PERFIL DE ÁCIDOS GRAXOS DO LEITE DE OVELHAS PANTANEIRAS SUPLEMENTADAS COM DIFERENTES FONTES LIPÍDICAS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the protected fats of soybean and palm, and of the deactivated soybean grain on the main groups of milk fatty acids of the Pantaneira breed. Twenty-five Pantaneira ewes were divided into 5 homogeneous groups, according to age, days of lactation and weight. The treatments were: control (Con), protected soybean fat (PSF), protected palm fat (PPF), combination of protected fats (Blend) and deactivated soybean grain (DSG). The sheep were milked at 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Composite samples of milk and food were collected every 14 days in 4 periods for determination of fatty acids. The lipids were esterified and quantified by gas chromatography and after grouped as of the saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The milk of the animals that received DSG had the lowest saturated fatty acid concentration, differing from the other treatments (P < 0.05). The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the milk of the animals that received DSG was higher (P < 0.05) than the other treatments. DSG can be used in the supplementation of lactating sheep with the objective of improving the milk lipid profile.