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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hazelnut skin by-product supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes. Twenty-two Valle del Belice male lambs were divided into two experimental groups: control (C), fed a maize-barley diet and hazelnut (H), fed hazelnut skin by-product as maize partial replacer in the concentrate diet. The meat of lambs fed hazelnut skin showed greater values of lightness, redness, yellowness, and chroma color parameters together with the highest myofibril fragmentation index. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry applied on plasma proteome identified 20 protein spots corresponding to 18 unique gene names to be differently expressed due to hazelnut skin by-product substitution. For the early post-mortem muscle, 23 protein spots (42 unique gene names) were significantly up-regulated due to hazelnut skin by-product supplementation. Four proteins these being APOA1, PHB, ACTG1 and ALB, were found to be common to the two proteomes suggesting that these proteins could be candidate biomarkers to monitor in vita and post-mortem lamb meat quality traits. This study evidenced the main mechanisms involved in the supplementation of hazelnut skin by-product in lambs' diet and confirmed the possibility of using plasma proteome as a non-invasive way to predict lamb meat quality. SIGNIFICANCE: Maximizing the use of agro-industrial by-products as replacers of traditional feedstuff for improving animal products is one of the important challenges to preserving natural resources and guaranteeing environmental sustainability. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) skin, obtained as a results of hazelnut roasting, represents a valuable by-products due to its high content in unsaturated fatty acids, tannins, and vitamins. Thus, including hazelnut skin by-product in small ruminant nutrition could reduce the costs of animal feedings for farmers as well as improve meat nutritional and sensorial characteristics. Additionally, monitoring the meat quality characteristics with fast, accurate, and non-invasive tools to find, before slaughter, animals with desired quality characteristics is of growing interest in the last years. In this regard, the objectives of this study were to assess i) the effect of hazelnut skin supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes, and ii) whether analyzing plasma proteome by using a gel-based proteomic approach could effectively offer a more readily available option for determining lamb meat quality. Taken together, the proteomic approach applied to plasma and muscle proteomes, allowed us to reveal the pathways and the potential candidate plasma biomarkers to predict lamb meat production in the pre-slaughter phase.

This review was the first to gather literature about the effect of emerging technologies on probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic products. Applying emerging technologies to probiotic products can increase probiotic survival and improve probiotic properties (cholesterol attachment, adhesion to Caco-2 cells, increase angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, and decrease systolic blood pressure). Furthermore, it can optimize the fermentation process, produce or maintain compounds of interest (bacteriocin, oligosaccharides, peptides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids), improve bioactivity (vitamin, aglycones, calcium), and sensory characteristics. Applying emerging technologies to prebiotic products did not result in prebiotic degradation. Still, it contributed to higher concentrations of bioactive compounds (citric and ascorbic acids, anthocyanin, polyphenols, flavonoids) and health properties (antioxidant activity and inhibition of ACE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase). Emerging technologies may also be applied to obtain postbiotics with increased health effects. In this way, current studies suggest that emerging food processing technologies enhance the efficiency of probiotics and prebiotics in food. The information provided may help food industries to choose a more suitable technology to process their products and provide a basis for the most used process parameters. Furthermore, the current gaps are discussed. Emerging technologies may be used to process food products resulting in increased probiotic functionality, prebiotic stability, and higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. In addition, they can be used to obtain postbiotic products with improved health effects compared to the conventional heat treatment.

Nonbovine milk products mainly from goat, sheep, camel, and donkey have recently attracted attention for their nutritional, health-promoting, and processing properties. The present chapter addresses an overview of the recent nonbovine milk market scenario, facing the critical aspects for growing nonbovine dairying, and illustrates the main differences among protein and fat composition of nonbovine milk. Moreover, the newest dairy products from sheep, goat, camel, and equid milk were presented in the light of the recent consumer’s request, among which probiotic and low-fat products, and emerging applications as ingredient in functional food, such as use of oligosaccharides from goat milk and novel probiotic strains isolated from camel milk.

