破壁方法对嗜热链球菌SP1.1胞内乳糖代谢关键酶活性的影响及其条件优化

通过超声波破壁法、溶菌酶破壁法、反复冻融法和机械破壁法4种不同破壁方式对嗜热链球菌SP1.1进行破壁处理,对菌体的破壁率、提取的β-半乳糖苷酶和乳酸脱氢酶两种胞内酶的活力进行分析比较,以确定适合于嗜热链球菌细胞破壁方法及其最佳条件。结果表明：这4种菌体细胞破壁效果存在很大差异,其中经溶菌酶处理胞内酶提取效果最好,破壁率可达99.87%,β-半乳糖苷酶酶活力为0.387U,乳酸脱氢酶酶活力为2.375U,与其他3种方法的破壁效果差异极显著(P＜0.01)。优化溶菌酶破壁条件,当处理8mL菌浓度为1.3×109CFU/mL的样品时,确定处理最佳温度为37℃,时间为30min,酶(20000U/mL)用量为1mL,此时破壁率可达99.99%,β-半乳糖苷酶酶活力为0.429U,乳酸脱氢酶酶活力为2.431U。     

胰蛋白酶水解对乳蛋白抗原性影响的研究

以胰蛋白酶为水解用酶,利用小鼠动物模型从体外和体内两个方面研究了水解作用对牛乳蛋白抗原性的影响。结果表明,胰蛋白酶水解的最适条件为50℃,E/S为0.6%下水解1.5 h。此水解条件下乳蛋白的总致敏性降低最多,分别为α-乳白蛋白(α-LA)抗原性降低率为80.16%,β-乳球蛋白(β-LG)抗原性降低率为51.94%,酪蛋白(CN)抗原性降低率为73.26%。动物实验表明:酶解组小鼠过敏症状较未水解的牛乳蛋白组相比明显减轻。与乳蛋白相比,酶解物显著抑制特异性IgE的产生,IgE质量浓度下降了42.36%。血浆组胺实验表明,酶解物降低血浆中组胺的释放,组胺质量浓度比乳蛋白组下降了32.77%。     

荷斯坦奶牛初乳中酶及激素的含量变化研究

在荷斯坦奶牛分娩后1～8 d采集当天乳样,分析了乳中部分酶的活力和激素的含量变化。结果表明,碱性磷酸酶的活力在1 d中最高,达到5.39 U(P<0.05),而后随着时间延长酶的活力下降;-γ谷氨酰转肽酶在1 d达到1002.08 U(P<0.05),而后活力开始下降,7 d达到602.76 U;黄嘌呤氧化酶和乳酸脱氢酶的活力分别在40～120 U和20～40 U之间变化,各天之间无显著性差异(P>0.05);瘦素的质量浓度在2.30～5.14 ng/mL之间变化,各天之间无显著差异(P>0.05);胰岛素的含量1 d为最高2043.40 u IU/mL(P<0.05),随时间呈逐渐下降趋势;皮质醇的质量浓度1 d最高为95.77 ng/mL(P<0.05),总体呈下降趋势;泌乳素的质量浓度1 d为9.06 ng/mL,而后逐渐下降,各天之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。     

河南奶山羊及其杂种羊泌乳早期乳成分动态变化

对河南奶山羊及其杂种羊泌乳早期初乳及常乳主要常规成分进行分析。结果表明:奶山羊和杂种羊乳中干物质含量分别在泌乳的第1天和第2天最高,分别达24.14g/100g和26.17g/100g,高峰后随着泌乳期的延长总体上呈下降趋势;乳糖含量在两组羊乳中随着泌乳期的延长总体上均呈上升趋势;乳脂率均在泌乳第5天和第4天时最高,分别达6.32g/100g和5.38g/100g,随着泌乳期的延长呈下降趋势。奶山羊前5d含量所泌初乳中,乳蛋白含量逐渐升高,常乳中乳蛋白含量基本稳定,杂种羊乳蛋白含量在初乳期随着泌乳期的延长呈下降趋势,常乳中含量基本稳定。乳中的灰分含量随着泌乳期的延长总体呈下降趋势,到常乳期有波动。乳中钙含量在实验期趋于稳定,磷含量在初乳期随泌乳期延长而稍有增加,常乳期平稳下降。河南奶山羊及其杂种羊乳中主要成分随着泌乳时间的变化而变化,各主要成分含量的变化与饲养管理条件和羊只营养状况等因素存在密切关系。     

