The Dietary Inclusion of Ensiled Olive Cake Increases Unsaturated Lipids in Milk and Alters the Expression of Lipogenic Genes in Mammary and Adipose Tissue in Goats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of ensiled OC on milk yield, composition, fatty acid (FA) profile, and the expression of selected genes involved in lipid metabolism in the udder and adipose tissue of goats. Seventy-two Damascus dairy goats in mid-lactation were assigned randomly to three iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets containing 0, 10, and 20% of ensiled OC as a replacement of forage (OC0, OC10, and OC20, respectively) for 42 days. During weeks 5 and 6 of the trial, dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, and FA profiles were recorded, while mammary and perirenal adipose tissue samples were also collected from six animals per treatment from the OC0 and OC20 groups for gene expression analysis. No significant differences were observed among groups concerning milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk, fat, or protein yield (kg/d). In contrast, the milk fat percentage was gradually increased with increasing OC inclusion rates in the diets, while milk protein percentages were elevated in both OC groups but significantly only in the milk of the OC20 group. The content of FA between C4:0 to C16:0 was reduced, while mono-unsaturated FA (MUFA) concentration was enhanced in the goat milk of OC groups. The OC feeding treatment was associated with the increased mammary expression of SLC2A1 (p < 0.05), VLDLR (p < 0.01), FABP3 (p < 0.01), and elevated SLC2A1 (p < 0.05) and FASN (p < 0.01) gene expression in the adipose tissue of goats fed the OC20 diet. Overall, OC can be used in goats' diets as a forage replacement, at least in the inclusion rate of 20% DM, since this could increase the milk protein and fat percentage and enrich its content with beneficial for human health lipids without adversely affecting milk production traits.

Extensive Sheep and Goat Production: The Role of Novel Technologies towards Sustainability and Animal Welfare.

Sheep and goat extensive production systems are very important in the context of global food security and the use of rangelands that have no alternative agricultural use. In such systems, there are enormous challenges to address. These include, for instance, classical production issues, such as nutrition or reproduction, as well as carbon-efficient systems within the climate-change context. An adequate response to these issues is determinant to economic and environmental sustainability. The answers to such problems need to combine efficiently not only the classical production aspects, but also the increasingly important health, welfare, and environmental aspects in an integrated fashion. The purpose of the study was to review the application of technological developments, in addition to remote-sensing in tandem with other state-of-the-art techniques that could be used within the framework of extensive production systems of sheep and goats and their impact on nutrition, production, and ultimately, the welfare of these species. In addition to precision livestock farming (PLF), these include other relevant technologies, namely omics and other areas of relevance in small-ruminant extensive production: heat stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, newborn survival, biomarkers of metabolic disease diagnosis, and parasite resistance breeding. This work shows the substantial, dynamic nature of the scientific community to contribute to solutions that make extensive production systems of sheep and goats more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with current concerns with the environment and welfare.

Effect of Farming System (Organic vs. Conventional) and Season on Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of Bovine, Caprine and Ovine Milk and Retail Halloumi Cheese Produced in Cyprus.

The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of farming practices and season on the fat and protein content and fatty acid (FA) profile of milk and Halloumi cheese produced in Cyprus. Over a year, raw bulk-tank milk samples from cow, goat, and sheep farms were collected seasonally from all organic (11) and representative conventional (44) dairy farms, whereas Fresh Halloumi cheese samples were collected monthly from retail outlets (48 organic and 48 conventional samples in total). The different farming practices did not affect the milk fat content of ruminants, while protein levels were decreased in organic bovine and caprine milk. Under organic farming practices, milk and cheese contained increased values of total mono-unsaturated FA (MUFA) and poly-unsaturated FA (PUFA), and specific FA, such as oleic, conjugated linoleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids. Total saturated FA (SFA) levels were particularly decreased in organic samples and, consequently, the atherogenic indices of milk and cheese were decreased. Season influenced milk and Halloumi cheese FA profile; spring samples had lower SFA and higher PUFA and MUFA concentrations. Overall, the organic farm practices improved the lipid profile of milk and Halloumi cheese, which is more likely attributed to the different feeding strategies applied in organic dairy farms.

Feeding wheat dried distillers' grains with solubles increases conjugated linoleic acid and unsaturated lipids in ovine milk without adversely affecting milk yield.

