β-胡萝卜素功能及其在奶牛上的应用进展

Advances in the Function of β-Carotene and its Application in Dairy Cattle

β-胡萝卜素在自然界普遍存在,而动物无法自身合成,需要通过日粮摄入来补充体内需求。由于β-胡萝卜素在动物体内可通过转化为维生素A(VA)发挥功能,具有抗氧化、免疫调节、提高动物繁殖性能等多种功能,所以被广泛应用在畜牧领域。β-胡萝卜素作为饲料添加剂应用到奶牛生产中,不仅对奶牛生长、生产有积极意义,同时通过富集β-胡萝卜素,可以使牛奶更加有营养与功能性。因此有必要充分了解β-胡萝卜素的物理、化学性质以及在奶牛机体内的消化、吸收机制,从而更好地发挥β-胡萝卜素在奶牛生产中的作用并探索牛奶中高效富集β-胡萝卜素的方法。本文结合国内外研究进展对β-胡萝卜素的功能与消化、吸收机制以及奶中富集方法进行综述,旨在为β-胡萝卜素在奶牛生产中的应用提供参考。

β-carotene is commonly found in nature and cannot be synthesized by animals themselves, so it needs to be ingested to supplement their body requirements. β-carotene is widely used in animal husbandry because of its function in animals through conversion to VA, antioxidant, immunomodulation, and improvement of animal reproductive performance. The use of β-carotene as a feed additive in dairy cattle production is not only positive for cow growth and production, but also can make milk more nutritious and functional by enriching β-carotene. Therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the physical and chemical properties of β-carotene as well as the digestion and absorption mechanisms in dairy cows, so as to better utilize the role of β-carotene in dairy cattle production and explore efficient methods for β-carotene enrichment in milk. This paper reviews the functions and digestion and absorption mechanisms of β-carotene as well as the enrichment methods in milk with the aim of providing references for the research and application of β-carotene in dairy cattle.