COVID-19 and the Dairy and Meat Supply Chain

The Coronavirus health emergency and the lockdown adopted in Italy and many countries are head-hitting in the agricultural and agri-food sectors

La Sulla fresca o disidratata migliora le proprietà salutistiche dei formaggi ovini

Nel settore dell’alimentazione dei ruminanti si registra un crescente interesse verso l’uso dei polifenoli per i diversi vantaggi che ne conseguono, fra i quali, l’ottimizzazione delle fermentazioni ruminali, con conseguente riduzione della metanogenesi e mitigazione delle emissioni di metano nell'ambiente; la riduzione della degradazione delle proteine alimentari nel rumine, favorendo quindi una maggiore disponibilità di aminoacidi per l'assorbimento intestinale e la riduzione delle escrezioni di azoto nell'ambiente; la protezione degli acidi grassi polinsaturi (PUFA) dalla bioidrogenazione del rumine, e il loro successivo trasferimento nei prodotti lattiero caseari e nelle carni che così …

Milk production and gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in ewes grazing either annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) or sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L) at different daily timing

Effect of legume grains as dietary protein source on the quality of organic lamb meat

Influenza della specie foraggera pascolata sulla produzione di latte ovino

The Quality of Five Natural, Historical Italian Cheeses Produced in Different Months: Gross Composition, Fat-Soluble Vitamins, Fatty Acids, Total Phenols, Antioxidant Capacity, and Health Index

Simple Summary For the purposes of raising awareness of five historical cheeses of Southern Italy that are less known by consumers, and of restoring dignity to the breeders and producers of these cheeses, we studied their quality in terms of chemical composition, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), PUFA-ω6, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, retinol, cholesterol, polyphenol content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP and TEAC), and health index (GHIC). Two stretched-curd bovine cheeses, Caciocavallo Palermitano (CP) and Casizolu del Montiferru (CdM), two ovine cheeses, Vastedda della Valle del Belìce (VVB) and Pecorino Siciliano (PS)…

Effetti del sistema di allevamento e della tecnologia di caseificazione sulla qualità del caciocavallo palermitano: prime valutazioni

Legume grain-based supplements in dairy sheep diet: Effects on milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile

With the aim to find protein sources that are free of genetically modified organisms, the effects of legume grain-based concentrates, used as alternatives of a mixed concentrate feed containing soybean, were evaluated on sheep milk production. Twelve lactating ewes were divided into four groups, fed hay and, according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, supplied with 800 g/day of a commercial mixed concentrate feed (MCF) containing maize and soybean, or the same amount of isoprotein concentrates consisting of chickpea (CH), faba bean (FB), or pea (PE) mixed with barley. The ewes ingested more of the concentrates with legume grains than the MCF (702, 702, 678 vs 587 g/day DM for CH, FB, PE and M…

Milk production and physiological traits of ewes and goats housed indoor or grazing at different daily timing in summer

During a 6 week trial in summer, 3 homogeneous groups, each consisting of 5 Comisana ewes and 5 Rossa Mediterranea goats, grazed watered forage resources during day (D) or night (N), or were housed indoor and supplied with mowed herbage (H). Maximum THI peaked at 94 at the end of July, and was almost constantly higher of 80. Milk yield was higher in N than in D and H goats, whereas N ewes produced more milk than H group, but their milk yield was higher than D ewes only in the period with the highest THI values. The lower urea in N goat milk, and the higher casein in N ewe milk, seem to indicate a better efficiency in dietary nitrogen utilization of night grazing animals. N ewes showed lower…

Effetti della specie foraggera e della tecnica di pascolamento sulla produzione di latte ovino.

L’obiettivo della ricerca è stato quello di valutare gli effetti del pascolamento su specie botaniche differenti, utilizzando sia il sistema continuo che quello turnato, sulla produzione di latte ovino. Le risorse foraggere utilizzate erano rappresentate dalla sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.), da un erbaio in consociazione di trifoglio alessandrino (Trifolium alexandrinum) ed avena (Avena sativa) e da un prato di cicoria (Cichorium intybus). Sono state utilizzate 40 pecore in lattazione suddivise in 5 gruppi omogenei, ciascuno assegnato ad uno dei seguenti trattamenti: pascolamento continuo su sulleto; pascolamento turnato su sulleto; pascolamento continuo su consociazione; pascolamento turn…

Evolution of indigenous starter microorganisms and physicochemical parameters in spontaneously fermented beef, horse, wild boar and pork salamis produced under controlled conditions

Abstract The present work was carried out to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical composition of salamis produced with the meat of beef, horse, wild boar and pork. Salami productions occurred under controlled laboratory conditions to exclude butchery environmental contaminations, without the addition of nitrate and nitrite. All trials were monitored during the ripening (13 °C and 90% relative humidity) extended until 45 d. The evolution of physicochemical parameters showed that beef and pork salamis were characterized by a higher content of branched chain fatty acids (FA) and rumenic acid than horse and wild boar salamis, whereas the last two productions showed higher values of …

Effects of Grazing on the Behaviour, Oxidative and Immune Status, and Production of Organic Dairy Cows

This study compared the effects of a short daily grazing time with those of permanent free-stall housing on the behaviour, oxidative status, immune response, and milk production of organically reared cows. During a 63-day period, two homogeneous groups of eight lactating Brown cows were allocated to either housing (H) in a free-stall building for 24 h/day. Feeding was based on a total mixed ration or grazing (G) on barley grass for 5 h/day, and housing in a free-stall structure with feeding was based on the same total mixed ration offered to the H group. With regard to behaviour, H cows spent more time idling, walking, drinking, and self-grooming, whereas G cows showed a greater intent to e…

Grazing sulla and/or ryegrass forage for 8 or 24 hours daily. 1. Effects on ewes milk production

Effect of legume grains as a source of dietary protein on the quality of organic lamb meat.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects on lamb growth, carcass traits and meat quality of replacing conventional soybean meal in the diet with alternative legume grains. RESULTS: Twenty-eight male lambs of Comisana breed weighing 16.9 ± 2.7 kg at weaning (66 ± 6 days old) were assigned to one of four diets. Until slaughter at 129 ± 6 days of age, each group received ad libitum pelleted alfalfa hay and concentrates differing in the source of protein: chickpea, faba bean, pea or soybean meal. Lambs fed chickpea showed higher dry matter and protein intakes from concentrate than those fed soybean. Lambs' growth, carcass weight and net dressing percentage did not vary by protein source, al…