The aim of this research communication was to examine the effect of dietary supplementation with wheat-based dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS), a by-product of bioethanol production, on yield, composition, and fatty acid (FA) profile of ewe milk. Forty-five purebred mid-lactating Chios ewes (average milk yield 2.23 kg/d in 96 ± 5 d in lactation) were offered three iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets (15 animals per diet) for a 10 d adaptation period followed by a 5-week recording and sampling period. The diets contained 0, 6, and 12% DDGS on DM basis for the DG0, DG6, and DG12 treatment, respectively, as a replacement of concentrate mix, whilst concentrate-to-forage ratio remained at 60:40 in all treatments. Individual milk yield, milk composition, and FA profile were recorded weekly and analyzed using a complete randomized design with repeated measurements. No significant differences were observed among groups concerning dry matter intake (overall mean of 2.59 kg/d), milk yield or 6% fat-corrected milk and milk protein percentage or protein yield. Milk fat percentage was decreased in the DG12 (4.76%) compared to DG0 (5.69%) without, however, significantly affecting the daily output of milk fat. The concentration of all major saturated FA between C4:0 to C16:0 was reduced, whereas long-chain (>16 carbons), mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated FAs were increased in the milk of DDGS groups. Among individual FA, increments of oleic acid and C18:1 trans-monoenes like C18:1 trans-10 and C18:1 trans-11 were demonstrated in DG12 group, whereas linoleic and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA cis-9, trans-11) were elevated in both DDGS groups compared to control. Changes in FA profile resulted in a decline in the atherogenic index of milk by 20% and 35% in DG6 and DG12 treatments, respectively, compared with control. In conclusion, feeding DDGS to dairy ewes increased the levels of unsaturated FA that are potentially beneficial for human health without adversely affecting milk, protein or fat yield.

Short-term forage substitution with ensiled olive cake increases beneficial milk fatty acids in lactating cows.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term forage substitution with ensiled olive cake (OC), on yield, composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of cows' milk. Mid-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned for 21 days to two isoenergetic and isoproteic feeding treatments (12 animals per treatment), containing 0 and 10% DM of ensiled OC (C and OC groups, respectively). Milk yield was recorded daily, and milk samples were collected at 14 and 21 days of the trial for analyzing the fat, protein, and FA profile of milk. No significant differences were observed in milk yield, protein, and fat nor in protein and fat percentage of milk between groups. However, dietary supplementation with ensiled OC modified the FA profile of cow milk. Feeding cows with ensiled OC resulted in a significant decline of medium-chain FA, while long-chain and mono-unsaturated FA were risen in milk (P < 0.05). Among individual saturated FA, palmitic was particularly reduced, while among individual mono-unsaturated FA, increments of C18:1 cis-9 were demonstrated with the OC treatment (P < 0.05). Although total poly-unsaturated FA were decreased, the concentration of CLA cis-9, trans-11 tended to be elevated with OC feeding (P = 0.06). Overall, short-term forage substitution with ensiled OC improved, beneficially for human health, the lipid profile of milk without adversely affecting milk yield or milk composition of lactating cows.

Feeding olive cake silage up to 20% of DM intake in sheep improves lipid quality and health-related indices of milk and ovine halloumi cheese.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of a by-product, olive cake silage (OCS), as a forage replacement in sheep diets for the improvement of fatty acid (FA) content of milk and thus, the lipids of the ovine halloumi cheese produced. Sixty second-parity purebred Chios ewes in mid-lactation were assigned to three diet treatments (2 lots of 10 animals per treatment) receiving 0%, 10%, and 20% of OCS on dry matter basis for 3 weeks (treatments S0, S10, and S20, respectively). Halloumi cheese was manufactured from fresh raw milk of ewes fed the three different diets. Inclusion of OCS in the diets increased linearly the concentration in milk of unsaturated FA up to 20%, monounsaturated FA up to 23%, polyunsaturated FA up to 11%, rumenic acid (CLA cis-9, trans-11) up to 61%, and consequently reduced the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity milk indices by 31% and 27%, for the S10 and S20 treatments, respectively, compared with the control treatment. Moreover, these differences were carried over to the lipid profile of ovine halloumi cheese showing, on average, more than 25% increase of unsaturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated FA, with particularly enhanced oleic and rumenic acid content. These changes resulted in reduced atherogenicity by 29% and 45% and thrombogenicity by 23% and 24% of ovine halloumi cheese made from milk of S10 and S20 diets, respectively. Milk yield, milk fat, or protein content was not affected by S10 or S20 feeding treatments compared to control. Overall, the applied ensiling method of olive cake produces a by-product that can be included as a forage replacement up to 20% of DM intake in Chios sheep without adversely affecting the lactating performance. Furthermore, the present study showed that such substitution improves the lipid quality of milk and related halloumi cheese enriching these ovine dairy products with beneficial to human health fatty acids.

Application of Olive By-Products in Livestock with Emphasis on Small Ruminants: Implications on Rumen Function, Growth Performance, Milk and Meat Quality.

