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

Anti-Listeria activity of lactic acid bacteria in two traditional Sicilian cheeses

<em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> is a pathogen frequently found in dairy products, and its growth is difficult to control. Bacteriocinlike inhibitory substances (BLIS), produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), having proven <em>in vitro</em> anti-<em>Listeria</em> activity, could provide an innovative approach to control <em>L. monocytogenes</em>; however, this application needs to be evaluated <em>in vivo</em>. In this study, twenty LAB strains isolated from different Sicilian dairy environments were tested for control of growth of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in three different experimental trials. First, raw and UHT milk …

Transformation of raw ewes' milk applying “Grana” type pressed cheese technology: development of extra-hard “Gran Ovino” cheese

Abstract This work was carried out to pursue a double objective: to improve the hygienic safety of cheeses produced from raw ewes' milk; and to produce a new typology of raw ewes' milk through the application of “Grana” technology for which the name “Gran Ovino” was chosen. With this in mind, raw milk from an individual farm was transformed under controlled conditions at a dairy pilot plant. The production technology included the partial skimming of the evening and morning milk mixture by cream surfacing and the addition of a natural whey starter cultures (NWSC) prepared with four selected Streptococcus thermophilus strains (PON6, PON244, PON261 e PON413). Ten microbial groups were investig…

L’alimentazione di ovini con polpe fresche di limone: effetti sulla qualità della "Vastedda"

Influenza della specie foraggera pascolata sulla produzione di latte ovino

Aseasonal sheep and goat milk production in the Mediterranean area: Physiological and technical insights

Abstract Aseasonal or out-of-season milk production for small ruminants raised in Mediterranean areas refers generally to milk having to be produced at a time that corresponds to summer which is when conditions are generally unfavourable with respect to both physiological aspects and nutritional factors related to seasonal climatic trends. In fact, sheep and goat milk production in the Mediterranean basin is mostly based on pasture utilization and thus follows the pasture availability pattern. This causes a strong seasonal pattern to the amount of milk processed by cheese processes plants, with the peak being in the spring, a marked reduction in early summer and nil or low availability of m…

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)…

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…

Amaranthus grain as a new ingredient in diets for dairy cows: productive, qualitative, and in vitro fermentation traits

Background: In recent decades, grain amaranths have attracted attention due to their valuable combination of nutritional traits, with higher protein and oil content than conventional cereals. Before they can be proposed as an unconventional ingredient in animal feed, many aspects still need to be investigated from field production to nutritive value. The present research aimed to study the agronomic traits, proximate composition, and digestibility/degradability, fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content of two grain amaranth species, Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus (for a total of six accessions), grown in a Mediterranean environment. Results: B…

Chemometric Approaches to Analyse the Composition of a Ewe’s Colostrum

Colostrum is a major source of immunity in lambs and, in general, in all newborn ruminants. It allows the transfer of antibodies from the ewe to the lamb, and it becomes the exclusive source of nutrients for a newborn. Among the most significant Pearson correlations, the positive correlation between the Brix refractive index (Brix) and protein (0.90) should be noted. Both parameters (protein percentage and Brix) were then positively correlated with the percentage of fat (0.38 and 0.41), urea (0.81 and 0.67), calcium (0.39 and 0.29), and magnesium (0.58 and 0.59), as well as the yellowness (0.78 and 0.75). Somatic cell count (SCC) and pH, parameters which are indicators of subclinical mastit…

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…

Influenza del contenuto in cellule somatiche sulla composizione del latte ovino e sulle caratteristiche del formaggio

An Investigation of the Shelf-life of PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belice Cheese Subjected to Different Packaging Systems Alternative to Vacuum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different packaging systems alternatives to vacuum that is commonly applied for PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belice (VdB) cheese, a tipical pasta filata cheese, made with raw ewes’ milk. After production following the traditional cheesemaking protocol, VdB cheeses were packaged as follows: vacuum, paraffin wax and two different Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) consisting of a gas mixture of 70% CO2-30% N2 (MAP1) and 100% N2 (MAP2). Cheeses were stored at 4°C and analyzed (25 g) at time 0 and after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 days. All the samples were subjected to microbiological analyses for the evaluation of total mesophilic aerobic b…

Utilizzazione delle foglie di gelso bianco (varietà Kokuso) nell'alimentazione degli ovini.

