Sheep Milk Research Articles

Comprehensive evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep intended for human consumption in Brazil: seroprevalence, isolation, and genotyping.

Ovine toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic disease responsible for triggering reproductive problems in sheep with great public health impact. The zoonotic risk for humans occurs through the ingestion of meat contaminated with bradyzoites, water and vegetables contaminated with oocysts, or by ingesting unprocessed sheep milk contaminated with tachyzoites. The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, isolate, and genetically characterize T. gondii from sheep in northeastern Brazil. Blood and tissue samples, including the liver, heart, brain, lung, and diaphragm, were collected from 256 sheep in slaughterhouses. The presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies was assessed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and sera with titers ≥ 1: 64 were considered positive. Tissue samples from seropositive sheep were digested in acidic pepsin solution and inoculated into two Swiss mice for T. gondii isolation and further characterized by molecular methods. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep was 31.64% and the isolation rate was 40.7%. Sixteen out of 33 isolates were submitted to mnRFLP-PCR using ten genetic markers. Four isolates were fully genotyped, and four isolates were amplified at least in one marker. All isolates were characterized as atypical genotypes, and ToxoDB #57 (n = 3) and #143 (n = 1) were identified. The detection of viable T. gondii in sheep from slaughterhouses in Brazil highlights the risk of human exposure. There is the need for proactive control and prevention measures to mitigate the risk of human exposure, considering the importance of sheep meat as a source of protein to humans.

Inbreeding Depression and Purging in Fertility and Longevity Traits in Sheep Breeds from Germany

In the present study, we analysed fertility and longevity traits of 22 sheep breeds from Germany with a suitable quantity of data in the national database OviCap. The data comprised merino, meat, country and milk sheep breeds with 62,198 ewes and about 173,000 lambing records, until the fifth lambing. Across-breed means of heritabilities reached estimates of 0.13, 0.17 and 0.18 for number of lambings, average number of lambs born per lambing and number of lambs per lifetime, respectively. For age at first lambing, length of lifetime and productive life, mean heritabilities over breeds were 0.34, 0.17 and 0.32, respectively. The across-breed means of the individual rate of inbreeding were significantly negative for the average number of lambs born per lambing and number of lambs born per lifetime, and for number of lambings it was close to the significance threshold. We found declining slopes for inbreeding depression for the average number of lambs born per lambing and number of lambs born per lifetime in 16 breeds, and significantly negative slopes in five and seven breeds. For lifetime and productive life, 9/22 and 8/22 breeds showed significant inbreeding depression, while for age at first lambing, only 1/22 breeds showed significant inbreeding depression. A significant reduction in inbreeding depression due to purging effects was found for eight breeds. Fitness traits may be subject to forced directional selection. Therefore, sheep breeding programmes should give special consideration to fertility and longevity traits. Fitness related traits seem to be essential in conservation of genetic diversity within sheep breeds.

Hygienic Production Practices and Microbiological Quality of Sheep Milk in Ararso District of Jarar Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to evaluate the hygienic production practices and microbiological quality of sheep milk in Ararso district of Jarar Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. A stratified sampling strategy was used to choose 180 households specifically for this investigation. A total of 60 pooled raw sheep milk samples (each containing 200 mL) were collected from the udders and milk handling equipment of selected milk producers in the research area. The samples were examined to determine microbiological quality. The data were gathered via a questionnaire, field observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The vast majority of respondents in pastoral (86.7%) and agro-pastoral (64.4%) production systems were illiterate. The majority of respondents (70.6%) in the research area cleaned the sheep home (kraal) once every two days. The majority (98.3%) of respondents in the research area milk their sheep in open kraals with no roof or walls. As a consequence, 36.7% of pastoral and agro-pastoral respondents (81.1%) reported cleaning milk vessels on a regular basis. Almost all of the responders in the research area used plastic equipment for milking and handling. The majority of responders in pastoral and agro-pastoralist categories placed barn hygiene first, with indexes of 0.24 and 0.23, respectively. The average total bacterial count (TBC), coiform count (CC) and yeast and mould count (YMC) of raw sheep milk samples were 5.13±0.21, 2.89±0.27, and 0.77±0.21 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. Raw sheep milk samples taken from producers’ milk handling equipment had a substantially higher mean total bacterial count (5.78±0.32 log10 cfu/mL) compared to samples collected from the udder (4.48±0.23 log10 cfu/mL). Milk samples from pastoral and agro-pastoral households had an average coliform count of 3.18 and 2.60 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. The average YMC in milk samples from pastoralists and agro-pastoralists were 0.74 and 0.80 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. In general, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the district do not practice hygienic milking and handling. Consequently, the implementation of hygienic milk production and handling practices is essential to enhance the safety and quality of sheep milk in the study area. Additionally, further research should be undertaken to investigate the microbiological aspects and assess the safety and quality parameters of sheep milk in greater detail.

