Effect of Feeding Barki Ewesby Halophytic Plants on the Gross Chemical Composition, Elements Content and Anti- Oxidants Compounds

To study the effect of feeding halophytic plants on the composition and quality of Barki ewes milk. Forty Barki ewes 3-4 years old with average live body weight of (45.2 ± 0.47 kg) were divided into lower similar groups (ten lactating ewes in every group ). The first group (control) fed on the rationconsisted of concentrate feed mixture (CFM),rice straw plus Berseem Hay (BH) at levels of 60:10:30 % respectively.Berseem Hay (BH) for the other three group’s was replaced by leaves and stems of (Acacia, Atriplex and Cassava) for 2, 3 and 4 groups , respectively. Ewes were suckled from delivery until weaning kids. Milk samples were collected for each group from second week till to seventh week. Results showed that, the milkyield increased in the experimental groups than in control, either weekly or after 7 weeks of lactating period , with the exception of ( Atriplex ) treatment . Cassava treatment had the maximum total milk yields all over the suckling period , followed by Acacia , Hay and Atriplex treatments ,respectively.The highest content of milk fat was noticedat seventh week for control group (BH) , while Cassava group scored the lowest one . Protein content was higher in Acacia and Atriplex than in Hay and Cassava at all lactation weeks.Lactose content was the highest inAcacia group milk , and the lowest in Cassava group , at seventh week . Total solids ( TS ) content was lower in Cassava than in the other groups during the 1 six weeks of lactation.The highest value of TS was noticed in Hay group , at the seventh lactation week.Atriplex group had the highest ash content at seventh week. Acidity values of milk among the four groups ranged betwee0.16 to 0,20% ,density values were found lower in control group than in the other groups along the lactation period . Frozen points of milk of all groups were found approximately similar of– 0.61, after 7 weeks. Macro-elements ; calcium , phosphorus , sodium and potassium of ( Atriplex ) had the highest contentsat 7week, while the lowest were obtained in control (BH) group . Micro elements; ferric , manganese , magnesium , zinc and copper were higher in some treatments , and lower in the others , during the lactating period . Anti-oxidants compunds were determined in milk , curd and whey of each group separately.Average of total anti-oxidants values of phenols,flavonoids, carotenoids and tannins were found higher in milk of groups fed on the halophytic plants, and the highest value was found in (Cassava) group milk, while the lowest was in control group.Control groupmilk curd contained the lowest total anti-oxidant compounds, compared with the other groups fed on the halophytic stems and leaves. Cassava group milk curd had the highest values. Total anti-oxidant compounds in whey of the four groups were found lower than that of the milk or curd ,and the highest value was in Cassava group, while the lowest value was found with control group. Generally ,it was found that milk yield of control group was lower than the yield of the other groups , with the exception of Atriplex group. Gross composition of milk groups Cassava , Acacia and Atriplex was superior than the other one of control group . Similar trend was noticed in macro-elements. Values of micro-elements varied among the four groups. Concerning milk anti-oxidants compounds , control group recorded the lowest values , and Cassava group had the highest values.