Antioxidant and free radical scavenging profile of milk in various indigenous cattle breeds

The present study was undertaken to investigate the total antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity in milk of Zebu cattle viz. Kankrej, Sahiwal and Rathi during different lactation and parity in hot arid region of India. The study included 150 indigenous milking cattle (50 from each breed), viz. Kankrej, Sahiwal and Rathi, and 100 ml of milk sample was collected as a pool sample from different livestock research stations of the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner. Milk samples were analyzed by one way ANOVA and DMRT (SPPS 24) to assess total antioxidant capacity and per cent scavenging activity in milk. The results showed significant variation of antioxidant capacity (p<0.05) and percent scavenging activity (p<0.01) among three cattle breeds. Whereas, Kankrej milk had the lowest total antioxidant capacity and percent scavenging activity. Total antioxidant capacity varies significantly (p<0.01) at different stages of lactation. Late stage of lactation accounted for significantly (P<0.05) higher total antioxidant capacity as compared to early stage of lactation. Total antioxidant capacity and percent scavenging activity differed significantly (p<0.01) across parities. The results of the present study concluded that milk from the indigenous cattle breeds possesses varied type and amount of antioxidants, which can be harnessed for the promotion of different functional foods and further pharmaceutical preparations can be promoted for the benefit of entrepreneurs and society.