Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A004
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A004 (2025)
Niche plants as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for cattle – optimization of seeds, pomace and oils share in cattle diets
Julia Fabjanowska1*, Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev1, Szymon Milewski1, Renata Klebaniuk1
1 Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13,
20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: julia.fabjanowska@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play a fundamental role in the proper functioning of organism. Unbalanced, inadequate or excessive supplementation of fatty acids in cattle diet in the early stages of pregnancy and during fetal development can affect the metabolic and nutritional programming of the offspring and later, affect calves performance, immune response, antioxidant status, and overall metabolism. The study analyzed the nutrient composition of seeds, expellers, and cold-pressed oils of 10 plant species (hemp, sea buckthorn, flax, black cumin, milk thistle, safflower, carrot, strawberry, Evening-primroses, raspberry). Chemical analyses followed AOAC guidelines (2019). Fatty acid profiles were determined using gas chromatography with a Varian 3800 chromatograph. The estimated content of PUFA in seeds, expellers, and oils per serving (50 g for calves, 100 g for cows) was referred to the recommended daily intake of PUFA for cattle calculated based on the previous research. The results showed significant variability in PUFA content in seeds, expellers, and oils depending on plant species, which directly affected the coverage of PUFA requirements in dairy cattle. The highest PUFA share was stated in evening primrose, raspberry, strawberry, and safflower in all used forms (seed, expeller, and oil). In contrast, sea buckthorn and carrot had the lowest PUFA content, particularly for dairy cows. Analysis of the PUFA content of the seeds showed that hemp, flax, evening primrose, strawberry and raspberry seeds fully covered the PUFA requirements of the calves. In the case of pomace, the trend was similar, with hemp, flax, evening primrose, safflower and raspberry pomace having the highest coverage. All oils covered the demand except for carrot seed and sea buckthorn oil. In dried cows, a portion of 100 g of seeds, pomace and oil covered the animals’ needs in about 50%. In lactating cows, the requirement was covered on average in 17%, with hemp, evening primrose and safflower having the highest shares. These findings have practical significance for optimizing feeding strategies in livestock farming. The study also indicates that niche plant-based ingredients can be valuable sources of PUFAs, expanding the range of high-nutritional-value feed materials. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind these effects, particularly in mother-offspring interactions, to enhance health and productivity.
Keywords: niche plants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cattle diets, immune
How to cite
J. Fabjanowska, E. Kowalczuk-Vasilev, S. Milewski, R. Klebaniuk, 2025. Niche plants as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for cattle – optimization of seeds, pomace and oils share in cattle diets. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A004