Sheep milk contains a large number of antioxidant molecules, such as whey proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and others. In sheep milk the oxidation process is naturally balanced by the presence of constitutive antioxidant agents, however, the abundance of this antioxidant compounds depends also by the stressor conditions to which animal can be exposed. The stage of lactation together with particular environmental conditions, such as the high ambient temperatures, can cause an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, being responsible for the oxidative stress that can be measured both in plasma and in milk samples. Different methods to measure the antioxidant activity of milk have been proposed, according to each single antioxidant compounds and to the need for consumers’ health of decreasing the exposition to oxidized proteins capable for creation of a novel class of allergens. However, the golden standard for the measurement of antioxidant activity in milk has not still found. Therefore, the present review aims at describing the roles of various antioxidant molecules of milk, and provides an overview of the different methods available to measure the total antioxidant capacity of milk.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different aging times (1, 6 and 14 days) on the tenderization rate and protein changes in ten Martina Franca donkey striploins using a proteomic approach. During aging, a progressive decrease in share force, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness together with an increase in myofibril fragmentation index were observed. Proteolysis monitored by immunoblotting revealed a progressive degradation of desmin and fast troponin-T over time and an increase of their degradation products up to 14 days aging. Proteomics revealed by means of two-dimensional electrophoresis 37 protein spots corresponding to 15 proteins to change significantly by increasing aging time. These proteins belong to three pathways, these being "muscle contraction, structure, and associated proteins" (9 proteins); ii) "energy metabolism" (5 proteins); and iii) "chaperone" (1 protein). This study is the first to highlight the possible role of interconnected pathways in driving the final quality of donkey meat and predicting its texture.

In the present study, the evaluation of the carcasses and meat quality, in terms of chemical composition and fatty acid profile, of lambs from five autochthonous sheep breeds (Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda, and Leccese) reared in continental Southern Italy, were studied. All the carcasses were evaluated according to the EU Mediterranean classification system for carcasses weighing less than 13 kg. Meat chemical composition and fatty acids profile were assessed on both loin and leg commercial cuts. Fatty acid composition of loin resulted in differences among breeds, displaying lower values of saturated fatty acid in Altamurana, Bagnolese, and Leccese breeds and the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Altamurana breed. Principal component analysis grouped lamb according to fatty acid content and to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, thus, Altamurana, Bagnolese, and Leccese breeds are characterized by the highest values of CLA content. Our data demonstrated that lamb meat from autochthonous breed has good carcass quality and the content of CLA, n-3, and n-6 was valuable for human consumption, therefore, the valorisation of local meat quality can help to avoid the extinction of the autochthonous breed offering to the market and consumer’s high nutritive products.

Goat husbandry is widespread due to high adaptability of goat to different and extreme environments. Goat milk is valuable from a nutritional point of view in terms of both protein and lipid fraction. The complex polymorphism of its casein fractions as well as the peculiar fatty acid profile makes goat milk interesting for its high potential in exploitation for human health. Genetic polymorphisms of milk proteins play an important role both in eliciting different allergic reaction and for derived peptides with functional properties. The purpose of the present chapter is to report information on the possible impact of goat milk protein and lipid fractions on cow’s milk protein allergy, and on some infant diseases as generalized epilepsy and metabolic disorders.

The review reports recent knowledge on the role and significance of somatic cells in sheep mammary gland physiology. Somatic cell count represents an index of animal health status and it is considered an elective standard for the milk quality detection. However, there is still the need to deepen the knowledge on this complex parameter and to define a cut-off value of SCC in sheep milk in order to guarantee safety and quality of sheep milk and to sustain the development of dairy sheep productive system. Quantitative limits and detection methods for somatic cell count in sheep milk production are discussed in relation to qualitative, hygienic and technological aspects. Furthermore somatic cell level and qualitative patterns in sheep milk are discussed in relation to milk cytokines, endogenous proteolytic enzymes and pathogenic bacteria; this new approach to milk quality evaluation is reported to highlight possible early and reliable indicators able to predict and ensure quality and safety of sheep milk and dairy products. Finally, the role of mammary epithelial cells in the defence of the mammary gland represents a new research field, which still needs to be explored in sheep milk.

