Chemical and Functional Characterization of Propolis Collected from Different Areas of South Italy.

This study investigated the chemical and functional characterization of propolis collected in southern Italy, in particular in Basilicata, a region rich in ecological and vegetative biodiversity. Sixteen samples of propolis, collected within a radius of 40 km from each other in the Basilicata region, showed significant differences between the chemical and functional parameters investigated: color index (L*, a*, b*; p < 0.05) and variation in chemical composition and antioxidant activities by ABTS and FRAP assays. In general, Lucanian propolis had a low content of waxes (p < 0.05) and a high content of resin (p < 0.05) and balsams (p < 0.05). The content of the total phenolic compounds and flavonoids was highly variable, as was the biological capacity. In conclusion, Lucanian propolis showed remarkable variability, highlighting significant diversification according to the geographical position and the diversity of the flora surrounding the apiary that the bees use as a source of resin. This study, therefore, contributes to the enhancement of the quality of propolis, laying the foundations for the production and marketing of propolis not only in the food industry but also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

In vitro phenols bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of goat milk yogurt fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder.

Goat yogurt samples fortified with 20% (w/v) Rhus coriaria leaf powder were in vitro digested in order to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in the digestate. After digestion, TPC and AA values of the R. coriaria-fortified yogurts increased compared to the undigested yogurts (P < 0.001). In particular, TPC has increased about twice; whereas, AA values have increased about 10 and 6 times, for ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively. The bioaccessibility index was well above the 100% for all identified phenols; except for (-)-epicatechin (82.04%), rutin (51.51%), and gallic acid (5.42%). This different behavior highlighted that the bioaccessibility was modulated by both the yogurt-polyphenol complexes and phenol stability under digestion system. These findings can contribute to elucidate the influence of in vitro digestion on antioxidant capacity and polyphenols recovery infortified yogurts, and may help in the design of dairy products with better functional quality PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) is a polyphenol-rich Mediterranean plant that may be used as functional ingredient to enrich fermented food such as yogurt. However, in fortified yogurts the evaluation of bioaccessibility, that is, the compounds released from the yogurt and stable in the digestive environment, thus able to exert their biological effects on the gastrointestinal system, is more important than the content of these compounds in the corresponding food. This study highlighted the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in goat milk yogurt fortified with R. coriaria leaf powder after simulated gastro-pancreatic digestion.

Comparison of antioxidant compounds in pig meat from Italian autochthonous pig Suino Nero Lucano and a modern crossbred pig before and after cooking.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antioxidant compounds of raw and cooked Longissimus lumborum muscles from Suino Nero Lucano (SNL) and a modern crossbred (CG) pig. Vitamin E, phenols, histidine-containing peptides, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity have been detected in the raw and cooked meat of both genetic types. Cooking process decreased the content of all considered antioxidant compounds (P < 0.05). The antioxidant compounds of meat were significantly influenced by genetic type (P < 0.001). Autochthonous SNL raw and cooked meat showed a higher endogenous antioxidants content (P < 0.001) and SOD activity (P < 0.02) compared to CG meat. The results of this research highlighted that the pig meat, in particular autochthonous pig meat, showed good concentrations of endogenous antioxidant compounds that could confer functional properties to the product.

Effect of a cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. Botrytis) leaf powder-enriched diet on performance, carcass and meat characteristics of growing rabbit.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a cauliflower leaf powder (CLP)-enriched diet on the performance, quality and antioxidative potential of rabbit meat. No significant differences were found for live performance parameters between rabbits fed with standard (SD) and CLP diet. Dietary supplementation influenced the meat traits of rabbits: CLP meat showed significantly lower drip loss after 48 h, cooking loss, and a significantly higher lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values, vitamin A and vitamin E content, and oxidative stability, compared to SD meat. Moreover, the CLP supplementation caused a significant decrease in SFA and increase in PUFA percentage of rabbit intramuscular fat. The statistical analysis also showed a significant effect of dietary fortification on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of rabbit meat which resulted higher in meat of CLP group. This study highlighted that dietary fortification with CLP is a valid strategy to produce rabbit meat with better technological and functional quality.

Effect of αS1-casein genotype on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in goat milk yogurt fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of goat milk yogurt characterized by different αS1-casein genotypes and fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder. The αS1-casein genotype was determined by isoelectric focusing, total phenol content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-UV analysis, and antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the studied factors. Comparing different genotypes it emerged that yogurt from goats with weak alleles at CSN1S1 loci (FF) showed the lowest phenolic compounds and therefore a lower antioxidant activity compared with yogurt from goats with strong alleles at CSN1S1 loci (AA, BB, AB). Rhus coriaria-fortified yogurt showed a significant increase in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in comparison with plain yogurt. The FF-fortified yogurt presented the lowest total phenol content and antioxidant activity. This could be due to a greater capacity of proteins and peptides in this yogurt to form stable complexes with phenols. The different total phenol content detected in R. coriaria-fortified yogurt indicates that the αS1-casein genotype influenced the amount of added phenols that are bound to the caseins and, therefore, the part that remains free and that affects the biological capacity of the final product.

