Polyphenol Characterization and Antioxidant Capacity of Multi-Species Swards Grown in Ireland—Environmental Sustainability and Nutraceutical Potential

Ruminant production systems are major contributors to greenhouse gases emissions, with animal feeding practices being the main cause for methane and nitrous oxide’s release. Although animals forages has been proven be more sustainable, traditional ryegrass monocultures still require a lot of input (e.g., fertilisers pesticides). Multi-species swards, consisting different such as grasses, forage legumes herbs, need less management fertiliser, produce dry matter, also add variety phytochemicals into diet. In particular, polyphenols have associated positive impact on health productivity. However, data phenolic composition multi-species sward components is scarce, little known about change in concentration over grazing season. The present study investigated antioxidant activity six species (perennial ryegrass, timothy, white clover, red chicory plantain) Irish season, using FRAP, DPPH•• ORAC assays. were screened individual compounds Liquid-Chromatography-Triple-Quadruple-Mass-Spectrometry. Plantain exhibited highest capacity, almost one half times higher than timothy double that chicory. Chlorogenic acid was most abundant polyphenol perennial plantain. Overall, formononetin biochanin A levels clover chicory, comparison other (p < 0.05). Variations capacity significant between 0.01) season within > This suggests regardless month, offer potential sustainable alternative monoculture swards nutraceutical compounds.