Influence of the early bacterial biofilms developed on vats made with seven wood types on PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheese characteristics

Early vat bacterial biofilms developed spontaneously through contact with whey have been characterized on seven wood types (Castanea sativa Miller, Cedrus libani, A. Rich., Prunus avium L., Fraxinus ornus L., Juglans regia L., Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold and Populus nigra L.). The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of these biofilms on the microbiological, chemical, physical and sensory characteristics of PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce (VdB) cheese, processed traditionally from raw ewe's milk using wooden tools. To this purpose, the experimental cheeses after 15 d of refrigerated storage were examined. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations dominated the microbial community of a…

Influenza del tipo di salatura sulle caratteristiche del Pecorino Siciliano DOP

Vastedda della valle del Belìce: processo produttivo e contaminazione sperimentale con Salmonella spp.

Free fatty acids and other volatile compounds for the characterisation of “Vastedda della valle del Belìce” cheese Acidos grasos libres y otros constituyentes volátiles para la caracterización de queso “Vastedda della vella del Belìce”

The analysis of the volatile constituents of “Vastedda della valle del Belice”, a typical Sicilian pasta filata cheese, was performed using solid phase microextraction and high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The research aimed to verify if the volatile fraction, determinant for cheese flavor, differs among producers and/or production seasons. The samples were provided by four producers from the area of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) production, during two different seasons of production. A total of 42 volatile components were identified: the main components were found to be butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic, and decanoic acid. Free fatty acids were quantified using t…

Polyphasic Characterization of Microbiota of “Mastredda”, a Traditional Wooden Tool Used during the Production of PDO Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese

The biofilms of the wooden tables used for the acidification of the curd were investigated for PDO Provola dei Nebrodi cheese, a traditional stretched cheese made in eastern Sicily (southern Italy) from raw cows’ milk. To this purpose the wooden tables of four dairy facilities were analysed for their microbiota by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and a combined culture-independent and -dependent microbiological approach. SEM inspection showed an almost continuous biofilm formation. MiSeq Illumina analysis identified 8 phyla, 16 classes, 25 orders, 47 families and 50 genera. Corynebacterium, Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were detected in all samples. In particular…

Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheese: production and microbiological investigation

Formaggio Pecorino Siciliano: composizione chimica e profilo acidico

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…

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

Retrospective study on the hygienic quality of fresh ricotta cheeses produced in Sicily, Italy

The present work was carried out to investigate the microbiological profile of Sicilian ewes’ ricotta cheeses during fifteen years of investigations (2002-2016). The samples were collected between those conferred to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia (IZSSi) Adelmo Mirri, Palermo (Italy), by the competent authority during official control, by food business operator in HACCP systems and in research projects. Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were found only in some samples. Bacillus cereus was detected in c.a. 16% of samples but the level of contaminations did not reach the threshold that leads to significant toxin production…

Influenza della conformazione della mammella di pecore Valle del Belice sulla qualità del latte

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…

Ecology of Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheeses: A review and recent findings to stabilize the traditional production

The increasing request for classic foods has led to a higher demand for cheeses enjoying a “recognition of quality” status. This phenomenon has also affected Sicilian dairy products, in particular protected designation of origin (PDO) “Vastedda della valle del Belìce” (VdB), a cheese traditionally available only during the summer season, but requested year round. The variations of the microbial populations of raw milk among the seasons influence the microbiological quality of the cheeses produced. This review article reports the historical importance of cheeses and the traditional equipment used for dairy productions in Sicily with a specific focus on VdB. The microbial ecology of this chee…

Selected lactic acid bacteria as a hurdle to the microbial spoilage of cheese: Application on a traditional raw ewes' milk cheese

To evaluate the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to improve the hygienic safety of a traditional raw milk cheese, the raw ewes’ milk protected denomination of origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano cheese was used as a model system. Different Pecorino Siciliano curds and cheeses were used as sources of autochthonous LAB subsequently used as starter and non-starter LAB. These were screened for their acidification capacity and autolysis. Starter LAB showing the best performance were genotypically differentiated and identified: two strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were selected. From the nonstarter LAB, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus garvieae and Streptococcus macedonicus strains…

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…

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…

Il latte e i suoi derivati: un alimento senza limiti di età

Effetto di alcuni parametri sulla crescita e sopravvivenza di Brucella melitensis in relazione al processo produttivo dei formaggi ovini tipo "Pecorino Siciliano"

