Animal Science and Food Technology

Fatty acid composition of cow milk fat under the influence of humic acids

Olha Iakubchak, Natalya Tiskivska, Svitlana Midyk, Ivanna Tyufanova, Alina Omelian
Download article
Abstract

The fatty acid composition of milk from healthy animals is relatively stable and within the appropriate limits. Adding an organic feed mixture based on humic acids to the diet of dairy cows can affect the content of the main components of milk and change its fatty acid composition. The study was conducted to determine the effect of an organic feed mixture made on the basis of humic acids on the mass fraction of fat in cow milk and its fatty acid composition. An organic feed mixture made on the basis of humic acids was included in the diet of cows (dosage: 20 g/100 kg of body weight). Milk samples (volume 500 cm3 each) were taken from cows of the experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups at the beginning of the experiment and on the 65th day after the mixture was applied. 21 fatty acids were identified and quantified by gas chromatography. It was found that the mass fraction of fat in the milk of cows in the experimental group increased (at p<0.05) 65 days after the modification of the diet, which may be the result of better assimilation of feed ingredients under the influence of humic acids. An increase in long-chain fatty acids was noted: myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0), but these changes were not statistically significant. An increase in heptadecanoic (C17:0) at p<0.01 and stearic (C18:0) at p<0.05 fatty acids was found. Long-chain fatty acids are synthesised by the absorption of circulating fatty acids, dietary fats absorbed from the digestive tract, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) from mobilised fat stores. The synthesis of heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) is carried out by the bacterial microflora of the rumen, which indicates an increase in the number of bacteria under the influence of humic acids. The change in the isomeric composition of unsaturated fatty acids in milk occurred due to octadecene (elaidic) acid (C18:1) (trans-9), and a tendency to increase the intermediate products of rumen hydrogenation – linoleic acid C18:2 (cis-9:12) was also noted. The biological value of milk fat is characterised by the saturation coefficient, which is determined by the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated. The saturation coefficient of milk of the experimental and control groups did not significantly differ

Keywords

mass fraction of fat; saturated short-chain fatty acids; unsaturated long-chain fatty acids; humic acids