The effect of high pre-slaughter environmental temperature on meat quality traits of Italian autochthonous pig Suino Nero Lucano.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of high pre-slaughter environmental temperature on meat (Longissimus lumborum muscle) quality traits of Italian autochthonous pigs Suino Nero Lucano (SNL). High pre-slaughter environmental temperature influenced the meat quality of autochthonous pigs. In particular, the meat from SNL pigs exposed to heat stress (H) showed significantly lower pH values at 24 and 48 hr post mortem, haem iron content and redness (a*) value, and a significantly higher shear force, drip loss and lightness (L*) values, compared to meat from SNL pigs reared under comfortable environmental temperature (C). Moreover, H meat showed a significant reduction of vitamin A, vitamin E, creatine and carnosine content, compared to C meat. Despite this, no pale-soft-exudative pork was found in our study, and no significant difference was detected between two studied groups for intramuscular fat and protein content of meat. In addition, despite the meat from SNL pigs exposed to heat stress has suffered a qualitative decrease, it showed a good endogenous antioxidants content.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cauliflower leaf powder-enriched diet against LPS induced toxicity in rabbits.

Brassica phytochemicals exert a broad spectrum of health-promoting activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of a cauliflower leaf powder (CLP)-enriched diet to prevent inflammation and oxidative stress resulting from injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into rabbits. Animals (24 rabbits) were randomly divided into two groups and fed with a standard diet (SD) or a standard diet supplemented with a 100 g kg-1 diet of CLP. After 60 days, six rabbits of both groups received a LPS injection (100 µg per kg body weight). Serum samples collected after 90 min of LPS injection were assessed for their content of both inflammatory biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and oxidative stress biomarkers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). LPS increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and TBARS as well as MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, whereas it decreased the GSH levels and SOD and CAT activities. In conclusion, preventive supplementation with CLP can protect rabbits from the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by LPS.

Antioxidative and antihypertensive activities of pig meat before and after cooking and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion: Comparison between Italian autochthonous pig Suino Nero Lucano and a modern crossbred pig.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare antioxidative and antihypertensive activities of Longissimus dorsi muscle from Suino Nero Lucano (SNL) and a modern crossbred (CG) pigs, before and after cooking and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Pig meat showed antioxidative and antihypertensive activities, heat treatment decreased the thiols content but at the same time increased angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion enhanced the biological activity of meat. Autochthonous SNL meat showed a higher nutraceutical quality compared to CG meat, highlighting a greater potential beneficial physiological effect on human health. The results of this study indicate that the pig meat, in particular autochthonous pig meat, may be considered a functional food since it is a good source of antioxidative and antihypertensive peptides.

Short communication: Effect of casein haplotype on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant capacities of milk casein from Italian Holstein cows before and following in vitro digestion with gastrointestinal enzymes.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of casein haplotype (αS1, ß, and κ) on antioxidative and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory capacities of milk casein from Italian Holstein cows before and following in vitro digestion with gastrointestinal enzymes. The antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays, whereas ACE inhibition was determined by ACE-inhibitory assay. The ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant capacities of milk casein increased during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Casein haplotype significantly influenced the antioxidative and ACE-inhibitory capacities of digested casein. In particular, BB-A(2)A(1)-AA casein and BB-A(1)A(1)-AA casein showed the highest ACE-inhibitory capacity, BB-A(2)A(2)-AA casein showed the highest antioxidant capacity, whereas BB-A(2)A(2)-BB casein showed the lowest biological capacity. To date, few studies have been done on the effect of casein haplotype on biological capacity of milk casein, thus the present study sets the basis for a new knowledge that could lead to the production of milk with better nutraceutical properties.

The influence of casein haplotype on quality, coagulation, and yield traits of milk from Italian Holstein cows.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of casein haplotype (CSN1S1, CSN2, and CSN3) on quality, coagulation, and yield traits of milk from Italian Holstein cows. The casein haplotype was determined by isoelectric focusing; milk clotting properties were determined by using a mechanical lacto-dynamographic instrument; and the yields of pressed and pasta filata cheeses were expressed as kilograms of cheese per 100kg of milk processed. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the casein haplotype. In particular, BB-A(1)A(1)-AA milk showed the highest fat content (4.01g/100g), whereas BB-A(2)A(2)-BB milk had a higher protein content, the best coagulation characteristics, and the highest yields in pressed and pasta filata cheeses, and, consequently, better ability to retain fat and protein in the curd. The results of this study suggest that knowledge of milk protein polymorphisms not only allows the production of milk with specific qualitative and quantitative characteristics, but it could also be used as a specific marker within a breed to identify milk suitable for cheesemaking, which confers an economical advantage for dairy producers.