Alimentazione: uno studio per l’integrazione della dieta con granelle prodotte localmente

Comparing quality characteristics of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” cheese from traditional and intensive production systems

The “Caciocavallo Palermitano” is a typical stretched curd (pasta filata) cheese, made mainly in the Palermo area, in the Western Sicily, from cow milk. The aim of this investigation was to verify the influence of the on-farm production system (traditional vs. intensive) on some qualitative characteristics of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” cheese, with particular regard to fatty acid (FA) profile. On June 2008, 1-month aged cheeses were sampled from 6 traditional farms (TRD) and 5 intensive farms (INT). In TRD farms, local cow breeds (Cinisara, Modicana or Siciliana) were fed pasture-based diet and cheeses were manufactured using artisanal wood tools by following the traditional technique. The …

Fatty Acid Composition of Salami Made by Meat from Different Commercial Categories of Indigenous Dairy Cattle

Simple Summary The Cinisara is a Sicilian breed raised on pasture to produce the Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese. Even if it is penalized by competition with meat breeds, characterized by higher growth rate and yield, the production of fresh meat represents a considerable added value for the smallfarms. The meat of Cinisara is not appreciated, despite having a high content of iron, vitamin E, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and low content of lipids and cholesterol, above all due to incorrect management of the supply chain phases that negatively affects the quality of the final product. Alternative production such as bresaola and salami could contribute to the enhancement of Cinisara meat. …

Effects of continuous and rotational grazing of different forage species on ewe milk production

Abstract The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of continuous and rotational grazing of different forage species on milk production in ewes. The forage species were chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), a mixture of oat (Avena sativa L.) and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.). Forty ewes were divided into 5 groups, and subjected to one of the following treatments: continuous grazing on chicory, continuous grazing on the mixture, continuous grazing on sulla, rotational grazing on the mixture, or rotational grazing on sulla. Among the species continuously grazed, chicory showed a lower biomass than the mixture, or sulla. Ewes grazing chicor…

Effects of proteic concentrates different from soja-bean on growth performances and meat quality of 130 day lambs.

Effects of grazing Trifolium subterraneum and Lolium multiflorum in various proportions on forage intake and milk production of dairy ewes

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of grazing Trifolium subterraneum (T) and Lolium multiflorum (L), as pure or associated crops, on forage intake and milk yield and composition in Comisana ewes. The four following fenced subplots, each of 2500 m2, were used for grazing: T, 100% of surface; L, 100% of surface; TL, T and L on 66.6 and 33.3 % of surface; LT, T and L on 33.3 and 66.6% of surface, respectively. Each subplot was divided into two parcels in order to have two replicates. Forty ewes were divided into eight homogeneous groups, with regard to milk yield, days in milk and live weight. In spring for 70 days, each group grazed daily for 8 h one of the fenced parcels. M…

Effects of diet and genotype at CSN1S1 locus on the oxidative stress in lactating goats

Twenty-eight Girgentana goats were selected on the basis of their CSN1S1 genotype as follows: 14 goats homozygous for strong (AA) alleles and 14 goats heterozygous (AF). The goats were used in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments, with the two genotypes (G) and four diets (D). The diets were: a pelleted alfalfa hay (100H), a complete feed including alfalfa hay at 65% (65H), fresh sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) forage (100S) and fresh sulla plus barley (65S). Each trial consisted of 15d for adaptation and 8d for sample collection, during which the goats received the scheduled diet ad libitum. Blood samples were collected at the end of pre-experimental and experimental period. Plasma …

Energy intake effects at pasture on milk production and coagulation properties in girgentana goats with different as1-cn genotypes

The aim of this study was to investigate whether proerties of milk from Girgentana goats of different as1-CN genotypes were affected by the energy intake at pasture. Thirty six goats were genotyped at as1-CN locus using several genomic techniques and milk protein analysis. Eight genotypes associted with low (FF, 2 goats), medium (AF, AN, BF, BN, 21 goats) and high (AA, AB, BB, 13 goats) as1-CN level have beed typed. The increase in energy intake (E) of goats from low (2.0 Mcal/d) corresponded to an increasing dry matter intake, diet CP percentage, milk yield and clotting parameters, and a reduction in milk fat. Depending on genotypes linked to increasign as1-CN, milk was higher in casein, c…

Effects of different genotypes at the CSN3 and LGB loci on milk and cheese-making characteristics of the bovine Cinisara breed

The Cinisara is an autochthonous Sicilian bovine breed reared mainly for production of Caciocavallo Palermitano, a typical stretched-curd cheese. The distribution of A and B alleles at both the β-lactoglobulin (LGB) and κ-casein (CSN3) loci in Cinisara cows and their influence on milk traits and cheese yield and composition were analysed. The LGB alleles are associated with significantly different effects on whey protein level (lower for BB genotype, P < 0.01), and casein index (higher value for BB genotype, P < 0.001), while CSN3 alleles were associated with significantly different effects on milk yield and coagulation properties; the BB genotype showed higher values for milk yield (…

Effect of diet and CSN1S1 genotype on nutritional, productive and metabolic responses of milking Girgentana goats

Feeding Dairy Ewes with Fresh or Dehydrated Sulla (Sulla coronarium L.) Forage. 2. Effects on Cheese Enrichment in Bioactive Molecules

Sulla is a tanniferous legume species largely used as fresh or preserved forage in the ruminants’ diets. Due to its content in polyphenols with antioxidant activity, especially condensed tannins (CT), fresh sulla forage (FSF), when eaten by ruminants, is able to enrich animal products with antioxidant molecules and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are beneficial for consumers’ health. Dehydration represents a valid alternative to haymaking to preserve these properties also in periods when FSF is unavailable. In this research, the effects of ewes’ diets based on sulla hay (SH), pelleted dehydrated sulla forage (DSF) or FSF were evaluated on cheese physico-chemical tr…

Effect of the dam’s feeding regimen on the meat quality of light suckling lambs. 6, suppl. 1, 570-572.

L’alimentazione al pascolo della capra da latte

Effects of adding solid and molten chocolate on the physicochemical, antioxidant, microbiological, and sensory properties of ewe's milk cheese.