Alkaline phosphatase survey in pecorino siciliano PDO cheese

The determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in cheeses has become an official method for controlling cheeses with a protected designation of origin (PDO), all of which use raw milk. PDO cheeses, characterized by high craftsmanship, usually have an uneven quality. However, for these cheeses, it is necessary to establish ALP values so that they can be defined as a raw milk product. In this study, a dataset with Pecorino Siciliano PDO samples was analyzed to determine ALP both at the core and under the rind. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the different zones in Pecorino cheese. A second dataset of 100 pecorino cheese samples determined that ALP was only…

The influence of somatic cell count on sheep milk composition and cheesemaking properties

A large factory-scale application of selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria for PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese production

The main hypothesis of this study was that the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) selected for their dairy traits are able to stabilize the production of PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin) Pecorino Siciliano cheese, preserving its typicality. The experimental plan included the application of a multi-strain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture, composed of starter (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CAG4 and CAG37) and non starter (Enterococcus faecalis PSL71, Lactococcus garviae PSL67 and Streptococcus macedonicus PSL72) strains, during the traditional production of cheese at large scale level in six factories located in different areas of Sicily. The cheese making processes were foll…

Le polpe fresche di limone nella dieta delle pecore da latte: effetti sulla qualità del latte di massa

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±14 days in milk and 38.1±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…

Vastedda della valle del Belìce, una DOP che può dare molto

Il caglio in pasta utilizzato per la produzione di formaggi tradizionali siciliani: indagine microbiologica

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); …

Influence of fresh forage-based diets and αS1-casein (CSN1S1) genotype on nutrient intake and productive, metabolic, and hormonal responses in milking goats

Abstract Polymorphism at the α S1 -casein locus ( CSN1S1 ) in goats influences several milk production traits. Milk from goats carrying strong alleles, which are associated with high α S1 -casein (α S1 -CN) synthesis, has higher fat and casein contents, longer coagulation time and higher curd firmness than milk from goats with weak alleles linked to low α S1 -CN content. Nutrition also affects these milk properties; therefore, it is important to better understand the interaction between dietary characteristics and the CSN1S1 genotype in goats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fresh forage based diet or energy supplement on feeding behavior, milk production, and metabolic and ho…

Effetto della tecnica di pascolamento sulla produzione di latte ovino

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 …

La nutraceutica nei formaggi

Dal pascolo verde gli animali incamerano una quantità straordinaria di antiossidanti naturali, quali i carotenoidi, i flavonoidi, i tannini e la vitamina E che, entrando nel digerente, arricchiscono le produzioni animali esercitando un effetto protettivo sull’ossidazione, non solo degli acidi grassi insaturi, ma anche del colesterolo.

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

Analysis of microbiological variation in PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheese during the storage period

The PDO “Vastedda della valle del Belìce” is a Sicilian pasta filata sheep cheese, made from raw milk without starter addition. It is a small round cheese without rind, weighing about 500-700 g. It is cheese is marketed also out of Sicily to allow its marketing and to prolong its shelf-life. The aim of this work was to evaluate the variation of microbiological parameters during the shelf-life period. Then 162 Vastedda cheeses from 18 cheese-making processes in 7 farms have been analysed at different times of storage at 4°C (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 days). Coliforms and E. coli were detected into 7/18 cheese-making processes and their count decreased during the storage period. Ent…

La capra Messinese

DETERMINAZIONE DI PARAMETRI CHIMICI MEDIANTE TECNOLOGIA NIR (FOODSCAN™ DAIRY ANALYSER) IN CAMPIONI DI FORMAGGIO “CACIOCAVALLO PALERMITANO"

The aim of the study was to evaluate the “Global Cheese” calibration for FoodScan ™ Dairy Analyser by Foss to determination chemical and nutritional characteristics of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” cheese: fat, protein, chloride, total solids and humidity. A total of 42 samples of “Caciocavallo Palermitano” were analyzed by two methods: FoodScan™ and the official chemical methods. The statistics used for the comparison of the methods showed a more than good capacity of analysis of the NIT method. Therefore FoodScan ™ is a valuable tool to support the activities of analysis of dairy products.

