Supplementation of cow diet with rapeseed and carrots: Influence on fatty acid composition and carotene content of the butter fat

A total of 32 Montpellier dairy cows were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments including a control, supplementation with ground rapeseed, carrots and both carrot and rapeseed. This was aimed in order to improve the butter quality with regard to spreadability and color. Milk samples were drawn after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, churned and rendered to reconstitute the pure milk fat. Fat samples were analyzed for their fatty acid profiles and total carotene content. It was shown that the enrichment of carotene by feeding carrots counteracts the incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids. However, a time-dependent adaptation to high levels of both carotene and unsaturated fatty acids was observed. Journal compilation