Cream Fraction Research Articles

Characterization of protein aggregates in cream and skimmed human milk after heat and high-pressure pasteurization treatments.

Preservation processes applied to ensure microbial safety of human milk (HM) can modify the native structure of proteins and their bioactivities. Consequently, this study evaluated the effect of pasteurization methods (Holder pasteurization, high-temperature short-time (HTST), and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)) of whole human milk (HM) on protein aggregates in skim milk and cream fractions. For heat-treated whole milk, insoluble protein aggregates at milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) were formed by disulfide and non-covalent bonds, but insoluble skim milk protein aggregates were only stabilized by non-covalent interactions. Contrary to heat treatment, the insolubilization of main proteins at the MFGM of HHP-treated HM was only through non-covalent interactions rather than disulfide bonds. Moreover, only heat treatment induced the insoluble aggregation of ⍺-lactalbumin. Overall, compared to heat treatment, HHP produced a milder effect on protein aggregation, validating the use of this process to better preserve the native state of HM bioactive proteins.

Diagnostic Evaluation of the IS1081-Targeted Real-Time PCR for Detection of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in Bovine Milk Samples.

The ability of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) to survive in bovine milk has emerged as a serious public health concern. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of IS1081-targeted real-time PCR for the detection of M. bovis DNA in different fractions of bovine milk. In a model study, bovine milk samples were spiked with serially diluted M. bovis BCG to investigate the detection limit of M. bovis DNA in whole milk and milk fractions (cream, pellet, and pellet + cream combined) using IS1081 real-time PCR. The assay was then used to detect M. bovis DNA in whole milk and milk fractions from naturally infected animals. The results showed that the IS1081 real-time PCR was more sensitive when detecting M. bovis DNA in the cream layer alone and cream + pellet combined compared to whole milk or the pellet alone. While PCR-based diagnostic assays for the detection of M. bovis in milk samples provide a quicker diagnostic tool for bovine tuberculosis, safe processing, and handling of M. bovis-infected milk samples remain a challenge and pose a human health risk. PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium (MTM) has been shown to rapidly inactivate infected specimens while preserving nucleic acid for subsequent Molecular analysis. Therefore, the secondary objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of MTM to inactivate M. bovis BCG in spiked milk samples as well as its ability to preserve BCG DNA for the PCR assay. The results showed that MTM can successfully inactivate BCG alone or in spiked milk samples while preserving DNA for the PCR assay. The CT values of M. bovis BCG alone and spiked milk samples aliquoted in MTM and without MTM were similar at various dilutions. Taken together, our results indicate that using DNA extracted from the milk cream fraction alone or combined milk cream and pellet improved the recovery rate of M. bovis DNA in bovine milk samples. MTM has the potential to provide a safe and rapid sample processing tool for M. bovis inactivation in milk samples and preserve DNA for molecular diagnostics.

Bovine milk microbiota: Evaluation of different DNA extraction protocols for challenging samples.

The use of an adequate protocol that accurately extracts microbial DNA from bovine milk samples is of importance for downstream analysis such as 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Although sequencing platforms such as Illumina are very common, there are reservations concerning reproducibility in challenging samples that combine low bacterial loads with high amounts of host DNA. The objective of this study was to evaluate six different DNA extraction protocols applied to four different prototype milk samples (low/high level of colony‐forming units [cfu] and somatic cells). DNA extracts were sequenced on Illumina MiSeq with primers for the hypervariable regions V1V2 and V3V4. Different protocols were evaluated by analyzing the yield and purity of DNA extracts and the number of clean reads after sequencing. Three protocols with the highest median number of clean reads were selected. To assess reproducibility, these extraction replicates were resequenced in triplicates (n = 120). The most reproducible results for α‐ and β‐diversity were obtained with the modified DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit after a chemical pretreatment plus resuspension of the cream fraction. The unmodified QIAamp DNA Mini kit performed particularly weak in the sample representing unspecific mastitis. These results suggest that pretreatment in combination with the modified DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit is useful in extracting microbial DNA from challenging milk samples. To increase reproducibility, we recommend that duplicates, if not triplicates, should be sequenced. We showed that high counts of somatic cells challenged DNA extraction, which shapes the need to apply modified extraction protocols.

New Hair Growth Cream Formulation with Cocoa Pod Peel (Theobroma cacao L.).

