# Effects of Dietary Salt and Boric Acid on Milk Quality in Savak Akkaraman Sheep

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding salt and boric acid to the diet of Savak Akkaraman sheep affects milk coagulation and casein levels, but not basic milk composition.

## Contribution

The study reveals how dietary rock salt and boric acid influence milk physicochemical properties and casein content in a specific sheep breed.

## Key findings

- Boric acid and salt addition significantly altered coagulation times and casein levels in sheep milk.
- Selenium levels in milk varied significantly between treatment groups.
- Basic milk composition like fat and lactose remained largely unaffected by the dietary additives.

## Abstract

This research confirms the effects of varying doses of salt and boric acid addition on milk quality in Savak Akkaraman sheep. The physicochemical and elemental changes in the milk of Savak Akkaraman sheep following dietary addition with rock salt and boron were analyzed. Physicochemical analyses revealed differences in clotting time, total casein, and Se content. This method provides important information regarding the composition of this animal’s diet and the nutritional value of its milk.

This study evaluated the effects of varying dietary salt and boric acid addition doses on the milk quality of Savak Akkaraman sheep. A total of 120 animals were as-signed to six treatment groups (n = 20): control (C), rock salt (S; 10 g/day), boric acid 20 mg/day (B20), boric acid 40 mg/day (B40), BS20 (20 mg boric acid + 10 g/day rock salt), and BS40 (40 mg boric acid + 10 g/day rock salt). All analyses were performed in duplicate on six samples, taken on days 30 and 35 following the administration of the additives. Physicochemical analyses only showed significant variation in milk pH (p = 0.006), while acidity, dry matter, and ash remained unaffected. Strong positive correlations were found among protein, lactose, salt, and density (r > 0.95; p < 0.001). Coagulation times differed widely, with the longest being observed in BS20 (995.03 s) and the shortest in BS40 (141.73 s). Among mineral parameters, only selenium levels differed significantly between the treatment groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for fat, solids-not-fat, lactose, freezing point, or electrical conductivity. Importantly, boron addition had a significant influence on total casein content (p < 0.001). Overall, dietary rock salt and boric acid did not markedly alter the basic milk composition but produced notable physicochemical changes, particularly in coagulation behavior and casein levels, which may influence the technological properties of sheep milk.