Macromineral and trace element concentrations in milk from Finnish Ayrshire cows fed microalgae (Spirulina platensis) and rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Given the lack of research regarding the effect of microalgal supplementation in dairy cows on milk min-eral concentrations, this study investigated the effect of feeding different protein supplements in dairy cow diets on milk, feces, and blood plasma mineral con-centrations, associated milk and blood plasma transfer efficiencies, and apparent digestibility. Lactating Finn-ish Ayrshire cows (n = 8) were allocated at the start of the trial to 4 diets used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment: (1) control diet (CON), (2) a pelleted rapeseed supplement (RSS; 2,550 g/d), (3) a mixture of rapeseed and Spirulina platensis (RSAL; 1,280 g of RSS + 570 g of S. platensis per day), and (4) S. platensis (ALG; 1,130 g of S. platensis per day). In each of the 4 experimental periods, a 2-wk adaptation to the experimental diets was followed by a 7-d sampling and measurement period. Feed samples were composited per measurement period, milk, and feed samples (4 consecutive days; d 17-20), and blood plasma samples (d 21) were composited for each cow period (n = 32). Data were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed effects model with diet, period within square, square and their interaction as fixed factors, and cow within square as a random factor. Cows fed ALG were not significantly different in their milk or blood plasma mineral concentrations compared with CON, although feeding ALG increased fecal concentra-tions of macrominerals (Ca and Mg) and trace elements (Co, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, and Zn), and reduced their ap-parent digestibility, compared with CON. When com-pared with CON and ALG, milk from cows fed RSAL and RSS had lower milk I concentrations (-69.6 and -102.7 mu g/kg of milk, respectively), but total plasma I concentrations were not affected significantly. Feed-ing S. platensis to dairy cows did not affect mineral concentrations in cows' blood or milk, but care should be taken when rapeseed is fed to avoid reducing milk I concentrations which may in turn reduce consumers' I intake from milk and dairy products.

Automated summary

This study found that feeding dairy cows different protein supplements did not significantly affect milk and blood plasma mineral concentrations, but could impact fecal mineral concentrations and apparent digestibility. Feeding specific supplements may also decrease iodine concentrations in milk, affecting consumer iodine intake.