Flavonoids and terpenoids in goat milk in relation to forage intake

Abstract

Milk from goats fed borage or hawthorn shows the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids. A comparison between the flavonoid content in the plants and in the milk of the goats seems to prove that the mammary route is one of the excretory pathways. Rutin and quercetin are excreted in part without modifications, while other compounds appear to have less structural complexity, indicating a metabolism that is probably mediated by the gastrointestinal microflora. The presence of phenolic compounds in the milk could affect the quality and sensory traits of the milk and milk products.