Antioxidant potential of Moringa leaves for improvement of milk and serum quality of Aardi goats

Abstract The effects of Moringa leaves as a partial replacer of alfalfa hay on oxidative status of goats' blood and milk were investigated in this study. Three dietary treatments including alfalfa (AHD), 25% Moringa oleifera Lam. (MOD) or 25% Moringa peregrina Forssk. ( MPD) diets were used in this study. Thirty goats were randomly assigned into 3 experimental groups with 10 experiment units (10 goats) each using completely randomized design. The experiment consisted of 2-week adaptation and 6-week collection data. Both MPD and MOD showed higher fat, nitrogen free extract, total phenolics, antioxidant activity than AHD. Malondialdehyde concentration of milk and serum was lower in goats fed MPD and MOD. Catalase activity, vitamin C contents and total antioxidant capacity were higher in the milk and serum of goats fed diets containing MOD or MPD than that fed AHD. Replacement of alfalfa hay in goats' diet with M. oleifera or peregrina leaves resulted in reduction of serum cholesterol and glucose levels. The results suggest that utilization of M. oleifera or peregrina leaves as a non-traditional fodder could improve both animal and consumer oxidative status and immune systems through the transfer of bioactive compounds, particularly antioxidants and vitamin C from fodder to milk.