Suggested citation
Iakubchak, O., Tiskivska, N., Midyk, S., Tyufanova, I., & Omelian, A. (2025). Fatty acid composition of cow milk fat under the influence of humic acids. Animal Science and Food Technology, 16(3), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.31548/animal.3.2025.24
References
  1. Abo-Zeid, H.M., El-Zaiat, H.M., Morsy, A.S., Attia, M.F.A., Abaza, M.A., & Sallam, S.M.A. (2017). Effects of replacing dietary maize grains with increasing levels of sugar beet pulp on rumen fermentation constituents and performance of growing buffalo calves. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 234, 128-138. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.09.011.
  2. Alsudays, I.M., et al. (2024). Applications of humic and fulvic acid under saline soil conditions to improve growth and yield in barley. BMC Plant Biology, 24, article number 191. doi: 10.1186/s12870-024-04863-6.
  3. Angeles, M.L., Gómez-Rosales, S., & Téllez-Isaias, G. (2022). Mechanisms of action of humic substances as growth promoters in animals. In M. Abdelhadi (Ed.), Humus and humic substances – recent advances (Chapter 2). London: IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.105956.
  4. Begma, N., Mykytiuk, V., & Kravchuk, K. (2024). Evaluation of the efficiency of using a preparation of humic nature as a feed additive in the diet of dairy cows of the Holstein breed. Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies. Series: Agricultural Sciences, 26(100), 263-272. doi: 10.32718/nvlvet-a10040.
  5. Comerford, K.B., Miller, G.D., Boileau, A.C., Masiello Schuette, S.N., Giddens, J.C., & Brown, K.A. (2021). Global review of dairy recommendations in food-based dietary guidelines. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, article number 671999. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.671999.
  6. DSTU 3662:2018. (2019). Raw cow's milk. Technical conditions. Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page.html?id_doc=77350.
  7. DSTU ISO 488:2007. (2009). Milk. Determination of fat content by mass. Gerber fat meters (ISO 488:1983, IDT). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=69846.
  8. DSTU ISO 5508-2001. (2003). Animal and vegetable fats and oils. Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography (ISO 5508:1990, IDT). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page.html?id_doc=92877.
  9. DSTU ISO 5509-2002. (2003). Animal and vegetable fats and oils. Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (ISO 5509:2000, IDT). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page.html?id_doc=92879.
  10. DSTU ІSО 1211:2002. (2003). Milk. Gravimetric method for the determination of fat content (Control method) (ISO 1211:1999, IDT). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=67399.
  11. El-Zaiat, H.M., Morsy, A.S., El-Wakeel, E.A., Anwer, M.M., & Sallam, S.M. (2018). Impact of humic acid as an organic additive on ruminal fermentation constituents, blood parameters and milk production in goats and their kids growth rate. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 27(2), 105-113. doi: 10.22358/jafs/92074/2018.
  12. European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes. (1986, March). Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/168007a67b.
  13. Golubets, R.A., Golubets, O.V., Shkaruba, S.M., & Vishchur, О.І. (2011). Amount of biologically active fatty acids in butter manufactured in Ukraine. The Animal Biology, 1-2, 77-86.
  14. Gómez-Cortés, P., Juárez, M., & de la Fuente, M.A. (2018). Milk fatty acids and potential health benefits: An updated vision. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 81, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2018.08.014.
  15. Hassan, A.A., Salem, A.Z.M., Elghandour, M.M.Y., Abu Hafsa, S.H., Reddy, P.R.K., Atia, S.E.S., & Vidu, L. (2020). Humic substances isolated from clay soil may improve the ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and fatty acid profile: A novel approach in dairy cows. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 268, article number 114601. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114601.
  16. Hou, H., Tang, Y., Zhao, J., Debrah, A.A., Shen, Z., Li, C., & Du, Z. (2023). Authentication of organically produced cow milk by fatty acid profile combined with chemometrics: A case study in China. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 120, article number 105297. doi: 10.1016/j.jfca.2023.105297.
  17. Hryshchuk, I., Karpovskiy, V., Zhurenko, O., Kryvoruchko, D., & Gutyj, B. (2022). The content of saturated fatty acids in the blood plasma of cows in the winter period depends on autonomic nervous regulation. Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies. Series: Veterinary Sciences, 24(106), 114-118. doi: 10.32718/nvlvet10618.
  18. Hultyayeva, O.V., Petruk, A.P., & Vlizlo, V.V. (2017). Effect of fat content in cows diet and pH of rumen on ruminal fermentation and fatty acid composition of milk fat. The Animal Biology, 19(2), 23-29. doi: 10.15407/animbiol19.02.023.
  19. Iakubchak, O., Martynenko, O., Taran, T., Pylypchuk, O., Naumenko, T., Tverezovska, N., Menchynska, A., & Stetsyuk, I. (2024). Analysis of the hard rennet cheese microbiota at different stages of the technological process. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 18, 899-918. doi: 10.5219/2011.