Abstract: A novel dairy product, namely “chocolate cheese”, was produced with two typical Sicilian food products: Pecorino cheese, processed from ewe's milk, and Modica chocolate. The cheese, manufactured with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) solid or molten chocolate, was evaluated after 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of vacuum storage for its nutritional and health properties. The addition of chocolate reduced the pH, protein, fat, and ash; the addition of 5% or 10% molten chocolate reduced hardness (N/mm2). The addition of either solid or molten chocolate resulted in a slight increase (P < 0.1038) in the total polyphenol content, a higher oleic acid content, and less oxidative stability. The microbio…

Neuroendocrine responses in neonatal mother-deprived rabbits.

To study both short- and long-term adaptation mechanisms activated by rabbits which were separated from their mothers (DLS) for 48 h between postnatal days 9 and 11, we examined plasma corticosterone concentrations before, during, and after DLS as well as the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the hippocampus and the adrenal axis responses to a mild stress stimuli or exogenous ACTH injection. At postnatal day 10, plasma corticosterone concentration of DLS rabbits was similar to that of controls, but rose two-fold at day 11 (17.7 + or - 1.3 vs. 9.3 + or - 1.2 microg/dl, P0.01) and then decreased at day 12, when suckling was allowed again, to match those of controls with no differe…

The effects of slaughter age and restricted feeding on growth, carcass and meat quality traits of dairy breed lambs

This experiment aimed to investigate the possibility to raise the carcass weight of lambs of dairy breed and produce low-fat meat by increasing the slaughter age and applying strategies to reduce feeding level. At 35d of age, 70 weaned lambs of Valle del Belice breed were divided into 2 groups and adapted to housing in multiple boxes and experimental diets over a 10-d period. The groups received ad libitum pelleted alfalfa hay and concentrates differing in the 20% inclusion of durum wheat bran (0WB, 20WB) used to reduce cost and energy level. After 45d of experiment, both groups were divided into 3 subgroups; 2 of them with 15 lambs were slaughtered at 90d of age (90L), whereas the other 4 …

Il mese di produzione influenza la qualità di formaggi tipici?

Il settore lattiero-caseario mediterraneo rappresenta una delle più importanti attività legate al lavoro delle terre montane e marginali e alla produzione di prodotti tipici e di qualità. Un prodotto “tipico” è il risultato di diversi fattori strettamente legati all’origine geografica e alle tradizioni sociali e culturali dell’area di produzione. Tali prodotti sono da sempre uno strumento per valorizzare la biodiversità, la cultura e l’economia di definite aree mediterranee. L’Unione Europea riconosce ufficialmente questa diversificazione di prodotto attraverso l’attribuzione di marchi di qualità a denominazione di origine protetta (DOP) e a indicazione geografica protetta (IGP). Nella poli…

Salvaguardia della tradizione casearia: indagine microbiologica sulla lavorazione tradizionale del Caciocavallo Palermitano

Ingestione al pascolo e produzione di latte di capre Girgentane in funzione della combinazione spaziale delle specie foraggere e dell'ingestione con concentrato

Body condition score and related productive responces in rabbit does.

A simplified 3-point scale method for in vivo scoring body condition is proposed as an useful and rapid tool to support experimental and on-farm management of nutrition and reproduction of rabbit does. The productive responses of lactating rabbit does scored and inseminated at 11 days post partum (pp) are verified, as well as performance of non-pregnant does scored and re-inseminated at 32 days pp when non-lactating. After their first parturition, 96 New Zealand White rabbit does were checked for 126 days over three successive 42-day reproductive cycles. The body condition scoring was based on feel by hand the loin and the rump for bone protrusions and muscle fullness. The loin was evaluate…

Impiego di granelle di leguminose in alternativa alla soia nella produzione di carne ovina biologica

Use of legume grains in substitution of soybean meal in organic lamb meat production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal in the diet with alternative legume grains without GMO presence and at low aflatoxin risk, on the growth and carcass and meat quality traits of lambs. After weaning at 66±6 d of age, 28 male Comisana lambs were divided into 4 groups and gradually adapted to diets over a 15-d period. Until slaughter at 129±6 d of age, each group received ad libitum pelleted alfalfa hay and concentrates differing for the protein source: chickpeas (CP), faba beans (FB), peas (PE) and soybean meal (SM). Lambs growth and carcasses weight were not modified by the…

Regime alimentare e caratteristiche nutrizionali ed aromatiche del Caciocavallo Palermitano

Grazing Management of Dairy Goats on Mediterranean Herbaceous Pastures

Piani Alimentari per Caprini

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Zootecnia: uno studio per l’integrazione alimentare con granelle prodotte localmente.

Effetti del pascolamento della sulla e/o della loiessa per 8 o 24 ore sul comportamento alimentare e sulla produzione lattiero-casearia di pecore Comisane

This experiment aimed to examine the effects of the utilization of monocultures of ryegrass (R), sulla (S) or both of them (RS), and the prolongation of daily grazing from 8 h (8:00-16:00) to 24 h, evaluating behaviour, selectivity, intake and milk and cheese production of ewes at pasture. The experiment involved 42 Comisana ewes averaging 146±55 days in milk, divided into 6 homogeneous groups which, since 19th April for 42 days, continuously grazed under a stocking rate of 34 ewes/ha. Ewes involving in eating activity were higher in R and for 24-h grazing, in relation to lower intake rate. RS ewes reduced eating time and increased lying activity. During daytime, the eating gradually decrea…

Ingestione al pascolo e produzione di latte di capre Girgentane in funzione della combinazione spaziale delle specie foraggere e dell'integrazione con concentrato

La gestione dell’alimentazione dei ruminanti in produzione biologica e riflessi sulle proprietà nutraceutiche dei prodotti

Utilizzo del pisello proteico in alternativa alla farina di estrazione di soia in un allevamento biologico di bovine da latte

Utilizzazione del pisello proteico in alternativa alla farina di estrazione di soia in un allevamento biologico di bovine da latte. Nella sperimentazione è stata verificata la possibilità di impiego del pisello proteico in sostituzione totale della farina di estrazione di soia nel concentrato destinato a bovine da latte allevate in regime biologico. Sono state utilizzate 14 bovine di razza Bruna suddivise in due gruppi omogenei ognuno alimentato, per l’intera durata della prova (292 d), con uno dei due diversi concentrati. La produzione di latte non si è differenziata fra i gruppi, sebbene le bovine che ricevevano il pisello proteico abbiano prodotto, rispetto alla soia, una quantità di lat…

