Effect of Spirulina on Somatic Cell Count and Milk Quality

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis is a major problem threating the cows' industry in Egypt. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SCC on the milk composition and evaluate the effect of spirulina supplementation on SCC and milk quality. Total of 270 milk samples were examined using CMT, BacSomatic and Milkoscan^TMFT1 system. For evaluation of spirulina effect, ten cows were supplemented with spirulina powder (20 g per head for one month).The prevalence of SCM according to CMT and SCC was 32.2% and 54.4%, respectively.  SCC negatively correlated with Fat, protein, lactose, and casein% which had Means of 2.94±0.75, 3.48±0.37, 4.82±0.23, and 2.58±0.39, respectively at SCC (<200 ×10³cell/ml) while, at SCC above 400 ×10³cell/ml were 2.43±0.95, 3.24 ±0.33, 4.61±0.22, and 2.4±0.38, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the average of SCC from 6638.9±4675.9×10³ to 361.1±321.4×10³cell/ml after 3 weeks of spirulina supplementation. The Mean of Fat, protein, lactose, and casein% were increased from 2.84±0.29, 3.02±0.4, 4.49±0.4 and 2.34±0.28, respectively to reach 3.62±0.16, 3.65±0.43, 4.86±0.41 and 2.59±0.3, respectively and Milk yield increased from average of 21.7±3.23 kg/day to 24.2±2.39kg after 21 days of spirulina treatment. Therefore, milk quality and quantity can be improved by using Spirulina supplementation which reduces SCC.