Influence of the addition from aromatic plants on the quality of milk by Bulgarian Rhodopes cattle

Silvia Ivanova, Daniela Miteva, Pavel Todorov, Ayten Solak, Krasimir Dimov, Tsonka Ojakova

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of biologically active additives in different concentrations on the organoleptic evaluation, physicochemical and fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity and total polyphenols of cow's milk for drinking, obtained from highly productive cows by Bulgarian Rhodope breed. Adding aromatic plant additives in different concentrations, improves the qualitative and quantitative composition of milk. The organoleptic evaluation of the studied milk gives us a clear idea, that the application of a higher concentration of additives worsens its smell, taste, colour, aroma and texture, but enriches it with fibbers, minerals and fats, as a result of which the energy value also increases. Drinking milk with the addition of aromatic plants in dry form has a reduced content of saturated fatty acids, and was enriched with biologically active fatty acids, which in turn leads to health benefits from their consumption, and was expressed by lowering AI and TI and increasing cholesterolemic index. The antioxidant activity of milk was improved and the total content of polyphenols was increased, with the highest values, obtained when adding turmeric with black pepper.

Keywords: antioxidant activity; fibber; indices; polyphenols

Citation: Ivanova, S., Miteva, D., Todorov, P., Solak, A., Dimov, K. & Ojakova, Ts. (2025). Influence of the addition from aromatic plants on the quality of milk by Bulgarian Rhodopes cattle. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(4), 777–788.

Date published: 2025-08-27