Relazioni fra il contenuto di cellule somatiche e l’isolamento di germi mastidogeni in campioni di latte di massa ovino

UTILIZZO DEL LATTODINAMOGRAFO PER LA VALUTAZIONE DELL’ATTIVITA’ COAGULANTE DI CAGLI IN PASTA ARTIGIANALI.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Formagraph to determine the milk clotting activity of animal Sicilian rennet pastes. Clotting time (r), curd firming time (k20) and curd firmness (a30) were measured during coagulation tests carried out with pasteurized cows’ milk. The rennet paste samples were collected in 11 dairy factories located throughout western Sicily. The factories produce two different pasta-filata cheese typologies, Caciocavallo Palermitano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce, made with cows raw milk and ewe raw milk, respectively. Commercial liquid calf rennet Naturen and two industrial rennet pastes prepared from kid and lamb abomasums were used for compariso…

The quality of Valle del Belice sheep’s milk and cheese produced in the hot summer season in Sicily

In response to the growing consumer demand for fresh cheese in summer, this investigation was aimed to evaluate the chemical and microbiological characteristics of sheep’s milk and cheese produced in Sicily in the hot summer months. A total of 810 bulk milk samples collected from 17 farms rearing ewes of the Valle del Belice breed were analysed for chemical composition, somatic cell count, total bacterial count and clotting parameters. Samples (n = 18) of Protected Designation of Origin Vastedda della valle del Belice cheese produced in six dairies were collected in summer, autumn and spring and analysed for chemical composition, microbiological profile and fatty acid (FA) composition. Univ…

Effetti del pascolo del vigneto sul latte ovino

Growth performance in heavy lambs experimentally treated with 17 β-estradiol

European and Italian legislation have banned use of growth promoters in livestock since 1988, but epidemiological data show that anabolic drugs are still being used illegally. Recent surveys carried out on the cattle farms in Northern Italy have confirmed the presence of growthpromoting hormones. Authors report data on growth performances in 80 Valle del Belice×Comisana weaned lambs experimentally treated with 17 beta-estradiol with 0.5 ml solution of oil Depot Estradiol ® (containing 5 mg of 17β- estradiol valerate) by intramuscular injection into the thigh. The experiment was founded by the National Ministry of Health, to validate histological test for surveillance and control of growth-p…

Demographic characterization and genetic variability of the Girgentana goat breed by the analysis of genealogical data

The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the actual Sicilian Girgentana population structure by the analysis ofgenealogical data. Statistics show that in 1983 the population consisted of 30,000 Girgentana goats; ten years lateralmost 98% of the entire Girgentana population disappeared. The remaining population consists of 461 individuals (134males and 327 females), with 368 living animals. The effective population size is 380 individuals. The inbreeding rate pergeneration was equal to 0.13%. The average estimated inbreeding level within the living male population was equal to0.8% (0-15%); and the average inbreeding level within the living female population was equal to 0.7% (0-31%…

In-Depth Investigation of the Safety of Wooden Shelves Used for Traditional Cheese Ripening

ABSTRACT The main goal of this research was to characterize the bacterial diversity of the wooden boards used for aging traditional Sicilian cheeses and to evaluate whether pathogenic bacteria are associated with these surfaces. Eighteen cheese dairy factories producing three traditional cheese typologies (PDO Pecorino Siciliano, PDO Piacentinu Ennese, and Caciocavallo Palermitano) were selected within the region of Sicily. The wooden shelf surfaces were sampled by a destructive method to detach wood splinters as well as by a nondestructive brushing to collect microbial cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of almost continuous bacterial formations on the majority of the s…

Latte ovino e caprino in estate con il pascolamento notturno

La Vastedda della valle del Belìce, da oggi formaggio DOP europeo

Use of weaning concetrate in the feeding of suckling kids: effects on meat quality

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of a feeding supplementation with starter concentrate on “Capretto” meat production and its qualitative characteristics. To this end, 31 Girgentana kids, slaughtered at 59 days of age from two feeding groups (concentrate group (CG) and milk group (MG)) were utilised. Carcass measurements (body components, carcass joints, pelvic limb tissue composition, meat fatty acid composition and M. longissimus dorsi (LD) physical characteristics), body weight at birth, and at slaughter, were evaluated. The effect of concentrate supplementation did not influence the slaughter weight, slaughter and dissection data, tissue composition and meat chemical compo…

Implicazioni legate alla destagionalizzazione degli ovini: gli effetti sulle produzioni

Silage of Prickly Pears (Opuntia spp.) Juice By-Products

Simple Summary The cactus pear plant is a Cactaceae which originates from the Americas and is highly resistant to arid and hot environments. The plant is used as animal feedstuff in regions characterized by a lack of nutrient resources. In Italy, the fruits are known as prickly pears are usually eaten fresh by humans, and more recently have also started to be transformed into fruit juice. Various by-products (i.e., peel, pulp, and seeds) derived from the extraction of fruit juice are used for livestock feed due to their high amounts of fermentable structural carbohydrates. However, some of these by-products are difficult to conserve due to their high fermentability. The aim of the present s…

