Effects of moringa supplementation on nutrient digestibility, metabolic hormones, milk yield and quality of murrah buffalo

The study aims to compare and analyze the nutritive value of moringa from different drying methods using proximate analysis (study 1); test the digestability of MoLM (study 2); compare the effects of MoLM in terms of milk yield and composition, putative gherlin and IGF-1 concentration (study 3); evaluate the raw buffaloes milk through sensory evaluation (study 4); and analyze the economics of using MoLM as buffaloes diet supplement (study 5). Study 1 was done by harvesting Moringa from one plant and exposed to three drying methods, i.e. oven drying (T1), sun drying (T2) and cool drying (T3). Then the samples were compared after determining the proximate analysis. The digestibility of the whole diet (forage + 2 concentrates) was determined by feeding the buffaloes (n=8) for seven days comparing 30% MoLM (T2)and 100% concentrate diets (T1) (Study 2). Then samples of MoLM and feces were taken for proximate analysis, detergent fiber analysis and gross energy. Feeding trial (study 3) of 100% concentrate (T1) vs 30% MoLM supplementation (T2) was done using eight lactating buffaloes for a period of 60 days. Body weight, milk yield and pre-prandial blood collection were taken. The SDS-PAGE was used for determining the putative IGF-1 and ghrelin. The milk yield quality and evaluation (study 4) was determined by having the samples collected and analyzed using the Philippine Carabao Center Standard. The economic analysis (study 5) was determined by comparing the cost incurred per kg of milk produced. Study 1 revealed that the proximate analyses of ash, calcium, CF and GE of moringa leaves from sun drying showed significantly higher values (P less than or equal to 0.01) than cool and oven dried methods. The apparent digestibility (Study 2) of nutrients of water buffaloes revealed higher digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, calcium and phosphorus in Treatment 1 (P less than 0.05) but ADF was higher in Treatment 2 (P less than 0.05). The milk yield and composition (study 3) showed no significant differences between the two treatments, and comparative putative hormones (IGF-1 and ghrelin) were detected in the plasma of buffaloes before and after the feeding trial. No significant putative ghrelin was observed which indicates that the moringa was degraded immediately in the rumen, reticulum and omasum. Hence, it failed to reach abomasum where ghrelin is released. This explained the observed consistent comparable milk yield in buffaloes fed with (T2) and without (T1) MoLM. The physical characteristics of raw buffalo milk produced from both T1 and T2 were of white color, no off odor to slight off odor, homogenous, milky and sweet flavored, and slight to moderate thickness. The same values in total titratable acid (lactic acid) in both T1 and T2 were also obtained in the fifth study. No significant differences between the treatments were observed. Milk produced was ideal for the processing into any or all dairy products. Moringa is a cheap source of protein, adding moringa in buffalo's diet generates a potential net income of Php9.19 per liter. This indicates that feeding concentrates with MoLM provide better milk production and income to farmers.