Salvatore Claps

The effect of hot season and nutrition on the oxidative status and metabolic profile in dairy goats during mid lactation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the hot season and nutrition on the oxidative status and metabolic profile of lactating goats during mid lactation. Twenty-four Red Syrian goats were allocated into three groups that were offered the following diets: natural pasture (P), pasture+500 g/h per day of concentrate (PC) and hay plus 500 g/h per day of concentrate (HC). Blood samples were taken in spring (85±7 days in milk (DIM)) and summer (120±7 DIM) and assayed for reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), α-tocopherol, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GHS-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Milk yield and milk composition were also measured. SOD, GSH-Px and ROMs levels increased during summer when temperature humidity index values were high. The increase in ROMs in the PC and HC groups could be ascribed to the improved nutritional regime and to their higher production level. The markers of the oxidative status and of the metabolic profile measured in this study indicate that goats may have experienced moderate oxidative stress. It seems that, seasonal rather than nutritional factors have a more pronounced effect on oxidative status markers. Concentrate supplementation sustained milk yield and may represent a useful means to extend the lactation period in dairy goats during late spring and summer.

Effects of plane of nutrition on oxidative stress in goats during the peripartum period

This study aimed to monitor the effect of a high (HD; 140% of energy requirements) versus a low diet (LD; 80% energy requirements) on oxidative status in goats during the peripartum period. Blood samples were taken from all goats at -2, -1, 0 (partum), +2 and +4 weeks from delivery. Blood samples were assayed for their content of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), thiol (SH) groups, total antioxidant capacity (OXY) and for glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. The observation that ROMs levels significantly increased during the peripartum period was accompanied by a decrease of GSH-Px activity at weeks 2 and 4 postpartum, which suggested that the goats might have experienced some degree of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Overall, changes to the nutritional level of the diet had very little or no effect on redox homeostasis. The lack of any correlation between the biomarkers measured indicated that each oxidative stress marker responded differently, indicating that redox homeostasis was impaired in these dairy goats during the peripartum period.

Grazing behavior and diet selection of goats on native pasture in Southern Italy

In Expt. 1, 48 goats from two breeds (Maltese and Rossa Mediterranea) received two levels of concentrate supplements (150 and 550 g/head/d) in a 2×2 factorial design. In Expt. 2, the concentrate levels were the same, but with two CP levels for each concentrate level (150 g/head/d of concentrate: 18 and 38% CP; 550 g/head/d: 12 and 18% CP). At low or high concentrate level, the ratio of NE: CP was the same. Goats had a high preference for grasses, mainly Lolium perenne and Avena barbata, and, in summer, for forbs, especially Daucus carota, Foeniculurn sp. and Borago officinalis. Legumes were less preferred, with the exception of Vicia sativa and Lotus corniculatus. n nDifferences between the chemical composition of pasture herbage and of ingesta were noticed. The percentage of crude fiber of the selected diet had seasonal variation opposite that of pasture. CP content of the selected pasture diet was often higher than the pastures. The two breeds had a different behavior in selecting plant species: Maltese goats preferred grasses, while Rossa Mediterranea goats preferred forbs. Intake level was influenced by breed, by amount of concentrate and its CP content. With a high level of concentrate the Maltese reduced grass intake more than the Rossa Mediterranea (54% vs. 18%). Low level of concentrate (150 g) resulted in increased CP and quantity of herbage intake by 43 and 39% in 1987, and 17 and 15% in 1988, respectively. Low CP content of concentrates increased CP and DM intake. DM intake was positively correlated with total legumes in the pasture (0.24∗∗), with legumes in the diet (0.33∗), DM production of the pasture (0.39∗∗∗), and negatively, with fiber of the diet (−0.46∗∗∗). Several regression equations for intake were proposed.

Effects of Sulla forage (Sulla coronarium L.) on the oxidative status and milk polyphenol content in goats.

