Beta-Glucans Improve the Mammary Innate Immune Response to Endotoxin Challenge in Dairy Ewes.

This study evaluated short-term immune responses of dairy ewes supplemented with barley β-glucan (BG) following an intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. In the adaptation period, 36 ewes were fed an alfalfa hay diet ad libitum and barley grain cv. Hispanic (3.

Low public awareness opens up new opportunities for highlighting milk as an iodine dietary source.

This international survey provides insights into public awareness of the importance of iodine as an essential trace mineral in human health along with knowledge of iodine dietary sources. The online questionnaire included sociodemographic aspects and dietary iodine consumer awareness on 7-point Likert-type questions. A total of 4,704 questionnaires from 16 countries were considered.

Low Effectiveness of Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Prediction Models of Mediterranean Italian Buffalo Bulk Milk Coagulation Traits.

This study evaluated the potential use of mid-infrared spectroscopy to predict milk coagulation traits in bulk milk from Mediterranean Italian buffaloes. A total of 1736 bulk milk samples from 55 farms in central Italy were collected during the official milk quality testing system. The prediction models were developed based on modified partial least-squares regression with 75% of the samples and validated with the remaining samples.

Milking system and diet forage type effect on milk quality of Italian Holstein-Friesian.

Moving from conventional (CMS) to automatic (AMS) milking systems could affect milk quality. Moreover, the type and preservation methods of the forages used in the TMR, such as alfalfa hay (HTMR) or corn silage (STMR) have been demonstrated to modify milk composition. Thus, this study investigated the effect of implementing AMS and different diet forage types on the quality of Italian Holstein-Friesian bulk milk.

Characterization of microplastics in skim-milk powders.

The diffusion of microplastics in the food supply chain is prompting public concern as their impact on human health is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microplastics in skim-milk powder samples (n = 16) from different European countries (n = 8) through Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode analysis. The present study highlights that the use of hot alkaline digestion has enabled the efficacious identification of microplastics in skim-milk powders used for cheesemaking across European countries.

Application of a short-wave pocket-sized near-infrared spectrophotometer to predict milk quality traits.

Portable handheld devices based on near-infrared (NIR) technology have improved and are gaining popularity, even if their implementation in milk has been barely evaluated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using short-wave pocket-sized NIR devices to predict milk quality. A total of 331 individual milk samples from different cow breeds and herds were collected in 2 consecutive days for chemical determination and spectral collection by using 2 pocket-sized NIR spectrophotometers working in the range of 740 to 1,070 nm.

The effects of dietary iodine content, milking system, and farming practices on milk iodine concentration and quality traits.

Various management practices can influence milk quality traits in dairy cattle. As an example, an increasing investment in automatic milking system to substitute milking parlors has been observed in the last 2 decades in dairy farms which could have affected certain bulk milk quality traits. What is more, milking practices can also affect certain milk parameters; as an example, teat disinfectants containing I are used in commercial farms where pre- or postdipping is performed, leading to presence of some I in the bulk milk.

A short-term comparison of wheat straw and poplar wood chips used as litter in tiestalls on hygiene, milk, and behavior of lactating dairy cows.

A short-term study was conducted to compare the effect of using poplar wood chips (PWC) instead of wheat straw (WS) litter in dairy cows. A total of 38 lactating Holstein cows (204 ± 119 days in milk, 26.9 ± 6.

Comparison of chemical composition of organic and conventional Italian cheeses from parallel production.

Although there are several studies comparing organic and conventional milk characteristics, very few focused on dairy processed products such as cheese. Thus, this study aimed for a detailed controlled examination of gross composition, minerals, and the fatty acid profile of organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) Italian cheeses from parallel production. Four Italian cheese types were analyzed: Latteria (ORG, n = 9; CON, n = 10); Asiago Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) fresco (ORG, n = 9; CON, n = 9); Caciotta (ORG, n = 8; CON, n = 8); and Mozzarella Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG; ORG, n = 14; CON, n = 14).

Invited review: Iodine level in dairy products-A feed-to-fork overview.

The theme of iodine in the dairy sector is of particular interest due to the involvement and the interconnection of several stakeholders along the dairy food chain. Iodine plays a fundamental role in animal nutrition and physiology, and in cattle it is an essential micronutrient during lactation and for fetal development and the calf's growth. Its correct use in food supplementation is crucial to guarantee the animal's recommended daily requirement to avoid excess intake and long-term toxicity.

Detailed comparison between organic and conventional milk from Holstein-Friesian dairy herds in Italy.

Several studies have reported gross composition differences between organic and conventional milk; however, most studies have not considered other factors such as breed and diet ingredients, which are known to influence milk composition. Thus, this study aimed to provide a detailed characterization of Holstein-Friesian cow milk from organic (ORG) and conventional (CONV) herds with similar diet ingredients and in the same geographic area. Bulk milk samples (n = 225) of 12 ORG and 12 CONV farms were collected from September 2019 to August 2020.

Long-term administration of a commercial supplement enriched with bioactive compounds does not affect feed intake, health status, and growth performances in beef cattle.

Feed additives including natural bioactive compounds (BCs) in combination with vitamin E (VitE) and organic Se could mitigate animal stress associated with intensive livestock farming due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Yeast and yeast derivate are included in feed additives as probiotic products and digestion promoters. is a source of bioactive compounds and has been tested in monogastrics, exhibiting many immunostimulating and hepato-protective activities.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Livestock Mammals' Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years.

