Search

This research investigated the physicochemical, microbiological, and bacterial diversity of Jben cheese, a popular artisanal variety in Morocco. The bacterial diversity was explored using culture-independent methods, including temporal temperature gel electrophoresis (TTGE), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Significant intra-sample differences were observed for most physicochemical parameters within each milk type, while inter-sample differences occurred between cow and goat cheeses for dry matter and ash. Jben cheese exhibited distinct characteristics, with low pH values of 3.96, 4.16, and 4.18 for cow, goat, and mixed cheeses, respectively. Goat cheeses had higher fat (49.23 g/100 g), ash (1.91 g/100 g), and dry matter (36.39 g/100 g) than cow cheeses. All cheeses displayed high microbial counts, with a notable prevalence of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group, averaging 8.80 ± 0.92 log CFU/g. Jben cheese also displayed high contamination levels with total coliforms, faecal coliforms, yeast, and molds. Fatty acid profiling revealed fraudulent practices in Jben cheese marketing, with cow or mixed cheeses sold as goat cheese, as proven by low capric acid concentration. HTS analysis of Jben cheese identified ten genera and twenty-four species, highlighting Lactococcus lactis as predominant. TTGE and DGGE confirmed the presence of L. lactis but failed to provide the detailed profile achieved through HTS analysis. HTS has been demonstrated to be more reliable, whereas TTGE/DGGE methods, though informative, were more time-consuming and less reliable. Despite limitations, the combined use of TTGE, DGGE, and HTS provided a comprehensive view of indigenous bacterial communities in Jben cheese, identifying L. lactis as the main species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/Objectives: Sleep quality is a critical factor for daytime functioning and chronic disease risk. We investigated the association between intakes of total protein and protein subtypes and sleep quality in three U.S. cohorts. Subjects/Methods: In the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHS2, and Health Professionals Follow-up study (HPFS), dietary intake was assessed every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires. Sleep quality was measured once with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index or adapted versions. With ordinal logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to estimate the odds of having better sleep quality versus poorer sleep quality depending on protein intake (%Energy) based on the average of the prior two dietary questionnaires. Results: In 32,212 women from NHS, 51,126 women from NHS2, and 14,796 men from HPFS, total protein intake was not associated with sleep quality. However, the intake of protein from vegetable sources showed no association or a positive association with sleep quality (OR for quartile 4 versus quartile 1 in NHS: 1.12, 1.04–1.20, P-trend < 0.001; NHS2: 1.01, 0.95–1.07, P-trend = 0.90; HPFS: 1.11, 0.99–1.23, P-trend = 0.05), whereas divergent results were observed for animal protein sources. Overall, intakes of processed red meat and poultry were associated with worse sleep quality, whereas no or positive associations were observed for dairy and fish protein. Conclusion: Our results suggest that plants as a source of protein may be associated with better sleep quality than animal sources of protein. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein–protein and protein–mineral interactions can result in defects, such as sedimentation and age gelation, during the storage of high-protein beverages. It is well known that age gelation can be delayed by adding cyclic polyphosphates such as sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). This study aims to assess the influence of different phosphate chain lengths of SHMP on the physicochemical properties of high-protein dispersions. The effect of adding different SHMP concentrations at 0%, 0.15%, and 0.25% (w/w) before and after heating of 6%, 8%, and 10% (w/w) milk protein concentrate dispersions was studied. The phosphate chain lengths of SHMPs used in this study were 16.47, 13.31, and 9.88, and they were classified as long-, medium-, and short-chain SHMPs, respectively. Apparent viscosity, particle size, heat coagulation time (HCT), color, and turbidity were evaluated. It was observed that the addition of SHMP (0.15% and 0.25%) increased the apparent viscosity of MPC dispersions. However, the chain length and the concentration of the added SHMP had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the apparent viscosity after heating the dispersions. The HCT of a dispersion containing 6%, 8%, and 10% protein with no SHMP added was 15.28, 15.61, and 11.35 min, respectively. The addition of SHMP at both levels (0.15% and 0.25%) significantly increased the HCT. Protein dispersions (6%, 8%, and 10%) containing 0.25% short-chain SHMP had the highest HCT at 19.29, 19.61, and 16.09 min, respectively. Therefore, the chain length and concentration of added SHMP significantly affected the HCT of unheated protein dispersion (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a wide range of commercial infant formulae available on the market. These are made using milk from different species, such as goat, sheep, and cow. The different protein compositions of these milks and the process used during infant-formulae manufacture, such as heat treatment, may impact the digestion of nutrients. This study compared the effect of protein composition and heat treatment on the in vitro gastric digestion behaviour of commercial infant formulae made with cow, goat, and sheep milk using a dynamic infant human gastric simulator (IHGS). During the simulated dynamic gastric digestion, the goat milk infant formula (GIF) showed earlier signs of aggregate formation compared to cow milk infant formula (CIF) and sheep milk infant formula (SIF). In addition, the