Fatty acid profile of forage shrubs in northern Mexico

Abstract

Conjugated linoleic acid is considered a functional food since its consumption improves people's health. This compound is found in the milk of ruminant animals and is synthesized in the rumen and mammary gland using linoleic and α-linolenic acids as substrates, which are widely found in forage plants. However, there is little information regarding the fatty acid content in forages, particularly of native species. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of native forage shrubs that are consumed by goats under extensive grazing in northern Mexico, in 2019. To do this, a collection of consumed forage shrubs was carried out. by goats. The selected forages were determined: dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total lipids and fatty acid profile. The forage shrubs consumed by the goats in the rangeland were: huizache ( Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Wild.), mesquite ( Prosopis laevigata (Humb & Bonpl) Wild), governa (Larrea tridentata (Moç. & Seseé DC) and chaparro prieto ( Vachellia constricta (Bentham Siegler & Ebinger Waif). Of these, mesquite (CP 148 g kg -1 of DM) and chaparro prieto (CP 147 g kg -1 of DM) had the best crude protein contents, likewise, mesquite had a high concentration of linoleic fatty acids (14.21 g 100 g -1 total fatty acids) and α-linolenic acids (36.22 g 100 g -1 total fatty acids), so these forage shrubs can be considered in the diet of goats that have the objective of increasing the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in milk or meat of grazing goats.