Quality Of Dairy Products Research Articles

Quantitative and qualitative responses of dairy cattle herds’ production to proper feeding

The primary objectives include the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Moldova and ensuring the population has access to quality products. The assessment of qualitative and quantitative indicators of milk production and processing in the country, reflects the dynamics of the dairy industry’s development and highlights the main issues that need solutions; hence, research on this matter remains relevant. The aim of this study was to analyze both the quantitative and qualitative indicators of milk production, at the educational dairy farm of the Technical University in Moldova. Additionally, a review of research on the development of recipes based on feedstock and an examination of factors influencing the quality of dairy products were conducted. It was concluded that overall, the quality of milk at the educational dairy farm, in terms of fat and density content, and organoleptic properties, is good.

The benefits of the dairy value chain to inclusive sustainable development in European highlands: a systems thinking approach

This research investigates the benefits of the dairy value chain beyond food provision, and its contribution to inclusive sustainable development (ISDH) in European highlands. Transdisciplinary teams interviewed and analysed 11 cases related to the dairy value chain sourced from three highland regions in Europe: Alps (Austria, France, Italy), Massif Central (France), Pyrenees (Spain). Actors interviewed were farmers, cooperatives, retailers and associations. A systems thinking approach was applied to develop a conceptual map (Causal Loop Diagram, CLD) describing the contribution of the dairy value chain to ISDH, through the interpretation of the viewpoints of interviewed actors. For each case, the factors contributing to ISDH were identified, then clustered within related topics. Topics from all the cases were used to develop a CLD, and subsystems and leverage points identified. Six interconnected subsystems were identified: local resources, environment, dairy production, collaboration, supply chain and socio-economic. Four leverage points were also identified: public subsidies, feed autonomy, certification of product, and added value. In conclusion, the dairy value chain provides the following benefits aligned with the dimensions of ISDH: landscape maintenance and ecosystem services, quality of dairy products and added value, inclusive governance for actors, reduction of environmental impact, and local development. This model delivers a decision-making tool for the actors involved in the dairy value chain, to prioritise strategic interventions.

In Situ Expression of Yak IL-22 in Mammary Glands as a Treatment for Bovine Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Mastitis in Mice.

Since the development of dairy farming, bovine mastitis has been a problem plaguing the whole industry, which has led to a decrease in milk production, a reduction in dairy product quality, and an increase in costs. The use of antibiotics to treat mastitis can cause a series of problems, which can bring a series of harm to the animal itself, such as the development of bacterial resistance and dramatic changes in the gut flora. However, the in vivo and in vitro antibacterial activity of yak Interleukin-22 (IL-22) and its application in mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus have not been reported. In this study, the mammary gland-specific expression plasmid pLF-IL22 of the yak IL-22 gene was constructed and expressed in MAC-T cells and mammary tissue of postpartum female mice. The coding region of the IL-22 gene in yaks is 573 bp, which can encode 190 amino acids, and the homology difference in the IL-22 gene in yaks is less than 30%, which indicates certain conservation. IL-22 is a hydrophilic protein with a total positive charge of four, the presence of a signal peptide, and the absence of a transmembrane domain. Sufficient expression of IL-22 effectively inhibited the high expression of inflammatory factors caused by Staphylococcus aureus, reduced the symptoms of mammary gland histopathology, and alleviated mastitis. Under the action of IL-22, the intestinal flora of mastitis mice also changed, the abundance of intestinal Bacilli, Prevotellaceae, and Alloprevotella in mice increased after treatment, and the pathogenic bacteria decreased. These findings provide new insights into the potential application of the yak IL-22 gene in the treatment of bovine mastitis in the future.