microstructures of GIF chyme showed fragmented and porous structures. On the contrary, CIF formed dense protein networks that trapped oil droplets, whereas SIF exhibited a microstructure of smooth oil droplets surrounded by fewer protein networks. The different aggregation behaviours and aggregate structures of the three infant-formulae chyme were related to their different protein compositions, especially the different casein compositions. Furthermore, the open fragile structure of GIF aggregates provided easier access to pepsin, allowing it to hydrolyse protein. The results from the present study provided some information to assist in understanding the coagulation and digestion behaviours of commercial infant formulae made from different species of milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the quantity of allergens that are causing harm to consumer, it is imperative that the proteins found in cow's milk undergo controlled hydrolysis. Investigated were the effects of different pulsed UV light fluences (0.1–10 J/cm2) on samples of commercial cow's milk proteins (CCMP: casein (CN), α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA), and β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG)) and reconstituted cow's milk proteins (RCMP). The degree of hydrolysis (DH) and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) profiles in RCMP and CCMP, as well as the degree of antigenicity in RCMP, were assessed for this purpose. The DH increased in CCMP and RCMP samples at the highest fluence applied. SDS PAGE profiles showed a decrease in the intensity of the bands of the CCMP samples for fluences of 5 and 10 J/cm2; however, this was not the case for α‐LA. Finally, the degrees of antigenicity measured with Elisa assay in CN and β‐LG were reduced by 24% and 47%, respectively, at a fluence of 10 J/cm2. Therefore, this nonthermal technology could be an alternative to conventional treatments to reduce the allergenic potential of cow's milk proteins; however, future clinical trials to confirm an anti‐allergenic effect on consumer are needed. Practical Applications: Pulsed UV light is a nonthermal technology of great relevance in the dairy industry. The aim of this article was to generate knowledge of the effect of pulsed UV light on allergenic dairy proteins. Therefore, this article aimed to demonstrate that pulsed UV light can be a novelty compared with conventional methods of inactivation of commercial and reconstituted dairy allergenic proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soy isoflavones (SIF) are bioactive compounds with low bioavailability due to their poor water solubility. In this study, we utilized polymerized goat milk whey protein (PGWP) as a carrier to encapsulate SIF with encapsulation efficiency of 89%, particle size of 135.53 nm, and zeta potential of −35.16 mV. The PGWP-SIF nanoparticles were evaluated for their stability and in vitro digestion properties, and their ability to transport SIF was assessed using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The nanoparticles were resistant to aggregation when subjected to pH changes (pH 2.0 to 8.0), sodium chloride addition (0–200 mM), temperature fluctuations (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C), and long-term storage (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C for 30 days), which was mainly attributed to the repulsion generated by steric hindrance effects. During gastric digestion, only 5.93% of encapsulated SIF was released, highlighting the nanoparticles' resistance to enzymatic digestion in the stomach. However, a significant increase in SIF release to 56.61% was observed during intestinal digestion, indicating the efficient transport of SIF into the small intestine for absorption. Cytotoxicity assessments via the MTT assay showed no adverse effects on Caco-2 cell lines after encapsulation. The PGWP-stabilized SIF nanoparticles improved the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of Caco-2 cells for SIF by 11.8-fold. The results indicated that using PGWP to encapsulate SIF was an effective approach for delivering SIF, while enhancing its bioavailability and transcellular transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With hyperlipidemia posing a significant cardiovascular risk, innovative strategies are essential to unlock new therapeutic possibilities. Probiotic fermentation of milk proteins offers a natural and effective means to produce peptides with hypolipidemic properties, providing a promising approach to lowering lipid levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. In this study, fermented cattle milk (FCTM), fermented camel milk (FCM), fermented goat milk (FGM), and fermented sheep milk (FSM) were produced using a total of five probiotic bacterial strains to investigate the release of bioactive peptides (BAPs) with hypolipidemic potential via in vitro inhibitory activity toward pancreatic lipase (PL) during a 14-day refrigerated storage study. The PL inhibitory activities of these fermented milk (FM) varied according to the types of probiotic strains and milk types used. Overall, the Pediococcus pentosaceus MF000957 (PP-957) strain showed the highest PL inhibitory activity spanning across all milk types, and therefore, PP-957-derived fermented samples were analyzed for BAP identification by LCMS-QTOF. The identified BAPs were further analyzed using in silico and bioinformatics approaches for bioactivity prediction, molecular docking, and drug pharmacokinetic studies. Overall, four peptides derived from FCTM, one from FCM, and two peptides common in FGM and FSM were predicted as active PL inhibitors based on their binding energy and number of binding sites on the PL enzyme. All peptides were non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and had appropriate drug-like properties. The outcomes of this study suggest that FM-derived peptides from animal milk are anticipated to be useful for combating hypercholesterolemia.