Twelve milking Girgentana goats were allocated into 3 groups and fed 3 diets ad libitum in a 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods. The diets were Sulla fresh forage ad libitum (SUL), Sulla fresh forage ad libitum and 800g/d of barley meal (SULB), and mixed hay ad libitum and 800g/d of barley meal (HB). Changes were observed in total polyphenol intake, plasma oxidative status, plasma polyphenol content, metabolic status, milk polyphenol content, and total antioxidant capacity. The fresh forage diets (SUL and SULB) increased dry matter, total polyphenol, nontannic polyphenol and tannin intakes, and the milk total protein, casein, milk total polyphenols, and milk free polyphenols compared with the HB diet. The intake of condensed tannins was higher in the SUL than in the HB group, and an intermediate value was recorded for the SULB group. Plasma from the SUL- and SULB-fed goats exhibited greater total antioxidant capacity and greater total polyphenol and free polyphenol levels compared with the plasma from the HB group. Positive correlations between plasma total antioxidant capacity and condensed tannins intake (r=0.43), plasma total polyphenol and total polyphenol intake (r=0.61), and plasma free polyphenol and milk total polyphenols (r=0.38) were observed. The correlation between milk free polyphenols and whey total antioxidant capacity (r=0.42) highlights the role of free polyphenols in the determination of the antioxidant activity of milk. These results indicate that Sulla fresh forage exerts an antioxidant activity due to its secondary compounds that provide additional antioxidant value and that Sulla forage appears to be a promising strategy for improving product quality.

Yield and quality of milk and udder health in Martina Franca ass: effects of daily interval and time of machine milking

Abstract Twenty asses of Martina Franca breed, machine milked twice a day, were used to assess the influence of milking interval (3-h, 5-h, and 8-h; N=5) and time (700, 1200 and 1900) on milk yield and udder health. Individual milk samples were taken to determine fat, protein and lactose content. Sensory analysis profile was also assessed. Milk’s total bacterial count (TBC), somatic cell content (SCC) and udder’s skin temperature were considered to assess udder health. Milk yield increases by 28.4% (P<0.01) with a milking interval from 3-h to 8-h and is higher (P<0.01) at morning milking. The maximum milk yield per milking corresponds to 700 milking (1416.9 mL) thus indicating a circadian rhythm in milk secretion processes. Milking intervals of 5 and 8 hours cause a decrease (P<0.01) in milk fat and lactose content. The 8-h interval leads to an increase (P<0.01) in SCC but without any significance for the health udder. No alterations about CBT, clinical evaluation and temperature of udder were observed. Milk organoleptic characteristics were better in the 3-h interval milking.

Influence of fresh forage-based diets and αS1-casein (CSN1S1) genotype on nutrient intake and productive, metabolic, and hormonal responses in milking goats

Polymorphism at the αS1-casein locus (CSN1S1) in goats influences several milk production traits. Milk from goats carrying strong alleles, which are associated with high αS1-casein (αS1-CN) synthesis, has higher fat and casein contents, longer coagulation time and higher curd firmness than milk from goats with weak alleles linked to low αS1-CN content. Nutrition also affects these milk properties; therefore, it is important to better understand the interaction between dietary characteristics and the CSN1S1 genotype in goats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fresh forage based diet or energy supplement on feeding behavior, milk production, and metabolic and hormonal parameters of Girgentana goats with different genotypes at CSN1S1 loci. From a group of goats genotyped by PCR at the DNA level, 12 were selected because they had the same genotype for αS2-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN but a different genotype for αS1-CN: 6 were homozygous for strong alleles at the CSN1S1 loci (AA) and 6 were heterozygous for a weak allele (AF). Goats of each genotype were allocated to 3 subgroups and fed 3 diets ad libitum in a 3×3 Latin square design. The diets were sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) fresh forage, sulla fresh forage plus 800 g/d of barley meal (SFB), and mixed hay plus 800 g/d of barley meal (MHB). Diet had a stronger effect than CSN1S1 genotype. The SFB diet led to the highest energy intake, dry matter (DM) digestibility, and milk yield. The fresh forage diets (SFF and SFB) increased DM and crude protein (CP) intake, CP digestibility, and milk CN compared with the MHB diet. The diets supplemented with energy (SFB, MHB) reduced milk fat and urea, improved CP utilization for casein synthesis, and limited body fat mobilization, in accordance with a lower level of nonesterified fatty acids and higher levels of glucose and IGF-1. With regard to CSN1S1 genotype, AA goats showed higher CP digestibility and lower free thyroxine hormone and cholesterol levels than AF goats. Significant diet × genotype interactions indicated how AA goats, compared with AF goats, showed higher DM digestibility and milk yield when fed the SFB diet, which had more energy. A reduction in free triiodothyronine hormone occurred in AF goats fed the MHB diet, whereas no differences were observed in AA goats. These results demonstrate how goats with a higher capacity for αS1-CN synthesis exhibit more efficient energy and protein utilization, evident at the digestive level, and better productive responses to high-nutrition diets.