Our previous study verified that the waste skin of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L) fruit or waste cocoa pod husks had the efficacy to overcome hair loss or alopecia. This study aims to determine the formula and activity of hair cream of cocoa pod peel water fraction, which is effective in stimulating hair growth. Activity testing uses the modified Tanaka method. The results showed that the cocoa husk wastewater fraction could be formulated into hair cream, but there were changes in viscosity and pH after the freeze-thaw test, but still within the allowed limit. The hair cream water fraction gel stimulated hair growth activity based on the hair length data with a significant difference in concentration of the preparation. The best activity in hair cream preparation was at 12.5% concentration. In addition, there were no signs of irritation to the rabbit's skin where hair cream preparation was applied. The results of this study indicated that cocoa fruit peel cream can be used for antialopecia treatments.

Comparative study on chemical and emulsion properties of 'Saba' banana [Musa acuminata x balbisiana (BBB group) 'Saba'] peel pectin from different extraction methods

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical characteristics and emulsion properties of pectin from 'Saba' banana peel extracted using three different methods, namely, acid extraction using citric acid, enzymatic extraction using cellulase, and microwave-assisted extraction. Per cent yield, moisture and ash contents, equivalent weights, methyl and anhydrouronic acid contents, and the degree of esterifications were determined for each pectin extracted using the three different methods. Characterization of the extracted pectin revealed that all 'Saba' peel pectins (SBPs) had a high degree of esterification. Furthermore, acid-extracted pectin (AP) had the highest yield of 20.02% and had the highest purity, as indicated by the lowest ash content and equivalent weight (784.57), and highest anhydrouronic acid content (50.85%) compared to enzymatic (EP) and microwave-assisted extraction (MP). Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed smoother images of AP, which indicated that AP was more degraded compared to milder extraction methods, such as microwave-assisted extraction which yielded the least degraded pectin. Furthermore, emulsion formation and stability using SBPs were determined by measuring cream fraction. Results showed that all SBPs had cream fractions comparable to the control, and there was no difference among extraction methods. Microscopic observations (10×) showed that oil droplet size decreases with increasing concentration. Further, AP had smaller droplets, indicating that AP is capable of forming more stable emulsions compared to EP and MP. Results of this investigation revealed that, although all SBPs were highly esterified, the three extraction methods yielded pectins with different characteristics and purity.

Novel Insights on the Sustainable Wet Mode Fractionation of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) into Lipids, Proteins and Chitin

The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is a sustainable ingredient for feed applications, biofuels, composite materials and other biobased products. Processing BSFL to obtain lipid and protein fractions with enhanced functional properties as a suitable replacement for conventional feed ingredients has gained considerable momentum. In this regard, a novel and sustainable wet mode fractionation (WMF) scheme for BSFL was explored. Fresh BSFL were steam blanched and pulped to obtain BSFL juice and juice press cake. Subsequent treatment of BSFL juice employing homogenization or enzyme incubation and further centrifugation resulted in the obtention of four different BSFL fractions (Lipid—LF; Cream—CF; Aqueous—AF; and Solid—SF). Total energy consumption for a batch BSFL (500 g) WMF process was 0.321 kWh. Aqueous and solid fractions were the predominant constituents of BSFL juice. Lauric acid (44.52–49.49%) and linoleic acid (19.12–20.12%) were the primary fatty acids present in BSFL lipids. Lipid hydrolysis was observed in lipids belonging to the solid (free fatty acids > triacylglycerides) and cream fractions. Aqueous fraction proteins (ctrl) displayed superior emulsion stability and foam capacity than other treatments. Juice press cake retained 60% of the total chitin content and the rest, 40%, was found in the solid fraction (ctrl). The material distribution of principal constituents in different fractions of the WMF process and amino acid profile was elucidated. Overall, the versatile WMF process proposed in this study involves simple unit operations to obtain functional ingredients from BSFL, which can be further explored by researchers and industry stakeholders.

Four insect oils as food ingredient: physical and chemical characterisation of insect oils obtained by an aqueous oil extraction