This article discusses a case of occupational protein contact dermatitis in a fitness studio employee. The 45-year-old woman experienced inflammatory changes to her hands during her work, which involved increased hand washing and sanitization. She also had reactions to accidental contact with protein powder. Allergological testing revealed elevated specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to milk protein, whey protein, and chicken egg white. The diagnosis was occupational protein contact dermatitis due to whey protein. The article emphasizes the need for increased awareness and accurate diagnosis of this condition. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a letter to the editor of the Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The authors conducted a study to evaluate the in vitro digestion and radiolabeling characteristics of a high-calorie nutrient drink called Vital® for gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES). They found that Vital® coagulated quickly during digestion and had higher radiolabeling efficiency in the filtrates compared to the coagulates. The authors suggest that Vital® may be a useful alternative to the standardized egg-white test meal for GES in patients who cannot consume egg whites or are on a liquid diet. However, further research and larger studies are needed to establish appropriate reference intervals and validate the use of nutrient drinks in GES. [Extracted from the article]

This editorial explores the topic of alternative protein sources for sustainable and healthy nutrition. It acknowledges the challenges faced by the global food supply in providing adequate nutrition while minimizing harm to the planet. Alternative proteins, including those from insects, cultured meat, and plant-based alternatives, are being considered as more sustainable options. However, their environmental impact and animal welfare implications are still being debated. Additionally, alternative proteins may offer health benefits but may also have lower levels of certain nutrients. The adoption of alternative proteins requires consideration of factors such as consumer acceptance and technological advancements. The article also highlights the difficulties faced by rural and marginalized communities in accessing basic foods like lentils or tofu, and the affordability of alternative proteins is identified as a major challenge. The acceptance of alternative proteins varies among different populations, with evidence suggesting that consumers in China, Japan, and Europe are more willing to embrace these foods compared to consumers in the US. Factors such as healthiness, taste, environmental attributes, and individual dietary preferences influence acceptance. Efforts to make alternative proteins more similar to traditional meat products could facilitate their adoption among diverse consumer groups. [Extracted from the article]

Enterocytes modulate the extent of postprandial lipemia by storing dietary fats in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (cLDs). We have previously shown that the integrin ligand MFGE8 links absorption of dietary fats with activation of triglyceride (TG) hydrolases that catabolize cLDs for chylomicron production. Here, we identify CES1D as the key hydrolase downstream of the MFGE8-αvβ5 integrin pathway that regulates catabolism of diet-derived cLDs. Mfge8 knockout (KO) enterocytes have reduced CES1D transcript and protein levels and reduced protein levels of the transcription factor HNF4γ. Both Ces1d and Hnf4γ KO mice have decreased enterocyte TG hydrolase activity coupled with retention of TG in cLDs. Mechanistically, MFGE8-dependent fatty acid uptake through CD36 stabilizes HNF4γ protein level; HNF4γ then increases Ces1d transcription. Our work identifies a regulatory network that regulates the severity of postprandial lipemia by linking dietary fat absorption with protein stabilization of a transcription factor that increases expression of hydrolases responsible for catabolizing diet-derived cLDs.

A novel approach to the protection of unstable fat-soluble vitamins, using retinol as an example, is presented in this work. This method is based on introducing vitamin A molecules into casein micelles. Protective properties of micellar casein towards different forms of retinol (native vitamin and palmitic acid ester) in vitro and in emulsion-type meat products are investigated. A technology of the introduction using micellar casein concentrate (MCC) has been developed. Conditions similar to those in which vitamin molecules can be in meat emulsions during heat treatment are simulated in vitro. The optimal time of “encapsulation” (2 hours) and the need for additional surfactant (tween-80) are identified. The use of the casein micelles protection made it possible to increase the number of retinol molecules that did not undergo decomposition under model conditions (in vitro) from ~30% to ~80%. Using the vitamin premix the degree of degradation of vitamin molecules does not exceed 4% after heat treatment. Data received allowed us to determine the efficiency of the protection properties of casein micelles for unstable vitamin A molecules.

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review with meta-analysis to determine the effects of the dose-response relationship between monensin supplementation and dairy cow performance and milk composition. Results from 566 full-text articles and 48 articles with 52 studies were meta-analyzed for pooled estimates. Monensin supplementation up to 23 ppm increased milk production, with the optimal dose being 12.6 ppm. Monensin supplementation at doses ranging from 16 to 96 ppm increased milk production in the prepartum phase (- 28 to 0 day relative to calving). From 60 to 150 DIM, monensin supplementation up to 21 ppm had a significant positive effect on this outcome, while supplementation in the 37 to 96 ppm range caused a decrease in this variable. At 0 to 60 and > 150 DIM, monensin supplementation had no effect on milk yield. At dosages of 22 to 96 ppm, 12 to 36 ppm, and below 58 ppm and 35 ppm, respectively, monensin supplementation resulted in significant decreases in dry matter intake (DMI), milk protein percentage, milk fat percentage, and milk fat yield. Overall, based on the results of this meta-analysis and considering all variables, the recommended optimal dose of monensin could be about 16 ppm.