Improvement of Raw Milk Cheese Hygiene through the Selection of Starter and Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria: The Successful Case of PDO Pecorino Siciliano Cheese

This review article focuses on the technological aspects and microbiological critical points of pressed-cooked cheeses processed from raw ewe’s milk without the inoculation of starter cultures, in particular “Pecorino” cheese typology produced in Italy. After showing the composition of the biofilms adhering to the surface of the traditional dairy equipment (mainly wooden vat used to collect milk) and the microbiological characteristics of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese manufactured throughout Sicily, this cheese is taken as a case study to develop a strategy to improve its hygienic and safety characteristics. Basically, the natural lactic acid bacterial populations of fresh and ripened chees…

Palatability and in vivo digestibility of Mulberry leaves (Morus latifolia CV. Kokusou 21) in sheep feeding

Mulberry (Morus latifolia L.) leaves and green tops were utilised to study the palatability and the digestibility in two sheep feeding trials. In trial 1 mulberry palatability was determined by cafeteria test, that studies the animal preferences in a short period of time without the interference of post-ingestive factors. Mulberry leaves were tested in respect to vetch hay and oat concentrate; results showed that mulberry leaves were significantly preferred to other feeds. In trial 2 an in vivo digestibility was carried out on 4 rams equipped with the bags for the faeces collection, housed in individual box and fed ad libitum. Results showed that mulberry leaves and green tops were more dig…

Free fatty acids and other volatile compounds for the characterisation of "Vastedda della valle del Belice" cheese.

The analysis of the volatile constituents of “Vastedda della valle del Belìce”, a typical Sicilian pasta filata cheese, was performed using solid phase microextraction and high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The research aimed to verify if the volatile fraction, determinant for cheese flavor, differs among producers and/or production seasons. The samples were provided by four producers from the area of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) production, during two different seasons of production. A total of 42 volatile components were identified: the main components were found to be butanoic, hexanoic, octanoic, and decanoic acid. Free fatty acids were quantified using t…

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

A Multivariate Approach to Study the Bacterial Diversity Associated to the Wooden Shelves Used for Aging Traditional Sicilian Cheeses.

The present study was carried to correlate the microbial diversity of the biofilms developed on the wooden boards used for aging traditional Sicilian cheeses with cheese typology. To this end, the microbial diversity of the shelves in contact with the cheeses PDO Pecorino Siciliano, PDO Piacentinu Ennese, and TAP Caciocavallo Palermitano, during ripening, was evaluated by a multivariate statistical approach. The shelf biofilms of this study were previously analyzed for their microbial composition, but no correlation between biodiversity and cheese type was investigated. Canonical discriminant analysis confirmed a cheese typology effect on the microbial loads of the wooden shelves investigat…

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…

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…

Feeding and management techniques to favour summer sheep milk and cheese production in the Mediterranean environment

Sheep milk production in summer can lead to a diversification of milk products and to a more regular product distribution in the market throughout the year. However, in Mediterranean countries small ruminant production cycles are subjected to seasonal variations in forage resources. During summer, a key period for out of season production systems, nutrition plays a fundamental role in regulating the quantity and quality of milk production. In this review, feeding strategies and techniques that could be applied for out of season production in dairy ewes under different Mediterranean conditions are described for intensive, pasture-based and mixed systems. The most common feeding strategies us…

Contagious agalactiae: a prelimanr study on the impact on milk production of sicilian sheep

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…

BATTERI LATTICI CON ATTIVITA’ ANTIBATTERICA ISOLATI DA FORMAGGI TRADIZIONALI SICILIANI

The study was conducted on typical Sicilian cheeses made from raw cow milk (Caciocavallo Palermitano) and sheep milk (Vastedda della valle del Belice PDO e Pecorino PDO). Genotypic identification of the LAB isolates was carried out by 16S/23S rRNA sequencing. a total of 400 bacteria strains were isolated and genotypically identified as Lactobacillus spp., Lactoccoccus spp., Pediococcus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. Evaluation of bacteriocin-producing LAB was investigated in vitro using the “spot on the lawn” method (2) aganist Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli. Results showed a predominance of LAB sh…