Insect fractionation and insect ingredient characterisation is of relevance in view of the increase in insect production and demand of insect ingredients worldwide. This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of insect oils that were extracted from insects commercially reared in Europe. Oil was extracted from yellow mealworm, lesser mealworm, house cricket and Dubia cockroach by an aqueous based oil extraction method. These insect oils were physico-chemically characterised on the most important parameters for food applications, namely thermal behaviour (differential scanning calorimeter), colour (spectrophotometry) and aroma compounds (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The amount and the composition of the un-extracted lipid fraction was determined by means of fatty acid (FA) profiling (gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector). Although no distinctive pattern was seen in all four species, it becomes clear from its FA profile that the extracted fat is more similar to the residue and cream fractions than to the pellet and supernatant. The amount of lipids that was not extracted was species dependent ranging from 40 to up to 82% of the total lipid content. Further work is needed to reduce the oil loss in this extraction. The extracted insect oil presented a wide range of melting peaks, from -30.7 to 22.7 °C, which makes them liquid-like at room temperature. Its thermal profile shows separated peaks showing that fat fractionation is feasible. Oil colour was bright yellow-reddish. Most oils had compounds related to pleasant aromas, except for Dubia cockroach. In the latter oil several acid compounds related to unpleasant aromas were identified. This study shows that yellow meal worm oil, lesser mealworm oil and cricket oil have characteristics desirable for table oils and for oils use as food ingredients.

Storage-Dependent Generation of Potent Anti-ZIKV Activity in Human Breast Milk

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes congenital neurologic birth defects, notably microcephaly, and has been associated with other serious complications in adults. The virus has been detected in human breast milk and possible transmissions via breastfeeding have been reported. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and bio-active substances that might directly affect viral infectivity. Thus, here, we analyzed the effect of human breast milk on ZIKV infection. We observed that fresh human breast milk had no effect on ZIKV, but found that upon storage, milk effectively suppressed infection. The antiviral activity is present in the fat-containing cream fraction of milk and results in the destruction of the structural integrity of viral particles, thereby abrogating infectivity. The release of the factor is time dependent but varies with donors and incubation temperatures. The viral titer of milk that was spiked with ZIKV decreased considerably upon storage at 37 °C for 8 h, was lost entirely after 2 days of 4 °C storage, but was not affected at −20 °C. This suggests that cold storage of milk inactivates ZIKV and that the antiviral factor in milk may also be generated upon breastfeeding and limit this transmission route of ZIKV.

Distribution of hydrophilic and lipophilic antibacterial drugs in skim milk, cream, and casein

This study determined the distribution of drugs to different milk fractions according to their physicochemical properties. Hydrophilic drugs tend to concentrate in skim milk, whereas lipophilic drugs tend to concentrate in cream. The concentration of a drug in casein is related to its degree of binding to milk proteins. Thus, we aimed to determine whether withdrawal time in whole milk differs from that in cream, casein, and skim milk. Amoxicillin and tylosin were selected as prototype hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, respectively. The study was conducted in vitro and in vivo to determine whether in vitro conditions reflect the distribution of drugs in the different milk fractions in vivo. The in vivo study was conducted using a crossover design on 6 healthy Holstein dairy cattle. First, amoxicillin (i.m., single dose, 14 mg/kg) was administered to cows. Following a 1-wk washout period, tylosin (i.m., single dose, 15 mg/kg) was administered. Concentrations of amoxicillin and tylosin in milk and milk fractions were measured using HPLC-UV. In the in vitro study, 0.04 to 400 μg/g of amoxicillin and 0.05 to 50 μg/g of tylosin were spiked to drug-free milk and the concentrations in milk and milk fractions were measured. In addition, the percentage of total protein in milk and milk fractions was determined. Amoxicillin accumulated more in skim milk than in cream and casein, both in vitro (92%) and in vivo (73%, skim milk-to-whole milk ratio). The distribution of tylosin in whole and skim milk was similar to that of amoxicillin in the in vitro study, in contrast to the accumulation of tylosin in cream seen in vivo. However, the accumulation ratio of tylosin in cream was lower than expected. By either method, tylosin was less concentrated in casein than in skim milk and cream. The percentage of total protein was similar in skim milk and whole milk and higher than in cream. Thus, amoxicillin accumulates less in cream and casein, suggesting that these fractions would pose a lower risk to the consumer. Tylosin was still present at the maximum residue limit (50 μg/kg) 24 h after injection in the casein fraction and 48 h after injection in the cream fraction.

