A pilot study on effect of feeding castor (Ricinus communis) oil on milk yield and composition in lactating Kankrej cows

Abstract

Functional oils, such as castor oil are chemical substances extracted from various plants parts which provide health benefits besides their nutritive properties. A pilot study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding castor (Ricinus communis) oil on milk yield and composition in lactating Kankrej cows. Thirty two lactating Kankrej cows (21 days in milk; average 9.74 kg/d of milk yield) were assigned randomly into four treatments having 8 cows each. The four treatments were: T1: control group (without castor oil); T2: 5 ml/d castor oil; T3: 10 ml/d castor oil and T4: 15 ml/d castor oil supplementation for a period of 21 days. The average milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) yield was increased numerically by 7.6, 9.2 and 9.8%, respectively in T4 group as compared to control. The percentage of milk fat and lactose were similar among the different treatments. Milk total solids, solid-not fat and protein were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T2 than the group T1 and comparable to both in the groups T3 and T4. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of castor oil at the rate of 15 ml/d has improved milk yield and modified the milk composition in lactating Kankrej cows.