Terra Quente Research Articles

Introducing Mediterranean Lupins in Lambs' Diets: Effects on Growth and Digestibility.

Simple SummaryFinding alternative protein sources has been one of the most important issues in the animal nutrition field in the last decades. Due to its chemical composition and previously reported positive results on lambs’ performance and digestibility, lupins were the main focus of this study. Data were collected from two distinct trials with seven different diets tested in total. The chemical composition of the raw materials was analyzed, as well as total dry matter, hay dry matter, and crude protein intake. Lambs’ growth was accompanied throughout the trials and their performance was measured. Dry matter, organic matter, and NDF digestibility of each diet was also determined. Low incorporations of lupins had no impact on performance and digestibility of any of the studied fractions. The highest tested incorporation had a negative impact on the overall values of feed intake and the NDF digestibility. The results of this study suggest that low inclusions might have no impact on lambs’ growth, intake, and digestibility.Lupins are suitable candidates to replace soybean meal in livestock feeding in the Mediterranean area, presenting a solution for the European Union’s dependence on soybean importations. This study aimed to assess the effect of incorporating Lupinus albus and Lupinus luteus into Churra da Terra Quente lambs’ diets on growth performance and digestibility. Two trials were conducted over two years. In trial 1, two experimental diets containing 50 g/kg Lupinus albus and 50 g/kg Lupinus luteus were tested. In trial 2, lambs were fed with diets containing higher incorporations of Lupinus luteus (100, 150, and 200 g/kg: LL10, LL15, and LL20, respectively). Total dry matter, hay dry matter, and crude protein intake were calculated, as well as average daily gains. At the end of the growth trials, dry matter, organic matter, and NDF digestibility was determined. Incorporating 50 g/kg of lupins did not affect (p > 0.05) the performance. Lambs fed on LL20 diets presented the lowest HDMI and CPI values (p < 0.05). The highest intakes (p < 0.05) were observed from LL15 lambs. No differences were found in apparent digestibility coefficients between diets (p > 0.05), except for NDF digestibility which was highest (p < 0.05) for LL20. The optimum level of lupin inclusion in lambs’ diets seems to be 150 g/kg.

Panorama nacional do amendoal

The almond tree has a great economic, environmental, cultural and social importance in Portugal. This species is even one of the main sources of income in some regions, such as Terra Quente Transmontana and characterizing the landscape. The National almond consumption has followed the global trend, an increase in recent years, resulting from the consciousness of the importance of lifestyle and healthy eating habits, and between 2005 and 2017 almost doubled. This study aims to contribute to the more detailed knowledge of the almond sector. Therefore, it analyzes the evolution of this sector at national level, describing the production, marketing, consumption and foreign trade almond. This study covers the period 2005-2019 and is based on multiple statistical information, complemented with other secondary sources. Analysis of the data finds is that in Portugal registered a 34% increase in almond production area, between 2009 and 2017. Also the national production between 2009 and 2018, increased by about 34%.

The wool proteome and fibre characteristics of three distinct genetic ovine breeds from Portugal

Wool properties and commodity value vary considerably between breeds. In Portugal, three major ovine groups exist: Churros, Bordaleiros and Merinos. This work studies the effect of the ovine genotype on the wool proteome of such groups. Wool was collected from 15 ewes/breed and genetic groups: Churra da Terra Quente (CTQ) or Churro, Serra da Estrela (SE) or Bordaleiro and Merino Branco (MB) or Merino. Proteins were extracted and subjected to label-free proteomics analysis. A total of 50 keratinous protein groups were identified in all the samples, divided into type I and II keratins and the keratin associated proteins: high-glycine-tyrosine proteins, ultra-high sulphur proteins and high-sulphur proteins. Major differences were found between MB and CTQ with respect to K75 and K38, both medullar proteins and to a lesser extent between SE and CTQ suggesting that these might be good markers for this trait in wool. Partial least squares discriminatory analysis proved MB to be readily distinguishable from the other two breeds. Further differences were noted in keratin associated protein levels between the three breeds, normally an indicator of higher levels of orthocortex and also their relationship to high curvature, high crimp fibres like Merino. Biological significanceThe ovine genetic type has strong effects on wool productivity parameters and quality traits. In this work, we compare the proteomes and the microscopical characteristics of the wool from three distinct ovine genetic types from Portugal: Merino, Bordaleiro and Churro. Important differences were found regarding keratin associated proteins and keratins K75 and K38, suggested as putative markers for quality traits in the wool proteome such as the average curvature.