帕米尔牦牛乳蛋白分离及α-乳白蛋白纯化研究

帕米尔牦牛分布在新疆克孜勒苏柯尔克孜自治州和喀什地区境内的帕米尔高原,帕米尔牦牛乳蛋白含量高,营养丰富,是当地牧民重要的食物来源。该研究利用等电点沉淀法对新疆帕米尔牦牛乳中大分子蛋白进行分离,得到乳清蛋白和酪蛋白,对其含量进行测定,并采用硫酸铵分级沉淀和离子交换层析等方法对α-乳白蛋白(α-lactalbumin,α-La)进行纯化。结果表明,帕米尔牦牛乳中总蛋白含量为(2.81±0.23) g/100mL,其中乳清蛋白和酪蛋白质量比为43∶57;帕米尔牦牛乳蛋白质包含α-La、β-乳球蛋白(β-lactoglobulin,β-Lg)、酪蛋白、血清白蛋白、乳铁蛋白和免疫球蛋白G等多种活性蛋白;另外,用饱和度为80%的硫酸铵可将α-La和β-Lg有效分离;再用DEAE-Sepharose离子交换层析进一步纯化,可除去β-Lg,得到高纯度的α-La。该研究可为新疆帕米尔牦牛产业发展及牦牛乳产品开发提供理论基础。     

菠萝蜜多糖对脾淋巴细胞抗氧化作用及免疫功能的影响

本研究旨在探明菠萝蜜多糖(polysaccharide from jackfruit pulp,JFP-Ps)对正常小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和免疫调节的影响。通过体外小鼠脾淋巴细胞的培养实验,测定不同质量浓度JFP-Ps对正常小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖、抗氧化能力(总抗氧化能力(total antioxidant capacity,T-AOC)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)活力和丙二醛(malonic dialdehyde,MDA)含量)及细胞因子(肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、干扰素-γ(interferon-γ,IFN-γ)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β))分泌水平的影响。结果显示,JFP-Ps可促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,质量浓度为80μg/mL和160μg/mL时效果显著(P0.05);当JFP-Ps质量浓度为40μg/mL甚至更高时,T-AOC及GSH-Px、SOD和CAT活力显著升高(P0.05),但MDA含量显著降低(P0.05);JFP-Ps在质量浓度40~160μg/mL范围内可显著促进脾淋巴细胞TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-1β的分泌(P0.05)。结果表明JFP-Ps的免疫增强活性可能与其促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖、提高抗氧化活性及诱导细胞因子TNF-α、IFN-γ和IL-1β分泌水平有关。     

红茶菌对寒冷诱导的小鼠SOD和LDH酶活力及丙二醛和谷胱甘肽含量的影响

目的：通过研究超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)酶活力及丙二醛(MDA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量来探究红茶菌发酵液是否能提高机体的抗寒能力。方法：以4组CD-1(ICR)小鼠,每组5只,分别连续30d灌注生理盐水(对照组)、糖茶水(糖茶组)、红茶菌发酵液(实验组1)和合成培养基发酵液(实验组2),每天灌胃1mL。以血液中的SOD和LDH酶活力及MDA和GSH含量为指标来研究小鼠抗寒能力。结果：与对照组相比,实验组1和实验组2受冻前后的SOD酶活力极显著升高(P＜0.01),MDA含量极显著降低(P＜0.01);实验组1受冻前后GSH含量极显著升高(P＜0.01),实验组2受冻后GSH含量极显著升高(P＜0.01);实验组1和实验组2受冻后LDH酶活力显著降低(P＜0.01)。结论：对照组和糖茶组不能提高小鼠抗寒能力,而实验组1和实验组2能提高小鼠抗寒能力,并且实验组1效果好于实验组2效果。     