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…

Multivariate factor analysis of Girgentana goat milk composition

The interpretation of the several variables that contribute to defining milk quality is difficult due to the high degree of correlation among them. In this case, one of the best methods of statistical processing is factor analysis, which belongs to the multivariate groups; for our study this particular statistical approach was employed. A total of 1485 individual goat milk samples from 117 Girgentana goats, were collected fortnightly from January to July, and analysed for physical and chemical composition, and clotting properties. Milk pH and tritable acidity were within the normal range for fresh goat milk. Morning milk yield resulted 704 ± 323 g with 3.93 ± 1.23% and 3.…

The influence of somatic cell count on sheep milk composition and cheese-making properties

Somatic cell count (SCC) is an important tool for monitoring intramammary infections in dairy cows. However, systematic generalization of this decision rule is not easy in small ruminants. Determination of SCC in sheep milk is important for the processors of milk (indicator of quality), for breeders (mastitis indicator) and could be useful for selection as well. SCC value can be affected by some non-infective factors such as breed, stage of lactation, parity, type of lambing, type of milking, etc. (Bergonier et al., 1994), as well the health status of the udder (Fruganti et al., 1985; Ranucci et al., 1988). In addition, EC Directive 92/46, which regulates the production and commercialisatio…

Impact of packaging on the microbiological, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of a “pasta filata” cheese

Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of four packaging technologies (vacuum, 2 types of modified atmosphere packaging [MAP1 = 70% N2/30% CO2; MAP2 = 100% N2] and paraffin) on the microbiological, chemical, physical and volatile organic composition, and the sensory characteristics of typical Sicilian stretched raw milk PDO (Protected Destination of Origin) Vastedda della Valle del Belice (VdB) cheese. The packaging applied did not affect the microbiological profiles of the cheeses. Of the chemical and physical parameters, only pH and water activity (aw) were statistically different among the trials. In particular, the cheeses wrapped in paraffin showed the highest pH value while …

Application of the Wood model to lactation curves of Comisana sheep

Abstract Ninety-two ewes of the Comisana breed were used in a study to verify the forecasting capacity of the mathematical model proposed by Wood for fitting sheep data, and to evaluate the effect of the environmental factors affecting the parameters of the lactation curve. The Wood model underestimated the total lactation milk production with an error margin of 12.2 ± 7.8 kg of milk corresponding to 10.9 ± 6.6%. There was a strong influence of order of lambing × lambing season interaction on the lactation parameters. The curves for the winter lambing ewes demonstrated a higher peak production than autumn lambing ewes (1728.4 vs. 1082.6 g, P ≤ 0.05 for the second lambing ewes and 1772.8 vs.…

Impiego di batteri lattici autoctoni per il miglioramento igienico-sanitario del Pecorino Siciliano DOP

Il Pecorino Siciliano DOP è considerato il più antico formaggio prodotto in Sicilia e, probabilmente, d’Europa. Le citazioni storiche sulla sua antica origine risalgono al IX secolo a.C. in uno dei passi più famosi dell’odissea di Omero, quando Ulisse incontra Polifemo. In seguito, anche Aristotele e Plinio esaltano il gusto unico di questo formaggio. In particolare, proprio Plinio, nella sua opera “Naturalis Historia”, redige una carta dei formaggi nella quale vengono citati, tra i migliori pecorini,quelli provenienti da Agrigento. Fra le caratteristiche peculiari del Pecorino Siciliano DOP vanno annoverati il sapore leggermente piccante e l’incantevole profumo di pascolo. Il Pecorino Sici…

Effect of different salting technologies on the chemical and microbiological characteristics of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese

The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of two salting technologies [dry salting (DS) and the combined dry-brine salting (DBS)] on the chemicophysical and microbiological characteristics of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheeses of different final weight (6 and 12 kg). Dry matter was significantly influenced by both salting process and final size. Twelve kilogram cheeses treated by DBS showed higher protein content with higher soluble nitrogen per cent than 6 kg cheeses. Salt content was in the range 3.1–4.0% on dry matter. The colour did not show significant differences for any of the factors, but 12 kg cheeses subjected to DS showed higher yellow index than the other cheeses. The …

Effect of the inclusion of fresh lemon pulp in the diet of lactating ewes on the properties of milk and cheese

This study investigated the effects of fresh lemon pulp (FLP), as a natural antioxidant in the diet, on the intake of feed and the production of milk and cheese of Valle del Belice lactating ewes during the hot summer in Sicily. A total of 15 second-lambing ewes, kept individually in 3 × 3 m pens, were divided into 3 homogeneous groups fed with 3 diets in a 3 × 3 Latin square design, with 3 experimental phases of 21 days each. The diets were: mixed hay ad libitum plus 600 g/day of concentrate (FLP0); mixed hay ad libitum plus 400 g/day of concentrate and 1 kg/day of FLP (FLP1); and mixed hay ad libitum plus 200 g/day of concentrate and 2 kg/day of FLP (FLP2). Nine experimental Pecorino chee…