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed (CS) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) seed (PS) are used in ruminant diets as energy sources. The current experiment studied the impact of dietary inclusion of CS and PS on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition of dairy sheep. Twelve primiparous Texel × Suffolk ewes [70 ± 5 days in milk (DIM); 0.320 ± 0.029 kg milk yield] were distributed in a 4 × 3 Latin square design and fed either a butter-based control diet [CON; 13 g/kg dry matter] or two diets with 61 g/kg DM of either CS or PS. Dietary inclusion of CS and PS did not alter live weight (p >0.1) and DM intake (p >0.1). However, compared to the CON, dietary inclusion of both CS and PS increased the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (p <0.001) and acid detergent lignin (p < 0.001). Milk production (p = 0.001), fat-corrected milk (p < 0.001), and feed efficiency (p < 0.001) were enhanced with PS, while the highest milk protein yield (p < 0.05) and lactose yield (p < 0.001) were for CS-fed ewes. Compared to the CON diet, the ingestion of either CS and/or PS decreased (p < 0.001) the C16:0 in milk. Moreover, both CS and PS tended to enhance the content of C18:3n6 (p > 0.05) and C18:3n3 (p > 0.05). Overall short-term feeding of CS and/or PS (up to 6.1% DM of diet) not only maintains the production performance and digestibility of nutrients but also positively modifies the milk FA composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to determine the blood physiological indexes and coagulation physiological indexes of Xizang improved dairy cows (Holstein x Xizang cattle) under hypoxia environment to reveal the blood physiological characteristics of hypoxia adaptation, and evaluate the improvement effect of Xizang improved dairy cows by regularly detecting their DHI indexes and tracking their milk yield. Improved cattle raised in a low-oxygen plateau environment (Qiongjie County, Shannan City, Xizang, 3 617 m above sea level) were used as the research objects, and Holstein dairy cows introduced from Australia to Xizang and Xizang cattle (a local yellow cattle in Xizang) were selected as the control. Blood routine index, coagulation index, DHI index, and first fetal lactation yield were measured. The results showed that after long-term adaptation to low oxygen environment, the blood physiological indexes and DHI indexes of Xizang improved dairy cows had significant changes, among which HGB, HCT, and MCV were significantly higher than those of Xizang improved dairy cows and Xizang cattles (P<0.05), and the PLT was significantly lower than that of Xizang improved dairy cows (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in PT, APTT, and TT between Xizang improved dairy cows and Xizang cattles (P>0.05), and the coagulation function was improved compared with that of Holstein cows. Compared with Xizang improved dairy cows, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage and lactose were significantly increased (P<0.05), while somatic cell count was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that the Xizang improved dairy cows have a certain ability to adapt to low oxygen, and can adapt to low oxygen environment better than the imported dairy cows. Compared with the Xizang cattle and the imported Holstein dairy cows, the production performance of the Xizang improved dairy cows was optimized and improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding mulberry leaf flavonoids on the serum amino acid metabolism, serum biochemical indexes, and lactation performance of lactating buffalo. Twenty buffalo with similar lactating yield were randomly divided into two groups with ten replicates in per group and one buffalo per replicate. The control group was fed with basic diet, while the experimental group was fed with basic diet + 45 g/(head·d) mulberry leaves flavonoids. The experiment period was five weeks. The results showed that feeding mulberry leaves flavonoids significantly decreased serum low density lipoprotein (P<0.05), significantly increased the serum insulin content (P<0.05), significantly decreased the contents of methionine in serum (P<0.05), and significantly increased the milk yield, milk protein content, and milk fat content (P<0.05). The study indicates that the mulberry leaves flavonoids can improve the lactating performance of buffalo by regulating the metabolism of amino acids and lipids in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to investigate the effects of low protein diet based on amino acid balance on the milk production efficiency, milk quality, and carbon and nitrogen emission of dairy cows. A total of 60 healthy dairy cows with 2~3 parturients, 80 days of lactation, and a milk yield of 42~43 kg were randomly divided into two groups: A control group (high protein group, 17.5% CP) and a test group (low protein group, 16% CP + rumen lysine, rumen digestion rate 85%, intestinal absorption rate 95%), with five replicates in each group and six cows in each replicate. The preliminary trial period was seven days, and the formal trial period was 90 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the dry matter intake of the test group had an increasing trend, but there were no significant differences in milk yield and milk production efficiency ( P>0.05). Lactose in milk composition of the test group was higher than that of control group at the 30th days and the 60th days ( P<0.05), the MUN content of the test group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, and other milk composition between the control group and the test group ( P>0.05). During the experiment, the concentrations of CO2 and NH3 in the test group were both lower than those in the control group. The study indicates that the addition of rumen lysine in diets with low protein level can reduce carbon and nitrogen emissions without affecting production level and product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine gland, synthesizing and secreting multiple signaling molecules termed adipokines. Following the detection of adipokines and their receptors in the mammary tissue of various species, it is indicated that adipokines play a role in the development of the mammary gland. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration-dependent influence of three adipokines, leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin, on the viability, apoptosis, and secretory activity of BME-UV1 bovine mammary epithelial cells. The study confirmed that BME-UV1 cells contain the leptin receptor (Ob-R) protein, and express transcripts of adiponectin (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) and chemerin (CMLKR1 and GPR1) receptors. Regardless of the administered dose, none of the three tested adipokines had an effect on the viability of BME-UV1 cells, and the number of apoptotic cells remained unchanged. However, chemerin (100 ng/mL) stimulated BME-UV1 cells to synthesize and secrete αS1-casein, the major protein component of milk. These results indicate that chemerin may be a potent regulator of the bovine mammary epithelial cells' functional differentiation, contributing, along with the major systemic hormones and local growth factors, to the development of the bovine mammary gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactation insufficiency affects many women worldwide. During lactation, a large portion of mammary gland alveolar cells become polyploid, but how these cells balance the hyperproliferation occurring during normal alveologenesis with terminal differentiation required for lactation is unknown. Here, we show that DNA damage accumulates due to replication stress during pregnancy, activating the DNA damage response. Modulation of DNA damage levels in vivo by intraductal injections of nucleosides or DNA damaging agents reveals that the degree of DNA damage accumulated during pregnancy governs endoreplication and milk production. We identify a mechanism involving early mitotic arrest through CDK1 inactivation, resulting in a heterogeneous alveolar population with regards to ploidy and nuclei number. The inactivation of CDK1 is mediated by the DNA damage response