We evaluated the effect of in vitro digested milk on mature adipocytes 3T3-L1, paying particular attention to its fatty acid composition, and comparing human (HM), donkey (DM), bovine (BM), ovine (OM), caprine (CM) and formula (FM) milk. Cellular viability, apoptosis, oxidative response and gene expression levels of NF-κB p65, HMGB1, SREBP-1c and FAS were evaluated. Digested milk treatments significantly reduced 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes viability and caspase activity compared with control group, but no significant differences were observed among different sources of digested milk. In all digested milk samples, ROS level was higher than the control, however, the digested human and formula milk showed lower levels of ROS than DM, BM, OM and CM samples. Lower capacity of HM and FM to induce oxidative stress in mature adipocytes was ascribed to the peculiar free fatty acids profile of digested milk samples. All milk treatments elicited a significant over-expression of NF-κB p65 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to the control; the lowest gene expression was found in HM, BM, OM and CM, the highest in FM and an intermediate behavior was shown in DM. All digested milk treatments influenced the gene expression of SRBP-1c with FM and HM showing the highest levels. For FAS expression, BM showed the highest level, OM and CM intermediate and FM, HM and DM the lowest levels, however HM and DM had comparable levels to the control.

The sensorial evaluation of a prebiotic sheep milk juice beverage considering a consumer's perception was performed. Four beverages with different concentration of skimmed sheep milk, strawberry pulp and sugar, added with a fixed inulin level (3 g/100 g) were manufactured and submitted to hedonic and preference ranking test with 60 consumers. Beverages containing decreased sugar levels and higher content of strawberry pulp were most preferred and presented the higher scores in the acceptance test. According the Principal Component Analysis, sample B3 was characterized by strawberry flavor and aroma, acid taste, strawberry seeds presence, sheep aroma, fatty flavor, and pinkish color; while sample B4 was associated with reddish color, astringent flavor, bitter taste, brightness, viscous, sweet, acid and rancid aromas attributes. Finally, sample B2 presented salt and sweet taste, and thinner texture, while samples B1 presented sheep flavor, cooked aroma, cooked flavor and residual flavor. Our findings suggest that formulation should contain 550/370/50 g/L of skimmed sheep milk, strawberry pulp and sugar in beverage.

Neutrophils represent primary mobile phagocytes recruited to the site of infection, and their functions are essential to enhance animals' health performance. Neutrophils have an essential role in innate immunity and are able to kill the pathogens via the synthesis of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The objective of the present work was the study of the in vitro NETosis of peripheral neutrophils isolated from dairy cows supplemented with olive pomace. Dairy cows (n = 16) balanced for parity (3.67 ± 1.5 for CON, 3.67 ± 1.9 for OP), milk yield (24.3 ± 4.5 kg d−1for CON and 24.9 ± 1.7 kg d−1 for OP), the number of days in milk (109 ± 83.5 for CON and 196 ± 51 for OP), and body weight (647 ± 44.3 kg for CON and 675 ± 70.7 kg for OP) were divided into two experimental groups fed with a control diet (CON) and supplemented with 6% of olive pomace (OP). Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated and stimulated in vitro with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) as a marker for activation and reactivity of the neutrophils. After isolation, both the viability and CD11b expression were analyzed by flow cytometry. Both NETosis by neutrophil elastase-DNA complex system and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluated by ELISA. The specific antibodies against MPO and citrullination of Histone-H1 were used for investigating NETosis by immunofluorescence microscopy. The neutrophil elastase-DNA complexes produced during NETosis and MPO activity of neutrophil extracts were affected by OP supplementation. Furthermore, results from immunofluorescence analysis of NETosis depicted a similar result found by ELISA showing a higher expression of MPO and citrullination of Histone-H1 in OP than the CON neutrophils. In addition, all data showed that the OP diet resulted in a better response of neutrophils to PMA stimulation than the CON diet, which did not support the neutrophils' responses to PMA stimulation. Our results demonstrated that OP supplementation can enhance the neutrophil function in dairy cows leading to udder defense and inflammation response especially when an immunosuppression state can occur.

