Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as an antibiotic alternative determining the hygienic quality of cow’s milk from organic farms

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as an antibiotic alternative determining the hygienic quality of cow’s milk from organic farms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effi cacy of cow’s diet supplementation with a garlic as an antibiotic alternative in the prevention and treatment of subclinical mastitis. The study was conducted on an organic farm located in the Natura 2000 area in the Narew river valley. The major criterions of choosing organic farm to the experiment were as follows: possession a herd of Black and White Polish Holstein-Friesian cows (numbering more than 30 cows) with diagnosed subclinical mastitis and holding a certifi cate for ecological production and compliance with organic farming standards. The study involved 7 cows diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, whose diet was supplemented with a garlic in a dose of 5 g/per capita/per day. The supplement was administered every day at the same time (in the evening), for 21 days individually into each animal’s feeder. The hygienic status of milk samples, measured based on the somatic cells count (SCC) and colony forming units (CFU), was investigated as an indicator of the subclinical mastitis (initial level is a diagnosis). The dietary inclusion of garlic has improved each of the above-mentioned traits during supplementation, without compromising milk production and technological quality. After 21 days of supplementation, the SCC and CFU decreased by about 60%. The study needs to be repeated, taking into account the greater number of cows.