The influence of casein haplotype on morphometric characteristics of fat globules and fatty acid composition of milk in Italian Holstein cows.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of casein haplotypes (αS1-, ß-, and κ-caseins) on morphometric characteristics of fat globules and fatty acid composition of Italian Holstein milk. Casein haplotypes were determined by isoelectric focusing; milk fat globule size was measured by using a fluorescence microscope; and fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography. Casein haplotype significantly affected the fat globule size, the percentage incidence of each globule size class on total measured milk fat globules, and fatty acid composition. A higher incidence of smaller milk fat globules was associated with the BB-A(2)A(2)-BB genotype (αS1-, ß-, and κ-casein haplotypes, respectively), whereas small globules were not detected in BB-A(2)A(1)-AA milk, but that milk had the highest percentage of large globules. A higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids was associated with the BB-A(2)A(2)-AB genotype, whereas higher contents of conjugated linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were detected in BB-A(1)A(1)-AA milk. Our results indicate that casein haplotype could affect fat characteristics and, therefore, the nutritional and technological quality of milk.

Donkey Milk for Manufacture of Novel Functional Fermented Beverages.

The aim of this work was to investigate on the functional features of a donkey milk probiotic berevage as a novel food. Particularly, it was to study the decrease of lactose content and the antioxidant activity of standard yogurt (YC) and probiotic yogurt (YP; Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei) from donkey milk during the storage up to 30 d at 4 ºC. The evolution of lactose content using enzymatic-spectrophotometric kits was analyzed. Antioxidant activity of yogurt was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and thiol assays. Parallel consumer sensory studies were carried out as consumer test in order to gain information about the impact of these novel fermented beverages on sensory perceptions. The statistical analysis has shown significant effect of studied factors. The results showed that the lactose content gradually decreased during storage in both yogurts, reaching values of 2.36% and 2.10% in YC and YP, respectively, at 30 d (P < 0.05). During storage of both yogurt types, the antioxidant activity increased, but YP showed a higher antioxidant activity than YC. The results suggest that the antioxidant activity of yogurt samples was affected by cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). We conclude that the fermented donkey milk could be configured as health and nutraceutical food, which aims to meet nutritional requirements of certain consumers groups with lactose or cow milk protein intolerance.

Short communication: Effect of genetic type on antioxidant activity of Caciocavallo cheese during ripening.

The aim of this work was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Caciocavallo cheese made from the milk of 2 breeds, Italian Brown and Italian Holstein, and ripened for 1, 30, 60, 90, and 150 d. The antioxidant activity of cheese was measured using the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and thiol assays. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the studied factors. Italian Brown cheese had higher antioxidant activity than Italian Holstein cheese, and antioxidant activity increased during ripening of both cheeses types. Moreover, antioxidant activity varied during ripening depending on the rate of formation of soluble peptides. To date, few studies have evaluated the effect of genetic type on antioxidant capacity of the pasta filata cheeses; thus, this study forms the basis of new knowledge that could lead to the production of a pasta filata cheese with specific nutraceutical characteristics.

Antioxidant activity of yogurt made from milk characterized by different casein haplotypes and fortified with chestnut and sulla honeys.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of yogurt made from milk characterized by different casein (CN) haplotypes (αs1-, ß-, κ-CN) and fortified with chestnut and sulla honeys. The CN haplotype was determined by isoelectric focusing, whereas antioxidant activity of yogurt was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the studied factors. The results showed that chestnut honey presented the highest phenolic acid and flavonoid contents, which are closely associated with its high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of fortified yogurt samples was affected both by different CN haplotypes and by type of honey added. Yogurts fortified with chestnut honey showed higher antioxidant activity than those fortified with sulla honey. The different behavior observed among the fortified yogurts led us to hypothesize that the effects of protein-polyphenol complex on antioxidant activity are interactive. The results suggest that milk proteins polymorphism and polyphenols play different roles in affecting the bioavailability and the antioxidant activity of yogurt.

Metals in honeys from different areas of southern Italy.

The aim of the study was to quantify the cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) contents in ninety honey samples from nine areas of southern Italy. Results showed that As content was below the detection limit, while Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were below the recommended maximum acceptable levels. Mean Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were 0.013, 0.289 and 0.707 mg kg(-1), respectively. The metal contents in honey varied greatly depending on considered area. Correlations between the metals were statistically significant (p < 0.05), suggesting that polluting sources involve the simultaneous presence of metals in honey.