Detection of milk's sheep quality indicators by studying the contamination of milk with some heavy metals in some areas of Hadramout Coast – Yemen

An experimental study was conducted with the aim of using sheep milk as bioindicators of environmental pollution for cadmium, lead and arsenic in some areas of Hadhramout coast in the period from November 2021 to March 2022, 45 samples of milk were collected from five areas of the Hadhramaut coast (Fowah, Al-Ghaleelah Thelah, Shaheer and Al-Khareebah). Cadmium and lead concentrations were measured by (FAAS), while arsenic concentrations were measured by (AAS- MHS 15). The results of study showed that the mean concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in milk samples are 0.0087 ppm, 0.055 ppm and 0.105 ppm; respectively. Concentration of cadmium were higher than the permissible limit according to Europe Union and Codex Alimentarius milk 0.01 ppm in urban areas (Fowah, Al- Ghaleelah, and Shaheer). Lead concentration was found higher than the maximum permissible limit for Europe Union and Codex Alimentarius of lead in milk 0.02 ppm in areas (Fowah, Al- Ghaleelah, and Shaheer). Arsenic concentration was found higher than the maximum permissible limit for Europe Union and of arsenic in milk 0.1 ppm in Thelah area, While Al-Khareebah area was in maximum permissible limit Europe Union. The statistical results showed that there were significant differences between the average concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic at a significant level (p<0.05) in milk samples in the different study areas. This study confirmed that sheep milk are good bioindicators for detecting environmental pollution with heavy metals. The study concluded that the main reason for the high concentrations of cadmium and lead in urban areas are human industrial activities, all process of combustion and industrial and agricultural wastes. The study recommends periodic monitoring and examination of heavy metals in the environment using bioindicators and identifying the main sources of their spread in the environment.

Benchtop NMR spectroscopy for quantitative determination of milk fat and qualitative determination of lactose: From calibration curve to deep learning

This study compares three different methodologies for the quantification of the fat content of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk using benchtop proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, a flagship of green, accessible, and state-of-the-art technology suitable for modern laboratory environments. The evaluated approaches included traditional calibration curve and machine learning algorithms, with emphasis on partial least squares regression (PLS-R) and artificial neural networks (ANN), to estimate the fat content in skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk. Among these, ANN provided the most accurate results for all types of milk, particularly in skimmed milk, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 14.9% and an accuracy of −7.3%. The calibration curve showed higher variability, with an RSD of 34.1% and trueness of 25.3% for skimmed milk. PLS-R improved accuracy in relation to the calibration curve approach, reducing RSD to 18.9% and trueness to −17.7%. The developed method has been successfully applied to determine the fat content in 51 samples of UHT milk purchased in different Spanish supermarkets, providing adequate results for each of the three categories considered, including goat's milk, sheep's milk, and milk coffee. Furthermore, the application of machine learning has proven its validity by successfully distinguishing between lactose and lactose-free UHT milk.