Effetto del regime alimentare delle bovine sulla composizione in acidi grassi del formaggio Caciocavallo Palermitano

Sono stati verificati gli effetti dell’alimentazione al pascolo e dell’integrazione con concentrato sulla composizione in acidi grassi (AG) del Caciocavallo Palermitano. Bovine di razza Cinisara suddivise in 4 gruppi sono state sottoposte ai trattamenti alimentari: PN: pascolo naturale; PMF: pascolo naturale e concentrato a base di mais e favino; POC: pascolo naturale e concentrato a base di orzo e cece; ST: fieno e concentrato in stalla. La dieta ha influenzato la produzione media di latte (P<0,05) e il suo tenore in grasso (P<0,05), ma non ha modificato la resa del latte alla caseificazione e la composizione chimica del formaggio. L’alimentazione al pascolo, con o senza il concentrato, ha…

Effects of feeding regime on nutritional and aromatic characteristics of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese

Relationships between dietary factors and milk urea nitrogen level in goats grazing herbaceous pasture

This investigation aimed to individuate the dietary factors affecting the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration in goats grazing herbaceous pasture and, particularly, to verify the relationship linking the diet crude protein (CP) content to MUN. A total of 205 individual observations regarding dietary and milk variables of 37 Girgentana goats involved in two experiments were used. Goats, averaging 154&plusmn;14 days in milk and 38.1&plusmn;5.4 kg of live weight, grazed on swards and received 500 g/d of barley meal. Sward biomass, herbage selected by goats and individual milk yield were measured and sampled weekly. The herbage intake and diet digestibility were estimated by the n-alkane met…

Effetto della somministrazione del seme di cardo mariano sulla produzione di latte in pecore Comisane.

Oxidative Status of Goats with Different CSN1S1 Genotypes Fed ad Libitum with Fresh and Dry Forages

Forty late-lactation Girgentana goats were used to study the effect of diets fed ad libitum and &alpha

ORGANIC SHEEP MILK PRODUCTION AND QUALITY BY USE OF LEGUME GRAINS AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sheep milk yield and quality as affecting by concentrate dietary supplements prepared on farm by mixing locally produced barley and legume grains, used as alternative to a commercial feed. A total of twelve milking ewes, averaging 92±9 days in milking and 56±6 kg of live weight, were housed in individual pens and divided homogeneously into four groups. Each group was fed ad libitum with a grass-legume hay and received, according to a 4x4 Latin square design with periods comprised of 21 days, one of the following isonitrogenous concentrates: 500 g chickpea and 300 g barley (CP); 450 g faba bean and 350 g barley (FB); 550 g pea and 250 g barley (PE); …

Razze autoctone siciliane e prodotti caseari tipici, un binomio da valorizzare

Enhancement of Sicilian autochthonous breeds and their typical dairy products. With regard of the valorization of local Sicilian dairy breeds, the authors focus on some aspects of management based on which to qualify their dairy products, and drive their enhancement and promotion in the market. It is noted the beneficial effects of feeding of local cows on pasture and of the traditional farming system on nutritional and health properties of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese. It is shown, in organic farms and in conventional ones, the possibility to integrate the diet of grazing animals with concentrates based on locally produced grains, safer and less expensive than maize and soybean. It is p…

Effetto della tecnica di pascolamento sulla produzione di latte ovino

Latte tutto l'anno, con gli ovini conviene

Effects of αs1-casein and k- casein genotypes on nutrient intake and milk production in Girgentana goats: a further investigation

The influence of polymorphism at αs1-casein locus (CSN1S1) on goat milk properties is adequately known, whereas the knowl- edge is limited on the effects of κ-casein gene variants (CSN3), C-093 and the association between variants of CSN1S1 and CSN3 Milking technique in jenny: effects on milk production genes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of some CSN1S1-CSN3 composite genotypes (CG) on feed intake and milk production of 95 Girgentana goats from 6 experiments (551 Rossella Di Palo, Diana Neri, Barbara Ariota, Rosanna Serafini, observations). Goats, genotyped using specific PCR protocols at DNA level and IEF technique at milk protein level, were equal at αs2-casein and β-casein …

Il Caciocavallo Palermitano tra tradizione e innovazione del sistema produttivo

Effetti della dieta sul profilo acidico del latte di capre con diverso genotipo per l’αs1-CN.

Preliminary Evaluation of the Influence of Traditional Dairy Plant Equipment on the Microbiological Quality of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” Cheese

Caciocavallo Palermitano” is a raw cows’ milk cheese produced within Palermo province (Sicily), processed according to “pasta-filata” cheese technology without starter addition. Production flow-sheet includes a 15-minute milk bulk resting in “tina”, the traditional wooden vat used for cheese-making. This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of traditional equipment on the characteristics of cheese; at this stage, it was forwarded to the characterization of the microbiological populations of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” during each step of manufacturing. Two milk bulks (A and B), from different farming systems, were compared before and after resting in tina. After delivery at dairy factor…

Effects of Grazing Season on Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Fatty Acids of Nutritional Interest of Caciocavallo Palermitano Cheese

The aim of this work was to evaluate, in the different production seasons of the year, the physico-chemical quality of an artisanal cheese traditionally obtained from autochthonous grazing cows, with particular reference to fatty acids (FA) of nutritional interest that play an important role in the risk or prevention of some human pathologies. For this purpose, cheeses were sampled in 11 farms, repeating the samplings in 3 different periods of the year (summer, autumn–winter, and spring) when the productive conditions of the pastures varied. The cheeses produced in the spring period, when cows ingest a greater amount of grazed forage, resulted in a more adequate composition of the main FA, …

Meat production from dairy breed lambs due to slaughter age and feeding plan based on wheat bran