Temperature correction of near-infrared spectra of raw milk

Accurate milk composition analysis is crucial for improving product quality, economic efficiency, and animal health in the dairy industry. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can quantify milk composition quickly and nondestructively. However, external factors, such as temperature fluctuations, can alter the molecular vibrations and hydrogen bonding in milk, altering the NIR spectra and leading to errors in predicting key constituents such as fat, protein, and lactose. This study compares the effectiveness of Piecewise Direct Standardization (PDS), Continuous PDS (CPDS), External Parameter Orthogonalization (EPO), and Dynamic Orthogonal Projection (DOP in correcting the impact of temperature-induced variations on predictions in milk long-wave NIR spectra (LW-NIR, 1000–1700 nm).A total of 270 raw milk samples were analyzed, collecting both reflectance and transmittance spectra at five different temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, and 40 °C). The experimental setup ensured precise temperature control and accurate spectral measurements. PLSR models were calibrated at 30 °C to predict milk fat, protein, and lactose content. The performance of these models was assessed before and after applying the temperature correction methods, with a primary focus on reflectance spectra.Results indicate that EPO and DOP significantly enhance model robustness and prediction accuracy across all temperatures, outperforming PDS and CPDS, especially for lactose prediction. These orthogonalization methods were compared against PLSR models calibrated with spectra from all temperatures. EPO and DOP showed comparable or superior performance, highlighting their effectiveness without requiring extensive temperature-specific calibration data. These findings suggest that orthogonalization methods are particularly suitable for in-line milk quality measurements under farm conditions where temperature control is challenging. This study highlights the potential of advanced chemometric techniques to improve real-time, on-farm milk composition analysis, facilitating better farm management and enhanced dairy product quality.

Predicting Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus-Streptococcus thermophilus interactions based on a highly accurate semi-supervised learning method.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus) are commonly used starters in milk fermentation. Fermentation experiments revealed that L. bulgaricus-S. thermophilus interactions (LbStI) substantially impact dairy product quality and production. Traditional biological humidity experiments are time-consuming and labor-intensive in screening interaction combinations, an artificial intelligence-based method for screening interactive starter combinations is necessary. However, in the current research on artificial intelligence based interaction prediction in the field of bioinformatics, most successful models adopt supervised learning methods, and there is a lack of research on interaction prediction with only a small number of labeled samples. Hence, this study aimed to develop a semi-supervised learning framework for predicting LbStI using genomic data from 362 isolates (181 per species). The framework consisted of a two-part model: a co-clustering prediction model (based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) dataset) and a Laplacian regularized least squares prediction model (based on K-mer analysis and gene composition of all isolates datasets). To enhance accuracy, we integrated the separate outcomes produced by each component of the two-part model to generate the ultimate LbStI prediction results, which were verified through milk fermentation experiments. Validation through milk fermentation experiments confirmed a high precision rate of 85% (17/20; validated with 20 randomly selected combinations of expected interacting isolates). Our data suggest that the biosynthetic pathways of cysteine, riboflavin, teichoic acid, and exopolysaccharides, as well as the ATP-binding cassette transport systems, contribute to the mutualistic relationship between these starter bacteria during milk fermentation. However, this finding requires further experimental verification. The presented model and data are valuable resources for academics and industry professionals interested in screening dairy starter cultures and understanding their interactions.

Establishment of a multiplex qPCR method for sensitive detection of proteolytic psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk

Initial microbiological species and quantity of raw milk significantly affect dairy product quality. In particular, some psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk can produce heat-stable hydrolases that reduce the stability of dairy products during their shelf life. The purpose of this study was to establish a multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) rapid detection method for Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, which generally produce protease in raw milk. The primers and probes with good specificity, universality and high sensitivity to the target bacteria were screened by ordinary PCR and qPCR experiments. The quantitative linear relationship and sensitivity of the method for detecting pure DNA and artificially contaminated simulated milk samples were verified. The results showed that the limit of detection (LOD) of this method for pure DNA could reach 3.16×10-5 ng/μL. The detection of artificially contaminated samples showed that the LOD for P. fluorescens and L. lactis subsp. lactis could reach 250 and 22 CFU/mL, respectively. The multiplex qPCR method established in this study has good specificity and high sensitivity, which can be used to rapidly detect psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk. It provides an effective reference strategy for the dairy industry to ensure the microbiological quality of raw milk from the source.

