Evaluation of Coconut Fatty Acid Distillate (CFAD) as an energy supplement for dairy cattle

Abstract

This study addresses the utilization of coconut fatty acid distillate (CFAD) as an alternative energy source for dairy cattle, aiming to optimize its protection as calcium soap; evaluate the effects of varying protection ratios and supplementation levels on in vitro rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and fatty acid biohydrogenation; and investigate the effects of protected CFAD supplementation on nutrient utilization, blood metabolomic profiles, and lactating dairy cow performance. The research employs three experimental studies, including descriptive analysis of the protection characteristics of CFAD calcium soaps produced using CaO and CaCl2 at Ca:CFAD mole ratios of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5; an in vitro study using a 5 × 4 factorial randomized block design with varying protection ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) and supplementation levels (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%); and an integrated study comprising an in vitro experiment using a 3 × 3 factorial randomized block design with different forage:concentrate ratios (60:40, 50:50, and 40:60) and protected CFAD supplementation levels (0%, 2%, and 4%), followed by an in vivo evaluation of protected CFAD supplementation (0%, 1%, and 2%) under smallholder dairy farming conditions. Results indicate that CaCl2 and a 2.5 mole ratio of Ca:CFAD enhanced calcium soap formation, as supported by the lowest acid value and reduced carboxylic acid detected by NIRS and FTIR. Completely protected CFAD maintained rumen fermentation while increasing the relative abundance of the genus Bacteroides, nutrient digestibility, and CLA yield during fatty acid biohydrogenation. Supplementation with 2% protected CFAD in dairy cows improved ether extract and crude protein digestibility, enhanced milk production and lactation persistency, and altered serum fatty acids and metabolomic profiles without adversely affecting nutrient intake, milk composition, and energy balance. The findings contribute to dairy nutrition and protected fat technology by providing an integrated understanding of CFAD utilization, from optimization of calcium soap formation to its in vitro and in vivo evaluation, offering new insights into the potential of CFAD as an alternative energy supplement for dairy cattle. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of optimizing the protection ratio and supplementation level for effective CFAD utilization, with integrated in vitro and in vivo studies supporting 2% protected CFAD supplementation as a potential alternative energy strategy to improve nutrient utilization and dairy performance.