  20. Kansagara, Y.K., Savsani, H.H., Chavda, M.R., Chavda, J.A., Belim, S.Y., Makwana, K.R., & Kansagara, B.K. (2022). Rumen microbiota and nutrient metabolism: A review. Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika, 37(4), 320-327. doi: 10.18805/BKAP486.
  21. Kholif, A.E., Matloup, O.H., El-Bltagy, E.A., Olafadehan, O.A., Sallam, S.M.A., & El-Zaiat, H.M. (2021). Humic substances in the diet of lactating cows enhanced feed utilization, altered ruminal fermentation, and improved milk yield and fatty acid profile. Livestock Science, 253, article number 104699. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104699.
  22. Law of Ukraine No. 3447-IV “On the Protection of Animals from Cruelty”. (2006, February). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/3447-15#Text.
  23. Lou, W., Brito, L.F., Zhao, X., Bonfatti, V., Li, J., & Wang, Y. (2024). Selection of the most informative wavenumbers to improve prediction accuracy of milk fatty acid profile based on milk mid-infrared spectra data. Animal Research and One Health, 2(4), 417-430. doi: 10.1002/aro2.72.
  24. Malyugina, S., & Horky, P. (2024). The effect of humic acid supplementation on selected ruminal fermentation parameters and protozoal generic distribution in cows. Agriculture, 14(10), article number 1663. doi: 10.3390/agriculture14101663.
  25. Markiewicz-Kęszycka, M., Czyżak-Runowska, G., Lipińska, P., & Wójtowski, J. (2013). Fatty acid profile of milk ‒ a review. Journal of Veterinary Research, 57(2), 135-139. doi: 10.2478/bvip-2013-0026.
  26. Mehmet, G., & Songül, Y. (2021). Effect of adding humate to the ration of dairy cows on yield performance. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 68, 7-14. doi: 10.33988/auvfd. 626066.
  27. Miciński, J., Zwierzchowski, G., Kowalski, I.M., Szarek, J., Pierożyński, B., & Raistenskis, J. (2012). The effects of bovine milk fat on human health. Polish Annals of Medicine, 19(2), 170-175. doi: 10.1016/j.poamed.2012.07.004.
  28. Mylostyvyi, R., Midyk, S., Izhboldina, O., Cherniy, N., & Kornienko, V. (2023). Changes in the qualitative composition of the milk of Holstein cows during summer chronic heat stress. Jurnal Ilmu Ternak dan Veteriner, 28(2), 112-121. doi: 10.14334/jitv.v28.i2.3151.
  29. Paszczyk, B., & Tońska, E. (2025). Influence of plant additives on changes in the composition of fatty acids, lipid quality indices and minerals of fermented dairy products from cow’s milk. Molecules, 30(2), article number 235. doi: 10.3390/molecules30020235.
  30. Potůčková, M., & Kouřimská, L. (2017). Effect of humates in diet of dairy cows on the raw milk main components. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 11(1), 558-563. doi: 10.5219/748.
  31. Ruiz, J.P.A., Alonzo, M.W., & Pertíñez, M.D. (2016). Conjugated linoleic acid of dairy foods is affected by cows’ feeding system and processing of milk. Scientia Agricola, 73(2), 103-108. doi: 10.1590/0103-9016-2015-0051.
  32. Sadvari, V.Y., Shevchenko, L.V., Midyk, S.V., Korniyenko, V.I., Slobodyanyuk, N.M., Pylypchuk, О.S., Naumenko, T.V., & Stetsiuk, I.M. (2025). Fatty acid profile of artisanal hard cheeses made from raw goat milk during the ripening process. Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems, 16(1), article number e25002. doi: 10.15421/0225002.
  33. Sadvari, V.Y., Shevchenko, L.V., Slobodyanyuk, N.M., Tupitska, O.M., Gruntkovskyi, M.S., & Furman, S.V. (2024). Microbiome of craft hard cheeses from raw goat milk during ripening. Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems, 15(3), 483-489. doi: 10.15421/022468.
  34. Strzałkowska, N., Jużwik, A., Bagnicka, E., & Krzyżewski, J. (2009). Chemical composition, physical traits and fatty acid profile of goat milk as related to the stage of lactation. Animal Science Papers and Reports, 27(4), 311-320.
  35. Teter, A., Domaradzki, P., Kędzierska-Matysek, M., Sawicka-Zugaj, W., & Florek, M. (2023). Comprehensive investigation of humic-mineral substances from oxyhumolite: Effects on fatty acid composition and health lipid indices in milk and cheese from Holstein-Friesian cows. Applied Sciences, 13(17), article number 9624. doi: 10.3390/app13179624.
  36. Teter, A., Kędzierska-Matysek, M., Barłowska, J., Król, J., Brodziak, A., & Florek, M. (2021). The effect of humic mineral substances from oxyhumolite on the coagulation properties and mineral content of the milk of Holstein-Friesian cows. Animals, 11(7), article number 1970. doi: 10.3390/ani11071970.
  37. Vašková, J., Veliká, B., Pilátová, M., Kron, I., & Vaško, L. (2011). Effects of humic acids in vitro. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology – Animal, 47, 376-382. doi: 10.1007/s11626-011-9405-8.
  38. Yakubchak, O., Kravchenko, I., Tyshkivska, N., Tyshkivsky, M., & Dzhmil, V. (2023). Influence of humic acids on of cows milk productivity and indicators of milk quality and safety. Scientific Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2, 67-74. doi: 10.33245/2310-4902-2023-184-2-67-74.
  39. Yakubchak, O.M., Таran, Т.V., Midyk, S.V., Danchuk, V.V., Dudchenko, N.Ya., & Vygovska, L.M. (2021). Quality of raw milk and its fatty acid composition. Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 12(3).