Diet supplementation with donkey milk upregulates liver mitochondrial uncoupling,reduces energy efficiency and improves antioxidant and antiinflammatory defences in rats

Dietary PUFA, mainly those of the n‐3 family, are known to play essential roles in the maintenance of energy balance and in the reduction of body fat deposition through the upregulation of mitochondrial uncoupling that is the main source of reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that rat supplementation with raw donkey's milk (DM), characterized by low‐fat content and higher n3:n6 ratio, may affect energy balance, lipid metabolism, and prooxidant status as compared to animals treated with cow's milk. In the present study, the effects of drinking raw DM (for 4 weeks) on energy balance, lipid metabolism, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant/detoxifying defences was compared to that produced by rat intake of an iso‐energetic amount of raw cow's milk. The hypolipidemic effect produced by DM paralleled with the enhanced mitochondrial activity/proton leakage and with the increased activity or expression of mitochondrial markers namely, carnitine palmitoyl transferase and uncoupling protein 2. The association of decreased energy efficiency with reduced proinflammatory signs (TNF‐α and LPS levels) with the significant increase antioxidant (total thiols) and detoxifying enzyme activities (glutathione‐S‐transferase NADH quinone oxidoreductase) in DM‐treated animals, indicated that beneficial effects were attributable, at least in part, to the activation of nuclear factor 2 erythroid‐related factor 2 pathway.     

Fermented milk obtained with kefir grains as an ingredient in breadmaking

The objectives of this research were to study the effect of the addition of lyophilised kefir milk to premixes for household production of bread and evaluate the quality attributes of them. Four lyophilised samples were obtained from the followings: skim milk, acidified skim milk, fermented skim milk and neutralised fermented skim milk. Breads were prepared with commercial wheat flour, lyophilised milk samples and yeast through a straight dough process. Quality was assessed through loaf volume, crumb porosity and moisture, crumb texture and crust colour. Changes in texture and starch recrystallisation by X‐ray diffractometry were determined after 1 and 3 days of storage at room temperature. Breads with acidified milks showed the highest specific volumes and crumbs with the best texture properties. Crystallinity in bread with fermented milks was higher than for skim milk sample. This would indicate that there would be a certain effect of the type of milk processing on the promotion of starch retrogradation.     

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed whey proteins in Saanen goat milk from different provinces in China using a data-independent acquisition technique

Whey proteins of Saanen goat milk samples from 3 provinces in China (Guangdong, GD; Inner Mongolia, IM; Shaanxi, SX) were characterized and compared using data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics technique. A total of 550 proteins were quantified in all 3 samples. There were 44, 44, and 33 differentially expressed proteins (DEP) for GD versus IM, GD versus SX, and IM versus SX, respectively. Gene ontology annotation analysis showed that the largest number of DEP for the 3 comparisons were as follows: for biological processes: response to progesterone, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate metabolic process, and negative regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation; for molecular functions: antioxidant activity, binding, and peroxiredoxin activity; and for cellular components: the same category of extracellular regions for the 3 comparisons, respectively. Pathways for the DEP of 3 comparisons were (1) disease; (2) synthesis and metabolism; and (3) synthesis, degradation, and metabolism. Protein–protein interaction network analysis showed that DEP for GD versus SX had the most interactions.     

Models to predict milk fat concentration and yield of lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis

Few models have attempted to predict total milk fat because of its high variation among and within herds. The objective of this meta-analysis was to develop models to predict milk fat concentration and yield of lactating dairy cows. Data from 158 studies consisting of 658 treatments from 2,843 animals were used. Data from several feed databases were used to calculate dietary nutrients when dietary nutrient composition was not reported. Digested intake (DI, g/d) of each fatty acid (FA; C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1 cis, C18:1 trans C18:2, C18:3) and absorbed amounts (g/d) of each AA (Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val) were calculated and used as candidate variables in the models. A multi-model inference method was used to fit a large set of mixed models with study as the random effect, and the best models were selected based on Akaike's information criterion corrected for sample size and evaluated further. Observed milk fat concentration (MFC) ranged from 2.26 to 4.78%, and milk fat yield (MFY) ranged from 0.488 to 1.787 kg/d among studies. Dietary levels of forage, starch, and total FA (dry matter basis) averaged 50.8 ± 10.3% (mean ± standard deviation), 27.5 ± 7.0%, and 3.4 ± 1.3%, respectively. The MFC was positively correlated with dietary forage (0.294) and negatively associated with dietary starch (?0.286). The DI of C18:2 (g/d) was more negatively correlated with MFC (?0.313) than that of the other FA. The best variables for predicting MFC were days in milk, FA-free dry matter intake, forage, starch, DI of C18:2, DI of C18:3, and absorbed Met, His, and Trp. The best predictor variables for MFY were FA-free dry matter intake, days in milk, absorbed Met and Ile, and intakes of digested C16:0 and C18:3. This model had a root mean square error of 14.1% and concordance correlation coefficient of 0.81. Surprisingly, DI of C18:3 was positively related to milk fat, and this relationship was consistently observed among models. The models developed can be used as a practical tool for predicting milk fat of dairy cows, while recognizing that additional factors are likely to also affect fat yield.     