This chapter provides an overview of knowledge in indigenous enzymes of milk from ovine, caprine, buffalo, camel, horse and donkey species. Although less widely used in the dairy sector, milk from such species has gained interest for its ability to be processed in a number of different dairy products, whether traditional or innovative, and for its biological potential in both infant and adult nutrition. In such a context, the role of indigenous enzymes is reviewed according to the most substantial and recent literature, different and advanced analytical techniques for the study of indigenous enzymes or enzyme systems are discussed. The chapter focuses on the qualitative and quantitative features of the indigenous enzymes systems in the different species, and offers a perspective on future research, especially on the behavior under the conditions and treatments applied in raw milk storage and processing.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:29:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Sheep dairy products containing prebiotic and probiotic ingredients may have health-promoting properties. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of sheep milk ice cream [conventional full-fat (CONV), full-fat enriched with probiotic (PROB, 100 mg % wt/wt of Lacticaseibacillus casei 01), or nonfat synbiotic (SYNB, Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 and inulin, 10% wt/wt)] on carcinogen-induced colonic crypt cytotoxicity and premalignant lesion development. Male Swiss mice received 2 doses of colon carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM, 15 mg/kg of body weight) at wk 3 and 4. Two weeks before and during AOM administrations (4 wk) mice were treated with CONV, PROB, or SYNB by gavage (10 mL/kg). Mice were euthanized at wk 4 or 25 (n = 5 or 10 mice/group, respectively). At wk 4, a significant reduction in micronucleated colonocytes was observed in PROB and SYNB groups, and a significant decrease in both p53 expression and apoptosis indexes in colonic crypts was observed in SYNB group. At wk 25, both PROB and SYNB interventions reduced the mean number of colonic premalignant lesions. However, only SYNB group showed lower incidence and number of high-grade premalignant lesions in the colonic mucosa. These findings indicate that PROB or SYNB sheep milk ice cream, especially SYNB intervention, can reduce chemically induced mouse colon carcinogenesis. Department of Food Science and Nutrition Faculty of Food Engineering University of Campinas Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Technological Processing of Animal Products Veterinary School Federal Fluminense University (UFF) Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Food Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ) Department of Food Science Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), Paranavaí Department of Food Technology Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) Department of Agriculture Food Natural Resources and Engineering (DAFNE) University of Foggia (UNIFG) Department of Structural and Functional Biology Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Oxidative stress contributes to many inflammatory-based diseases of dairy cattle especially during periods of increased metabolic activity such as around calving. Endothelial cells play a key role in maintaining normal inflammatory responses, but they are especially susceptible to macromolecule damage during times of oxidative stress. Therefore, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were used to study the effect of natural tannin-based extracts on oxidative stress that may improve health and well-being of cattle. Tannins are secondary metabolites in plants with potent antioxidant activity that have been used as natural feed additives for food-producing animals. However, there is little information on how tannin-rich plant extracts may affect oxidative stress in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum; PMG), tara (Caesalpinia spinosa; TA), chestnut (Castanea sativa; CH), and gambier (Uncaria gambir; GM) natural extracts using an in vitro BAEC model of oxidative stress. Natural extracts were tested at a concentration of 80 μg/mL. Viability, apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and isoprostanes were determined on cultured BAEC treated with different plant natural extracts. No changes in cell viability was detected following PMG and GM treatments. In contrast, there was a 30% reduction of BAEC viability following treatment with CH or TA extracts. Intracellular reactive oxygen species production was significantly less abundant in cells treated with natural extracts than with the lipopolysaccharide control. Moreover, antioxidant activity varied according to the tested extract, showing a reduction of 63, 45, 51, and 27% in PMG, GM, CH, and TA, respectively. The formation of isoprostanes as a consequence of lipid peroxidation after induction of oxidative stress also were significantly decreased in PMG-treated cells when compared with the untreated cells. Theses findings suggest that PMG extract has the potential to mitigate oxidative stress without detrimental effects on cell viability. Further in vitro and in vivo research is warranted to explore the antioxidant potential of PMG extract as a dietary supplement to control oxidative stress in dairy cattle.

