Fatty acid profile, secondary compounds and antioxidant activities in the fresh forage, hay and silage of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium)

Characterization and effects of heat treatments on antinutritional components and enzyme activities in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia L.) seeds: A high-protein alternative plant-based food source

The aim of this study was to characterize and explore the food potential of sainfoin seeds, which are primarily used in their green plant form to feed livestock. A detailed assessment of the seed's proximate composition, enzyme activity levels, and antinutrient content was performed. The seeds were then subjected to infrared, hot air, and blanching treatments to examine how these processing methods affect enzyme activities and antinutrients. In addition, optimization of processing conditions was carried out using the response surface method and central composite design to ensure low antinutrient levels, minimal color change, and total enzyme inactivation. Sainfoin seeds have a crude protein content of 42 % in dry matter, making them a promising alternative plant-based protein source. They also contain 45 % dietary fiber, 9 % crude fat, and significant levels of potassium and magnesium. The unprocessed seeds exhibited 2.01 U/g lipase activity and 10.51 U/g lipoxygenase activity, which were inactivated with infrared treatment at 2000 W IR power in 75 s. In terms of antinutrients, sainfoin seeds contain 247 mg/100 g phytic acid, 2582 TIU/g trypsin inhibitor activity, 7.9 mg catechin equivalents of tannin /100 g, and 24.97 mg/100 g hydrocyanic acid. The optimal process conditions were 2000 W IR power and 105 s for IR treatment, 150 °C and 103 min for hot air treatment, and 81 °C and 16 min for blanching. The antinutrient levels and enzyme activities in unprocessed sainfoin seeds are comparable to those found in conventional legumes, although sainfoin seeds contain a higher amount of tannins. While infrared treatment was most effective for enzyme inactivation, the impact of the different processing methods varied across the parameters studied.

Variations in the milk lipidomic profile of lactating dairy cows fed the diets containing alfalfa hay versus alfalfa silage

Alfalfa is primarily stored as silage or hay in livestock production. Previous research has shown that the storage method of grass significantly influences milk composition. This study aimed to investigate milk production performance and lipid composition in dairy cows fed diets consisting of alfalfa hay or alfalfa silage as roughage. Forty-two mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were selected and randomly divided into three groups, each receiving a total mixed ration consisting of alfalfa hay (AH), 50% alfalfa silage + 50% alfalfa hay (AHAS), or alfalfa silage (AS). The results showed that milk fat content (P = 0.049) and milk fat yield (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the AH and AHAS groups compared to the AH group. With increased supplementation of alfalfa silage in the diet, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content increased significantly (P < 0.001), while ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid content (P = 0.007) and the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased (P < 0.001). The contents of sphingomyelins, phosphatidylserines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and phosphatidylglycerols in the AHAS and AS samples were higher than in the AH samples, although the differences were not statistically significant. Additionally, the content of phosphatidylcholines was significantly higher in the AS group compared to the AH group (P = 0.032). In conclusion, feeding dairy cows a diet consisting of alfalfa silage can increase the major phospholipid content and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in raw milk, which is more conducive to human health. These findings provide valuable insights into the benefits of alfalfa silage for dairy cows.

Inclusion of Sainfoin in the Concentrate of Finishing Lambs: Fatty Acid Profiles of Rumen, Plasma, and Muscle

The effects of sainfoin inclusion (Onobrychis viciifolia) in the finishing concentrate for light lambs on the fatty acid (FA) composition of the ruminal digesta, plasma, and meat were evaluated. Twenty-six weaned male lambs were divided into three groups and fed individually ad libitum for 40 days with one of three concentrates differing in the level of sainfoin inclusion: 0% (0SF), 20% (20SF), and 40% (40SF). The rumen digesta showed an increase in C18:3 n-3 concentration and a decrease in C18:1 t10 concentration when sainfoin was included in the concentrate regardless of the level of inclusion. However, the highest C18:1 t11 and the lowest C18:2 n-6 proportions were obtained only in the 40SF rumen, showing a stronger t11 biohydrogenation pathway. In plasma, most effects were associated with changes in the levels of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n-3. The meat FA profile of 40SF lambs presented higher percentages of PUFA n-3 and CLA c9,t11 and a lower PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio compared with those from 0SF and 20SF diets because of the potentiation of the ruminal t11 pathway. Inclusions of 20 and 40% sainfoin both showed beneficial effects on meat quality; furthermore, these effects were most marked in the 40% sainfoin diet.

Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) Response to Drought Stress during Early Vegetative Stage

Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) is a Mediterranean biannual anthelmintic forage. Due to its high productivity, nutraceutical value, and suitability for harsh environments, interest in this crop is growing. Under the current scenario of climate change and water scarcity, it is important to evaluate crop drought tolerance, especially for newly bred materials. Drought stress and well-watered conditions (50 vs. 80% of the field capacity) were applied in a pot experiment to compare responses of the widespread commercial variety Bellante with those of a recently released variety named 'Centauro', currently registered in the Italian national register of plant varieties but not yet available on the market. Compared to the well-watered treatment, drought-stressed plants showed lower values of fresh biomass (-69%), number of leaves (-68%), and root length (-49%). The Centauro cv. showed a different architecture to Bellante with more shoots (+43% P < 0.05) and a trend for more leaves (+25% P = 0.08). These traits are possibly related to its superior palatability. Centauro also developed a higher root length (+70%, P < 0.05) across irrigation levels. Drought stress affected condensed tannin (CT) content. A significant genotype × environment interaction was found with Centauro displaying more (+50%) and less (-35%) CT than Bellante under drought stress and well-watered conditions, respectively. The higher constitutive root length density of Centauro may be exploited in breeding programs aimed at improving the root sink, given the role of this trait in resource acquisition capacity and root-derived ecosystem services.

