BOKU - Universität für Bodenkultur Wien - Forschungsinformationssystem
Gewählte Publikation:
Gierus, M; Koch, M; Schulz, H.
(2012):
Phytoestrogen carryover into cow's milk from legumes - an overview along the food chain
BER LANDWIRTSCH. 2012; 90(3): 354-379.
- Abstract:
- Phytoestrogen carryover into cowxxxs milk from legumes - an overview along the food chain Phytoestrogens are hormone-like compounds with estrogen and anti-estrogen activity, with positive and negative effects on the animal and human organism. Primary sources of phytoestrogens in human nutrition are of plant origin. Legumes are the primary source of phytoestrogens in animal nutrition, with soybean meal as the main form of concentrate being fed to livestock in conventional farms. Red clover is more frequently fed to livestock in organic agriculture and, compared with white clover or alfalfa, it contains mostly isoflavones. In contrast, white clover and alfalfa show higher contents of coumestans and lignans. Beside the different phytoestrogen compounds present in forage plants, biotic and abiotic factors may contribute to variable contents. Another important aspect of phytoestrogens in animal nutrition is their ability to be transferred into milk in dairy cattle nutrition. The contents found in milk and milk products may have adverse effects for human nutrition. Literature data suggest that the contents observed in milk are low in comparison to the values which are considered as critical in studies with animals and humans. A cumulative effect from different phytoestrogen sources however cannot be excluded. Equol is basically produced by ruminants, and milk is a potential source of equol, to which stronger estrogen and antioxidative properties are attributed in comparison with other phytoestrogens.
- Autor*innen der BOKU Wien:
- Gierus Martin