Dietary Moringa oleifera improves goat milk quality: Benefits for human nutrition and the dairy industry

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This study evaluated the effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk quality in lactating goats, aiming to produce a nutritionally enriched product with health-promoting compounds. In line with this goal, milk from Moringa-fed goats exhibited higher fat, protein, and lactose contents, along with a significant reduction in somatic cell count, compared to those fed clover hay. Enhanced antioxidant status was indicated by increased α-tocopherol ( P < 0.05) and lower malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, Moringa-fed goats showed a substantial increase in both the yield ( P < 0.01) and concentration ( P < 0.001) of phospholipids, along with significant changes in their composition. This was accompanied by higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio in their milk ( P < 0.01). The study highlights the beneficial potential of dietary supplementation of Moringa silage in enriching the nutritional value of goat milk by inducing the accumulation of nutraceutical attributes. • Moringa silage improves goat milk quality in favor of human health and nutrition. • Feeding Moringa silage lowers milk somatic cell count in lactating goats. • Moringa silage elevates antioxidant levels and phospholipid content in goat milk. • Dietary Moringa silage enhances omega-3 fatty acid proportions in goat milk. • Moringa silage may improve the manufacturing processes of dairy goat products.