Exploring food-specific IgG responses in pediatric allergic disorders: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

The role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to food as potential triggering factors in allergic disorders continues to be debatable, and is not endorsed by most allergy societies. To explore the prevalence of specific IgG immune responses to common foods in pediatric allergic disorders and any potential relationship between them. A retrospective study was conducted on children and adolescents diagnosed with allergic disorders at the Ekthar Clinic in Jeddah City. Food-specific IgG (FS-IgG) antibody test results were collected from their medical records. Seventy-five children with a mean age of 8.5 years (SD = 5.3) were included. The overall allergic diagnosis determined atopic dermatitis as the most common (57.3%, 43 participants), followed by food allergy and allergic rhinitis (each 40%, 30 participants), and bronchial asthma (29.3%, 22 participants). Food-specific IgG levels were elevated in all participants. The foods with the highest levels of FS-IgG were dairy products (88%: cow's milk [86.6%], sour milk [81.3%], sheep's milk [74.7%], cheese [72%], and goat's milk [70.7%]), followed by gluten-containing products (81.3%: wheat [70.7%], gluten [69.3%], and spelt [66.6%]), and eggs (66.6%). Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between atopic dermatitis and several foods; chronic urticaria and chicken and lamb; asthma and ocean perch; allergic rhinitis and rennet cheese; and allergic conjunctivitis and potato, pollock, and lamb. Among pediatric allergic disorders, dairy, gluten, and eggs were the most detected foods in FS-IgG tests, with some notable correlations with other foods. FS-IgG testing may help identify potential triggers in refractory allergic disorders.

Development of curd for children from sheep milk with berries: improvement of nutritional and functional properties

The development of functional products for children based on sheep's milk with the addition of berries is a pressing issue in the field of baby food. The object of this study is baby curds based on sheep's milk with the addition of berries. The task that this study solves is to improve the nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of baby products made from sheep's milk since pure sheep's milk without additives has a specific smell and taste, which reduces its attractiveness to children. The results of the study showed that the addition of berries (chokeberry, raspberry, strawberry) significantly improves the taste and aromatic properties of curds. Children preferred curds with berries since they had a creamy-berry aroma, while curds without additives retained the characteristic smell and taste of sheep's milk. It was also found that the addition of berries increased the antioxidant activity of the product due to enrichment with vitamins (especially vitamin C) and dietary fiber. By adding berries to the curds, it was possible to increase the nutritional value, improve the taste characteristics and increase the digestibility of the product. These results solve the problem of low consumer appeal of sheep milk-based products. The results could be used in the production of functional dairy products for children, especially for creating products with increased antioxidant potential and improved organoleptic characteristics. Such curds can be in demand under conditions of mass production for children, as they improve the nutritional value and increase consumer appeal due to taste improvements.

Impact of Ultra-High-Pressure Homogenisation on the Inactivation of Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis Spores in Sheep and Cow Milk.

The efficacy of ultra-high-pressure homogenisation (UHPH) in inactivating Bacillus pumilus ATCC 27142 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 spores suspended in sheep and cow milk was investigated. The UHPH treatment was conducted at 200 and 250 MPa with an inlet temperature of 85 °C, resulting in homogenising valve temperatures of 117 °C and 127 °C, respectively. To isolate the role of temperature and pressure in the inactivation of bacterial spores, the UHPH treatment was repeated at 250 MPa with a lower inlet temperature of 70 °C that resulted in a valve temperature of 117 °C. Increasing the pressure and valve temperature resulted in increased inactivation. At 250 MPa with a valve temperature of 127 °C, greater than 5 log CFU/mL reduction was achieved in B. pumilus and B. subtilis spores in both milk types. Reductions of 0.61 ± 0.03 log CFU/mL and 0.62 ± 0.09 log CFU/mL in B. pumilus spores and 1.18 ± 0.04 log CFU/mL and 1.30 ± 0.07 log CFU/mL in B. subtilis spores were obtained at 250 MPa with a valve temperature of 117 °C in sheep and cow milk, respectively. The spore inactivation was influenced by both the pressure and temperature, suggesting a synergistic effect, with the latter playing a critical role in the lethality of the treatment. No significant differences in the inactivation of either strain was observed between sheep and cow milk.