Effect of adjuncts on microbiological and chemical properties of Scamorza cheese

Scamorza is a semi-hard, pasta filata cheese resembling low-moisture Mozzarella cheese, with a short ripening time (<30d). Scamorza has a bland flavor and, to provide diversification from similar cheeses, it was manufactured using 2 types of milk in the current study: 100% Italian Friesian milk (F) or 90% F and 10% Jersey cow milk (mixed, M), and 2 types of starter: Streptococcus thermophilus or S. thermophilus with peptidolytic Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus paracasei strains as adjuncts). The cheeses were ripened for 30d. The adjunct did not significantly affect acid production or growth of the primary starter; 2 of the species used in the adjunct (Lb. paracasei and Lb. helveticus) rapidly colonized the cheese and persisted until the end of ripening, whereas the counts of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria in the control cheese were low until the end of ripening. The use of adjuncts affected pH, microbial composition (as assessed by both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods), total free amino acid content, and volatile profile (measured using an electronic nose), whereas milk type had only a minor effect. Although differences in primary proteolysis were found, they were probably indirect and related to the effects on pH and moisture. We conclude that, even with a short ripening time (30d), use of a peptidolytic adjunct may significantly affect important features of Scamorza and may be used to create a product that is measurably different from competing products.

Influence of four single fresh forages on volatile organic compound (VOC) content and profile and sensory properties of goat Caciotta cheese

Abstract Aim of the trial was to evaluate the effect of fresh single-species herbage on the VOC and sensory properties of cheese, in order to individuate specific descriptors linked to the use of fresh herbage in pureness. Two groups of Siriana housed goats were fed alternately with 2 grasses: Avena sativa (AS) and Lolium perenne (LP) and 2 legumes: Medicago sativa (MS) and Trifolium incarnatum (TI) in pureness. The milk was processed as Caciotta cheese and ripened for 20 days. The VOC analyses (by GC-MS) showed the highest VOC total content in AS cheeses (226.55a.u.), where alcohols was the dominant class; the lowest value (79.96a.u.) was found in TI cheeses, and the dominant class was hydrocarbons. The panel test (for colour, odour, taste and final acceptability) showed that cheeses from grasses’ groups were described with astringent and blue taste, those from legumes with acidic, bitter and light goaty taste. All cheeses showed goaty taste, except LP cheeses. Grasses’ cheeses showed higher final acceptability than those from legumes. The results showed that each meadow’s species, with its specific content of secondary metabolites, at specific phenological stage, was able to characterise the derived cheese products at sensorial level.

Effect of feeding systems on aromatic characteristics of buffalo mozzarella cheese

Abstract Aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of feeding systems (hay vs ray-grass silage) on volatile compounds profiles of mozzarella cheese. Three mozzarella cheese making trials for each experimental group were conducted at our dairy technology laboratory. Mozzarella cheese was manufactured from whole raw water buffalo milk with the addition of natural starter. Volatile compounds were extracted by “purge and trap” system coupled to a gas chromatograph and detected operating with a mass-selective detector (Ciccioli et al., 2004) A total of 84 compounds of the following chemical families were detected: hydrocarbons, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and terpenes. The data overall indicated difference between the aromatic profiles of mozzarella cheese as consequence of feeding systems. Thus, differences in mozzarella cheese flavour are primarily caused by concentration differences of a common set of flavour compounds, rather than by the occurrence of compounds uniquely associated with a particular feed.

Chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese from different feeding systems

Abstract The aim of this study was describing the chemical composition, the rheological characteristics and the sensory properties of “mozzarella” cheese produced with milk from buffalos fed with different diets. The study involved two farms and four feeding systems. In farm C, one group was mostly fed with Ryegrass Hay (RH) and the other group with Ryegrass Silage (RS). In farm T, instead, one group was mostly fed with Corn Silage (CS) and the other one with a Sorghum Silage (SS). In summer, three cheese-makings, for each farm and for each feeding system, were carried out at C.R.A. of Bella. In each farm, data were processed by the analysis of variance in order to compare the effects of two feeding systems. Some parameters of chemical and texture characteristics and sensory properties were influenced by the feeding system. Results were remarkable for the DOP products.