聚乙二醇修饰β-乳球蛋白羧基对其抗原性和结构的影响

采用聚乙二醇（polyethylene glycol,PEG）对β-乳球蛋白（β-lactoglobulin,β-LG）羧基共价修饰,探究PEG修饰及PEG化程度对β-LG抗原性和结构的影响。结果表明：总修饰率为82.91%;使用SP?Sepharose?Fast?Flow阳离子交换柱分离纯化,获得纯度分别为99.66%和98.61%的两种主要修饰产物;十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳及基质辅助激光解析电离飞行时间质谱鉴定产物分子质量分别为23.3?kDa和28.6?kDa,为单修饰产物（mono-PEG-β-LG）及两点修饰产物（di-PEG-β-LG）。β-LG、mono-PEG-β-LG和di-PEG-β-LG的间接竞争酶联免疫吸附测定半抑制浓度（IC50）分别为1.90、2.47?μg/mL和10.41?μg/mL;mono-PEG-β-LG和di-PEG-β-LG的IC50分别是β-LG的1.30?倍和5.48?倍,表明提高PEG修饰程度可极显著降低β-LG的抗原性。mono-PEG-β-LG和di-PEG-β-LG的游离巯基含量分别为42.70?μmol/g和37.97?μmol/g,表明PEG化程度增强,遮蔽作用增强。表面疏水性和内源荧光分析表明,mono-PEG-β-LG只发生了三级结构变化,而di-PEG-β-LG二级结构水平同时发生变化,表明PEG修饰后β-LG空间结构的改变可能是导致其构象表位破坏和抗原性下降的因素。PEG分子遮蔽可能是导致修饰产物抗原性降低的另一原因。PEG共价修饰β-LG可以显著降低后者的抗原性,且随PEG化程度增大β-LG抗原性降低幅度增加。     

产β-D-半乳糖苷酶马克斯克鲁维酵母的分离鉴定及其产酶特性

从藏灵菇中分离筛选到的一株高产β-D-半乳糖苷酶菌株ZX-5,经ITS DNA序列分析,鉴定为马克斯克鲁维酵母。对产酶培养基的最佳碳源和氮源优化结果为半乳糖2.0%,胰蛋白胨1.0%;产酶优化条件:温度30℃,培养基初始pH 6.5,装液量30%,转速100 r/min,接种量2.0%,发酵36 h。粗酶液酶活力为2.60 U/mL;经硫酸铵分级沉淀和DEAE离子交换层析,获得纯化酶的比活力为157.35 U/mg。酶最适反应温度35℃,最适pH 6.0,在20~40℃和pH 5.0~7.0的范围内酶的稳定性较好;Mn2+对酶的活性有促进作用。利用菌株ZX-5β-D-半乳糖苷酶分解乳糖并合成低聚半乳糖(galacto-oligosaccharide,GOS),在35℃、乳糖质量浓度60 g/100 mL、酶浓度1.0 U/mL条件下,乳糖水解率达68.34%(50 h),GOS产率达34.70%(40 h),具有潜在的应用前景。     

复合发酵棉籽粕营养价值及活性产物分析研究

旨在研究复合固态发酵(两株酵母和一株霉菌)对棉籽粕脱毒效果及营养价值的影响,同时分析测定发酵底物中的活性产物。结果表明:复合发酵可极显著降低棉籽粕底物游离棉酚含量(P0.01),降解率达71.90%;棉籽粕底物粗蛋白、总氨基酸和必需氨基酸含量分别提高28.96%、8.83%、7.58%;发酵54~60 h时底物中蛋白酶活力最高(酸性蛋白酶活力为931.58 U/g,中性蛋白酶活力为1 097.79 U/g,碱性蛋白酶活力为798.62 U/g),纤维素酶活力最高(滤纸酶活力为1 601.66 U/g,Cx酶活力为3 590.02 U/g,C1酶活力为1 685.35 U/g),淀粉酶活力最高为578.05 U/g;同时发酵过程产生了一定量的有机酸。     

β-乳球蛋白对VE热稳定性的影响

为改善超高温瞬时灭菌(ultra-high temperature instantaneous sterilization,UHT)乳中VE的热稳定性,以 β-乳球蛋白(β-lactoglobulin,β-LG)和VE为材料制备复合物,探究β-LG对VE热稳定性的影响.通过浊度、粒径、Zeta电位、扫描电子显微镜、十二...     

Prediction of β-lactoglobulin genotypes based on milk Fourier transform infrared spectra

β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) genotypes are associated with differences in bovine milk protein composition. Therefore, β-LG genotypes are of direct relevance for the dairy industry. In this study, we predicted β-lactoglobulin genotypes based on routinely recorded milk Fourier transform infrared spectra using 500 calibration samples. The results show that 76% of the cows carrying the β-LG AA genotype, 80% of the cows carrying the β-LG AB genotype, and 66% of the cows carrying the β-LG BB genotype were predicted correctly. Furthermore, the prediction of β-LG genotypes based on Fourier transform infrared spectra showed a repeatability of 0.85. We discuss how the combined use of predicted β-LG genotypes, pedigree information, and β-LG genotypes derived using other methods could lead to further improvement in the percentage of correctly predicted β-LG genotypes. The presented methodology is easy and inexpensive and could ultimately provide β-LG genotypes at the individual cow level.     