The present experiment aimed at understanding the effects of cortisol levels on sheep peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and cytokine production during hyperthermia. To mimic stress related to the exposition of high ambient temperatures, PBMC were cultured at 43°C for 12 h, and subsequently at 39°C for additional 12 h. Cells in normothermia were cultured at 39°C for 24 h. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC were cultured with different cortisol levels: 0 ng/mL; 100 ng/mL, representing the physiological cortisol concentration simulating stress condition (Cort100); and 1,000 ng/mL, representing the hyperactivated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (Cort1000). Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC with 0 ng/mL of cortisol concentration represented the positive control, whereas nonstimulated PBMC without cortisol represented the negative control (NC). The free cell supernatants were collected for the determination of IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 by ELISA. Bromodeoxyuridine assay was performed on cells to determine cell proliferation. Exposition to hyperthermia negatively affected cell proliferation, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 concentrations in cell supernatants. The interaction of hyperthermia and cortisol level affected both cell proliferation and IL-10 production. Both PBMC proliferation and IL-10 production in positive control, Cort100, and Cort1000 decreased at 43°C as compared with 39°C NC. On average, the Cort100 treatment displayed higher concentrations of IL-6 than NC. The present experiment demonstrated that the action of cortisol concentration simulating stress condition on cell proliferation and cytokine production was a permissive/stimulatory action during normothermia, whereas it was a suppressive action during hyperthermia. These data confirmed that cortisol concentration simulating stress condition could have a role in the immune system of sheep via mediating cellular homeostasis in the condition of hyperthermia. The negative effects of hyperthermia on sheep immune responses were apparent when performing an immunological challenge.

This study was aimed at developing a new functional fermented beverage manufactured with semi-skimmed sheep milk and strawberry pulp (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) and commercial prebiotic ingredients. We also compared the performance of the yogurt starter cultures and a Lactobacillus plantarum strain (CECT_8328) with potential probiotic properties. We assessed the nutritional profile, bioactivity compounds, viability of lactic acid bacteria during storage, and survival of L. plantarum after in vitro simulated digestion during the storage period. The lactic acid bacteria were viable throughout the storage period, but only L. plantarum maintained good viability after simulated digestion. Nevertheless, neither inulin nor potato starch increased bacterial viability. The fermented semi-skimmed sheep milk strawberry beverages we developed are good sources of minerals and proteins.

We present a pilot study on the effects of milk protein fractions [αS1-casein (CN), αS2-CN, κ-CN, β-CN, and a mix of α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG)] from different animal species (bovine, ovine, and caprine) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative status in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with generalized epilepsy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained by density gradient from blood of 10 children with generalized epilepsy (5 males; mean age 33.6 ± 5.4 mo) and 10 controls (5 males; mean age 35.6 ± 6.8 mo). Children with epilepsy were grouped according to cytokine levels as follows: children with epilepsy having low levels of cytokines not different from those of control children (LL-EC); children with epilepsy having cytokine levels at least 5-fold higher (medium levels) than those of control children (ML-EC); and children with epilepsy having cytokine levels at least 10-fold higher (high levels) than those of control children (HL-EC). The production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-6, and IL-1β was studied in cultured PBMC incubated with αS1-CN, αS2-CN, κ-CN, β-CN, and a mix of α-LA and β-LG from bovine, caprine, and ovine milks. The levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and catalase activity were assessed in cultured supernatant. In the HL-EC group, β-CN from small ruminant species (ovine and caprine) induced the highest levels of TNF-α, whereas PBMC incubated with αS2-CN from ovine milk and the mix of β-LG and α-LA from all tested milk species had the lowest levels of TNF-α. Within the HL-EC group, production of IL-1β was higher for bovine and ovine αS2-CN fractions and lower for caprine and ovine β-CN and κ-CN. In the HL-EC group, IL-6 was higher in cultured PBMC incubated with αS2-CN from bovine and ovine milk than from caprine milk. The cytokine IL-10 did not differ among milking species. The highest levels of ROS/RNS were found after incubation of PBMC with the β-CN fraction in bovine milk. Catalase activity was higher in PBMC cultured with β-CN isolated from bovine and caprine milk and with αS1-CN from ovine milk.