Criteria and tools for improving trust relations between dairy cluster stakeholders

The article shows the necessity and timeliness of building trusting relationships between stakeholders in projects to create a dairy cluster - an association of institutionally independent enterprises integrated into an inter-industry complex, in order to obtain a synergetic result from balanced cooperative relations between them. The cluster should take into account the interests of all its participants, so maintaining trust between them is necessary for the formation of the food chain in the dairy business, which in turn serves as a catalyst for the effective development of the dairy industry, increasing the volume of production and quality of dairy products. The aim is to study the influence of factors on the common interest, partnership between stakeholders in the project environment, as well as the development of methodological and practical recommendations for the application of tools of effective interaction between them, which contributes to the success of the project and the achievement of common goals. Methods - abstract-logical to identify problems and causes, online survey of respondents using Google-form, Cronbach's Alpha modeling methods are used to assess the reliability and internal consistency of questions in the model created in the Smart PLS program when analyzing complex relationships between latent variables (constructs) that cannot be measured directly. In the course of the study 76 respondents from all regions of Kazakhstan, which are potential stakeholders in the activities of the dairy subcomplex, were interviewed. Results - reliability and validity of the chosen conceptual model were established, the necessity of deepening the hypotheses put forward during the life cycle of the project on the functioning of the dairy cluster was proved. Conclusions - innovative entrepreneurship cannot be successful without managing the process of forming an atmosphere of trusting relations along the entire chain of the production process - from investors to consumers.

Comparative genomics and phenotypic assessment of lactic acid bacteria isolated from artisanal cheese as potential starter cultures

Novel starter cultures are coveted by the dairy industry for enhancing the sensory, quality, and safety attributes of fermented dairy products. In this study, artisanal cheeses were investigated as a source of novel starter cultures. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the cheese and underwent an antimicrobial activity screening. Six potential antimicrobial producers were selected for whole genome sequencing and were confirmed to be new LAB strains belonging to the genera Lacticaseibacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, and Enterococcus. Genes associated with carbohydrate utilization, proteolytic enzyme production, and exopolysaccharide synthesis were identified. Additionally, in silico analysis revealed safety-related traits including absence of antibiotic resistance genes, intact prophage regions, and biogenic amine production genes. Genome-guided phenotypic confirmation of important identified traits was completed, which included utilization of multiple carbohydrates, hydrolysis of casein, coagulation of milk, and susceptibility to antibiotic. Among these LAB strains, Lactococcus lactis OSY-92 contained and expressed the necessary genes for a dairy starter culture. The strain displayed anti-Gram-positive antimicrobial activity, a strong preference for lactose and galactose, limited casein hydrolysis, and ability to coagulate milk in 7.5 h. When all these findings were considered, L. lactis OSY-92 qualified as a potential novel and safe starter culture for dairy fermentations.

Determinants of changes in perception of the quality of dairy products by Polish consumers

Determinants of changes in perception of the quality of dairy products by Polish consumers

Temperature-Dependent Metabolic Interactions Between Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus in Milk Fermentation: Insights from GC-IMS Metabolomics

Streptococcus (S.) thermophilus and Lactobacillus (L.) delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus are widely used as a combined starter culture for milk fermentation, often at temperatures of 37°C and 42°C. To investigate the metabolic interplay between these 2 species during the fermentation process, this study examined the growth and fermentation characteristics of different S. thermophilus strains cocultured with L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ND02 at these 2 temperature conditions. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) metabolomics was employed to analyze changes in the milk metabolome during 3 key fermentation stages: initiation (F0, pH 6.50 ± 0.02), curdling (F1, pH 5.20 ± 0.02), and endpoint (F2, pH 4.50 ± 0.02). The results showed that 42°C fermentation promoted rapid bacterial growth, with significantly reduced fermentation time compared with 37°C. Interestingly, 37°C fermentation favored the enrichment of volatile fatty acids like 2-methylpropanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, and ethyl acetate. In contrast, 42°C fermentation led to increased levels of ketones such as acetone, 2-hexanone, 2-pentanone, and 2-heptanone. Sensory evaluation indicated that the 42°C fermented milk had higher overall scores. Discriminatory flavor metabolites were more abundant during the later fermentation stage (F1 to F2), while the underlying metabolic pathways became increasingly active. These findings provide insights into the dynamic changes in volatile metabolite profiles of fermented milk produced under different temperature and time conditions using varied starter culture combinations. The results are valuable for optimizing dairy fermentation processes and product quality.