NMR-based metabolomics of water-buffalo milk after conventional or biological feeding

BackgroundBiological farming in dairy production is often advocated as one of the most virtuous solutions to the environmental problems of conventional farming while improving the sustainability of production and cattle welfare. However, it is still under debate whether the conversion from conventional to biological farming has an influence on milk composition. In addition, the possible frauds related to biological dairy products call for analytical tools enabling the authentication of products quality and consumers protection. The aim of this work was to determine the composition of milk produced by water-buffaloes and to identify the specific metabolic profiles discriminating a biological from a conventional feeding diet.MethodsLiquid-state 1H, 13C, and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies were used to study milk samples which were supplied during a 2-year-long experimentation by a single dairy farm and sampled from conventionally and biologically fed buffaloes (CFM and BFM, respectively). For each milk sample, we obtained NMR spectra of both raw milk and milk cream fractions comprising neutral lipids and phospholipids.ResultsThe elaboration of multinuclear spectroscopic NMR results by the principal component analysis (PCA) enabled the identification of diagnostic differences in the milk composition between CFM and BFM samples. In particular, BFM were characterized by larger content of unsaturated lipids and phosphatidylcholine. Our findings confirmed that the conversion from a conventional to biological feeding regime influenced the buffalo milk composition, with possible implications for sensorial and nutritional properties of dairy products. Finally, the analytical methodology of NMR spectroscopy shown here may be considered as a useful tool to assess the quality and the authenticity of biological milk.

Aqueous extraction of Ricinodendron heudelotii oil and direct miniemulsion polymerization of the oil-in-water fraction

This paper reports the aqueous extraction of Ricinodendron heudelotii oil and synthesis of Candida rugosa lipase catalyzed in-situ hydrolyzed emulsions of the extracted fraction for production of high-value products. The extracted oil-in-water emulsion fraction was polymerized with (meth)acrylate monomers by miniemulsion polymerization technique to synthesize environmental friendly and waterborne hybrid latex binders for coating systems. The aqueous extraction was carried out at 40°C by ultrasonication for 30min. The in-situ enzymatic hydrolysis reaction was carried at 37°C and the yield of the cream (oil-in-water emulsion) fraction is 6.7% (%wt). This fraction contains more than 80% of the total extracted oil and it is further polymerized with methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate via miniemulsion polymerization in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an external emulsifier. The final degree of hydrolysis is 69.12%. The monomer conversion with SDS is 74.41% and without SDS the conversion is 62.00%. The hybrid latexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), particle size analysis and thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA). The morphology of latexes was also evaluated by transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and film surface topography with atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques.

Effects of roasting temperatures and grinding type on the yields of oil and protein obtained by aqueous extraction processing

A three cylindrical roll crusher was used in this study to solve the comminution problem and to improve oil and protein yields in aqueous extraction processing (AEP) of peanuts. We combined confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and particle size distribution analysis to investigate the effect of different peanut processing material on oil and protein extraction. A proper roasting treatment (150 °C) is beneficial to oil extraction yield. However, the protein yield has been declining from 84.33% to 51.40% with the increase of roasting temperature from (130 °C–210 °C). The optimal average particle size of peanut paste in AEP was 15.2 μm which could hardly find intact oil bodies by CLMS. Nevertheless, the remained intact of protein body still could be found in insoluble fraction. In AEP, highest free oil yield (92.2%) was achieved with roasted peanut (150 °C, 20 min) using 1: 5 solid to liquid ratio (twice ground peanut pastes/water), pH 9, 60 °C for 2 h and demusification by adding 0.5% (w/w) Protex 50FP at pH 4.5 and incubating at 50 °C for 2 h. Without roasting treatment, the oil contents of insoluble and residual cream fractions from AEP were highly correlated with their protein contents (R2 = 0.8724, 0.9178, respectively). Additionally, the exposure of interior hydrophobic groups of peanut protein adhere more oil to the protein body surface, which may have led to increment in the oil content of insoluble fraction.

Destabilization of Egg Yolk Emulsion After IgY Removal Through Enzymatic Treatments

AbstractThe objective of this study was to destabilize the protein–lipid complex in egg yolk precipitate obtained after the removal of soluble proteins, referred to as the pellet, through enzymatic treatment for further phospholipids extraction. A combination of proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes was applied to release the lipids from the pellet or weaken the pellet emulsion. Emulsions prepared using Protease P/Lipase AY30, Protease II/Lipase AY30 and Protease M/Lipase AY30 treated pellets had larger oil droplets (78, 65, 56 µm) and higher coalescence rates (51, 41, 35 %) than those of Protex 51FP, pellet, Protex 7L and Protease A with oil droplet size of 20, 18, 15 and 13 µm and coalescence rates of 31, 8, 7.5 and 8 %, respectively. Cream and liquid subnatant fractions obtained after further centrifugation of hydrolysates were subjected to lipid analyses. Over 90 % of phosphatidylcholine (PC) present in the pellet and 80 % of that in the original egg yolk were recovered in the cream from Protease P/Lipase AY30 treatment, while the recovery of PC from the egg yolk was significantly lower in creams from Protex 7L or Protease 51FP treatments (12 and 10 %, respectively). Pellets treated with Protease M, Protex 7L or Protex 51FP in combination with Lipase AY30 led to a significant loss of PC due to the conversion of PC to lysophosphatidylcholine or its degradation. Cream fractions obtained from the study represented a better material for the recovery of PL than intact egg yolk using environmentally‐friendly techniques such as supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) extraction.