Overview of the local production process of raw milk butter in Wallonia (Belgium)

This study aims to describe the procedures and practices used in local production of raw milk butter. The demand for local products is increasing; hence, there is a need to describe the practices used in the artisanal production of raw milk butter. Therefore, a survey of 147 raw milk butter producers was carried out. The results from the survey indicate that there is not one single way to produce butter at artisanal level. In terms of maturation, six temperature sequences were distinguished. Attention is required at every step of production starting from breeding.     

Adhesion to pharyngeal epithelium and modulation of immune response: Lactobacillus salivarius AR809, a potential probiotic strain isolated from the human oral cavity

Microbiome modulators such as probiotics are known to modulate oral diseases. Very few probiotics are commercially available for use in the oral cavity. In this context, we selected human-origin Lactobacillus salivarius AR809 as a promising oropharyngeal probiotic and characterized its functional and immunomodulatory properties. Results demonstrated that AR809 could efficiently adhere to pharyngeal epithelial FaDu cells, antagonize Staphylococcus aureus, adapt to the oral environment, and modulate host innate immunity by inducing potentially protective effects. Particularly, AR809 diminished proinflammatory activity by enhancing the production of IL10 and inhibiting the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL1B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and RELA. Finally, we observed that AR809 grew efficiently when cultured in milk, suggesting that the preparation of a fermented milk product containing AR809 could be a practical way to administer this probiotic to humans. In conclusion, AR809 has high potential to adhere to the pharyngeal mucosa and could be applied in novel milk-based probiotic fermented food products.     

Nutrient Recommendations for Growing-up Milk: A Report of an Expert Panel

Utilization of expert recommendations in the development of food and beverage nutritional profiles represents an opportunity to merge science and food manufacturing to deliver nutritionally optimized products into the marketplace. This report details expert panel guidelines for the design of a nutritional product for children one to six years of age. This interaction demonstrates the essential synergy between academia and food manufacturers in translating nutrient recommendations to food for their delivery to a population. Important factors for such translation are the identification of applicable nutrient recommendations and selection of an appropriate delivery matrix. This report demonstrates the translation of expert nutritional recommendations to a milk-based product for children—one to six years of age.     

Milk metabolome reveals variations on enteric methane emissions from dairy cows fed a specific inhibitor of the methanogenesis pathway

Metabolome profiling in biological fluids is an interesting approach for exploring markers of methane emissions in ruminants. In this study, a multiplatform metabolomics approach was used for investigating changes in milk metabolic profiles related to methanogenesis in dairy cows. For this purpose, 25 primiparous Holstein cows at similar lactation stage were fed the same diet supplemented with (treated, n = 12) or without (control, n = 13) a specific antimethanogenic additive that reduced enteric methane production by 23% with no changes in intake, milk production, and health status. The study lasted 6 wk, with sampling and measures performed in wk 5 and 6. Milk samples were analyzed using 4 complementary analytical methods, including 2 untargeted (nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer) and 2 targeted (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector) approaches. After filtration, variable selection and normalization data from each analytical platform were then analyzed using multivariate orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis. All 4 analytical methods were able to differentiate cows from treated and control groups. Overall, 38 discriminant metabolites were identified, which affected 10 metabolic pathways including methane metabolism. Some of these metabolites such as dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylsulfone, and citramalic acid, detected by nuclear magnetic resonance or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods, originated from the rumen microbiota or had a microbial-host animal co-metabolism that could be associated with methanogenesis. Also, discriminant milk fatty acids detected by targeted gas chromatography were mostly of ruminal microbial origin. Other metabolites and metabolic pathways significantly affected were associated with AA metabolism. These findings provide new insight on the potential role of milk metabolites as indicators of enteric methane modifications in dairy cows.     