Folic acid, cobalamin, and biotin concentrations in milk samples of sheep, goats, and cows

Milk is an important food obtained from mammals, containing almost all of the nutrients needed for metabolism. The vitamin composition of milk, the first food of mammals, is valuable data for the food industry and public health. This study aimed to determine the levels of folic acid (vitamin B9), cobalamin (vitamin B12), and biotin (vitamin B7) in different milk samples (cow, sheep, goat) using the ELISA method. For this purpose, milk samples from Holstein Cows (n:50), Awassi Sheep (n:50), and Kilis Goats (n:50) available for retail in the Şanlıurfa province of Turkey were collected and analyzed. In this study, the average folic acid content of sheep, goat, and cow milk was found to be 3.45 µg/100 mL, 7.23 µg/100 ml, and 6.64 µg/100 mL, respectively. The average cobalamin content of sheep, goat, and cow milk was 0.70 µg/100 ml, 7.43 µg/100 ml, and 0.58 µg/100 mL, respectively, while the average biotin content of sheep, goat, and cow milk was 2.21 µg/100 mL, 2.21 µg/100 mL, and 2.09 µg/100 mL, respectively. It was noted that the average biotin levels in sheep, goat, and cow milk did not differ significantly. However, significant differences were observed in the quantities of folic acid and cobalamin (P&lt;0.05). Different levels of folic acid were found in milk samples from these three species. Cobalamin levels in goat milk samples were significantly higher, while biotin levels were similar in each milk sample of the species. This study underscores the importance of understanding and considering the diverse vitamin compositions of milk from different mammalian species to ensure comprehensive nutritional intake.

Milk traits characterization and association studies with DGAT1 polymorphisms in Bagnolese sheep.

The Bagnolese sheep is an authochtonous dual-purpose breed (milk and meat) reared in the Campania region, whose milk is used to produce Pecorino Bagnolese cheese. Genetic information on this sheep is extremely limited, especially regarding genes affecting productions. The aim of this study was to investigate milk production traits in Bagnolese sheep and the variability of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene and its effects on milk production. Milk quantity was recorded during the morning milking, while Kjeldahl and Gerber methods were used to assess protein and fat percentage (w/v) of collected milk samples. Two PCR-RFLP protocols using BamHI and MspI endonucleases for genotyping of g.5553C>T and g.8539C>T at DGAT1 locus, respectively, were set up. Bagnolese sheep milk shows high fat and protein concentrations. Genotyping revealed a high frequency of the g.5553C and g.8539C alleles (0.56 and 0.95, respectively). The association study between the SNP g.5553C>T and milk traits showed that animals with the CT genotype had a higher percentage of fat produced per milking than those with the CC and TT genotypes (p<0.01). Similar results were found for protein yield percentage, with CT individuals being more productive than CC individuals (p<0.01). Bagnolese sheep milk parameters found are associated with high yields in the resulting dairy products. CT genotype at the SNP g.5553 of DGAT1 has shown a positive association with fat and protein milk yield percentage suggesting it could be considered a marker to improve productions of this breed. Finally, the new genotyping techniques used for this study enable a cheap and reliable characterization of two DGAT1 SNPs in sheep.

Influence of the Blends of Sheep's and Goat's Milk on the Functional Properties and Volatile Compounds of Lighvan Cheese During Ripening: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACTIn this study, the influence of different ratios of sheep's to goat's milk (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) on the content of functional metabolites and volatiles in Lighvan cheese throughout ripening was investigated. The samples were ripened under brine for 90 days and assessed in terms of variations in chemical composition, proteolysis, angiotensin‐converting enzyme, α‐amylase, and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities, antioxidant power, total free amino acids, gamma amino butyric acid, free fatty acids, and volatile compounds. Results showed that by increasing the proportion of goat's milk, the samples exhibited higher antioxidant effect and inhibition of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme during ripening. After 90 days, an increase in α‐glucosidase and a slight decrease in α‐amylase inhibitory activities were observed in Lighvan cheese samples that were produced with 50%, 75% and 100% of goat's milk. In contrast, higher contents of sheep's milk led to a significant increase in the concentration of esters, terpenes and alcohols and a slight increase in gamma‐aminobutyric acid. The highest concentration of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was observed in the cheese prepared with 100% raw sheep's milk after 90 days of ripening. The results revealed the possibility of making a functional white‐brined cheese by monitoring the type and ratio of the used milk and ripening time.

Insights into the microbiota of raw milk from seven breeds animals distributing in Xinjiang China.