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: …

Contagious agalactiae: a preliminary study on its impact on milk production of Sicilian sheep

The influence of age at slaughter and litter size on some quality traits of kid meat

Abstract To study variations in the carcass characteristics of Girgentana kids slaughtered at 25 or 35 days of age and litter size (single or twin), 27 male kids were slaughtered and body components, carcass joints, pelvic limb tissue composition, meat fatty acid composition and M. longissimus dorsi (LD) colour were evaluated. Girgentana kids slaughtered at 35 days had greater live weights (6.4 kg versus 5.0 kg; P ≤0.01), carcass weights (4.5 kg versus 3.6 kg; P ≤0.01), muscle contents (57.6% versus 54.9%; P ≤0.01) but similar dressing percentages (70.1% versus 70.6%) as compared to kids slaughtered at 25 days. Twin kids had a higher muscle percentage (57.3% versus 55.2%; P ≤0.05) and simil…

Dairy ewes fed with fresh citrus by-product feedstuff: the effect on Vastedda cheese characteristics

Effect of beta-lactoglobulin polymorphism on milk-related traits of dairy ewes analysed by a repeated measures design.

Among specific genes that may affect economically important traits in sheep, the β-lactoglobulin (LGB) locus has been extensively studied. Polymorphism has been detected in several breeds, but studies of the effect of LGB alleles on milk production traits have given conflicting results. Some found that LGB polymorphism significantly affects milk yield (Bolla et al. 1989; Herget et al. 1995; Fraghì et al. 1996), fat and protein content (Garzon & Martínez 1992; Giaccone et al. 1997; Kukovics et al. 1998), only fat content (Pirisi et al. 1998) and cheese yield and composition (Di Stasio et al. 1997; Rampilli et al. 1997). However, other studies failed to detect any effect of the gene on mi…

Addition of selected starter/non-starter lactic acid bacterial inoculums to stabilise PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese production

Abstract The present study was carried out to produce Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano cheese with a multi-species lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture, composed of starter and non-starter strains in order to reduce the microbiological variability of the products derived without LAB inoculums. To this end, cheese samples produced in six factories located in five provinces (Agrigento, Catania, Enna, Palermo and Trapani) of Sicily, and previously characterised for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory aspects, have been investigated in this work for bacterial microbiome, fatty acid (FA) composition as well as volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles. Analysis of …

Che Vastedda! Uno studio: d'estate è ancora più buona

Effects of litter size and sex on meat quality traits of kid meat

The influence of litter size and sex on meat quality traits was investigated using 40 Nebrodi kids slaughtered at 47 days of age. Carcass measurements (body components, carcass joints, pelvic limb tissue composition, meat fatty acid composition and M. longissimus dorsi (LD) colour), body weight at birth and at slaughter were evaluated. Nebrodi kids had a low body weight at birth, with significant differences between male and female (4.1 kg versus 3.9 kg) and between single and twin (4.2 kg versus 3.8 kg). Male kids were heavier at birth and at slaughter, however, females had a higher percentage of kidney and pelvic fat (2.1% versus 1.5% of the right side; P < 0.01). Both males and females, …

Factors associated with milk urea concentrations in Girgentana goats

A total of 1,481 milk samples of 166 Girgentana goats, taken along the entire lactation, were utilised to evaluate the effect of non nutritional factors on milk urea (MU). Parity, stage of lactation and month of sampling significantly influenced MU, while no effect was found for born kids number. The first kidding goats produced lower MU than multiparous goats. Trend of MU was similar to milk production course with a peak found at 60 DIM. The different MU levels between several months of production are often linked to pasture chemical variations.

Molecular characterization of dominant bacterial population in “Vastedda della Valle del Belice” cheese: preliminary investigation

The sensory characteristics of raw-milk cheeses are linked to the cheese-making process, to the environmental factors as animal feeding and to the biochemical and microbiological composition of the milk. In this report we temped to characterize the microflora in the typical Sicilian historical cheese as Vastedda della valle del Belice. Each cheese was previous subjected to microbial isolation on specific media (M17 and MRS). The colony obtained on the solid medium were subject to biochemical tests and DNA extraction. The microbial diversity occurring in the strains was evaluated by PCR, RFLP and sequencing targeted on 16S ribosomal DNA. A number of closest relatives species of lactic and co…

Vastedda della valle del Belice cheese: experimental contamination with Salmonella and Listeria spp.