Impact of ultrasonic and heat treatments on the physicochemical properties and rennet-induced coagulation characteristics of milk from various species

This study investigates the effects of heat and ultrasonic treatments on the physicochemical parameters and rennet-induced coagulation properties of milk from a variety of species, including cow, goat, buffalo, and donkey. Milk samples were subjected to heat treatments at different temperatures (65 °C, 80 °C, 90 °C, 100 °C) and ultrasonic treatment at varying power levels (200 W, 400 W, 600 W, 800 W, 1000 W). The results revealed that changes in turbidity, particle size, zeta potential, secondary structure, and surface hydrophobicity were altered by both ultrasonic and heat treatments, as well as the kind of milk. Ultrasonic treatment of cow milk decreased α-helix content while increasing β-turn content. Under similar ultrasonic treatment, goat milk showed a considerable increase in β-sheet content, whereas β-turn and random coil contents decreased compared to control samples. Notably, the water-holding capacity of gels formed from all four types of milk increased significantly with the intensity of ultrasonic and heat treatments. The hardness of buffalo milk gels increased significantly after ultrasonic and thermal treatments, ranging from 63 °C for 30 min to 90 °C for 15 min, but the hardness of cow and goat milk gels increased in varying degrees compared to their control samples. Furthermore, gels from cow and goat milk had higher storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G’’) than those from buffalo and donkey milk, and changes in G’ and G’’ from the examined milk were altered by ultrasonic and heat treatments. These findings offer important insights into refining milk processing procedures to improve dairy product quality and usefulness.

The Effects of trans-10, cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid on the Production Performance of Dairy Cows and the Expression and Transcription Regulation of Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells.

Dietary fatty acids (FAs) determine the quality of dairy products. The trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10c12-CLA) is commonly considered an FA factor leading to milk fat depression syndrome (MFDs) in dairy cow. However, its effect on dairy cow performance and involvement in milk fat metabolism have been insufficiently explored. This study administered 136.17 g/day of rumen-protected CLA (RP-CLA) to dairy cows and found a diminution in milk fat percentage and a trend of increasing milk protein percentage on day 21 postpartum. Lactose content, milk yield, and net energy for lactation were unaffected. In the cell experiments, Oil Red O staining showed a notable increase in lipid droplets. Gene and protein expression analysis showed that 300 μM t10c12-CLA upregulated the expression of CD36, DGAT2, and ADRP, while downregulating the expression of ACACA, FASN, SREBP1, FABP3, FATP3, ACSL4, LPIN1, DGAT1, BTN1A1, XDH, SNAP23, and VAMP4. This provides a possible mechanistic pathway for the contradictory phenomenon of t10c12-CLA reducing milk fat while increasing lipid droplets. Overall, t10c12-CLA, as a long-chain fatty acid, can promote lipid droplet synthesis but may reduce milk fat by inhibiting lipid droplet fusion and secretion, FAs de novo synthesis, and triglyceride biosynthesis.

Assessment of microbial communities in a dairy farm from a food safety perspective

Microbial communities associated with dairy farm operations have a significant influence on food safety, dairy product quality, and animal health. This study aimed to create a microbial mapping at a dairy farm to learn about their bacterial diversity, distribution, and potential dissemination pathways. The investigation included the detection of key zoonotic pathogens, enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as indicators of typical bacterial loads in a dairy production environment, and a microbiome analysis using metagenomics. A total of 160 samples (environmental, udder swabs, feed, feces, raw milk, and water) were collected during winter (N = 80) and spring (N = 80). In winter, Cronobacter spp. were detected in four feed and two water samples; L. monocytogenes was identified in two samples, one from feces and one from a cattle mat; E. coli O157:H7 was found in two feed samples. On the other hand, during spring, Cronobacter spp. were present in four feed samples and one hallway drain, with only one feed sample testing positive for E. coli O157:H7, while L. monocytogenes was absent during the spring season. Regarding microbial counts, there was no significant difference between the two seasons (p = 0.068) for S. aureus; however, a significant difference (p = 0.025) was observed for E. coli. Environmental microbiome analysis showed the presence of Proteobacteria (46.0 %) and Firmicutes (27.2 %) as the dominant phyla during both seasons. Moraxellaceae (11.8 %) and Pseudomonadaceae (10.62 %) were notable during winter, while Lactobacillaceae (13.0 %) and Enterobacteriaceae (12.6 %) were prominent during spring. These findings offer valuable insights into microbial distribution within a dairy farm and potential risks to animal and human health through environmental cross-contamination.