Using real-time ultrasound for in vivo assessment of carcass and internal adipose depots of dairy sheep

AbstractFifty-one Churra da Terra Quente ewes (4–7 years old) were used to analyse the potential of real-time ultrasound (RTU) to predict the amount of internal adipose depots, in addition to carcass fat (CF). The prediction models were developed from live weight (LW) and RTU measurements taken at eight different locations. After correlation and multiple linear regression analysis, the prediction models were evaluated by k-fold cross-validation and through the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD). All prediction models included at least one RTU measurement as an independent variable. Prediction models for the absolute weight of the different adipose depots showed higher accuracy than prediction models for fat content per kg of LW. The former showed to be very good or excellent (2.4 ⩽ RPD ⩽ 3.8) for all adipose depots except mesenteric fat (MesF) and thoracic fat, with the model for MesF still providing useful information (RPD = 1.8). Prediction models for fat content per kg of LW were also very good or excellent for subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, CF and body fat (2.6 ⩽ RPD ⩽ 3.2), while the best prediction models for omental fat, kidney knob, channel fat and internal fat still provided useful information. Despite some loss in the accuracy of the estimates obtained, there was a similar pattern in terms of RPD for models developed from LW and RTU measurements taken just at the level of the 11th thoracic vertebra. In vivo RTU measurements showed the potential to monitor changes in ewe internal fat reserves as well as in CF.

Ewe whole body composition predicted in vivo by real-time ultrasonography and image analysis

The relationship between ultrasound measurements and the empty body chemical composition of mature ewes was studied in two breeds. The breeds were a milk-producing breed Churra da Terra Quente—CTQ (n=33; live weight 42.0±7.3kg, mean±SD), and a meat breed Ile de France—IF (n=23; live weight 60.7±9.1kg, mean±SD). Fat and muscle depths were measured in the live animals by real-time ultrasound scanning (RTU; 7.5MHz probe) over the 13th thoracic, and between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, and total tissue depth over the 11th rib. Following slaughter, the carcass and non-carcass components of the empty body were combined and subjected to chemical analysis and assessment of energy value. Data obtained by RTU after image analysis was used to develop simple and multiple regression models for each breed. The traits most accurately estimated from single RTU measurements were the absolute values for fat content and energy value of the empty body. The respective coefficients of determination (R2) for IF and CTQ ewes using subcutaneous fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra were 0.768 and 0.908 for fat, 0.821 and 0.900 for energy; and for measurements between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae were 0.845 and 0.911 for fat, 0.852 and 0.906 for energy. All these coefficients were significant (P<0.01). The best prediction models included one to three RTU measurements and were better for CTQ ewes, where adjusted R2 values ranged from 0.923 (P<0.001) for water to 0.969 (P<0.001) for protein, than for IF ewes, where the range was 0.394 (P<0.01) for protein to 0.940 (P<0.001) for fat. The results revealed good estimates of the fat and energy content of the empty body of both breeds and also good estimates of protein content for CTQ ewes, but poor estimates of protein content for IF ewes, with the best prediction models for each body component being different from each breed. Consequently, it is concluded that predictive models that are specific to the breed and circumstances of the study in which they are to be used will have to be established to have a practical application.