We report the fatty acid profile of raw milk and of the corresponding digested milk from different sources (human milk, formula milk and donkey, bovine, ovine and caprine milk) to gain information on the nutritional quality of different milk sources in infant nutrition.Short chain fatty acids (SC-FA) were higher in bovine and caprine milk, intermediate in ovine and donkey and lower in human and formula milk. Medium chain fatty acids (MC-FA) showed the highest values for bovine and caprine milk and the lowest for donkey and formula milk, whereas long chain fatty acids (LC-FA) were the highest in donkey and formula milk and intermediate in human milk.The percentage distribution of fatty acids liberated after in vitro digestion did not reflect the patterns found in the corresponding milk sources. In particular, MC free fatty acids (MC-FFA) showed the highest and the lowest values in donkey and in formula milk, LC-FFA showed the highest value in human milk. The total FFA was highest in human milk, lowest in formula milk and intermediate in donkey, bovine, ovine, and caprine milk.

The use of fresh milk, delivered and processed within 60 h from the first milking is mandatory for production of Protected Designation of Origin buffalo mozzarella. However, the use of frozen milk is a common practice during the summer to cope with a greater market demand. The aim of this study was to detect qualitative and quantitative differences between fresh and frozen milk at the protein level. The fresh buffalo milk was aliquoted in eight batches, keeping them for up to 104 weeks at −20 °C. Fresh and frozen buffalo milk batches were analysed by the application of a sensitive ELISA test. The results showed a decrease in β-casein levels during frozen storage, revealing enzymatic activity at −20 °C. Therefore, the ELISA assay could be a promising tool to safeguard the production of the typical local fresh cheeses through the control of raw milk before cheese manufacturing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of linseed and/or quinoa on tenderness and on proteome of lamb meat. Thirty-two Italian Merino lambs were distributed into 4 groups with different diet: control (CO) with no supplemental fat, linseed (LS), quinoa (QS) and QS+LS diets. Meat obtained by lamb fed linseed showed the lowest values of WBSF (P