Nutraceutical Potential of Leafy Vegetables Landraces at Microgreen, Baby, and Adult Stages of Development

Nutraceutical compounds present in leafy vegetables have gained substantial attention due to the health benefits they offer beyond their nutritional value. The biosynthesis, composition, and concentration of these compounds vary widely among leafy vegetables and carry the influence of genetic, agronomic, and environmental factors. Recently, micro-vegetables are gaining importance among consumers worldwide and are used in gastronomy at different development stages. Another tendency is the utilization of local genetic resources as an integral component of agricultural biodiversity crucial for sustainable production. The present study identifies the nutraceutical potential of 10 leafy vegetables at the microgreen, baby, and adult development stages using local genetic resources from the Spanish Vegetable Genebank (CITA, Aragón). Specifically, two landraces for each of the following crops were used: chard (Beta vulgaris), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), borage (Borago officinalis), and chicory (Cichorium intybus). The results reinforce the value of traditional local genetics and demonstrate the potential of these leafy vegetables as a source of functional compounds (fatty acids, vitamin C, carotenoids, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and tocopherols). The observed variability depending on the crop and the developmental stage recommends the necessity of having a varied diet, since each leafy vegetable product offers a unique nutritional profile.

Effect of sainfoin proanthocyanidins on milk fatty acids from ewes rearing suckling lambs

Proanthocyanidins (PAC) can modulate the fatty acid (FA) profile of animal products and make them healthier for human consumption, but their effects are highly variable depending on several factors such as PAC chemical structure or dose. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of PAC on the milk FA profile of Rasa Aragonesa ewes fed fresh sainfoin (PAC-containing forage legume) during the rearing period of suckling lambs (4 weeks postlambing). Twenty lactating ewes rearing a single male lamb were fed fresh sainfoin ad libitum plus 200 g/d of barley. Half the ewes were orally dosed with 100 mL of water (Sainfoin Group; n = 10) and the other half with polyethylene glycol (50 g PEG4000/100 mL water, Sainfoin + PEG Group; n = 10) to block PAC effects. Sainfoin and milk samples were collected weekly to determine their FA profile by gas chromatography. Fresh sainfoin contents of C18:3n-3 decreased from week 1 to week 2, C16:0 and C18:0 increased from week 1 to week 3, and C18:2n-6 did not change. Regarding milk FA, there were minor effects of PAC on milk-saturated FA. During the whole study, the presence of PAC increased C18:0, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n-6 and n-3, and decreased C18:1 t11, branched- and odd-chain FA. However, the decrease of milk concentrations of trans-monounsaturated FA, C18:1 t10, and total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the increase of total PUFA due to the presence of PAC occurred only in week 1, while CLA c9,t11 was lower during weeks 1 and 2. The canonical analyses confirmed the differences between treatments in the FA profile of milk. Overall, the use of fresh sainfoin in the diet of lactating ewes resulted in a beneficial modification of the concentration of several milk FAs, suggesting some changes in ruminal biohydrogenation.

Feeding Dairy Ewes with Fresh or Dehydrated Sulla (Sulla coronarium L.) Forage. 1. Effects on Feed Utilization, Milk Production, and Oxidative Status

Feeding dairy ewes with fresh sulla forage (FSF), a legume species containing condensed tannins (CT), has been shown to increase feed intake, milk yield, and casein and enhances the oxidative status of animals. Dehydration of FSF could be an alternative to hay-making to preserve the nutritional properties. This research aimed to compare the responses of dairy ewes fed with diets based on sulla hay (SH), pelleted dehydrated sulla forage (DSF), or FSF in terms of efficiency of feed utilization, milk production, and the balance between oxidant (reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs)) and antioxidant (biological antioxidant potential (BAP)) substances at the plasma level. Ten first-lambing (FL) and ten third-lambing (TL) ewes of the Valle del Belice breed at 60 days in milk were allocated into five homogeneous groups fed with different diets in a partial 5 × 2 Latin square design with two phases. The diets differed for the forage basis: SHL = SH ad libitum; DSF2 = 2 kg/day DSF per head plus SH ad libitum; FSF2 = 2 kg/day FSF per head plus SH ad libitum; FSF4 = 4 kg/day FSF per head plus SH ad libitum; FSFL = FSF ad libitum. A commercial concentrate was provided to FL (0.8 kg/day per head) and TL (1.2 kg/day per head) ewes. Dehydration induced slight variations in the content of protein and fiber, showed no loss of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased the level of CT and polyphenols. The DSF2 diet resulted in a higher intake of dry matter, protein, and vitamin E compared to the other diets, whereas, compared to the FSFL diet, its intake was analogous for net energy and was lower in CT and polyphenols. The DSF2 diet was comparable to FSF4 and FSFL diets for milk yield, and to all diets for casein content and the clotting ability of milk. Ewes fed a DSF2 diet exhibited lowest values of ROMs and oxidative stress index (OSI = ROMs/BAP), indicating a better oxidative status, presumably due to the antioxidant protection exerted by the higher vitamin E intake and CT metabolites. These results confirmed the positive effects of FSF on milk production, especially due to CT intake, in improving the efficiency of dietary protein utilization, and showed how favorable effects also occur when FSF is replaced by DSF instead of SH.