Simmonds (1964), quoted by Martin (1982), found
that phenolic cinnamic acid derivatives occur in
combined form (conjugates) in all higher plants.
The benzoic acid conjugate (Brewington et al.,
1974) found in cow’s milk has a similar origin.
Brewington et al. (1974) found that milk contains
aromatic acids such as benzoic, phenylacetic and
hippuric. It is reasonable to speculate that such acids
could possibly be present in milk from cows fed A.
tortilis and to a lesser extent F. albida pods. No
attempt was made in this study to determine the
aromatic acids in the pods or in the milk, so firm
conclusions cannot be made. Further studies are
suggested to confirm the presence of such acids in
milk when cows are supplemented, particularly with
A. tortilis pods exceeding 1 kg DM per day.