Activation of the angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPLT4) gene by milk fat and casein

Studies have shown a negative correlation between milk intake and obesity indicating that milk intake may impact on the regulation of body weight. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is suggested to be a regulator of lipid metabolism and is known to inhibit lipoprotein lipase. Milk-induced activation of ANGPTL4 gene expression and the mechanism behind it were investigated. Raw whole milk up-regulated ANGPTL4 mRNA ten-fold while skimming only exerted a five-fold up-regulation, as determined in the human epithelial colon cancer cell line HCT 116. Fractionation of the skimmed milk revealed an up-regulation of ANGPTL4 mRNA levels when exposed to casein, but no effects of the whey or residual cream fractions. Whole milk activated all three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes in a dose-dependent manner, whereas skimmed milk only activated PPARα and casein had no effect. Thus, the fat fraction might be explained by PPAR activation but the effect of caseins needs further investigation.

Inactivation of Hepatitis C Virus Infectivity by Human Breast Milk

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through direct contact with blood, although alternative routes of transmission may contribute to the global burden. Perinatal infection occurs in up to 5% of HCV-infected mothers, and presence of HCV RNA in breast milk has been reported. We investigated the influence of breast milk on HCV infectiousness. Human breast milk reduced HCV infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was species-specific because milk from various animals did not inhibit HCV infection. Treatment of HCV with human breast milk did not compromise integrity of viral RNA or capsids but destroyed the lipid envelope. Fractionation of breast milk revealed that the antiviral activity is present in the cream fraction containing the fat. Proteolytic digestion of milk proteins had no influence on its antiviral activity, whereas prolonged storage at 4°C increased antiviral activity. Notably, pretreatment with a lipase inhibitor ablated the antiviral activity and specific free fatty acids of breast milk were antiviral. The antiviral activity of breast milk is linked to endogenous lipase-dependent generation of free fatty acids, which destroy the viral lipid envelope. Therefore, nursing by HCV-positive mothers is unlikely to play a major role in vertical transmission.

Energy use for alternative full-cream milk powder manufacturing processes

The process of manufacturing full-cream milk powder usually involves heating the full-cream milk, concentration and spray drying. Homogenization of milk is desirable for good quality powder with low insolubility index and low solvent extractable fat (free-fat). Energy savings can be obtained using an alternative process where only a high solids cream fraction (∼45% total solids) is homogenized prior to mixing with the skim milk, concentration and drying. Homogenization of cream at high solids is made possible with the use of citrate as a processing aid. The quality of the powder and energy calculations for the various unit processes used for the alternative process (only cream homogenized) were compared with traditional full-cream milk powder production processes. The homogenization of the cream fraction only is an alternative to the homogenization of the whole of the milk for production of good quality powder, while saving energy for the homogenization step.

Investigation of the migration of triclabendazole residues to milk products manufactured from bovine milk, and stability therein, following lactating cow treatment

Triclabendazole (TCB) is a flukicide used in the treatment of liver fluke in cattle; however, its use is currently prohibited in lactating dairy cows. In this study, following administration of 10% Fasinex (triclabendazole, Novartis Animal Health UK Ltd., Camberley, UK) the milk of 6 animals was used to manufacture dairy products, to ascertain if TCB residues in milk migrate into dairy products. The detection limit of the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method used was 0.67μg/kg. The highest concentrations of TCB residue measured, within the individual cow milk yield, was 1,529±244µg/kg (n=6), on d 2 posttreatment. Days 2 and 23 posttreatment represented high and low residue concentrations, respectively. At each of these 2time points, the milk was pooled into 2 independent aliquots and refrigerated. Milk products, including cheese, butter, and skim milk powder were manufactured using pasteurized and unpasteurized milk from each aliquot. The results for high residue milks demonstrated that TCB residues concentrated in the cheese by a factor of 5 (5,372 vs. 918µg/kg for cheese vs. milk) compared with the starting milk. Residue concentrations are the sum of TCB and its metabolites, expressed as keto-TCB. Residues were concentrated in the butter by a factor of 9 (9,177 vs. 1,082μg/kg for butter vs. milk) compared with the starting milk. For milk, which was separated to skim milk and cream fractions, the residues were concentrated in the cream. Once skim milk powder was manufactured from the skim milk fraction, the residue in powder was concentrated 15-fold compared with the starting skim milk (7,252 vs. 423µg/kg for powder vs. skim milk), despite the high temperature (185°C) required during powder manufacture. For products manufactured from milk with low residue concentrations at d 23 posttreatment, TCB residues were detected in butter, cheese, and skim milk powder, even though there was no detectable residue in the milk used to manufacture these products. Triclabendazole residues were concentrated in some milk products (despite manufacturing treatments), exceeding residue levels in the starting milk and, depending on the storage conditions, may be relatively stable over time.

