Utilização de Lithothamnium calcareum em dietas de cabras leiteiras.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of different levels of Lithothamnium calcareum in diets of dairy goats on the performance and quality of milk. The research was conducted at Fazenda NUPEÁRIDO Health Center and Rural Technology Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus of Patos, Paraíba. Were used eight crossbred dairy goats breeds American Alpine x Saanen X Toggenburg, multiparous with an average production of 2,0 kg day 1 milk, distributed in two Latin squares (4x4), where each square consisted of four animals, four treatments and four periods of 20 days. Treatments were determined by of Lithothamnium calcareum concentrations in the diet, T1 = 0,24%; T2 = 0,61%; T3 = 0,99% and T4 = 1,37% of L. calcareum. The inclusion of Lithothamnium calcareum not affected (P> 0,05) dry matter intake, regardless of how it was expressed, nor the nutrients present in the diet. The average dry matter intake observed was 1,79 kg day 1, and 253,06 g day 1 crude protein for the goats receiving diets with 0,236; 0,613; 0,990 and 1,367% of Lithothamnium calcareum. The average figures for the consumption of NDF, ADF, gross energy, ether extract, phosphorus and water to the animals that received different concentrations of Lithothamnium calcareum in the diets were of 687,14 g day 1; 396,08 g day 1; 8,03 Mcal day 1; 90,60 g day 1; 5,75 g and 7,865 day 1 respectively. It was observed an increase (p <0.05) of concentrations of calcium and magnesium at the milk accoeding increased the Lithothamnium calcareum levels at the experimental diets. The enrichment of the diet of lactating goats with Lithothamnium calcareum improved the nutritional quality of milk, promoting an increase in the concentrations of calcium and magnesium.