Utilisation of high- and low-roughage diets by a local and an exotic breed of sheep: intake, growth and digestive efficiency

In the context of sustainable agriculture, there is renewed interest in livestock breeds considered well adapted to harsh environments. Churra da Terra Quente (CTQ), the most important sheep breed raised in the Northeast region of Portugal, are considered to be well adapted to their environment which is characterised by marked fluctuations in feed quality and abundance. However, supporting such a claim is difficult because of large gaps in our knowledge, including the importance of the stage of maturity in influencing the efficiency of using different resources. A study was conducted to determine whether feed intake, digestion and growth differed between CTQ and the Ile-de-France (IF) exotic breed at the same stage of maturity, under two contrasting diets. Twenty female lambs of each of the CTQ and IF breeds, 102±3 and 121±4 days old respectively, with 20.7±1.4 and 33.6±1.1kg of body weight (BW), corresponding to proportionally 0.45 of estimated mature BW (MBW), were allocated randomly within breed to a high- or a low-roughage diet (hay:concentrate feed proportions of 75:25 and 30:70; HR and LR, respectively) and fed ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI) and growth were measured from proportionally 0.45–0.65 of MBW. Then, digestibility was measured in 5 animals per diet and breed. DMI was higher (P<0.001) in the IF breed (1132 vs. 797g/day), but when scaled by MBW no differences (P>0.1) were observed between breeds. A breed × diet interaction (P<0.01) was observed: on the HR diet, CTQ had higher DMI than IF, the opposite being observed with diet LR (P<0.001). The IF animals grew faster (167 vs. 92g/day; P<0.001), but needed more time to achieve 0.65 MBW (111 vs. 95 days; P=0.025). However, similar feed efficiency (P=0.880) was found between breeds and the differences in growth and time taken to mature were explained by the MBW of the breeds. Digestibility of organic matter (OM) measured in IF animals was 2.7 and 0.8 percent units higher for diets HR and LR, respectively, but breeds did not differ in neutral detergent fibre or energy digestibility. No differences between breeds were observed in the efficiency of microbial-N flow, rumen pH or in the molar proportions of acetate, propionate or butyrate. However, IF animals had higher rumen ammonia-N (P=0.026) and total volatile fatty acids (P=0.022) concentrations, irrespective of the diet. Data of the current experiment suggest that CTQ has a higher capacity to ingest fibre-rich diets, but not to digest fibre.

The use of trap captures to forecast infestation by the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in traditional olive groves in north-eastern Portugal

A study was carried out during a three-year period (2006 to 2008) in traditional olive groves in the Terra Quente region of north-eastern Portugal to evaluate the potential of two commercially available traps for predicting infestations by olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). We used yellow sticky traps baited with pheromone, and McPhail traps baited with diammonium phosphate. The results show that the variation in infestation is explained by captures of adults in both traps. Thus, even if infestation has changed significantly between years as well as groves and olive tree varieties, captures obtained by both types of trap can be valuable indicators of fruit infestation in Terra Quente, and probably in other regions that have a continental Mediterranean climate. The information obtained can enable growers and consultants to time treatments, and so avoid the use of more labour-intensive visual sampling methods.

Wool traits of three sympatric sheep populations in Chiapas Region, México

A total of 344 pure animals, representing seven American and South European breeds (White Chiapas Blanca, Brown Chiapas Café, Black Chiapas Negra, Churra Badana, Churra da Terra Quente, Chilean Latxa, and Spanish Merino), were randomly sampled and wool evaluated for isoalcohol scouring yield, length, and proportion for each type of fiber (long-thick, short-thin, and kemp), average of fiber diameter, and F30 (percentage of fibers with a diameter of >30 μm). The objective of this study was to characterize these breeds according to their wool traits. A low percentage of the phenotypic variability in the analyzed animals was due to differences among breeds, and that the largest part of that variability is due to differences within breeds. The obtained topology in the principal coordinates analysis showed the grouping of the three Chiapas breeds clearly separated, but the similarity with their original breed was only evident for Brown Chiapas Café. The three Chiapas sheep breeds must be regarded as clearly sympatric populations.