Simple Summary Stressful conditions can play an important role in affecting welfare, productive performances and meat quality of lambs. The relation between nutrition and immune response has been investigated in the livestock production, particularly in dairy cattle and sheep. Due to costs related to animal feed it is useful to evaluate the proper feeding strategy supplementation for improving animal welfare and lamb meat quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with linseed, quinoa seed and their combination on metabolic profile, immune system, and cortisol response in blood and on meat quality of merinos derived lambs. Both linseed and quinoa supplementation enhanced the immune responses of lambs, and showed a hypo cholesterol effect on blood of lambs. Moreover, lambs supplemented with linseed resulted in the lowest level of cortisol secretion during the loading test demonstrating the link between stress and the immune system. In addition, data from the present experiment highlighted that linseed supplementation in lambs enhance meat quality producing a better meat tenderness. These findings should be considered for development of specific strategies aimed at improving the quality of meat and sustaining lambs’ welfare. Abstract In the last years several studies have investigated the strong relation between nutrition and immune response in the livestock production, particularly in dairy cattle and sheep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation based on linseed, quinoa seeds and their combination on welfare, productivity and quality of meat from merinos derived lambs. 32 weaned lambs were divided into 4 experimental groups: quinoa (Q), linseed (LS) and combination of quinoa and linseed (LS + Q) that received the respective supplementation and control group (C) without supplementation. Lambs from all supplemented groups showed lower plasma urea, creatinine and cholesterol than control. Both linseed and quinoa supplementation enhanced the cell-mediated immune responses of lambs, furthermore, linseed supplementation resulted in the lowest level of cortisol secretion after handling, loading and transport. Meat from lambs supplemented with linseed and LS + Q showed the highest pH, at 1 and 3 h post-mortem, while, meat from all supplemented groups was more tender than meat from control. Results indicated that linseed and quinoa seeds supplementation can help the animal to cope with stressful events due to the close link between stress responses and the immune system and for improving meat quality in terms of better tenderness.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effects of protein level and flaxseed supplementation on the yield and quality of buffalo milk. In particular, the fatty acid profile of milk from buffalo cows subjected to different diets has been investigated. A 2×3 factorial design was tested with buffalo cows receiving 2 dietary crude protein (CP) and 3 flaxseed (FS) supplementation levels. Treatments were (1) low dietary CP level [12% of dry matter (DM)] and no flaxseed supplementation (LP); (2) low dietary CP level (12% of DM) and low flaxseed supplementation (500g/d) (LPFS500); (3) low dietary CP level (12% of DM) and moderate flaxseed supplementation (1,000g/d) (LPFS1000); (4) moderate dietary CP level (15% of DM) and no flaxseed supplementation (MP); (5) moderate dietary CP level (15% of DM) and low flaxseed supplementation (500g/d) (MPFS500); and (6) moderate dietary CP level (15% of DM) and moderate flaxseed supplementation (1,000g/d) (MPFS1000). Milk protein and casein were affected by flaxseed supplementation being higher in MP, intermediate in LP, and lower in flaxseed-supplemented diets. However, the results from the present study highlighted that low protein diets sustained milk yield, protein, and casein synthesis in milk when whole flaxseed was administered. Short-chain fatty acids, in particular C8:0 and C10:0, were the lowest in milk from buffalo cows fed the highest level of flaxseed supplementation. Medium-chain fatty acids were the lowest in FS1000, intermediate in FS500, and the highest in the HP and LP groups. Long-chain fatty acids were the highest in FS1000, intermediate in FS500 groups, and the lowest in milk from buffalo receiving no flaxseed supplementation. Protein level of the diet influenced the percentage of C18:0, which was higher in MP than LP groups. Total conjugated linoleic acid content evidenced the same trend of long-chain fatty acids, with an increase of about 7% in FL500 and of 22% in FL1000 than the control. Apart from protein level of the diet, atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, and n-6/n-3 were the lowest in FS1000 groups; thrombogenic index and n-6/n-3 were intermediate in milk from animals receiving FS500. Nutritional value of the acidic profile in buffalo milk is influenced by flaxseed supplementation, and its improvement reflects the level of dietary flaxseed supplementation.

Background Lactoferrin (LF) is a highly represented, functional glycoprotein in human milk, exerting a wide range of anti-infective, immunomodulatory, and prebiotic actions in the neonate. Limited data are available assessing the concentrations and levels of LF in maternal milk over time during lactation in mothers who delivered infants at different GAs. Our aim with the present study was to determine the levels of LF in human milk from mothers of preterm and term infants and to evaluate the variations at a different time from delivery, in colostrum and mature milk. Methods Mothers of preterm and term infants from the Neonatology Unit in Foggia, Italy, were approached and enrolled in this study. From each mother, milk samples were collected within the first 3 days after birth (group A, 0–72 hours), between the 5th and 7th day after delivery (group B, 120–168 hours), and after the 10th day (group C, > 240 hours). All milk samples were divided into five groups, according to the GA of the infants: 24 to 27.6 weeks of GA (I), 28 to 31.6 weeks of GA (II), 32 to 34.6 weeks of GA (III), 35 to 37.6 weeks of GA (IV), and > 38 weeks of GA (V). Milk samples were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine the content of LF. Results A total of 84 milk samples were collected from 28 mothers. We found that infant's GA, as well as the time of sampling, affected the levels of LF in milk. On one hand, LF showed higher content in human milk from group I (GA: 24–27.6 weeks) compared with the other groups (p Conclusions Levels of LF in human milk vary significantly over time during lactation and according to GA. This variability in the LF content of human milk may reflect the different needs of different infants during the early days and weeks of life. These data might help to inform models to design tailored supplementation strategies of LF in the nurseries and after home discharge.