This experiment aimed to investigate the possibility to increase the carcass weight of dairy breed lambs and produce moderate-fat meat by applying inexpensive feeding strategies based on restriction and through the use of a fibrous byproduct such as the durum wheat bran (DWB). Sixty-five 45-day-old lambs of the Valle del Belice breed, divided into 6 groups, were fed alfalfa hay supplemented with concentrate feeds including DWB at 0% or 20% (DWB0, DWB20), supplied ad libitum (L) or restricted at 75% (R), and slaughtered at 90 or 120 days of age. The groups were as follows: DWB0-90L (n = 14), DWB20-90L (n = 14), DWB0-120R (n = 10), DWB20-120R (n = 9), DWB0-120L (n = 9), DWB20-120L (n = 9). Th…

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Fatty Acid Profile in a Typical Cheese from Extensive Farms: First Assessment of Human Exposure by Dietary Intake

Dairy products represent an important source of beneficial substances for humans. At the same time, they can expose the consumers to environmental contaminants ingested by animals through their diet, influencing their health negatively. This experiment aims to evaluate the risk and benefits related to the consumption of typical stretched cheeses, considering their fatty acid (FA) profile and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) content. Six representative farms, two of them organic, raising Cinisara cattle were selected, considering the typical extensive management systems, based on feeding of natural pasture integrated with concentrate and hay depending on the availability of forage on pas…

GRAZING SULLA AND/OR RYEGRASS FORAGE FOR 8 OR 24 HOURS DAILY. 1. EFFECTS ON EWES FEEDING BEHAVIOUR

Integrazione con granelle di leguminose per la produzione di latte ovino biologico

The maturity stage of the grass affects milk fatty acids of cows grazing a mountain grassland

International audience; We aimed to quantify the effect of the growth stage of a mountain grassland pasture on the fatty acid (FA) composition of grass and milk. In June (growth) and October (regrowth), a mountain pasture was continuously grazed by six dairy cows in a strip grazing system. During June, the grass C18:3n-3 content decreased while C16:0, c9-C18:1 and C18:2n-6 content increased. During October, the grass FA composition was similar to that observed in the first part of June. During June, milk saturated FA (SFA) content increased while the sum of the trans FA and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content decreased, mainly due to the decrease in C18:3n-3 and c9t11-CLA percentages. At the …

Use of green sulla forage for feeding. 1. Effects on lamb growth and gastrointestinal nematode parasite infestation

Effects of short- and long-term fasting on the ovarian axis and reproductive performance on rabbit does.

Transfer, composition and technological characterization of the lactic acid bacterial populations of the wooden vats used to produce traditional stretched cheeses

The biofilms of 12 wooden vats used for the production of the traditional stretched cheeses Caciocavallo Palermitano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce were investigated. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were never detected. Total coliforms were at low numbers with Escherichia coli found only in three vats. Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were below the enumeration limit, whereas lactic acid bacteria (LAB) dominated the surfaces of all vats. In general, the dominance was showed by coccus LAB. Enterococci were estimated at high numbers, but usually between 1 and 2 Log cycles lower than other LAB. LAB populations were investigated at species and strain level and for thei…

Latte ovino e caprino in estate con il pascolamento notturno

Gli ovini al pascolo sulle stoppie producono più latte

Analisi degli isotopi stabili e della composizione acidica per l’identificazione dei formaggi ovini biologici

Effects of Diets Supplemented with Medicinal Mushroom Myceliated Grains on Some Production, Health, and Oxidation Traits of Dairy Ewes

The beneficial properties of mushrooms’ bioactive compounds indicate their potential for use as performance-enhancing natural additives for livestock animals. A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with mushroom myceliated grains (MMGs) fed to dairy ewes on intestinal parasite load, milk production, milk fatty acid (FA) composition, and cheese oxidative stability. During an 8-week experimental period, 21 lactating Valle del Belice ewes were divided into 3 groups named MMG20, MMG10, and MMG0. Ewes in each group were fed hay ad libitum and 1.3 kg/day/head of 1 of 3 concentrates with MMGs at 20% (MMG20), 10% (MMG10), or 0% (MMG0). The ewes fed MMG20 had comparable…

Dietary factors associated with the concentration of milk urea nitrogen in grazing goats

Transfer of milk fatty acids to Pecorino Siciliano cheese

In previous studies it was observed that milk fatty acid (FA) composition is mainly affected by diet, and when ruminants graze pasture the percentages of polyunsaturated FA and conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) are higher than in milk from preserved forage. The maintenance in the cheese of the beneficial FA profile of milk from grazing ruminants is advisable. Little number of study exists concerning the effect of milk processing conditions on cheese FA profile, but no study was done with regard to Pecorino Siciliano cheese. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transfer of FA from ewes milk to cheese manufactured according to the Pecorino Siciliano technology, in order to verify if the ch…

Effets de sources protéiques alternatives au soja sur les performances de croissance et sur la qualité de la viande d'agneaux à 130 jours.

Prickly Pear By-Product in the Feeding of Livestock Ruminants: Preliminary Investigation

Simple Summary The question of sustainability of animal nutrition has become a popular topic. The gains made by recycling safe, yet otherwise valueless, by-products and wastes from human food and fiber production (green feeds) may lessen the competition between humans and animals for crops and decrease the environmental impact of food production. In this context, prickly pear by-product, which results from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. fruits processed for juice extraction, could be an optimum by-product to ruminant feeding. This study evaluates the nutritional characteristics and its stability during storage using potassium metabisulfite as a preservative agent. This preliminary investig…

Effet du système d’élevage et de la technologie fromagère sur les caractéristiques sensorielles du fromage Caciocavallo Palermitano.

Effects of restricted feeding during rearing, combined with a delayed first insemination, on reproductive activity of rabbit does.