kinase WEE1 with homozygous loss of Wee1 resulting in decreased endoreplication, alveologenesis and milk production. Thus, we propose that the DNA damage response to replication stress couples proliferation and endoreplication during mammary gland alveologenesis. Our study sheds light on mechanisms governing lactogenesis and identifies non-hormonal means for increasing milk production. Breastfeeding confers lifelong benefits to both mother and child, yet women worldwide experience lactation insufficiency. Here, the authors show that DNA damage occurring in the breast during pregnancy drives the generation of milk-producing cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory peptides (YPF and LLLP) were discovered from goat milk protein by peptidomics, in silico analysis, and in vitro assessment. A total of 698 peptides (<23 AA) were successfully identified by LC-MS/MS from goat milk hydrolysates (hydrolyzed by papaian plus proteinase K). Then, 105 potential DPP-IV inhibitory peptides were screened using PeptideRanker, the ToxinPred tool, Libdock, iDPPIV-SCM, and sequence characteristics. After ADME, physicochemical property evaluation, and a literature search, 12 candidates were efficiently selected and synthesized in vitro for functional validation. Two peptides (YPF and LLLP) were found to exert relatively high in vitro chemical system (IC50 = 368.54 ± 12.97 μM and 213.99 ± 0.64 μM) and in situ (IC50 = 159.46 ± 17.40 μM and 154.96 ± 8.41 μM) DPP-IV inhibitory capacities, and their inhibitory mechanisms were further explored by molecular docking. Our study showed that the formation of strong non-bonding interactions with the core residues from the pocket of DPP-IV (such as ARG358, PHE357, GLU205, TYR662, TYR547, and TYR666) might primarily account for the DPP-IV inhibitory activity of two identified peptides. Overall, the two novel DPP-IV inhibitory peptides rapidly identified in this study can be used as functional food ingredients for the control of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is aimed at preparing the β-galactosidase (βg) and vitamin C (VC) cocapsules stabilized by milk proteins. The effect of different independent parameters including core-coating ratio (10-100%), whey protein isolate (0 : 1), sodium caseinate (0 : 1), and ultrasound power (50-150 W) on physicochemical properties of microcapsules was investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) defined the optimal conditions. Increasing the WPI values had different effects on the particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The zeta potential values decreased by decreasing SC values. The βg had better encapsulation efficiency in comparison to VC. Increasing the core-coating ratio showed a negative effect on the enzyme activity. Among the test parameters, the core-coating ratio was effective on the viscosity of microcapsules. Two optimum conditions for co-encapsulation were determined as WPI, SC, core-coating ratio, and ultrasound power of 0, 1, 100%, and 79.4 W and 0.2, 0.8, 100%, and 75 W for microcapsules I and II, respectively. In the next step, the structural and morphological properties of the optimum samples were analyzed. The heterogeneous morphology of microcapsules was observed by SEM analysis. The formation of new interactions between wall materials, βg, and VC was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. XRD analysis revealed that the WPI-coated sample had a higher crystallinity index. Generally, the successful co-encapsulation of βg and VC exhibited the potential of the resultant microcapsules for the industrial production of VC fortified and lactose-free milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined by the outcome of interconnected metabolic factors that directly increase the prevalence of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Currently, obesity is considered one of the most relevant topics of discussion because an epidemic heave of the incidence of obesity in both developing and underdeveloped countries has been reached. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2023 report, 38% of the world population are presently either obese or overweight. One of the causes of obesity is an imbalance of energy intake and energy expenditure, where nutritional imbalance due to consumption of high-calorie fast foods play a pivotal role. The dynamic interactions among different risk factors of obesity are highly complex; however, the underpinnings of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia for obesity incidence are recognized. Fast foods, primarily composed of soluble carbohydrates, non-nutritive artificial sweeteners, saturated fats, and complexes of macronutrients (protein-carbohydrate, starch-lipid, starch-lipid-protein) provide high metabolic calories. Several experimental studies have pointed out that dairy proteins and peptides may modulate the activities of risk factors of obesity. To justify the results precisely, peptides from dairy milk proteins were synthesized under in vitro conditions and their contributions to biomarkers of obesity were assessed. Comprehensive information about the impact of proteins and peptides from dairy milks on fast food-induced obesity is presented in this narrative review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Plant-derived proteins have received considerable attention as an alternative to animal-derived proteins. However, plant-derived proteins are considered to have less anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. The lower muscle protein synthesis rates following ingestion of plant- compared with animal-derived protein have been attributed to the lower essential amino acid content of plant-derived proteins and/or their specific amino acid deficiencies. This study aimed to compare post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g pea-derived protein with 30 g milk-derived protein in healthy, young males. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design, 24 young males (24 ± 3 y) received a primed continuous L-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine infusion after which they ingested 30 g pea (PEA) or 30 g milk-derived protein (MILK). Blood and muscle biopsies were collected frequently for 5 h to assess post-prandial plasma amino acid profiles and subsequent post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates. Results: MILK increased plasma essential amino acid concentrations more than PEA over the 5 h post-prandial period (incremental area under curve 151 ± 31 vs 102 ± 15 mmol∙300 min∙L−1, respectively; P < 0.001). Ingestion of both MILK and PEA showed a robust muscle protein synthetic response with no significant differences between treatments (0.053 ± 0.013 and 0.053 ± 0.017%∙h−1, respectively; P = 0.96). Conclusion: Post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g pea-derived protein do not differ from the response following ingestion of an equivalent amount of milk-derived protein. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (NTR6548; 27–06-2017). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolation of extracellular vesicles (EV) has been developing rapidly in parallel with the interest in EVs. However, commonly utilized protocols may not suit more challenging samplematrixes and could potentially yield suboptimal results. Knowing and assessing the pitfalls of isolation procedure to be used, should be involved to some extent for EV analytics. EVs in cow milk are of great interest due to their abundancy and large-scale availability as well as their cross-species bioavailability and possible use as drug carriers. However, the characteristics of milk EVs overlap with those of other milk components. This makes it difficult to isolate and study EVs individually. There exists also a lack of consensus for isolation methods. In this study, we demonstrated the differences between various differential centrifugation-based approaches for isolation of large quantities of EVs from cow milk. Samples were further purified with gradient centrifugation and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and differenceswere analyzed. Quality measurements were conducted onmultiple independent platforms. Particle analysis, electron microscopy and RNA analysis were used, to comprehensively characterize the isolated samples and to identify the limitations and possible sources of contamination in the EV isolation protocols. Vesicle concentration to protein ratio and RNA to protein ratios were observed to increase as samples were purified, suggesting co-isolation with major milk proteins in direct differential centrifugation protocols. We demonstrated a novel size assessment of vesicles using a particle mobility analyzer that matched the sizing using electron microscopy in contrast to commonly utilized nanoparticle tracking analysis. Based on the standards of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and the quick checklist of EVTrack. org for EV isolation, we emphasize the need for complete characterization and validation of the isolation protocol with all EV-related work to ensure the accuracy of results and allow further analytics and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk and dairy products are among daily-consumed foods in most countries. However, milk production and characteristics depend mainly on animal feeding and additives. The basic feeding corresponds to green or conserved forage and concentrate. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a conserved oat forage form (hay, H, or silage, S) and rosemary essential oils (REO) as additives on milk production and the fatty acid (FA) profile of Sicilo-Sarde dairy sheep. Forty-eight lactating Sicilo-Sarde ewes were ranked into four homogenous groups. Two groups were fed oat hay (H) and the other group oat silage (S) ad libitum. All the ewes were supplemented with 600 g d -1 of concentrate. Within each form of forage, one group of ewes received a control concentrate, and the other group received the REO concentrate. The milk yield was not affected by REO intake but tended to be higher (P=0.07) for oat hay than for silage (570 vs. 510 mL d -1). The milk protein content was greater for oat silage than hay diets (5.8 vs. 5.3 %), given that the silage form contains more crude protein. In addition, the silage form of forage improved the milk FA profile, with higher C18: 3n-3 (0.70 vs. 0.45 %) long-chain FA and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n3 proportions and a lower PUFA n-6/n-3 dietetic ratio (P<0.05). The milk of ewes receiving REO contained a lower percentage of vaccenic acid and n-6 PUFA but a higher percentage of n-3 PUFA and consequently lower n6/n3 (2.56) and PUFA / SFA (P<0.05) ratios. In conclusion, REO could be recommended for dairy ewes fed silage to improve the nutritional quality of their milk for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to enhance the comprehension of the mechanism of enzymatic gelation in milk by investigating statistically significant changes in milk viscosity and carrying out corresponding electron microscopic studies of the process of structure formation at the enzymatic stage of coagulation using various enzyme preparations. Employing a non-destructive method (Hot-Wire) to monitor viscosity, we were able to confirm a decrease in viscosity during the middle of this stage and identify a previously undescribed peak in viscosity change at the end of the enzymatic stage. By conducting parallel studies utilizing transmission electron microscopy and various methods of specimen preparation, it was possible to discover that a hierarchical transformation process in the protein component of milk started at the end of the enzymatic stage of gelation in milk. This process is triggered by a cooperative conformational transition in casein micelle clusters, which leads to a series of increasingly energy-intensive reactions resulting in the transformation of loosely bound micelle clusters into denser aggregates. The final structure of the milk gel primarily consists of the previously formed individual micelle aggregates. It was noted that no changes in the microstructure of the milk gel were observed during the enzymatic stage of gelation when milk-clotting enzymes (MCEs) of animal, plant, and microbial (GMO) origins were used. Furthermore, investigations into the molecular weight distribution of soluble protein substances in samples generated with different types of MCEs revealed that the enzyme derived from the fungi of Rhizomucor miehei had a greater proteolytic effect on milk proteins compared to other variants of MCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The milk added to the semen extender media acts by binding to seminal plasma proteins, which may protect the sperm cell from undergoing the capacitation process or acrosomal reaction in advance. Among these proteins, sodium caseinate stands out, which represents 80% of all proteins present in milk. Caseins are also able to protect the sperm cell by decreasing the loss of lipids through the plasma membrane, decreasing the binding of seminal plasma proteins to the plasma membrane. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of sodium caseinate in different concentrations to the freezing extender medium favors sperm viability after a long period of refrigeration. For this, three concentrations of sodium caseinate were used, 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0%, in the cryopreservation medium. In addition to caseinate concentrations, three refrigeration times were tested at 5 ºC, 12 and 24 hours. So, the ejaculates were divided into nine groups 0H/0%, 0H/1%, 0H/2%, 12H/0%, 12H/1%, 12H/2%, 24H/0%, 24H/1% and 24H/2%. Ten stallions underwent reproductive evaluation, being included only those with sperm motility ≥ 70%. Fluorescent probes, hypoosmotic (HOST), and thermoresistance (TTR) tests were used to evaluate the functionality of the plasma membrane and the longevity of sperm cells, respectively. There was no stat. difference (p>0.05) between groups for membrane integrity. However, for the TTR, it was possible to observe a stat. difference (p<0.05) for the 24H/2% group with a lower response. The integrity of the plasma membrane, compared to the refrigeration time and the concentration of sodium caseinate, did not change. Therefore, it was concluded that sperm longevity was impaired with the use of a 2% concentration of sodium caseinate, and its use is not recommended for sending refrigerated semen, for insemination or freezing, that exceeds 12 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food