Flaxseed supplementation to lactating ewes can be
used as a nutritional strategy to reduce concentrations of short-chain and saturated fatty acids and increase long-chain and polyunsaturated fatty acids in
milk and cheese. A significant increase in CLA and
linolenic acid of milk and cheese can also be achieved
by flaxseed supplementation to ewes. Feeding flaxseed
up to 260 g/animal/day (on average) had no negative
impact on milk fat and milk protein percentages or
on cheese yield and composition. Under the conditions of the present study (i.e., group feeding), the
recommended flaxseed supplementation to achieve the
highest concentration of CLA and linolenic acid is
260 g/animal/day. Further studies are required to determine coagulation properties and quality of cheese made
from milk with highly unsaturated fatty acid content.