Valutazione dell'adattabilità, produttività e persistenza di alcune leguminose autoriseminanti in ambiente mediterraneo

Utilization of mulberry leaves (Morus latifolia cv. Kokusou 21) in diets for dairy ewes

Twelve Valle del Belice lactating ewes were divided into three homogeneous groups and fed ad libitum the following diets in a 3 x 3 Latin square design: sulla hay (HA); sulla hay and Mulberry leaves (M. leaves) (HM); M. leaves (MU). DM intake of MU ewes was lower than that of HM ewes, with an intermediate level for HA ewes. HM ewes showed to prefer M. leaves to hay, but their need to balance the high protein and low NDF contents of M. leaves by eating hay also emerged. Milk yield increased as the dietary content of M. leaves increased- In addition, the use of HM and MU diets led to higher milk fat and urea content in comparison with the HA diet. The results confirmed that M. leaves are a su…

Effect of muscle type and animal category on fatty acid composition of bresaola made from meat of Cinisara cattle: preliminary investigation

The bresaola could represent an alternative commercial opportunity for autochthonous dairy cattle farms. Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate the fatty acid (FA) composition of bresaola made using Semimembranosus (SMm), Semitendinosus (STm), and Biceps brachii (BBm) muscles from grazing young bulls (GB), housed young bulls (HB) or grazing adult cows (AC) of Cinisara breed. Animal category, fat content, feeding system, and type of muscle influenced the FA composition of bresaola. Fatter products, made from AC and HB meat, or with STm and BBm muscles showed lower polyunsaturated/saturated FA ratio. The bresaola from young bulls fed pasture-based diet showed an increased polyunsat…

Il carico animale influenza la selettività e la produzione di latte di capre Girgentane al pascolo su erbai.

Influenza del genotipo per l'alfa s1 caseina sulla qualità del latte di capre Maltesi

INTRODUZIONE I numerosi studi sui polimorfismi lattoproteici della capra hanno evidenziato per il gene che codifica per l’alfa (s1)-caseina (CSN1S1) 17 alleli: A, B1, B2, B3, B4, C, D, E, F, G, O1, O2, H, I, L, M, N. Tali alleli sono stati associati a differenti tassi di sintesi di caseina e classificati in quattro gruppi quantitativi: alleli forti (A, B1, B2, B3, B4, C, H, L, M) intermedi (E ed I) e deboli (D, F e G) che sintetizzano rispettivamente un alto (circa 3,5 g/l), medio (circa 1,1 g/l), e basso (0,45 g/l) quantitativo di alfa (s1)-caseina, più alleli nulli (01, 02 e N) che non sintetizzano alfa (s1)-caseina (1, 2). Le varianti genetiche per l’alfa (s1)-caseina influenzano in misu…

Effect of stocking rate on selective behaviour and milk production of Girgentana goats grazing a ryegrass and berseem clover mixture

Effects of diet on casein and fatty acid profiles of milk from goats differing in genotype for αS1-casein synthesis

This study investigated the interactions between nutrition and the genotype at αS1-CN loci (CSN1S1) in goats, evaluating the impact of fresh forage-based diets and an energy supplement on the casein and fatty acid (FA) profiles of milk from Girgentana goats. Twelve goats were selected for having the same genotype at the αS2-CN, β- CN, and κ-CN loci and differing in the CSN1S1 genotype: homozygous for strong alleles (AA) or heterozygous for strong and weak alleles (AF). Goats of each genotype were divided into three groups and, according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design, fed ad libitum three diets: sulla fresh forage (SFF), SFF plus 800 g/day of barley (SFB), and mixed hay plus 800 g/day of ba…

Effects of grazing on welfare and production traits of organic dairy cows

In organic livestock systems, grazing is the preferred feeding source, especially for animal welfare and health implications, but it is not an obliged practice. In order to contribute on this topic, in an organic dairy farm, grazing was compared with permanent free-stall housing using two homogeneous groups of eight Bruna cows allocated to the following regimes: (G) grazing on barley grass for 5 h/d, and then kept in a free-stall structure and fed with unifeed, composed of hay and concentrate; (S) kept in a free-stall building for 24 h/d and fed with a diet based on the same unifeed. Comparison was based on milk production, behaviour, immune responses, metabolic status and oxidative stress …

Comportamento alimentare al pascolo per 8 o 24 ore in funzione della risorsa utilizzata

Zootecnia nel bosco di Ficuzza: quali prospettive?

La produzione lattiero-casearia ovina in funzione della durata del pascolamento giornaliero

Assessment of a method for evaluating the body condition of lactating rabbit does: preliminary results

Effetto del sistema di allevamento e della tecnologia di caseificazione sulla qualità del caciocavallo palermitano.

Effects of livestock system and cheese making technique on the quality of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese - Caciocavallo Palermitano is a typical stretched curd cheese produced in the Central and Western Sicily. It is traditionally obtained from whole milk of indigenous cows breeds and by the original cheese making technology in which wooden tools, source of inoculum of autochthonous lactic bacteria, are used. Recently, Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese is also obtained in dairy intensive farms of specialized breeds where milk is processed mainly using stainless steel equipment and commercial selected lactic ferments. The aim of this investigation was to verify the influence of cheese making …

Chemical and acidic composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle of Comisana lambs fed with Trifolium subterraneum and Lolium multiflorum

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing on Trifolium subterraneum and Lolium multiflorum, as pure or associated crops, on the chemical composition and on the fatty acid profile of the intramuscular lipids of the meat of lambs. Forty Comisana male lambs, on average weighing 13.75±1.90 kg, were divided into four homogenous groups of ten and called, in relation to the diet: group T those grazing on T. subterraneum; Group L on L. multiflorum; Group TL on adjacent monocultures of T. subterraneum and L. multiflorum (66.6 and 33.3% of surface, respectively); Group LT on adjacent monocultures of T. subterraneum and L. multiflorum (33.3 and 66.6% of surface, respectively). Every 10 …

Indagine microbiologica sulla lavorazione artigianale del Caciocavallo Palermitano.

In vivo evaluation of the body condition of lactating rabbit does and relations to reproductive performance and body traits

Effect on the Antioxidant, Lipoperoxyl Radical Scavenger Capacity, Nutritional, Sensory and Microbiological Traits of an Ovine Stretched Cheese Produced with Grape Pomace Powder Addition

An innovative ovine cheese enriched with red grape pomace powder (GPP) was produced to improve the functional properties of Vastedda cheese typology. Vastedda cheese making was performed adding GPP and four selected Lactococcus lactis strains (Mise36, Mise94, Mise169 and Mise190). For each strain, 40 L of pasteurized ewe’s milk was divided into two aliquots representing control and experimental trials. Control cheese (CC) production did not contain GPP, while the experimental cheese (EC) production was enriched with 1% (w/w) GPP. GPP did not slow down starter development and acid generation. Plate counts and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis confirmed the dominance of t…

Le proprietà nutrizionali e salutistiche del formaggio in funzione della stagione di pascolamento