enzyme peroxidase (phenolic donor: hydrogen‐peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7) is produced with the genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain MOX by DSM Food Specialties B.V. A safety evaluation of this food enzyme was made previously, in which EFSA concluded that this food enzyme did not give rise to safety concerns when used in one food manufacturing process. Subsequently, the applicant requested to extend its use to include an additional process. In this assessment, EFSA updated the safety evaluation of this food enzyme when used in a total of two food manufacturing processes: processing of dairy products for the production of modified milk proteins and the production of plant‐based analogues of milk and milk products. The dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.091 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. Using the no observed adverse effect level previously reported (2162 mg TOS/kg bw per day), the Panel derived a margin of exposure (MoE) of at least 23,758. Based on the data provided for the previous evaluation and the revised MoE, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the revised intended conditions of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Lucerne protein extract is a novel high‐quality protein source with excellent amino acid (AA) composition of interest for human consumption. In this study, protein from screw‐pressed lucerne juice was extracted by different precipitation methods to evaluate the effect on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of the extracted protein. Methods based on heat, acidification or fermentation were used for protein precipitation, and the nutritional value of protein was evaluated in a rat digestibility trial. RESULTS: Heat precipitation at 85 °C produced a protein product with a crude protein (CP) content of 589 g kg−1 dry matter (DM), a balanced AA composition and a high standardized nitrogen (N) digestibility (82.8%). Precipitation by acidification, at a lower temperature (60 °C) or by fermentation, resulted in lower CP content (425–488 g kg−1 DM). Nitrogen digestibility for the pH‐adjusted precipitate was equal to the 85 °C heat‐precipitated protein, while the fermented and 60 °C precipitated proteins showed lower N digestibility (76.5% and 78.6%, respectively). By applying a two‐step heat precipitation method (60 °C followed by 80 °C), a protein content of 712 g kg−1 DM and an N digestibility of 93.6% was reached, which are comparable to high‐quality animal‐based protein sources such as milk, whey, casein, and eggs, covering the AA requirements for children >6 months. CONCLUSION: High‐quality protein can be extracted from lucerne, but the future focus should be on increased yield as the current low yields of the refined product will challenge the environmental and economic sustainability of production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its association with milk protein synthesis via the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway, JAK2 also affects milk fat synthesis. However, to date, there have been no reports on the effect of JAK2 on ovine mammary epithelial cells (OMECs), which directly determine milk yield and milk contents. In this study, the coding sequence (CDS) region of ovine JAK2 was cloned and identified and its tissue expression and localization in ovine mammary glands, as well as its effects on the viability, proliferation, and milk fat and casein levels of OMECs, were also investigated. The CDS region of ovine JAK2, 3399 bp in length, was cloned and its authenticity was validated by analyzing its sequence similarity with JAK2 sequences from other animal species using a phylogenetic tree. JAK2 was found to be expressed in six ovine tissues, with the highest expression being in the mammary gland. Over-expressed JAK2 and three groups of JAK2 interference sequences were successfully transfected into OMECs identified by immunofluorescence staining. When compared with the negative control (NC) group, the viability of OMECs was increased by 90.1% in the pcDNA3.1-JAK2 group. The over-expression of JAK2 also increased the number and ratio of EdU-labeled positive OMECs, as well as the expression levels of three cell proliferation marker genes. These findings show that JAK2 promotes the viability and proliferation of OMECs. Meanwhile, the triglyceride content in the over-expressed JAK2 group was 2.9-fold higher than the controls and the expression levels of four milk fat synthesis marker genes were also increased. These results indicate that JAK2 promotes milk fat synthesis. Over-expressed JAK2 significantly up-regulated the expression levels of casein alpha s2 (CSN1S2), casein beta (CSN2), and casein kappa (CSN3) but down-regulated casein alpha s1 (CSN1S1) expression. In contrast, small interfered JAK2 had the opposite effect to JAK2 over-expression on the viability, proliferation, and milk fat and milk protein synthesis of OMECs. In summary, these results demonstrate that JAK2 promotes the viability, proliferation, and milk fat synthesis of OMECs in addition to regulating casein expression in these cells. This study contributes to a better comprehension of the role of JAK2 in the lactation performance of sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cow milk fat is an essential indicator for evaluating and measuring milk quality and cow performance. Growing research has identified the molecular functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) necessary for mammary gland development and lactation in mammals. Method: The present study analyzed circRNA expression profiling data in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) from cows with highly variable milk fat percentage (MFP) using differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results: A total of 309 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) were identified in the high and low MFP groups. WGCNA analysis revealed that the pink module was significantly associated with MFP (r = − 0.85, P = 0.007). Parental genes of circRNAs in this module were enriched mainly in lipid metabolism-related signaling pathways, such as focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, adherens junction and AMPK. Finally, six DE-circRNAs were screened from the pink module: circ_0010571, circ_0007797, circ_0002746, circ_0003052, circ_0004319, and circ_0012840. Among them, circ_0002746, circ_0003052, circ_0004319, and circ_0012840 had circular structures and were highly expressed in mammary tissues. Subcellular localization revealed that these four DE-circRNAs may play a regulatory role in the mammary glands of dairy cows, mainly as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Seven hub target genes (GNB1, GNG2, PLCB1, PLCG1, ATP6V0C, NDUFS4, and PIGH) were obtained by constructing the regulatory network of their ceRNAs and then analyzed by CytoHubba and MCODE plugins in Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes are crucial and most probable ceRNA regulators in milk fat metabolism. Conclusions: Our study identified several vital circRNAs and ceRNAs affecting milk fat synthesis, providing new research ideas and a theoretical basis for cow lactation, milk quality, and breed improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food