Efficacy of spinosad bait sprays to control Bactrocera oleae and impact on non-target arthropods

A field study was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in Terra Quente, northeastern Portugal, to evaluate the efficacy of the spinosad-based insecticide Spintor Cebo® (Dow Agrosciences Iberica, S.A.) against the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), as well as the impact of the treatments on non-target arthropods. Results suggest that this insecticide could be as effective as dimethoate and since it was reported as having more benign toxicological and ecological profiles, it seems to be a good alternative to control the pest in Continental Mediterranean climates such as Terra Quente. However, its use should be evaluated carefully, mainly in conditions that increase the arthropod biological control agents’ propensity for feeding on it (e.g. absence of pollen, nectar and honeydews) to identify unintended impacts on conservation biological control of olive pests as a result of its application.

The use of the cumulative degree-days to predict olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), activity in traditional olive groves from the northeast of Portugal

Terra Quente, situated in the province of Tras-os-Montes (northeast of Portugal), is one of the most important olive growing areas of Portugal. In this region, which is extremely hot and dry during summer, losses due to the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), are highly variable between years, with estimates ranging from 16.3 to 98.8% of infested fruits. The objective of this study was to test the use of the degree-days models, based in a daily accumulation of temperature (°DD) to predict insect activity in the field and timing control measures, in such a climatic condition. Seasonal flight activity periods and insect development were studied from 2005 to 2008 in traditional olive groves and a degree-day model was developed for predicting the development of olive fly second generation, which is the one that can cause losses. It was found that, while the use of these models could be hampered by high temperatures and low relative humidity prevailing during summer, they may have some potential as a tool for the management of B. oleae populations, allowing the identification with acceptable error of the main second generation events. Results indicated that, if adulticide sprays are to be used, the spray-window for their applications lasts between an accumulation, since January 1, of 1837.20 ± 35.82°DD8.99, which corresponds to the beginning of the insect second flight and 2045.87 ± 34.30°DD8.99, which corresponds to its main peak.

Assessing the challenges of service quality in the Terra Quente Transmontana, Portugal

Service quality is a major issue because is the result of a judgmental value that involves both the expectations as well as the perceptions of the customers. Despite its tremendous growth in Portugal, little is known about service quality neither in rural areas nor how it is perceived in the Terra Quente Transmontana. This article has two main purposes. Firstly, to compare the service provided by rural lodging units to entertainment services in rural areas and, secondly, to pave the way for the analysis of the services that influence the satisfaction of the Terra Quente Transmontana as tourist destination. The methodology is based on a Principal Components Analysis to both rural lodging units and entertainment services. The main conclusion is that both services are perceived differently by their customers. Consequently, it is mandatory to develop a cluster of services tuned to the different segments in order to develop the Terra Quente Transmontana as tourist destination.

Relevant principal component analysis applied to the characterisation of Portuguese heather honey

The main purpose of this study was the characterisation of ‘Serra da Lousã’ heather honey by using novel statistical methodology, relevant principal component analysis, in order to assess the correlations between production year, locality and composition. Herein, we also report its chemical composition in terms of sugars, glycerol and ethanol, and physicochemical parameters. Sugars profiles from ‘Serra da Lousã’ heather and ‘Terra Quente de Trás-os-Montes’ lavender honeys were compared and allowed the discrimination: ‘Serra da Lousã’ honeys do not contain sucrose, generally exhibit lower contents of turanose, trehalose and maltose and higher contents of fructose and glucose. Different localities from ‘Serra da Lousã’ provided groups of samples with high and low glycerol contents. Glycerol and ethanol contents were revealed to be independent of the sugars profiles. These data and statistical models can be very useful in the comparison and detection of adulterations during the quality control analysis of ‘Serra da Lousã’ honey.