Owing to its high nutritional content, raw milk contains a rich microbiota. Thus, to study microorganisms present in raw milk available in Xinjiang China, 142 raw milk samples from seven animal breeds (cow, sheep, goat, donkey, horse, camel, and yak) and four regions (Hami, Tarbagatay, Kashgar, and Ili) were analyzed by high-throughput DNA sequencing. These microorganisms were characterized by 10 dominant phyla. Proteobacteria (68.33%) was the major phylum, followed by Firmicutes (18.80%) and Thermi (3.16%). Horse milk contained more Bacteroidetes, sheep milk contained more Gammaproteobacteria, and donkey milk contained more unclassified sequences. Camel and donkey milk contained the highest and lowest bacterial diversity compared with that contained by the remaining milk samples, respectively. Additionally, spoilage microorganisms, including Chryseobacterium, Propionibacterium, and Flavobacterium, and pathogenic bacteria, including Ochrobactrum anthropi and Sphingomonas, were more prevalent in horse and yak milk, whereas probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, or Lactobacillus, were more prevalent in goat, donkey, and camel milk. Furthermore, Moraxella was abundantly present in goat, camel, and yak milk, Acinetobacter was more abundant in camel milk, and Pseudomonas was relatively abundant in sheep and donkey milk. Overall, specific harmful microorganisms and probiotic lactic acid bacteria were found in the raw milk samples obtained from different animals, which provided a basis for preventing and controlling the growth of harmful bacteria, as well as investigating probiotic resources in raw milk.

Characterization of Novel Exopolysaccharides from Weissella cibaria and Lactococcus lactis Strains and Their Potential Application as Bio-Hydrocolloid Agents in Emulsion Stability

The aim of the present study was the isolation of high exopolysaccharide (EPS) producers, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains, from three types of milk: goat, sheep, and camel milk. Among 112 LAB isolates tested for their ability to produce EPS on MRS-sucrose agar, only 11 strains were able to produce EPS and only three higher producers’ strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as two strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (SP255, SP257) isolated from camel milk and one strain of Weissella cibaria (SP213) isolated from goat milk. The physicochemical characterization of the purified EPSs revealed a significant sugar yield, with concentrations ranging from 2.17 to 2.77 g/L, while the protein content remained relatively low (0.03 g/L). The UV-visible spectrum showed high Ultra Violet (UV) absorption at 240–280 nm and the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the presence of a large number of functional groups, including hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (-C=O), and methyl groups (-CH3). The EPS solubility indicated their hydrophilic properties and the investigation of interfacial properties indicated that these EPSs could be used as natural emulsifiers and stabilizers in both acidic and neutral emulsions. Moreover, a new type of emulsion system was developed by the utilization of EPSs in the formation of multilayer interfaces in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate (CAS). Thus, the impact of an EPS addition on the particle size distribution and electrical charge has been studied. At pH 3, the studied EPSs adhered to the surfaces of caseinate-coated droplets and the stability of O/W emulsions was improved by adding certain concentrations of EPSs. The minimum concentration required to stabilize multilayer emulsions for EPSs SP255, EPS SP257, and EPS SP213 was 1.5, 1.5, and 1.7 g/L, respectively. These findings reveal a new EPS with significant potential for industrial use, particularly as an emulsion stabilizer.

Molecular Identification of Genes Resistant to Antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Sub-clinical Animals Affected by Mastitis

Background and Aim: Mastitis is a prevalent and costly disease that significantly impacts the dairy industry, affecting both sheep's health and milk quality. In order to determine the bacterial causes of subclinical mastitis in Iraq and its susceptibility to antibiotics, the study aims to molecularly detect resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep infected with mastitis. Methods: Molecular assay and phylogenetic study to detect Staph aureus isolates by using 16 Sr RNA and resistance virulence genes (aac-aph, tetk) by the conventional method of PCR. Two hundred samples were collected from the subclinical mastitis of infected ewes, Samples were reserved on an icebox and transported to the laboratories. Milk samples were cultured on Blood Agar and Mannitol Salt Agar (7.5%) plates. The culture plates were then incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Results: The PCR assay revealed amplification of the 16S rRNA gene in all 20 isolates, amplification of the aac-aph gene in 19 isolates, and the tetK gene in all 20 isolates. The PCR products of 20 positive samples for (16 Sr RNA) target genes were sequenced, evaluated, and dropped on the Genbank-NCBI under the accession number, which became a reference to Iraq and the world. According to the current study, Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in milk. To combat drug resistance, antimicrobial drug use should be normalized, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be conducted regularly. Conclusion: PCR-product of 8 positive samples for 16sr RNA target gene were sequenced, analyzed, and deposited on the Genbank-NCBI under the accession number and became a reference to Iraq and the Middle East and the world.

