Study on the effect of environmentally friendly natural sweetener stevia (Stеvia Rebaudiana B.) as energetic antioxidant and immunomodulator on the fatty-acid profile of milk for obtaining wholesome production from buffaloes.

This projects aims at investigating the influence of stevia rebaudiana as feed ingredient for dairy buffalos. Several studies suggested, that S.rebaudiana may have beneficial effects on several health-related parameters in the animals, including triglacerides, cholesterol, several immunomodulators. Furthermore, nutritionally relevant parameters can be modulated in the milk. In this study, dairy buffalos will be subjected to different diets containing S.rebaudiana and the milk will be analysed for changes in fatty acid profiles (including minor fatty acids), as well as other parameters including tocopherols, cholesterol and carotenoids. The study is expected to gain first result for possible application of S. rebaudiana in the diet of ruminants.