Il consumo alimentare si è notevolmente modificato negli ultimi anni. L’alimento, oltre a rappresentare una fonte di nutrienti, è diventato anche espressione dello stile di vita ed un mezzo di interazione e distinzione tra le persone. Il consumatore moderno, in risposta ai modelli alimentari che nei paesi industrializzati hanno generato gravi problemi di salute (obesità, malattie cardiovascolari, tumori), tende ad essere più informato, critico ed esigente sotto il profilo salutistico. Inoltre, cresce nel consumatore l'interesse per il cibo sostenibile proveniente da sistemi che, contribuendo alla mitigazione delle emissioni di CO2 e limitando lo sfruttamento delle risorse naturali, producon…

The timing of daily grazing on annual ryegrass or sulla forage: the effects on the milk yield and composition of Comisana ewes

Le granelle di leguminose alternative alla soia nell’alimentazione dei ruminanti in produzione biologica

The influence of the wooden equipment employed for cheese manufacture on the characteristics of a traditional stretched cheese during ripening

Abstract The influence of the wooden equipment used for the traditional cheese manufacturing from raw milk was evaluated on the variations of chemico-physical characteristics and microbial populations during the ripening of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese. Milk from two farms (A, extensive; B, intensive) was processed in traditional and standard conditions. Chemical and physical traits of cheeses were affected by the farming system and the cheese making technology, and changed during ripening. Content in NaCl and N soluble was lower, and paste consistency higher in cheese from the extensive farm and traditional technology, whereas ripening increased the N soluble and the paste yellow and co…

Effects of proteic concentrates different from soya-bean on growth performances and meat quality of 130 days lambs.

Etude pour l’application du Protocole Welfare Quality® dans des élevages bovins laitiers en Sicile

Valutazione degli effetti del pascolamento su trifoglio sotterraneo (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in coltura pura o in combinazione con loiessa (Lolium multiforum Lamb.), in differenti proporzioni, sulla quantità e qualità delle produzioni zootecniche (latte, formaggi e carne) di ovini di razza Comisana

Quality evaluation of cheese from raw or pasteurized milk of ewes grazing sulla forage (Hedysarum coronarium L.) for different daily time

Pasteurization is the more effective method for eliminating pathogens contaminating milk. However, the high temperature of pasteurization destroys either pathogens or lactic endemic flora, this latter involved in cheese ripening, thus impairing the development of sensory properties of cheese. It was previously observed that longer permanence at pasture allows the ewes to spend more time for eating; accordingly, ewes increase feed intake and milk yield. Aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the prolongation of ewes daily grazing from 8 to 24 h and the effect of the milk pasteurization process on milk and cheese quality, with particular regard on fatty acid (FA) composition. In…

Effects of nutritional level on lactating response of Girgentana goats with different CSN1S1 genotype

Goat polymorphism at αs1-casein loci (CSN1S1) influences milk yield and composition. Milk of goats with strong alleles associated to high αs1-casein shows higher fat and casein, longer coagulation time, firmer curds and variation in fatty acids than milk from goats with weak alleles linked to low αs1-casein. Since these milk properties are also affected by nutrition, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nutritional level on milk production traits of Girgentana goats with different CSN1S1 genotype. From a group of goats genotyped using PRC protocols at DNA level, 12 goats having the same genotype at αs2, β and κ- casein loci and differing for CSN1S1 genotype were selected: …

Fatty Acids as Biomarkers of the Production Season of Caciocavallo Palermitano Cheese

Simple Summary In the Mediterranean environment, climatic variability determines a discontinuity in the forage availability of pastures. Caciocavallo Palermitano is a cheese obtained from the milk of the Cinisara cattle breed, mainly raised on pasture. The present study investigated the fatty acid profile of cheeses produced in two typical farms in the four seasons of the year, with the aim of identifying specific fatty acids that can be used as biomarkers to discriminate the productions obtained in the different seasons, in order to economically enhance those seasonal productions that have better health characteristics. The results revealed the possibility of distinguishing spring producti…

Feeding Dairy Ewes with Fresh or Dehydrated Sulla (Sulla coronarium L.) Forage. 1. Effects on Feed Utilization, Milk Production, and Oxidative Status

Feeding dairy ewes with fresh sulla forage (FSF), a legume species containing condensed tannins (CT), has been shown to increase feed intake, milk yield, and casein and enhances the oxidative status of animals. Dehydration of FSF could be an alternative to hay-making to preserve the nutritional properties. This research aimed to compare the responses of dairy ewes fed with diets based on sulla hay (SH), pelleted dehydrated sulla forage (DSF), or FSF in terms of efficiency of feed utilization, milk production, and the balance between oxidant (reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs)) and antioxidant (biological antioxidant potential (BAP)) substances at the plasma level. Ten first-lambing (FL) and…

Bresaola made from Cinisara cattle: effect of muscle type and animal category on physicochemical and sensory traits

The physicochemical characteristics and sensory traits of Cinisara bresaola were investigated, to explore a new commercial opportunity for autochthonous dairy cattle farms. Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus and Biceps brachii muscles, from adult cows (AC) and grazing (GB) or housed (HB) young bulls of Cinisara breed, were processed to made bresaola. Differences due to animal category and muscle type were observed. Bresaola from AC was richer in fat and volatile organic compounds. The bresaola from Semitendinosus showed higher colorimetric parameters, fat and, when from grazing animals, Warner-Bratzler shear force than those made from other muscles. In general, all bresaola were well appreciat…

Both 48-hour doe-litter separation and 2-day controlled suckling improved fertility of 11-day lactating does similarly to 20 IU of PMSG

Improvement of Oxidative Status, Milk and Cheese Production, and Food Sustainability Indexes by Addition of Durum Wheat Bran to Dairy Cows’ Diet

Durum wheat bran (DWB) is a by-product mostly used in feeding ruminants, contributing to decrease in the utilization of feeds suitable as foods for human consumption, thus improving the sustainability of livestock production. However, the potential benefits of DWB, due to its content in phenolic acids, mainly consisting of ferulic acid with antioxidant properties, have not been well clarified yet. Accordingly, in this experiment, 36 lactating cows divided into three groups received, over a period of 100 days, one of three concentrates including DWB at 0% (DWB0), 10% (DWB10), or 20% (DWB20). The concentrates were formulated to be isoproteic and isoenergetic and, to balance the higher fiber c…

Effect of refrigerated storage on microbiological, chemical and sensory characteristics of a ewes’ raw milk stretched cheese

This study aimed to describe the effects of refrigerated storage up to 180 days on microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensory characteristics of a PDO ewes’ raw milk stretched cheese. To this aim, a total of 224 cheeses were manufactured in four consecutive production weeks, and series of 32 of them were examined before packaging and after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 d of storage at 4 ± 2 °C in the dark, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria cocci displayed the highest levels (7.8 Log CFU*g−1) during early storage and decreased progressively over time (7.4 Log CFU*g−1), while the opposite trend was observed for lactic acid bacteria rods (from 6.5 to 7.3 Log CFU*g−1). TMC and enterocci s…

Relationships among diet, plasma and milk total polyphenol content in milking goats.