Research on the chemical composition of Saanen goat colostrum

Changes in chemical composition in Saanen goat colostrum were studied 3, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 h after parturition. The concentrations of dry matter, fat, ash, lactose, protein and IgG at 3 h of lactation were 21.23%, 7.73%, 1.57%, 1.93%, 10.24% and 72.01 mg/mL respectively. Saanen goat colostrum contained very high concentrations of Ca, P and Mg, and very low concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cd, As, Pb and Hg. In Saanen goat colostrum, the total concentrations of 17 amino acids and 8 essential amino acids were 5796.6 mg/100 mL and 2567.7 mg/100 mL respectively. The concentrations of saturated fatty acids were 75.21%, and medium chain saturated fatty acids (C₈⁰, C₁₀⁰) were 19.84%.     

Short communication: Effect of kefir grains on proteolysis of major milk proteins

The effect of kefir grains on the proteolysis of major milk proteins in milk kefir and in a culture of kefir grains in pasteurized cheese whey was followed by reverse phase-HPLC analysis. The reduction of κ-, α-, and β-caseins (CN), α-lactalbumin (α-LA), and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) contents during 48 and 90 h of incubation of pasteurized milk (100 mL) and respective cheese whey with kefir grains (6 and 12 g) at 20°C was monitored. Significant proteolysis of α-LA and κ-, α-, and β-caseins was observed. The effect of kefir amount (6 and 12 g/100 mL) was significant for α-LA and α- and β-CN. α-Lactalbumin and β-CN were more easily hydrolyzed than α-CN. No significant reduction was observed with respect to β-LG concentration for 6 and 12 g of kefir in 100 mL of milk over 48 h, indicating that no significant proteolysis was carried out. Similar results were observed when the experiment was conducted over 90 h. Regarding the cheese whey kefir samples, similar behavior was observed for the proteolysis of α-LA and β-LG: α-LA was hydrolyzed between 60 and 90% after 12 h (for 6 and 12 g of kefir) and no significant β-LG proteolysis occurred. The proteolytic activity of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in kefir community was evaluated. Kefir milk prepared under normal conditions contained peptides from proteolysis of α-LA and κ-, α-, and β-caseins. Hydrolysis is dependent on the kefir:milk ratio and incubation time. β-Lactoglobulin is not hydrolyzed even when higher hydrolysis time is used. Kefir grains are not appropriate as adjunct cultures to increase β-LG digestibility in whey-based or whey-containing foods.     

Detection of recombinant human lactoferrin and lysozyme produced in a bitransgenic cow

Lactoferrin and lysozyme are 2 glycoproteins with great antimicrobial activity, being part of the nonspecific defensive system of human milk, though their use in commercial products is difficult because human milk is a limited source. Therefore, many investigations have been carried out to produce those proteins in biological systems, such as bacteria, yeasts, or plants. Mammals seem to be more suitable as expression systems for human proteins, however, especially for those that are glycosylated. In the present study, we developed a bicistronic commercial vector containing a goat β-casein promoter and an internal ribosome entry site fragment between the human lactoferrin and human lysozyme genes to allow the introduction of both genes into bovine adult fibroblasts in a single transfection. Embryos were obtained by somatic cell nuclear transfer, and, after 6 transferences to recipients, 3 pregnancies and 1 viable bitransgenic calf were obtained. The presence of the vector was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization of skin cells. At 13 mo of life and after artificial induction of lactation, both recombinant proteins were found in the colostrum and milk of the bitransgenic calf. Human lactoferrin concentration in the colostrum was 0.0098 mg/mL and that in milk was 0.011 mg/mL; human lysozyme concentration in the colostrum was 0.0022 mg/mL and that in milk was 0.0024 mg/mL. The molar concentration of both human proteins revealed no differences in protein production of the internal ribosome entry site upstream and downstream protein. The enzymatic activity of lysozyme in the transgenic milk was comparable to that of human milk, being 6 and 10 times higher than that of bovine lysozyme present in milk. This work represents an important step to obtain multiple proteins or enhance single protein production by using animal pharming and fewer regulatory and antibiotic-resistant foreign sequences, allowing the design of humanized milk with added biological value for newborn nutrition and development. Transgenic animals can offer a unique opportunity to the dairy industry, providing starting materials suitable to develop specific products with high added value.     