The olive oil industry has a leading position in the Mediterranean countries, resulting in the production of considerable quantities of the respective by-products (OB) that constitute an important environmental issue. OB contain valuable nutrients and bioactive components that can be re-used under the bioeconomy strategy, and several chemical, physical, and biological processes have been evaluated with the intention to improve their nutritional value. One feasible application of OB is their incorporation in the diets of livestock and especially ruminants due to their high fiber content. As indicated by numerous studies, OB dietary supplementation increases the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and decreases that of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the milk and meat of ruminants with beneficial effects for consumers' health. At the same time, environmental impact and feeding costs are reduced without detrimental effects on ruminal fermentation, nutrients utilization, growth performance, carcass traits, milk yield and composition.

ACAA2 and FASN polymorphisms affect the fatty acid profile of Chios sheep milk.

The objective of the research reported in this research communication was the identification and association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the ovine DGAT1, FASN, SCD1 and ACAA2 genes with milk fat percentage and fatty acid (FA) content. Three consecutive monthly milk samplings were obtained from a total of 429 purebred Chios ewes during mid-lactation. Genotypic data were jointly analyzed with 1184 fat content and 37 718 FA percentage records using mixed models. The 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the DGAT1 gene and the 5' and 3'UTRs of the SCD1 gene appeared to be monomorphic. The FASN g.14777C>T SNP on exon 31 was associated with C13:0 and the ACAA2 g.2982T>C SNP on the 3'UTR was associated with C9:0, C11:0, C12:1 cis-9, C13:0 and the ω6/ω3 index, while fat percentage was not affected by the identified SNPs. The results could be useful for breeding programs aiming to improve the quality and nutritional value of ovine milk.

NMR-Based Μetabolomics of the Lipid Fraction of Organic and Conventional Bovine Milk.

Origin and quality identification in dairy products is an important issue and also an extremely challenging and complex experimental procedure. The objective of the present work was to compare the metabolite profile of the lipid fraction of organic and conventional bovine milk using NMR metabolomics analysis. ¹H-NMR and 1D TOCSY NMR methods of analysis were performed on extracted lipid fraction of lyophilized milk. For this purpose, 14 organic and 16 conventional retail milk samples were collected monthly, and 64 bulk-tank (58 conventional and 6 organics) milk samples were collected over a 14-month longitudinal study in Cyprus. Data were treated with multivariate methods (PCA, PLS-DA). Minor components were identified and quantified, and modification of the currently used equations is proposed. A significantly increased % content of conjugated (9-cis, 11-trans)18:2 linoleic acid (CLA), α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, allylic protons and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and decreased % content for caproleic acid were observed in the organic samples compared to the conventional ones. The present work confirms that lipid profile is affected by contrasting management system (organic vs. conventional), and supports the potential of NMR-based metabolomics for the rapid analysis and authentication of the milk from its lipid profile.

Selective One-Dimensional Total Correlation Spectroscopy Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiments for a Rapid Identification of Minor Components in the Lipid Fraction of Milk and Dairy Products: Toward Spin Chromatography?

We report a rapid, direct, and unequivocal spin-chromatographic separation and identification of minor components in the lipid fraction of milk and common dairy products with the use of selective one-dimensional (1D) total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The method allows for the complete backbone spin-coupling network to be elucidated even in strongly overlapped regions and in the presence of major components from 4 × 10(2) to 3 × 10(3) stronger NMR signal intensities. The proposed spin-chromatography method does not require any derivatization steps for the lipid fraction, is selective with excellent resolution, is sensitive with quantitation capability, and compares favorably to two-dimensional (2D) TOCSY and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods of analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that the 1D TOCSY NMR spin-chromatography method can become a procedure of primary interest in food analysis and generally in complex mixture analysis.

Direct nuclear magnetic resonance identification and quantification of geometric isomers of conjugated linoleic acid in milk lipid fraction without derivatization steps: overcoming sensitivity and resolution barriers.

We report the first successful direct and unequivocal identification and quantification of four minor geometric (9-cis, 11-trans) 18:2, (9-trans, 11-cis) 18:2, (9-cis, 11-cis) 18:2 and (9-trans, 11-trans) 18:2 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers in lipid fractions of lyophilized milk samples with the combined use of 1D (1)H-NMR, 2D (1)H-(1)H TOCSY and 2D (1)H-(13)C HSQC NMR. The significant sensitivity barrier has been successfully overcome under selective suppression of the major resonances, with over 10(4) greater equilibrium magnetization of the -(CH2)n-(1)H spins compared to that of the (1)H spins of the conjugated bonds of the CLA isomers. The resolution barrier has been significantly increased using reduced (13)C spectral width in the 2D (1)H-(13)C HSQC experiment. The assignment was confirmed with spiking experiments with CLA standard compounds and the method does not require any derivatization steps for the lipid fraction. The proposed method is selective, sensitive and compares favorably with the GS-MS method of analysis.