Milk feeding level and starter protein content: Effects on growth performance,blood metabolites,and urinary purine derivatives of Holstein dairy calves

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of milk allowances equal to 526 g/d as moderate (MOD) versus 790 g/d of milk dry matter as high (HI), and starter diets containing 18% or 23% crude protein (CP), on growth performance, blood metabolites, and purine derivative (PD) excretion in the urine of dairy calves. A total of 52 female Holstein dairy calves (40.8 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to the experimental diets. The treatments were (1) moderate milk and 18% CP starter diet (MOD-18CP); (2) MOD and 23% CP starter diet (MOD-23CP); (3) high milk and 18% CP starter diet (HI-18CP); and (4) HI and 23% CP starter diet (HI-23CP). Calves had free access to a starter feed and water and were weaned on d 53 but remained in the study until d 73. Urine samples were collected during the preweaning period (for 6 consecutive days between d 35 and 40) and postweaning period (for 6 consecutive days between d 65 and 70) to investigate urinary excretion of PD. Starter feed intake, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and blood urea concentrations were reduced; however, average daily gain (ADG) and blood glucose levels increased in calves fed HI before weaning compared with MOD. During the preweaning period, high milk feeding increased total urinary PD excretion but decreased it after weaning. The 23CP diet resulted in higher feed intake and ADG before weaning and higher excretion of allantoin and total excretion of PD compared with the 18CP diet. The HI-23CP treatment resulted in the greatest withers and hip heights at weaning and final measurement, as well as the highest preweaning blood insulin concentrations. In terms of rumen development, MOD-23CP showed the greatest benefits based on starter intake, blood BHB concentration, and urinary excretion of PD. Based on the higher urinary excretion of PD found in HI-fed calves before weaning, it is possible that milk feeding overestimates estimated microbial yield. The results suggest that feeding starters with a higher proportion of CP may help maintain a more balanced ratio of CP to ME during high milk feeding, to avoid protein deficiency due to low starter intake. When calves are fed a high milk allowance, urine excretion of PD may be misinterpreted as a measure of estimated microbial growth and rumen development; this should be considered during calculations of estimated microbial yield in milk-fed calves.     

Development and comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Mycoplasma bovis in milk

Bovine mastitis is an economic burden for dairies worldwide. Mycoplasma species, and especially Mycoplasma bovis, are among the most important causative agents, and rapid, precise, and low-cost methods for Mycoplasma detection are urgently needed. For this purpose, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed and compared. The LAMP assay was designed and primer concentrations optimized to M. bovis oppD, encoding oligopeptide permease D. For qPCR, a Taqman assay (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA) targeting M. bovis gltX, encoding glutamate transfer RNA ligase, was optimized for primer concentration, annealing temperature, and DNA polymerase. Both assays were similarly sensitive, with a detection limit of approximately 10⁴ to 10⁵ M. bovis cells/mL. Both assays were also successful in confirming M. bovis identity in laboratory culture suspensions and in bovine milk. The LAMP and qPCR assays combined with the MoBio DNA extraction kit (MoBio Laboratories Inc., Carlsbad, CA) resulted in the correct detection of 13 out of 13 M. bovis isolates and 14 out of 16 M. bovis-positive milk samples collected from commercial dairies in California. When combined with the PrepMan Ultra reagent (Applied Biosystems), the qPCR assay resulted in confirming 21 out of 21 M. bovis-positive milk samples. Comparison of the assays to milk containing either Mycoplasma arginini, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma californicum, M. alkalescens, or Acholeplasma laidlawii or milk lacking any detectable Mycoplasma species or relatives resulted in 3 out of 17 (LAMP with MoBio), 1 out of 17 (qPCR with MoBio), and 2 out of 36 (qPCR with PrepMan Ultra) false positives. Overall, the qPCR assay was more robust than LAMP and could be used on DNA recovered from milk prepared with the PrepMan Ultra reagent, a method that does not include a DNA purification step. The use of this qPCR method enables M. bovis detection in bovine milk in 40 to 55 min, and therefore provides new opportunities to accelerate and simplify M. bovis detection in unpasteurized milk to reduce the incidence of M. bovis mastitis outbreaks.