Characteristics of Oil and Skim in Enzyme‐Assisted Aqueous Extraction of Soybeans

AbstractThe economic viability of enzyme‐assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP) of soybeans depends on properties and potential applications of all fractions (skim and insolubles as well as oil). EAEP oil contained lower free fatty acid, phosphorus, and tocopherol contents, similar unsaponifiable matter levels, and higher degrees of oxidation (peroxide and p‐anisidine values) than hexane‐extracted oil. The phospholipid profile of EAEP fractions was mainly composed of phosphatidic acid, followed by phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Most of phospholipids were present in the skim, except for phosphatidic acid, which was the major phospholipid in the cream fraction. Skim and cream contained 55 and 3 % of the soluble carbohydrates in the original extruded flakes, respectively. Soluble carbohydrates of the skim were mainly composed of stachyose (5.8 ± 0.8 mg/mL) and sucrose (9.9 ± 0.8 mg/mL), which were hydrolyzed into glucose, galactose, and fructose after addition of α‐galactosidase. Skim and cream peptides contained <20 kDa MW molecules. About 71 % of the skim peptides were <20 kDa MW, with 49 % being <1.35 kDa MW, 22 % being 17–1.35 kDa MW, and 29 % being 44–670 kDa MW. Skim protein and carbohydrate contents make this fraction suitable for replacing water in ethanol fermentations, thereby improving the fermentation rate/production and the nutritional quality of distiller's dried grains with solubles.

Coconut Press Cake Alkaline Extract—Protein Solubility and Emulsification Properties

The solubility and the emulsification properties of a crude freeze dried alkaline protein extract (APE), 30% protein, obtained from coconut milk press cake by one step extraction at pH 11, were characterized at pH 2 to 11, and the cream and subnatant fractions of the emulsion studied by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The protein solubility followed U profile, showing a minimum at pH 3 to 4, close to but not identical to reported iso-electric points of 4 - 5 for many coconut protein fractions. The extract showed good capacity to form oil-in-water emulsion outside the low solubility pH range. The bands that appeared to play a role in the emulsification were found at 32 and 42 kDa in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, but the most predominant absorbed band was at 23 kDa.

Dynamics of relationship between the presence of Coxiella burnetii DNA, antibodies, and intrinsic variables in cow milk and bulk tank milk from Danish dairy cattle

Milk samples of 12 Danish dairy herds were collected 3 times during an 11-mo period and tested for Coxiella burnetii DNA by real-time PCR, detecting the IS1111 element, and for the presence of antibodies against the bacterium by ELISA. On average, 25% of 1,514 samples were seropositive and 32% were positive for C. burnetii DNA. Among the 485 DNA-positive samples, quantification cycle values ranging from 15.8 to 37.8 were found. Test sensitivity did not increase after DNA extraction from the cream fraction compared with full milk. The relationship between antibody levels and bacterial shedding was investigated among 166 cows from 9 herds. The prevalence levels of C. burnetii DNA and antibodies in the herds were found to be rather stable for 6 of the herds. The test results were highly influenced by results obtained 3 to 7 mo earlier. A significant association between the antibody titer and the DNA shedding level at the same and the preceding visit was found. In addition, a significant association between the antibody titer and the antibody titers 3 to 11 mo earlier was found. A multivariable analysis identified a significant increase in C. burnetii DNA shedding with increasing parity and increasing protein concentration in milk. The antibody levels in bulk tank milk and prevalence levels of C. burnetii DNA and antibodies in individual cow milk samples were correlated. A significant correlation was also found between the quantification cycle values of the cow samples (weighted according to milk yield) and the C. burnetii concentration in bulk tank milk.