allergies are a severe issue in developed countries. Allergenic proteins may be present in ready food products due to their natural occurrence in raw materials or cross-contamination during production. Although raw meat was previously thought to be free of potentially allergenic compounds, recent studies have proved the presence of specific allergenic proteins in meat from slaughter animals and poultry. This study aimed to assess the impact of five distinct feed mixtures on the presence of allergenic proteins in broiler chicken meat, as well as on the quality and technological parameters of poultry meat. The animals were divided into five groups, with four being fed specially formulated compound feeds. The control group consisted of chickens fed commercial feed. ELISA tests were used to measure and analyse the content of food allergens in feed and chicken meat. Additionally, a baseline meat composition analysis was performed using near-infrared NIR spectroscopy. The study demonstrates that the composition of feed impacts the presence of allergenic proteins in broiler chicken meat. The results of the tests revealed the presence of allergenic proteins in the breast muscle that were not identified in the feed, specifically egg and milk proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk proteins produced by lactating cells isolated from bovine mammary tissue can offer a sustainable solution to the high protein demand of a global growing population. Serum is commonly added to culture systems to provide compounds necessary for optimal growth and function of the cells. However, in a cellular agricultural context, its usage is desired to be decreased. This study aims at examining the minimum level of fetal bovine serum (FBS) required for the growth and functionality of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs). The cells were isolated from dairy cows in early and mid‐lactation and cultured in reduced concentrations of FBS (10%, 5%, 1.25%, and 0%). Real‐time cell analysis showed a significant effect of lactation stage on growth rate and 5% FBS resulted in similar growth rate as 10% while 0% resulted in the lowest. The effect of reducing FBS on cell functionality was examined by studying the expressions of selected marker genes involved in milk protein and fat synthesis, following differentiation. The gene expressions were not affected by the level of FBS. A reduction of FBS in the culture system of MEC, at least down to 5%, does not assert any negative effect on the growth and expression levels of studied genes. As the first attempt in developing an in‐vitro model for milk component production using MEC, our results demonstrate the potential of MEC to endure FBS‐reduced conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk yield and composition phenotypes are systematically recorded across several lactations in goats, but the majority of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) performed so far have rather ignored the longitudinal nature of such data. Here, we have used two different GWAS approaches to analyse data from three lactations recorded in Murciano‐Granadina goats. In Analysis 1, independent GWAS have been carried out for each trait and lactation, while a single longitudinal GWAS, jointly considering all data, has been performed in Analysis 2. In both analyses, genome‐wide significant QTL for lactose percentage on chromosome 2 (129.77–131.01 Mb) and for milk protein percentage on the chromosome 6 (74.8–94.6 Mb) casein gene cluster region were detected. In Analysis 1, several QTL were not replicated in all three lactations, possibly due to the existence of lactation‐specific genetic determinants. In Analysis 2, we identified several genome‐wide significant QTL related to milk yield and protein content that were not uncovered in Analysis 1. The increased number of QTL identified in Analysis 2 suggests that the longitudinal GWAS is particularly well suited for the genetic analysis of dairy traits. Moreover, our data confirm that variability within or close to the casein complex is the main genetic determinant of milk protein percentage in Murciano‐Granadina goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between pasture and supplementation in dairy production systems constitutes a very important part of the efficiency of dairy. This study evaluated the effect of the herbage mass (HM) on the milk production and solid concentration. Twenty Holstein cows were distributed into two groups, 10 assigned 2200 kg DM ha-1 (low herbage mass, LHM) and 10 with 2800 kg DM ha-1 (medium herbage mass, MHM). Herbage mass was measured above 5 cm. The experiment lasted 8 wk. The variables evaluated were DM intake (DMI), milk production and composition (fat and protein concentration). Effects of treatments on variables were evaluated using a repeated measure analysis over time. The results showed nonsignificant differences in the pasture DMI between LHM and MHM for weeks 1, 2, 3 and 5 (P > 0.05). During week 4, pasture DMI was 3 kg greater for LHM than MHM (P < 0.05). The milk production did not differ between treatments per week, but the average was 2.4 kg greater for LHM compared to MHM (P < 0.05). In conclusion, changes in the pasture availability increased milk production at LHM, but not enough to cause changes in solids concentration. This clearly shows that, LHM can increase milk and solids production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yielding of milk is of great economic importance for milk processors in dairy industry and for consumers. Also, milk composition has a major role in determining the price of milk. Protein amount is a major constituent in milk so this study focused on predicting its amount from total milk yield. Generally, the total milk yield and protein amount are linearly correlated, so it is important to study this relationship with other nonlinear models. This work attempted to: investigate the relationship between protein amount and milk production, predict protein amount from total milk yield and choose the best fit model for this purpose. Beside the linear model, ten nonlinear regression techniques were used such as power, quadratic and cubic modelling technique and others. Data of 1300 animal from lactation records of Holstein dairy cattle which belongs to Dina farms at Alexandria-Cairo desert road Egypt were used. The regression models (curve estimation regression method) were applied using SPSS software packages version 26. The goodness of fit measures for the best fit model are the highest value of R square and adjusted R square (inadequate or intuitive measures) with the lowest values of standard error of estimate and AIC values (more accurate measure). The results showed that from the 11 regression models, the power model was the best fit model to predict the amount of protein from total milk yield depending on R Square (0.856) and Adjusted R Square (0.856) that were the highest values between the models, smaller standard error of the estimates (0.230) and AIC value (-13135.84) which were the lowest values between the models. The power model could be used for prediction through this equation (protein amount = 0.130 * (total milk yield ** 0.815) after 15 iteration criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]