THE USE OF CONCENTRATED SINGLE STRAIN CHEESE STARTERS IN SCOTLAND

Recent success using concentrated single strain starters in Scotland is based on continuing research work mainly by the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute. The Institute has isolated groups of 'phage unrelated single strain starters capable of producing good flavoured Cheddar cheese. These starters were concentrated and used to produce cheese on automated and mechanized equipment. The results are evaluated. Reliable acid production from the same starters used in refilled vats depends on adequate intermediate sanitation to control the phage levels to a predetermined level and the regular replacement of stock cultures.     

MODERN MILK PRODUCTION METHODS IN THE EEC - IN SCOTLAND

The future of the farming industry in Scotland as planned in the Government White Paper, and the significance of the part played by milk production is discussed. Comparisons between average herd sizes in the EEC and those of Scotland, the North of Scotland and Morayshire are given and methods of milking and feeding shown. The need for better grass, better management and building, also the importance of simple record keeping is stressed (Editor's summary).     

DIFFERENCES IN MALTING PERFORMANCE BETWEEN BARLEYS GROWN IN SPAIN AND SCOTLAND

Two barley genotypes were grown, in 2 seasons, at sites in both Scotland and Spain. The development of enzyme levels and endosperm modification were assayed, over the final 3 days of malting. Spanish grown samples demonstrated faster and more extensive synthesis of both α-amylase and β-glucanase, more rapid cell wall modification and a greater reduction in milling energy during malting than Scottish grown samples. Malt milling energy was strongly associated with cell wall breakdown, which was a limiting step in modification of Scottish, but not Spanish, grown samples. Extract levels were not related to α-amylase activity, but Kolbach index exhibited an association with extract at both sites.     

THE QUALITY OF BLENDED RAW MILK IN CREAMERIES IN SOUTH-WEST SCOTLAND

The quality of raw blended milk going to manufacture at five creameries in southwest Scotland has been surveyed over a two-year period. Analyses of gross composition, somatic cell count, numbers and types of bacteria present and the concentration of free fatty acid in the milk show that milk quality was of a high standard. However, extended storage of the milk at 6°C indicated that the bacteria in the milk were actively multiplying and the results showed that extended storage of milk at creameries could seriously jeopardize milk quality. The development of lipolysis on extended storage of the milks was associated with the numbers and types of bacteria present in the milk before storage.     

FACTORS INVOLVED IN RECENT OUTBREAKS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 IN SCOTLAND AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS CONTROL

This paper describes an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that occurred in central Scotland. Edipemiological and microbiological evidence has indicated that the outbreak was comprised of several separate but related incidents, relating to the lunch (attended by around 100 people) held in Wishaw Parish Church Hall, a birthday party held in a public house on November 23, 1996 and retail sales in Lanarkshire and Forth Valley. All isolates of E. coli O157:H7 from individuals in the outbreak belonged to phage type 2 and possessed the verocytotoxin gene VT2. Two hundred sixty-two of these isolates have been subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE): all had indistinguishable profiles. There were 496 cases in total. There have been 20 deaths (all adults) associated with the outbreak, the highest number of deaths associated with an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection in the world. Of these, 8 people had attended the luncheon served at Wishaw Old Parish Church on November 27, 1996. The age range of those who died was 69 to 93 years. The outbreak was investigated by the Pennington Group who concluded that the circumstances of the central Scotland outbreak, and the inevitable uncertainties that may surround outbreaks generally, provide strong justification for the precautionary, preventative measures proposed and the recommendations made.