Anka Popović-Vranješ

The Impact of Organic Agriculture on Biodiversity Conservation and Milk Quality for Traditional Cheese Production

Summary Organic farming represents agricultural practice that could contribute to the preservation of biological diversity and breeding of cows with the most desired milk quality attributes. Milk composition could vary widely according to genetic diversity of the animals and different feeding systems. These are related to higher dry matter content, fat, protein and a more favorable ratio of the saturated/unsaturated fatty acids, which is important in traditional cheese production. Standard chemical analyzes were performed and this paper shows the differences in the chemical properties and the fatty acid profile of milk, depending on the different breeds and breeding methods of animals. Simmental milk (indoors) was most abundant in dry matter and fat (13.01 and 4.30%, respectively) while protein and casein level was the highest in the Busha milk (3.67 and 2.63%, respectively). Holstein Friesian milk (organic) possessed a more constant composition and, together with Busha appropriate hygienic quality of milk (low level of somatic cells and total bacteria count). Also, milk from Holstein Friesian cows (organic) was disposed with better nutritional quality and more desirable fatty acid profile (SFA (63.40%), MUFA (30.79%) and PUFA (5.72 %)). On the other hand, Holstein Friesian (conventional) milk contained SFA (67.45%), MUFA (29.27%) and PUFA (3.28%) while Simmental (indoors) higher values of SFA (71.21%) and less MUFA (25.39%) and PUFA (3.40%). There are various ways to preserve biodiversity and the application of organic production standards in the traditional cheese production contributes to obtaining safer, quality products which are more recognizable on the market.

Quality of Hard Cheese Made from Value Aded Organic Goat Milk

Summary Products with added value are all those products which, in addition to requirements set by laws of food safety and quality, meet the additional requirements. The added value of products resulting from its higher nutritional and commercial value and very often involve products originating from organic production or products with geographical indications. Consumer knowledge of production values has increased exponentially and has fuelled a demand for healthy, quality products such as goats’ milk and cheeses. The single most important factor affecting cheese quality and yield is the composition of the milk, particularly the concentrations of fat and casein. Nutritional value of goat cheese derives from its energy value, content of essential fatty and amino acids, the content of vitamins, minerals and its digestibility. In this paper, organic goat milk and hard goat cheese were analyzed for fatty and amino acids profile. In addition, cheese was assayed for fat, protein, moisture, total solids, Ca, P, Mg and pH. The evaluation of the cheeses was performed to establish the relationship between quality and composition of milk and cheese. Obtained values for saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in cheese were on average 42.0, 54.4, and 3.60 %, respectively. Levels of glutamic, aspartic acid, lysine and leucine significantly increased in cheese comparing with milk samples. Mean values for fat in dry matter in cheese was 47.1 %, while for pH this value amounted 5:55.