Composição do leite de vacas girolando alimentadas com resíduo da casca de tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer) em substituição ao milho

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of corn with increasing levels of Tucumã Hull Residue (THR) (Astrocaryum aculeatum) in the diet of Girolando cows, analyzing its effects on milk physicochemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), and fatty acid profile. Four multiparous cows, homogeneous in age, breed, weight, and lactation period, were distributed in a 4x4 Latin square design, composed of four 15-day experimental periods: nine for adaptation and seven for data collection. The diet consisted of chopped grass roughage of Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, associated with night grazing and concentrate supply, in which corn was replaced by THR at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Milk samples were collected after full milking on the last three days of each period and evaluated for physicochemical composition, fatty acid profile, SCC, and NUL. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and polynomial regression, adopting a 5% significance level. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of RCT up to 30% did not influence (p > 0.05) the physicochemical composition of the milk, SCC, NUL values, or the saturated, unsaturated, and desirable fatty acid groups. Only pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) showed a significant linear reduction (p = 0.0372). RCT, therefore, presents a promising alternative for Amazonian family farming, allowing the use of agro-industrial waste without compromising the quality of the milk produced.