The Effect of Sustainable Feeding Systems, Combining Total Mixed Rations and Pasture, on Milk Fatty Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity in Jersey Dairy Cows

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Until now, only a limited number of studies have addressed the influence of combining grazing with total mixed rations (TMRs), in Jersey cows, on milk biocomponents and antioxidant capacity. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare fatty acid (FA) profiles and antioxidant capacity in milk yielded by cows fed either using a TMR or a partial mixed ration (pTMR) combining a TMR and grazing. The second objective consisted in evaluating FA profiles and changes in lipophilic antioxidants in milk during the grazing period and related to pasture chemical composition. Although the pTMR feeding system led to a decreased daily milk production, milk quality was improved. By comparison, cows having access to pasture (pTMR group) yielded a milk with a higher fat and protein content, but with lower saturated FAs (SFA) and a higher content of unsaturated FAs considered benefic for human health (vaccenic acid (VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega-3 FA (n-3 FA)). Similarly, lipophilic antioxidant (α-tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene) content was higher in the pTMR group, resulting in a higher total antioxidant capacity in milk. The grazing period showed a significant influence on milk quality; in the milk from the pTMR group, the highest concentrations of benefic FAs (VA, CLA, and n-3 FA), the highest concentration of fat-soluble antioxidants, and the best antioxidant activity, respectively, were obtained in the first grazing period (May), in accordance with the pasture’s chemical composition. ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to assess the effect of using pasture combined with total mixed ration (TMR) on milk production and composition, fatty acid (FA) profiles, fat-soluble antioxidant content, and total milk antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, the effect of milk pasteurization and storage at 2 °C for 4 days, lipophilic antioxidants and TAC were assessed. Two homogeneous groups of Jersey cows (n = 8) were constituted, which were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments: TMR (without access to pasture), or partial mixed diet (pTMR: grazing 8 h/day + TMR indoors). To establish FA profiles and lipophilic antioxidants’ changes in milk during the grazing period, in case of the pTMR group the experimental period was spilt in three grazing periods: P(1) (May), P(2) (June), and P(3) (June/July). Milk yielded from cows having limited access on pasture (pTMR diet) showed an improved FA profile, with higher concentrations of FAs considered benefic for human health (vaccenic acid (VA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega-3 FA (n-3 FA)) (p < 0.01) and a lower concentration of FAs with hypercholesterolemiant potential (C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0) (p < 0.05), compared to that of the TMR diet. This change in FA profile was correlated with improved sanogenous lipid indices of milk fat (n-6/n-3 FA atherogenic index and thrombogenic index). Milk yielded during the P(1) grazing period had higher concentrations of VA, CLA, and n-3 FA (p < 0.05) and lower concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 (p < 0.01); it exhibited the best values for the main sanogenous fat lipid indices of fat. Moreover, pTMR milk showed a higher α-tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene content (p < 0.05), positively correlated with TAC values in milk (P(1) ˃ P(2) ˃ P(3)). By comparison, cows fed using the TMR diet yielded a higher quantity of milk (p < 0.05), but a lower fat and protein content (p < 0.01), and also a higher saturated FAs and n-6 FA content (p < 0.05) together with a lower concentration of lipophilic antioxidants in milk. Thermal treatment showed no effect on α-tocopherol and retinol content in milk, but their concentrations decreased during the storage, at the same time a TAC decrease. The results of this study prove the positive effect of using pasture combined with TMR on FA profiles, milk antioxidant content, and antioxidant capacity, with beneficial effects on nutrition and health in humans.