胶体金免疫层析法快速检测配方羊奶粉中的牛β-乳球蛋白

建立了一种可快速检测配方羊奶粉中牛β-乳球蛋白(β-lactoglobulin,β-lg)的胶体金免疫层析检测方法。通过杂交瘤技术制备β-lg单克隆抗体(monoclonal antibody,mAb),半抑制浓度(50% inhibiting concentration,IC₅₀)为5.87 μg/mL。将胶体金标记的β-lg mAb包被于金标垫,β-lg和山羊抗小鼠IgG标记于硝酸纤维素膜(nitrocellulose membrane,NC膜)分别作为检测线(T线)和质控线(C线),开发了可检测β-lg的免疫层析试纸条。该试纸条对β-lg的检测限(limit of detection,LOD)值为50 μg/mL,与其他基质成分均未产生有效交叉反应,对全脂山羊乳粉中掺杂脱脂牛奶粉(nonfat skim milk,NFSM)、脱盐乳清粉(desalted whey powder,DWP)和乳清蛋白粉(whey protein powder,WPP)的LOD值分别为5%、5%和0.1%。运用该方法对9个市售配方羊奶粉进行分析,检测结果与商品化酶联免疫吸附测定(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)试剂盒一致。该方法前处理快速简单,5 min即可裸眼判定结果,可用于配方羊奶粉商品的现场快速检测。     

Evaluation of colostrum bioactive protein transfer and blood metabolic traits in neonatal lambs in the first 24 hours of life

Colostrum is a unique resource that contributes to the passive transfer of immunity and plays a central role in the health status of neonatal ruminants. However, digestion and absorption of colostral proteins in the gut remain incompletely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of bovine colostrum feeding on blood metabolic traits and to quantify colostral bioactive proteins in the gastrointestinal digesta and blood to evaluate intestinal transfer in neonatal lambs in the first 24 h of life. Fifty-four newborn lambs were used in this study, including 27 lambs fed pooled bovine colostrum and slaughtered at 6 (C6h), 12 (C12h), or 24 h (C24h) after birth; 18 lambs not fed any colostrum or milk and slaughtered at birth (N0h) or 24 h (N24h) after birth; and 9 milk-fed lambs slaughtered at 24 h (M24h) after birth. Lambs receiving colostrum or milk were bottle-fed within the first 2 h to obtain intakes of 8% of body weight at birth. Samples of blood and digesta from the abomasum, jejunum, and ileum were collected after slaughter. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, total protein, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in colostrum-fed lambs than in N0h lambs. Serum concentrations of insulin, total protein, insulin-like growth factor 1, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were higher in C24h lambs than in N24h or M24h lambs. Apparent efficiencies of IgG absorption in C6h, C12h, and C24h lambs were 14.4, 26.8, and 17.2%, respectively, whereas apparent efficiencies of lactoferrin (LF), α-lactalbumin (α-LA), and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) absorption were very low in colostrum-fed lambs, with mean values of 0.06, 0.002, and 0.003%, respectively. Concentrations of IgG, LF, α-LA, and β-LG in the digesta of the abomasum, jejunum, and ileum rapidly decreased from C6h to C24h lambs, and the disappearance rates of IgG, LF, α-LA, and β-LG were higher in lambs from C6h to C12h (62.1, 75.7, 91.3, and 95.0% for IgG, LF, α-LA, and β-LG, respectively) than from C12h to C24h (34.6, 22.5, 7.5, and 2.2% for IgG, LF, α-LA, and β-LG, respectively). These results indicated that bovine colostrum feeding improved the metabolic and immunological status of lambs, and that ingested colostral IgG was prone to intact uptake into the blood, whereas almost all ingested LF, α-LA, and β-LG disappeared in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract in a time-dependent manner. The findings provide novel information for exploring selective absorption of colostral compounds in the small intestine of lambs.     

Qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry comparison of characteristic galactosyl lactose isomers from goat milk at different lactation stages

Galactooligosaccharides are composed mainly of galactosyl lactose, which is important for infant growth and as a functional food additive. Although galactosyl lactose is abundant in goat milk, its complex structure has hindered the separation and analysis of its isomers. In this study, 5 isomers of goat milk galactosyl lactose were separated by HPLC: β6′-galactosyl lactose (β6′-GL), α6′-galactosyl lactose (α6′-GL), β4′-galactosyl lactose (β4′-GL), α3′-galactosyl lactose (α3′-GL), and β3′-galactosyl lactose (β3′-GL). This composition differs from that of commercial galactooligosaccharide products, which comprise mainly β-configuration oligosaccharides. The isomers were then qualitatively and quantitatively compared at different lactation stages using online HPLC-mass spectrometry. Relative quantitative analysis showed that the total content of the 5 galactosyl lactose isomers was highest in transitional goat milk. Specifically, β3′-GL was the main isomer in colostrum and α3′-GL was the main isomer in transitional and mature milk. β6′-Galactosyl lactose and β4′-GL tended to increase and then decrease during lactation. Moreover, α3′-GL content was 2 times higher than in colostrum and 10 times higher in transitional milk than in mature milk; in contrast, for β3′-GL, the values were 5 and 2 times higher, respectively. Absolute quantitative analysis revealed that β3′-GL was the most abundant isomers in colostrum (32.3 mg/L), and α3′-GL was the most abundant in transitional milk (88.1 mg/L) and mature milk (36.3 mg/L). These findings provide an important quantitative basis for understanding the relationship between structure and function of galactosyl lactose in goat milk, as well as its exploitation as a functional food.     

Physicochemical and functional properties of goat milk whey protein and casein obtained during different lactation stages

During lactation, goat milk contains colostrum, transitional milk, mature milk, and end milk. The protein present in goat milk during different lactation periods has different characteristics. This study aimed to characterize the protein profile of goat milk samples obtained at different lactation stages and to identify changes in the physicochemical and functional properties of whey protein and casein from goat milk collected at 1, 3, 15, 100, and 200 d after calving. The results demonstrated that the lactation period had a great influence on the physicochemical and functional properties of goat milk whey protein and casein, especially the protein properties of colostrum on the first day after delivery. The denaturation temperature, hydrophobicity, and turbidity of whey protein were significantly higher on the first day postpartum than at other lactation periods. Correspondingly, the colostrum whey protein also had better functional properties, such as emulsification, oil holding capacity, and foaming properties on the first day postpartum than at other lactation periods. For casein, the turbidity, particle size, water holding capacity, and foaming properties on the first day after delivery were significantly higher than those at other lactation periods, whereas the denaturation temperature, oil holding capacity, and emulsification followed the opposite trend. For both whey protein and casein, the 2 indicators of emulsifying properties, namely, emulsifying activity index and the emulsion stability, also followed an opposite trend relative to lactation stage, whereas the changes in foaming capacity with the lactation period were completely consistent with the change of foaming stability. These findings could provide useful information for the use of goat milk whey protein and casein obtained during different lactation stages in the dairy industry.     

Past, present, and future perspectives of small ruminant dairy research

The objectives of this paper are to review small ruminant dairy research in relation to the dimensions of the dairy goat and dairy sheep industries in the United States and the world. At least 10 countries depend on goats and sheep for between 30 to 76% of total milk supply. Leading among developed countries is Greece producing 178 kg milk per person per year with 61% from sheep and goats. Most developing countries need research, extension service, and public support to improve apparent productivity of goats and sheep. Domestic supply from all milk sources is <100 kg/person per year, and annual apparent yields average <100 kg of milk/goat, <50 kg of milk/sheep, which makes supplies of animal protein and calcium from domestic sources very low. Statistical data on goat and sheep production for United States are not available. The small population of DHIA tested US dairy goats averaged in recent years >700 kg of milk/goat per year, and some dairy sheep breeds may produce as much as 650 kg/yr. The need for more milk availability appears to be reflected in the dramatic increases of dairy goat populations during the last 20 yr: 52% for the world, 56% for developing, 17% for developed countries, while sheep populations decreased by 3% for the world, by 6% in developed, but increased 14% in developing countries. Research has been sparse on the unique qualities of goat and sheep milk compared with cow milk. Much development work by various agencies has been devoted to reducing mortality and improving feed supplies in harmony with the environment; this work is mostly published in proceedings of scientific meetings, often not in English. Results have shown in many cases that dairy goats and dairy sheep can be very profitable, even in developing countries with difficult climate and topographical conditions.