Molecular Identification of Genes Resistant to Antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Sub-clinical Animals Affected by Mastitis

Background and Aim: Mastitis is a prevalent and costly disease that significantly impacts the dairy industry, affecting both sheep's health and milk quality. In order to determine the bacterial causes of subclinical mastitis in Iraq and its susceptibility to antibiotics, the study aims to molecularly detect resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep infected with mastitis. Methods: Molecular assay and phylogenetic study to detect Staph aureus isolates by using 16 Sr RNA and resistance virulence genes (aac-aph, tetk) by the conventional method of PCR. Two hundred samples were collected from the subclinical mastitis of infected ewes, Samples were reserved on an icebox and transported to the laboratories. Milk samples were cultured on Blood Agar and Mannitol Salt Agar (7.5%) plates. The culture plates were then incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Results: The PCR assay revealed amplification of the 16S rRNA gene in all 20 isolates, amplification of the aac-aph gene in 19 isolates, and the tetK gene in all 20 isolates. The PCR products of 20 positive samples for (16 Sr RNA) target genes were sequenced, evaluated, and dropped on the Genbank-NCBI under the accession number, which became a reference to Iraq and the world. According to the current study, Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in milk. To combat drug resistance, antimicrobial drug use should be normalized, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance should be conducted regularly. Conclusion: PCR-product of 8 positive samples for 16sr RNA target gene were sequenced, analyzed, and deposited on the Genbank-NCBI under the accession number and became a reference to Iraq and the Middle East and the world.

Lactose hydrolysis in sheep and cow milk with varying fat levels to evaluate enzymatic production of lactulose

AbstractThis study aimed to perform lactose hydrolysis using free and immobilised β-galactosidase in cow and sheep milk with different fat levels, followed by lactulose synthesis through the isomerisation of glucose to fructose using immobilised glucose isomerase. There was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in lactose hydrolysis (&gt;95%) using the free enzyme in the different types of milk. In contrast, significant differences were observed for the hydrolysis of whole cow milk (WCM) and skimmed cow milk (SCM) with the immobilised enzyme (IE). WCM required a longer hydrolysis time (43 h). Thus, the fat content may have affected the lactose hydrolysis of bovine milk with immobilised β-galactosidase. No difference was observed for whole sheep milk and skimmed sheep milk hydrolysed by IE, possibly due to the presence of smaller fat globules, which did not affect the lactose hydrolysis. No significant differences were observed for lactulose synthesis in whole milk from the different species evaluated. The lactulose synthesis in cow and sheep milk by the enzymatic route may be a promising alternative, though further studies are required to optimise the production of this prebiotic in situ.

Exploring Anticancer Potential of Lactobacillus Strains: Insights into Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Mechanisms on HCT 115 Cancer Cells.

This study aims to systematically assess the anticancer potential of distinct Lactobacillus strains on Human Colorectal Tumor (HCT) 115 cancer cells, with a primary focus on the apoptotic mechanisms involved. Lactobacillus strains were isolated from sheep milk and underwent a meticulous microbial isolation process. Previous research indicates that certain probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus species, may exhibit anticancer properties through mechanisms such as apoptosis induction. However, there is limited understanding of how different Lactobacillus strains exert these effects on cancer cells and the underlying molecular pathways involved. Cytotoxicity was evaluated through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and exposure durations of Lactobacillus cell-free lyophilized filtrates. Additional apoptotic features were characterized using 4.6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) analysis for nuclear fragmentation and Annexin V/PI analysis for apoptosis quantification. Genetic analysis explored the modulation of apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl2) in response to Lactobacillus treatment. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to understand the genetic makeup of the Lactobacillus strains used in the study. The study demonstrated a significant reduction in HCT 115 cell viability, particularly with L. plantarum, as evidenced by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) and MTT assays. DAPI analysis revealed nuclear fragmentation, emphasizing an apoptotic cell death mechanism. Annexin V/PI analysis supported this, showing a higher percentage of early and late apoptosis in L. plantarum-treated cells. Genetic analysis uncovered up-regulation of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 in response to Lactobacillus treatment. WGS study revealed a strain reported to NCBI PRJNA439183. L. plantarum emerged as a potent antiproliferative agent against HCT 115 cancer cells, inducing apoptosis through intricate molecular mechanisms. This study underscores the scientific basis for L. plantarum's potential role in cancer therapeutics, highlighting its impact on antiproliferation, adhesion, and gene-protein regulation. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific molecular pathways involved and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of L. plantarum in preclinical and clinical settings.