Effect of lambing season on ewe’s colostrum composition

Colostrum provides newborns with nutrients and immunoglobulins that play a major role in the immune system. In this survey, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content, gross composition, mineral content, and fatty acid composition were determined in the colostrum of Valle del Belice ewes with the aim of evaluating the effect of lambing of season. In total, we analysed 60 bulk tank colostrum samples taken after lambing during two seasons (summer and winter). The IgG con- tent and Brix mean values were 40.35 g/L and 21.02%, respectively. The colostrum fat, protein, casein, and lactose percentages were 8.01, 12.10, 8.51, and 3.13%, respectively. The lambing sea- son significantly influenced the pH and…

Osservazioni su alcuni parametri di composizione e igienico-sanitari del latte d’asina

Sono riportati i risultati di un’indagine sulla qualità del latte d’asina prelevato presso quattro aziende siciliane da 27 animali nel corso della lattazione. La ricerca approfondisce alcuni aspetti relativi alla composizione ed all’assetto igienico-sanitario del prodotto, anche in funzione di quanto esplicitato nel Regolamento (CE) 853/2004 che include “altre specie” lattifere e sottolinea la futura emanazione di una normativa più specifica sulla qualità del latte e dei derivati. Gli AA auspicano che la presente indagine, unitamente ad altri studi sull’argomento, fornisca un contributo al fondamento scientifico sul quale dovrebbe essere basata la formulazione di specifici criteri normativi…

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…

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…

Latte bovino, ovino e caprino congelato: variazione dei parametri fisici, chimici e tecnologici

Comparison of Sulla-hay and Sulla-silage in the lactating ewes and their effects on milk and cheese characteristics

Abstract Two methods of storage of Sulla- and oat-grass (silage or hay) were compared. Forty-six homogeneous lactating ewes, housed indoors, were divided into two groups and after 35 days of diet adjustment, were fed ad libitum twice a day, either Sulla- ( Hedysarum coronarium L.) and oat-hay (control group) or Sulla- and oat-silage in partial substitution of hay (silage group). Both groups were fed with 0.5 kg of commercial concentrate. The dietary treatment started 60 days post-lambing and lasted for 58 days. Every day, the feeding intake for each group was recorded. Individual milk yield was measured weekly and at the same time, milk samples were collected and analysed by Milko-Scan 605.…

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…

Microbial diversity of traditional Sicilian cheeses

In the last years, the microbial characterisation of traditional Sicilian cheeses, such as Caciocavallo Palermitano, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce have been the object of different studies conducted by our research group. To this purpose, the aim of the present study was to describe the microbial population of traditional Sicilian cheeses.

Il pascolo degli ovini nel vigneto: valutazione della qualità delle produzioni lattiero-casearie

Vastedda: la pasta filata della valle del Belìce

Caratterizzazione chimica dei diversi tipi lattodinamografici di latte ovino

Determination of milk production losses in Valle del Belice sheep following experimental infection of Mycoplasma agalactiae

Abstract Economic losses due to contagious agalactia (CA) in small ruminant herds are mainly associated with significant reductions in or complete loss of dairy production, mortality, abortions, ill thrift, early culling and costs of control. With the aim of estimating milk production losses caused by CA, 46 primiparous lactating Valle del Belice ewes were monitored after experimental infection. Sixty days after lambing, two ewes were each experimentally infected with a single dose of 10 8  CFU/ml of a live Mycoplasma agalactiae strain in both teats by intracanalicular route. Three days after inoculation, the infection was spread manually by the milkers dipping their hands in the pooled mil…

Valutazione dei parametri lattodinamografici sul latte bovino, ovino e caprino congelato

Effect of propylene glycol on pre- and post-partum performance by dairy ewes

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects, after feeding propylene glycol to Valle del Belice ewes 30 days prepartum and 30 days postpartum, on metabolic profiles, body-condition score, milk yield, milk composition, milk clotting ability and the performance of suckling lambs. Ewes were blocked by parity, body-condition score and previous milk production, and assigned randomly to either a control diet or a diet containing propylene glycol fed at the rate of 80 g/ewe/day (low PG) or 160 g/ewe/day (high PG). Feeding propylene glycol prepartum decreased the concentration of BHBA and NEFA and increased the concentration of glucose in the ewes’ plasma. Milk yield from ewes fed …