Fate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids during processing of milk of cows treated with ragwort.

To investigate the fate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) during milk processing, milk of cows treated via rumen fistula with a mixture of 84% (w/w) ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, syn. Senecio jacobaea) and 16% narrow-leaved ragwort (Senecio inaequidens) was processed using laboratory scale heating systems with industrial settings. Pasteurised and sterilised (UHT) milk were produced, as well as set-type yoghurt and cheese.

Improving the product stability and fertilizer value of cattle slurry solid fraction through co-composting or co-ensiling.

Separating dairy cattle slurry in a liquid and solid fraction (SF) is gaining more interest, since it enables a more targeted use of both fractions. However, the valorization of the SF is limited on P-rich soils, due to its high P content, and the export or use as bedding material requires sanitation. Therefore, we investigated the influence of composting or ensiling the SF, whether or not mixed with bulking agents, on the product quality in terms of fertilizer value, sanitation and stability.

Enzymatic hydrolysis as a means of expanding the cold gelation conditions of soy proteins.

Acid-induced cold gelation of soy protein hydrolysates was studied. Hydrolysates with degrees of hydrolysis (DH) of up to 10% were prepared by using subtilisin Carlsberg. The enzyme was inhibited to uncouple the hydrolysis from the subsequent gelation; the latter was induced by the addition of glucono-delta-lactone.

The occurrence and prevention of ethanol fermentation in high-dry-matter grass silage.

Ethanol is a common, usually minor fermentation product in ensiled forages, the major product being lactic acid. Occasionally, high levels of ethanol are found in silages. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of high-dry-matter (DM) grass silages containing ethanol as the main fermentation product (ethanol silages), to describe the fermentation process in such silages and to determine the effect of grass maceration prior to wilting and addition of a bacterial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium strains on fermentation.