In the last two decades, the interest in natural plant feed additives (PFA) as alternatives to synthetic vitamins in livestock nutrition has increased. After a systematic review, a total of 19 peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and 2020 were retained to evaluate the antioxidant effects of PFA compared to synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E; VitE) in livestock nutrition. These studies demonstrated that PFAs could be as efficient as VitE in counteracting oxidative stress in pigs, rabbits, and ruminants.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins in Livestock Animal Products Yield, Quality, and Oxidative Status: A Review.

The interest for safe and natural foods of animal origin is currently increasing the use of plant feed additives (PFA) as antioxidants in animal nutrition. However, studies with livestock animals dealing with PFA as antioxidants are scarce. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the antioxidant impact of PFA compared with synthetic vitamins on animal food product yield and quality.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Yield, Quality, and Oxidative Status of Poultry Products: A Review of the Literature of the Last 20 Years.

Scientific evidence demonstrates that plant feed additives (PFA) can be a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidant vitamins in poultry nutrition. PFA are represented by plants, essential oils, plant extracts, and by-products from herbal or crop processing. The use of PFA in the feed industry has increased in recent years as their biologically active compounds (polyphenols) have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in food-producing animals.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Poultry Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years.

Plant feed additives (PFA) such as essential oils, extracts, and by-products from plant processing can be included in poultry diets. A total of 39 peer-reviewed articles were selected from the literature published in the last 20 years (2000-2020) comparing PFA antioxidant effects with synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E) in poultry nutrition. The PFA can be used as an effective nutritional strategy to face poultry's oxidative stress with positive impact also on their productivity and efficiency.

Detailed characterization of plant-based burgers.

Flexitarians have reduced their meat consumption showing a rising interest in plant-based meat alternatives with 'meaty' characteristics, and we are witnessing an unprecedented growth of meat substitutes in the Western market. However, to our knowledge, no information regarding the 'simulated beef burgers' nutritional profile compared to similar meat products has been published yet. Here we show that, whilst both plant-based and meat-based burgers have similar protein profile and saturated fat content, the former are richer in minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

At-line Prediction of Gelatinized Starch and Fiber Fractions in Extruded Dry Dog Food Using Different Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Technologies.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of visible/near-infrared reflectance (Vis-NIR) and near-infrared transmittance (NIT) spectroscopy to predict total and gelatinized starch and fiber fractions in extruded dry dog food. Reference laboratory analyses were performed on 81 samples, and the spectrum of each ground sample was obtained through Vis-NIR and NIT spectrometers. Prediction equations for each instrument were developed by modified partial least squares regressions and validated by cross- (CrV) and external validation (ExV) procedures.

Effects of animal versus vegetal rennet on milk coagulation traits in Mediterranean buffalo bulk milk.

Given consumer interest in Mozzarella di latte di Bufala and other cheeses, and the growing interest of the cheese industry in offering products adequate for lactovegetarian consumers, this study aimed to compare clotting capacity of vegetal and animal rennet in buffalo milk. Milk coagulation properties of 1,261 buffalo bulk milk samples collected during milk quality testing were assessed by lactodynamography using commercial animal (75% chymosin and 25% bovine pepsin) and vegetal (Cynara cardunculus) rennets. Chemical composition of milk samples was predicted by MilkoScan (Foss Analytics, Hillerød, Denmark) calibrated with specific buffalo standards.

Organic Livestock Production: A Bibliometric Review.

Due to the increasing interest in organic farming, an overview of this research area is provided through a bibliometric analysis conducted between April and May 2019. A total of 320 documents were published up until 2018 on organic livestock farming, with an annual growth rate of 9.33% and a clear increase since 2005; 268 documents have been published in 111 journals.

Comparison of Mineral, Metabolic, and Oxidative Profile of Saanen Goat during Lactation with Different Mediterranean Breed Clusters under the Same Environmental Conditions.

This study aimed to describe metabolic, oxidative, and mineral blood profiles of Saanen does through lactation compared with Mediterranean breed clusters (Maltese and Rossa Mediterranea, and Jonica, Garganica, and Girgentana). Milk and blood samples of 57 dairy goats (9-10 goats per breed) were collected from the 2nd to the 30th week of lactation every 2-3 weeks. Saanen showed greater milk yield and somatic cell score, and lower fat and protein percentage through lactation ( < 0.

Variation of Blood Metabolites of Brown Swiss, Holstein-Friesian, and Simmental Cows.

Serum metabolic profile is a common method to monitor health and nutritional status of dairy cows, but blood sampling and analysis are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. Milk mid-infrared spectra have recently been used to develop prediction models for blood metabolites. The current study aimed to investigate factors affecting blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and urea nitrogen (BUN) predicted from a large milk mid-infrared spectra database.

Effects of somatic cell score on milk yield and mid-infrared predicted composition and technological traits of Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, and Simmental cattle breeds.

High milk somatic cell count (SCC) influences milk production and quality; however, very little is known about the effect of low SCC on milk quality, especially in terms of mineral content and coagulation properties. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of somatic cell score (SCS), calculated as log(SCC/100) + 3, on milk yield, composition (fat, crude protein, casein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, protein fractions, and mineral contents), and coagulation properties of Brown Swiss, Holstein Friesian, and Simmental cows from multibreed herds. Milk composition and coagulation traits were predicted using mid-infrared spectroscopy.