Analysis of Human Milk Microbiota in Northern Greece by Comparative 16S rRNA Sequencing vs. Local Dairy Animals.

Milk is a biological fluid with a dynamic composition of micronutrients and bioactive molecules that serves as a vital nutrient source for infants. Milk composition is affected by multiple factors, including genetics, geographical location, environmental conditions, lactation phase, and maternal nutrition, and plays a key role in dictating its microbiome. This study addresses a less-explored aspect, comparing the microbial communities in human breast milk with those in mature milk from species that are used for milk consumption. Since mature animal milk is used as a supplement for both the infant (formula) and the child/adolescent, our main aim was to identify shared microbial communities in colostrum and mature human milk. Using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, we focused on characterizing the milk microbiota in the Northern Greek population by identifying shared microbial communities across samples and comparing the relative abundance of prevalent genera. We analyzed ten human milk samples (from five mothers), with five collected three days postpartum (colostrum) and five collected thirty to forty days postpartum (mature milk) from corresponding mothers. To perform an interspecies comparison of human milk microbiota, we analyzed five goat and five bovine milk samples from a local dairy industry, collected fifty to seventy days after birth. Alpha diversity analysis indicated moderate diversity and stability in bovine milk, high richness in goat milk, and constrained diversity in breast milk. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant distinctions among mammalian species, emphasizing both presence/absence and abundance-based clustering. Despite noticeable differences, shared microbial components underscore fundamental aspects across all mammalian species, highlighting the presence of a core microbiota predominantly comprising the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota phyla. At the genus level, Acinetobacter, Gemella, and Sphingobium exhibit significant higher abundance in human milk compared to bovine and goat milk, while Pseudomonas and Atopostipes are more prevalent in animal milk. Our comparative analysis revealed differences and commonalities in the microbial communities of various mammalian milks and unraveled the existence of a common fundamental milk core microbiome. We thus revealed both species-specific and conserved microbial communities in human, bovine, and goat milk. The existence of a common core microbiome with conserved differences between colostrum and mature human milk underscores fundamental similarities in the microbiota of milk across mammalian species, which could offer valuable implications for optimizing the nutritional quality and safety of dairy products as well as supplements for infant health.

Газовый масс-спектрометрический анализ промышленных йогуртов

Food safety and quality are especially important in the dairy industry. Mass spectrometry is an effective tool of state control in this sphere. The research objective was to study the prospects for gas mass spectrometry with smart mathematical processing in assessing the composition and quality of dairy products. The study featured 11 samples of fresh and acidified yoghurts from different manufacturers and with various starters, functional food additives, etc. These samples and their packaging were evaluated using a small-sized quadrupole gas mass spectrometer MS7-200 with electron impact ionization developed at the Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences. The data obtained were mathematically processed by the method of principal components. Based on the ratios of peak intensities at m/z = 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 84, 85, and 88 Da, the fresh and expired samples were classified not only by the degree of freshness, but also by the composition and quality of the microbiological starters, raw materials, food additives, etc. In addition, some packaging materials proved to be of poor quality. In this study, the method of gas mass spectrometry was supplemented by the authentic methods for selecting gas emissions from yoghurts and packaging, accelerated acidification, and smart mathematical processing. The approach proved to be time-saving, sensitive, selective, available, and cost-effective. As a result, it demonstrated good potential as a means to control the composition and quality of dairy products and their packaging.

