Changes in the volatile composition of a semihard ewe milk cheese induced by high-pressure treatment of 300 MPa

The effect of high-pressure (HP) treatment (300 MPa, 10 min) on the volatile profile of semihard ewe milk cheeses was investigated. The HP treatment was applied at two different stages of ripening (1 and 15 days; 3P1 and 3P15) and microbiota, proteolysis indexes (soluble nitrogen and total free amino acid content), and volatile compounds were assayed at 15, 60, 90, and 150 days of ripening. The intensity of odor and aroma of cheeses was also assayed. 3P1 cheeses presented the highest content of free amino acids and were characterized by the lowest amounts of aldehydes, ketones, short-chain free fatty acids, and terpenes and higher levels of ethanol and ethyl esters. 3P15 cheeses were characterized by the highest content of short-chain free fatty acids and pyruvaldehyde and the lowest abundance of secondary alcohols and were more similar to control cheeses than those HP-treated on the first day. Intensities of odor and aroma were not significantly influenced by the HP treatment. However, the panellists found some differences in 3P1 as compared with control and 3P15 cheeses in what they perceived as lower odor and aroma quality.     

Effect of legume flours on baking characteristics of gluten-free bread

The objective of this work was to study the characteristics of four gluten-free bread formulations and the possibility of substituting soya protein with other legume proteins. Four bread recipes were prepared with chickpea flour, pea isolate, carob germ flour or soya flour. Carob germ flour batter structure was thicker compared with the other batters, probably due to the different protein behaviour and the residual gums present in carob germ flour. However, carob germ flour bread obtained the lowest specific volume values (2.51 cm³/g), while chickpea bread obtained the highest (3.26 cm³/g). Chickpea bread also showed the softest crumb. Confocal scanning-laser microscopy results showed a more compact microstructure in carob germ flour bread compared with soya and chickpea formulations. Chickpea bread exhibited the best physico-chemical characteristics and, in general, good sensory behaviour, indicating that it could be a promising alternative to soya protein.     

Applicability of major histocompatibility complex DRB1 alleles as markers to detect vertebrate hybridization: a case study from Iberian ibex × domestic goat in southern Spain

Background

Hybridization between closely related wild and domestic species is of great concern because it can alter the evolutionary integrity of the affected populations. The high allelic variability of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) loci usually excludes them from being used in studies to detect hybridization events. However, if a) the parental species don’t share alleles, and b) one of the parental species possesses an exceptionally low number of alleles (to facilitate analysis), then even MHC loci have the potential to detect hybrids.

Results

By genotyping the exon2 of the MHC class II DRB1 locus, we were able to detect hybridization between domestic goats (Capra hircus) and free-ranging Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) by molecular means.

Conclusions

This is the first documentation of a Capra pyrenaica × Capra hircus hybridization, which presented us the opportunity to test the applicability of MHC loci as new, simple, cost-effective, and time-saving approach to detect hybridization between wild species and their domesticated relatives, thus adding value to MHC genes role in animal conservation and management.     

Effects of ultra-high-pressure homogenization treatment on the lipolysis and lipid oxidation of milk during refrigerated storage

Free fatty acid (FFA) release and quantification and lipid oxidation extent of ultra-high-pressure homogenized (UHPH) milk samples were evaluated to assess the effect of UHPH on the susceptibility of milk lipids to lipolysis and oxidation. Milk was UHPH-treated at 200 and 300 MPa with inlet temperatures of 30 and 40 degrees C. UHPH-treated samples were compared to high-pasteurized milk (PA; 90 degrees C, 15 s). Results showed that all FFA increased significantly during storage only in 200 MPa samples. Lipid oxidation was measured as an accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides as the primary oxidation product and malondialdehyde and hexanal as the secondary oxidation products. Samples treated at 300 MPa presented higher malondialdehyde and hexanal content compared to 200 MPa treated-samples and to PA milk.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics and risk factors of rotavirus A circulation in backyard pig farms in a Philippine setting

Rotavirus A is one of the leading etiological agents of porcine gastroenteritis, a condition which results to stunted growth among piglets. Moreover, there is increasing evidence for zoonosis of rotavirus A (RVA), which is also the principal cause of diarrhea in children. In the absence of rigorous animal health monitoring in Philippine backyard farms, there is therefore a strong need for RVA surveillance. In this study, 30 randomly selected backyard farms were subjected to surveillance for RVA for 12 months. Results show that RVA detection at a monthly farm-level rate ranged from 0 to 52%, with an overall average of 23%. RVA had higher detection rates in adult pigs compared to young piglets and was most prevalent in non-diarrheic stools, indicating asymptomatic circulation of the virus. Spatiotemporal analysis demonstrated that the viral circulation exhibits a seasonal pattern that peaks and forms geographical clusters during the cooler months of the year, suggesting farm-to-farm transmission. Risk factor analysis identified specific farm conditions that increase the likelihood of RVA circulation: presence of gilts, larger herd size, presence of other animals, and abiotic factors such as low relative humidity and low altitude. The same analysis also revealed three major management practices that can help reduce the pressure of infection in these farms: sanitation and waste disposal, animal grouping, and diet. This new perspective on porcine RVA circulation will benefit the underprivileged backyard farmers and help empower them to protect both animal and public health.