therapeutic properties of mares’ milk, important in the treatment of some illnesses, are partly due to its content of polyunsaturated acids. In order to increase this content, two groups of suckling TPR (Tiro Pesante Rapido) mares were fed on two diets (composed of vetch and oat hay and complementary feeds) with equal fiber and protein content, containing different lipid supplements (4%); the first made up of animal fat (control), the second consisting of safflower oil. A total of 48 milk samples, taken from the 10th to the 90th day of suckling, were subjected to gas chromatography analysis to determine the acidic profile. When compared with the control, the diet containing safflower oil gave milk with a lower content of saturated fatty acids and richer in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly polyunsaturated and linoleic acid.