Multispecies pasture diet and cow breed impacts on milk composition and quality in a seasonal spring-calving dairy production system

In recent years, there has been significant emphasis on the composition of pasture-based cow feed and the potential benefits of incorporating multispecies swards to improve sustainability and biodiversity. This study compared the effects of a conventional perennial ryegrass (PRG) monoculture supported by high chemical nitrogen (N) usage with a low chemical N application multispecies sward system (MSS) on the composition and quality of milk across lactation using spring-calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey Holstein-Friesian (JFX) cows. Bulk milk samples (n = 144) were collected from each group at morning and evening milking on a weekly basis (n = 36) throughout lactation and analyzed for gross composition and physico-chemical properties. Cow breed had a significant impact on milk profile, with milk from HF cows having significantly smaller milk fat globule (MFG) size, higher instability index values, higher yield, and lower total solids levels, compared with JFX cows. Notably, HF cows had increased milk total solids and fat levels when fed on MSS, as opposed to the PRG-fed HF cows. Feeding MSS pasture increased creaming velocity values in mid and late lactation, and resulted in similar milk gross composition to PRG. In comparison to PRG, MSS-fed groups showed significantly increased total solids yield, including higher levels of protein and fat yield. In late lactation, MSS feeding was associated with reduced MFG size. All physicochemical properties studied (MFG size, creaming velocity, instability index) showed decreasing values from early to late lactation stage. Overall, these findings demonstrate the significant effects of cow diet, breed and stage of lactation on compositional and physico-chemical characteristics of milk, with important implications for milk processing and dairy product quality.

Reveal the mechanism of hepatic oxidative stress in mice induced by photo-oxidation milk using multi-omics analysis techniques

IntroductionPhoto-oxidation is recognized as a contributor to the deterioration of milk quality, posing potential safety hazards to human health. However, there has been limited investigation into the impact of consuming photo-oxidized milk on health. ObjectivesThis study employs multi-omics analysis techniques to elucidate the mechanisms by which photo-oxidized milk induces oxidative stress in the liver. MethodsMouse model was used to determine the effect of the gavage administration of milk with varying degrees of photo-oxidation on the mouse liver. The damage degree was established by measuring serum markers indicative of oxidative stress, and with a subsequent histopathological examination of liver tissues. In addition, comprehensive metabolome, lipidome, and transcriptome analyses were conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of hepatic damage caused by photo-oxidized milk. ResultsA significant elevation in the oxidative stress levels and the presence of hepatocellular swelling and inflammation subsequent to the gavage administration of photo-oxidized milk to mice. Significant alterations in the levels of metabolites such as lumichrome, all-trans-retinal, L-valine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine within the hepatic tissue of mice. Moreover, photo-oxidized milk exerted a pronounced detrimental impact on the glycerophospholipid metabolism of mice liver. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway enrichment appreciated in the animals that consumed photo-oxidized milk further supports the substantial negative influence of photo-oxidized milk on hepatic lipid metabolism. Gene set enrichment and interaction analyses revealed that photo-oxidized milk inhibited the cytochrome P450 pathway in mice, while also affecting other pathways associated with cellular stress response and lipid biosynthesis. ConclusionThis comprehensive study provides significant evidence regarding the potential health risks associated with photo-oxidized milk, particularly in terms of hepatic oxidative damage. It establishes a scientific foundation for assessing the safety of such milk and ensuring the quality of dairy products.

УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗМІНАМИ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ МОЛОКОПРОДУКТОВОГО СЕКТОРУ УКРАЇНИ