Determination of mycotoxin content, microbiological and physicochemical properties and sensory quality during ripening of Erzincan Tulum cheese produced with strain Penicillium roqueforti 41

Erzincan Tulum cheeses were produced from raw sheep milk with traditional homemade rennet as the uninoculated (control) and inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti 41. The cheese was ripened at 4 ± 1 °C for 120 days. All the cheese samples were drilled to achieve oxygenation during the last two stages of the ripening period. The microbiological and physicochemical properties, presence of mycotoxins and sensory characteristics of the Tulum cheeses, which were filled by pressing into the goat skin bags (called tulums) and plastic barrels, were investigated during the ripening period. The coliform bacteria count of the cheeses decreased, and Staphylococcus aureus was not detected (< 2 log CFU/g) in the cheeses. The lowest and highest levels of penicillic acid (PA), roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid (MPA) in the cheeses during ripening ranged from 0.01–0.08, 0.01–0.06 and ND–0.06 mg/kg, respectively. Patulin was not detected. It was concluded that the Tulum cheeses were safer in terms of the amount of patulin, PA, roquefortine C, and MPA than those previously reported in the literature. P. roqueforti counts considerably increased during the last two stages of ripening. A new variety of credible mouldy cheese can be manufactured using the P. roqueforti 41 strain. However, a drilling process is needed to provide oxygen for P. roqueforti 41 growth during ripening.

Technical efficiency analysis in Italian sheep and goat farms using FADN dataset

The sheep and goat farms are one of the main breeding in many Italian regions located in mountainous and disadvantaged rural areas. One of the main Italian Protected Designation Origin cheese as Pecorino Romano is made by sheep milk from many regions. The main purpose of this research was to asses by a quantitative approach the technical efficiency in sheep and goat farms part of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) in all Italian regions since 2008 to 2020. By the Multi-direction Efficiency Analysis (MEA) it has been possible to overcome one of the main bottlenecks of the technical efficiency estimation analysing which is the excess in each input able to impact to the technical efficiency. Main results have pointed out that the Italian sheep and goat farms have a higher technical efficiency compared to other studies carried out in other European countries. Land capital, labour and assets have been the main inputs able to impact to the technical efficiency. Furthermore, an important role of subsidies to the sheep and goat Italian farms exists.

Sheep (Ovis aries) Milk Exosomal miRNAs Attenuate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice via TLR4 and TRAF-1 Inhibition.

Mammalian milk exosomal miRNAs play an important role in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis and protecting epithelial barrier function, but the specific miRNAs and whether miRNA-mediated mechanisms are responsible for these benefits remain a matter of investigation. This study isolated sheep milk-derived exosomes (sheep MDEs), identifying the enriched miRNAs in sheep MDEs, oar-miR-148a, and oar-let-7b as key components targeting TLR4 and TRAF1, which was validated by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice, administration of sheep MDEs alleviated colitis symptoms, reduced colonic inflammation, and systemic oxidative stress, as well as significantly increased colonic oar-miR-148a and oar-let-7b while reducing toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TNF-receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) level. Further characterization in TNF-α-challenged Caco-2 cells showed that overexpression of these miRNAs suppressed the TLR4/TRAF1-IκBα-p65 pathway and reduced IL-6 and IL-12 production. These findings indicate that sheep MDEs exert gastrointestinal anti-inflammatory effects through the miRNA-mediated modulation of TLR4 and TRAF1, highlighting their potential in managing colitis.