Effetti della tecnologia tradizionale di caseificazione sulle caratteristiche microbiologiche e organolettiche del Caciocavallo Palermitano

Microbiological characteristics of traditional Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese making

The individual contribution of starter and non-starter lactic acid bacteria to the volatile organic compound composition of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese

Abstract The contribution of two starter ( Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Streptococcus thermophilus ) and nine non-starter ( Enterococcus casselliflavus , Enterococcus faecalis , Enterococcus durans , Enterococcus gallinarum , Lactobacillus casei , Lactobacillus paracasei , Lactobacillus rhamnosus , Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus ) species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese was investigated. The strains used in this study were isolated during the production/ripening of the stretched cheese and tested in a cheese-based medium (CBM). The fermented substrates were analyzed for the growth of the single …

The Use of Winery by-Products to Enhance the Functional Aspects of the Fresh Ovine “Primosale” Cheese

Fresh ovine “primosale” cheese was processed with the addition of grape pomace powder (GPP). Cheese making was performed using pasteurized ewes’ milk and four selected Lactococcus lactis strains (Mise36, Mise94, Mise169 and Mise190) inoculated individually. For each strain the control cheese (CCP) was not added with GPP, while the experimental cheese (ECP) was enriched with 1% (w/w) GPP. GPP did not influence the starter development that reached levels of 109 CFU/g in all final cheeses. The comparison of the bacterial isolates by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR showed the dominance of the added strains over indigenous milk bacteria resistant to pasteurization. GPP addition red…

Effect of farming system and cheese making technology on quality traits and fatty acid profile of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese at different ripening time

The Caciocavallo Palermitano is a typical stretched curd cheese made from cow milk, mainly in the Western Sicily. The aim of this investigation was to verify the influence of farming system and cheese making process (traditional with wood tools and natural endemic flora vs. innovative with modern stainless steel tools and selected lactic bacteria) on qualitative characteristics, including fatty acid (FA) profile, of Caciocavallo Palermitano at different ripening time. Cheeses were obtained from bulk milk from two farms: one extensive rearing a local breed fed at pasture and one intensive rearing a specialized dairy breed fed mainly hay and concentrate. Milk and cheese properties and FA prof…

La destagionalizzazione della produzione lattiero casearia degli ovini in Sicilia

Effect of β-lactoglobulin (LGB) and k-casein (CSN3) alleles on some characteristics of milk produced by Cinisara cows

It is well known that β-lactoglobulin (LGB) and k-casein (CSN3) alleles affect milk cheese making properties. The purpose of this study was to analyse the A and B allele distribution at the LGB and CSN3 loci in Cinisara breed and their influence on milk and cheese making production traits. The Cinisara is a Sicilian breed which, according to DAD-IS database (FAO), consists of about 5,000 individuals and is reared mainly for milk production which is usually transformed into Caciocavallo Palermitano, a typical stretched-curd cheese. We typed 314 lactating cows at the LGB and CSN3 loci by means of RFLP-PCR analyses. The frequencies of LGB A and B alleles were 0.22 and 0.78, respectively; the f…

Valorisation des productions laitieres et fromageres ovines fermieres en dessaisonnalisant des agnelages

Effet de la pasteurisation sur les caractéristiques du lait et du fromage de brebis “Comisana” conduites au pâturage de Sulla pendant des durées différentes

Effect of saffron addition on the microbiological, physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory characteristics of yoghurt

The impact of added saffron on the characteristics of yoghurt was evaluated during storage. The fat content was lower in the saffron yoghurt. All colour variables were significantly affected by saffron and storage. From the 15th day of storage, bacterial numbers in the saffron yoghurt were higher than those of the control yoghurt. Sensory analysis data suggested that colour, odour and texture impacted consistently on the overall acceptability of the saffron yoghurt. Saffron addition significantly increased polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, providing evidence that the enrichment of natural yoghurt with saffron yields an innovative fermented product useful for supplementing antioxi…

L’impiego alimentare di orzo germinato nella produzione di latte ovino biologico

Food use of barley sprouts in organic sheep milk production. Hydroponic forage, used when fresh forage is scarce, represents a good alternative feed for milking ruminants, also in organic farming systems, where it can reduce the forage/concentrate ratio. This study evaluated the effect of barley sprouts (BS) in the diet on nutrients utilization and milk production from organic ewes. Eighteen ewes were divided into 3 groups and fed with 3 diets. Animals was fed with hay ad libitum and supplemented by: 0.6 kg/d of concentrate and 4 kg/d of BS (B100); 0.9 kg/d of concentrate and 2 kg/d of BS (B50); 1.2 kg/d of concentrate (C). Supplied and residual feeds and milk yield were recorded and sample…

ATTIVITÁ DI RICERCA PER LO SVILUPPO DELLA ZOOTECNIA BIOLOGICA IN SICILIA

Con l’intento di contribuire allo sviluppo del settore zootecnico biologico, gli autori hanno realizzato, attività di ricerca rivolte: - allo studio della possibilità di inserire, nella razione alimentare delle bovine e delle pecore in lattazione, fonti alternative al mais e alla soia, con la finalità di superare il problema degli OGM e di ridurre il rischio di contaminazione degli alimenti con micotossine; - alla valutazione degli effetti del carico animale al pascolo, finalizzato ad una maggiore efficienza produttiva dei sistemi pascolivi destinati agli ovini; - alla individuazione dei riflessi della dieta, variabile in funzione del concentrato utilizzato e del carico al pascolo, sulla qu…