The article is devoted to studying modern trends in the development of Ukraine's milk processing sector. It also reveals the level of actual dairy product consumption by the country's population. As the study results showed, it has been significantly lower than the recommended parameters in recent years. Your role in the dairy sector is crucial to addressing this issue and shaping the future of the industry. The dynamics of milk production volumes by main categories of producers were analyzed. The key structural changes in the industry's development have been identified, among which the most significant is the long-term concentration of production in the sector of small producers—households. In the modern structure of milk production, the share of households in the population is 66%, and 31% is provided by agricultural enterprises of various forms of management. The concentration of production of dairy raw materials within the household sector is accompanied by a low number of problematic issues that hold back the potential of greening, innovative development, and increasing the competitiveness of domestic dairy products. However, there is a silver lining. Strategic orientations for further management changes in the dairy sector of Ukraine's enterprises were outlined, highlighting the potential for organic dairy production. The activation of further development of organic dairy production and the greening of dairy products and trade brands were identified as critical factors. According to the current assessment, the share of organic milk production in EU countries is insignificant. This creates real prospects for Ukrainian dairy companies to increase their competitive potential in the domestic and European milk products market. Based on the research results, a list of the main characteristics inherent in organic production in the country's dairy sector was substantiated. The set of key challenges that necessitate the constant management of changes in the dairy industry enterprises are outlined. The main ones are defined as: structural disparities by category of milk producers, constant complication of dairy product quality standards by the EU, loss of the potential of domestic feed production, low paying demand of the population of Ukraine, slow pace of transformations towards greening and implementation of sustainable development initiatives of the agri-food sector of Ukraine. However, the research results also demonstrated active trends in the development of trademarks of dairy companies in Ukraine, which contributes to a more intensive formation of competitive advantages among them. These findings are crucial for understanding the current state and potential future of the dairy sector, and they also inspire hope for the industry's future.

Improving Quality Control Measures in the Dairy Industry: Utilizing Dynamics of Dirt Resistance Factor (Rd) Value and Time of Effective Bacterial Contamination Prevention

The number of customer complaints related to decreased quality of dairy products was the background of this study. Objective: (i) examined the effect of the highest dirt resistance factor (Rd) on the number of bacterial contaminants in finished goods; (ii) examine the effect of time on the growth of bacterial contaminants in the fouling layer of UHT pipes when not in operation. The research method was based on the mathematical derivation of the formation process of Rd in the form of an equation. Bacterial species were analyzed using the Operation Taxonomic Unit (OTU) with 16S rRNA. The ANOVA test was used to determine the mean value, standard deviation and the Tukey LSD post hoc test to see the difference in heat balance and bacterial growth. Findings: (i) During the UHT sterilization process, the Rd value (0.0205 h.Ft2.F.Btu-1) had an impact on total bacterial contamination >20 Cfu.mL-1; (ii) In the event of engine damage or malfunction of the heater on the UHT. Time had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the number of lactic acid bacteria in the fouling layer in UHT pipes. Conclusion: The study recommends a sanitation schedule every 110 minutes (± 2 hours) or Rd value around 0.0205 h.Ft2.F.Btu-1.

A novel cellobiose 2-epimerase from anaerobic halophilic Iocasia fonsfrigidae and its ability to convert lactose in fresh goat milk into epilactose.

Cellobiose 2-epimerase (CE) has received great attention due to its potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a novel CE from mesophilic anaerobic halophilic bacterium Iocasia fonsfrigidae strain SP3-1 (IfCE) was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. Unlike other CEs, the purified IfCE shows only epimerization activity toward β-1,4-glycosidic linkages of disaccharides, including mannobiose, cellobiose and lactose, but not for monosaccharides, β-1,4-glycosidic linkages of trisaccharides and α-1,4-glycosidic linkages of disaccharides. Only one epimerization product was obtained from the action of IfCE against mannobiose, cellobiose and lactose. Under optimum conditions, 31.0% of epilactose, a rare and low-calorie prebiotic sweetener with medicinal and pharmacological properties, was obtained from 10 mg mL-1 lactose. IfCE was highly active against lactose under NaCl concentrations up to 500 mmol L-1, possibly due to the excessive basic (arginine and lysine) and acidic (aspartic and glutamic acids) amino acid residues, which are localized on the surface of the halophilic enzyme structure. These residues may protect the enzyme from Cl- and Na+ ions from the environment, respectively. Under normal conditions, IfCE was able to convert lactose present in fresh goat milk to epilactose with a conversion yield of 31% in 10 min. In addition, IfCE has been investigated as a safe enzyme for human allergen. The results suggested that IfCE is a promising candidate to increase the quality and value of milk and dairy products by converting lactose that causes digestive problems in people with lactose intolerance into epilactose. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.