Supplementary Feeding with Beeswax Wastes to Lactating Zaraibi Goat Enhances Blood Parameters and Milk Composition

Abstract

Increasing milk production as well as its quality is necessary to address milk shortages around the world. However, the high cost of feed and its unavailability in some areas may pose a challenge to achieve this goal, so finding alternatives or nutritional supplements suitable for animal nutrition has become an urgent necessity. Here, we explore the effect of adding 3% old wax and 1% scraped wax (Kashta) as nutritional supplements on digestibility, some blood parameters, and milk composition in lactating Zaraibi goats. Thirty Zaraibi lactating goat weighing 40±4 kg were divided into 3 groups G1: fed total mixed ration (TMR) (control), G2: TMR+ 3% of old wax and G3: TMR+1% Kashta, after two months blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and milk samples were collected to be analyzed. The chemical composition of Kashta was higher than old wax in protein, TS, and ash while old wax exceeded Kashta concerning fat and hytochemicals. A significant increase in fat and protein digestibility and improving in antioxidant biomarkers was observed in G2 and G3 compared to G1. Superoxidase dismutase, an enzymatic antioxidant biomarker (SOD) is raised statically in G2 and G3 195.1 and 161.4, respectively. Furthermore, Glutathione (GSH) a non-enzymatic antioxidant biomarker and T3 hormone increase statically. Moreover, G2 treatment showed a progressive increase in %fat, %protein, %ash, %SNF and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)(µg/mL) in milk 4.927±0.024, 4.830±0.011, 0.780±0.005, 8.780±0.048 and 53.082±2.925, respectively.Generally, adding beeswax waste to the feed of farm animals (Zaraibi goats) enhanced the digestibility of protein and ether extract, improved blood parameters and the quality of goat milk.