Relative Effectiveness of Various Antioxidants Fed to Lactating Dairy Cows, on Incidence of Copper-Induced Oxidized Milk Flavor and on Apparent Carotene and Tocopherol Utilization

Abstract

Twenty-four cows were selected for producing milk which developed the oxidized flavor 72 hr. after adding five p.p.m, of copper. They were fed rations containing either no antioxidant, N, N'-diphenyl-para-phenylenediamine (DPPD), 2,6-di-tertiarybutyl-4-methyl phenol (BHT), 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-6-ethoxyquinoline (Santoquin), D-a-tocopheryl acetate (Myvamix), or 2-methyl-l,4-naphthoquinone (Menadione). The fat percentage of the milk was slightly increased by feeding Menadione, but was decreased by Santoquin. Tocopherol levels of the blood plasma and of the milk were insignificantly increased by DPPD, BHT, Santoquin, and Menadione, but were significantly increased by Myvamix. DPPD was the most effective antioxidant and inhibited the copper-induced flavor against five p.p.m, of copper in milk; whereas, Myvamix and Menadione gave only partial protection against one p.p.m, of copper. Editor.