Assessment of markers of bone formation under controlled environmental factors and their correlation with serum minerals in adult sheep as a model for orthopaedic research

Eighteen healthy skeletally mature (3 years old) ewes, with an average weight of 45 kg, of the Portuguese Churra da Terra Quente breed were used to evaluate the normal values of total and bone-specific isoform of alkaline phosphatase serum activities (ALP and BALP, respectively) and serum osteocalcin (OC) and their correlation with the serum minerals - calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and ionized calcium (Ca(2+)). The sheep were maintained under controlled environmental conditions (constant diurnal photoperiod cycle and identical husbandry and feeding) for six weeks before the collection of the blood samples. The measurement of the total ALP and serum minerals was performed with automated biochemistry analysers using the BioMérieux kits, the serum electrolyte Ca(2+) Diametrics Medical, Inc specific cassettes and the BALP and OC METRATM kits from QUIDEL Corporation. The mean +/- standard deviation values obtained were: total ALP 90.17 +/- 85.72 U/L, BALP 15.0 +/- 5.44 U/L, ratio BALP/ total ALP 29.28 +/- 24.22, OC 13.02 +/- 1.87 ng/mL, Ca 2.57 +/- 0.37 mmol/L, P 2.13 +/- 0.42 mmol/L, Mg 1.04 +/- 0.13 mmol/L, Ca(2+) 1.29 +/- 0.04 mmol/L. Significant correlations were observed between the total ALP and Ca (r = 0.5939; P = 0.05) and OC and Ca (r = 0.5706; P = 0.05). Reference to the serum values of bone turnover parameters in sheep could be of great value in research and could provide complementary non-invasive information on the bone healing process, particularly with regard to obtaining an early prognosis of fracture healing.

Assessing genetic diversity and differentiation in Portuguese coarse-wool sheep breeds with microsatellite markers

Population structure and genetic diversity in the Portuguese native breeds of sheep Algarvia (AL), Badana (BA), Galega Bragançana (GB), Galega Mirandesa (GM), Mondegueira (MO) and Churra da Terra Quente (TQ), as well as the exotic Assaf (AS), were analyzed by typing 25 microsatellite markers in 210 individuals. The markers used exhibited high levels of polymorphism, with means for total and effective number of alleles per locus of 13.0 and 4.2, respectively, and an expected heterozygosity of 0.72 across loci. The mean number of alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity were highest in GM and GB, and lowest in AS. Exclusive alleles were found in 10 of the 25 markers analysed, mostly in the AS breed. The proportion of loci which were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in each breed ranged between 0.12 (GB) and 0.40 (AL and GM), mostly due to a lower than expected number of heterozygotes in those loci. All breeds showed a significant deficit in heterozygosity, which was more pronounced in GM ( F IS = 0.113) and BA ( F IS = 0.103), suggesting that inbreeding might be a major concern in these breeds. The analysis of relationships among breeds, assessed by different methods, indicates that AS and AL are the more distanced breeds relative to the others, while the closest relationships were observed between TQ with MO and GM with GB. The estimated F ST indicates that only 0.049 of the total genetic variability can be attributed to differences among breeds, and this ratio dropped to 0.029 when only the native breeds were considered. The analysis of individual distances based on allele-sharing indicates that only AS and AL had a tendency for animals of the same breed to cluster together, while for the other breeds there was overlapping among breeds. The results of this study confirm that native breeds of sheep represent an important reservoir of genetic diversity, even though the level of differentiation among closely located breeds tends to be rather small. For several of the breeds analyzed, the levels of inbreeding currently observed cause some apprehension, and recommend the establishment of appropriate conservation strategies, aimed at minimizing inbreeding to avoid further losses of genetic diversity.

Live weight and sex effects on carcass and meat quality of “Borrego terrincho–PDO” suckling lambs

Fifty seven suckling lambs (28 males and 29 females) of the Churra da Terra Quente breed were used to evaluate the effects of live weight and sex on carcass composition and meat quality traits. Lambs were slaughtered at three weight classes (<8 kg, 8–11 kg and >11 kg) according to “Borrego Terrincho–PDO” specifications. The left sides of the carcasses were totally dissected. The longissimus thoracis and lumborum muscle was used for meat quality determination. Dressing proportion and carcass fatness were not affected by weight class or sex. Muscle proportion was similar in all carcass joints for the three weight classes. The percentage of bone decreased at the higher weight class, while that of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat increased. Female lambs had higher muscle proportions and greater muscle/bone ratios in the carcass side than males. Muscle pH, colour, cooking losses and tenderness were not affected by gender and weight class. Female lambs and weight classes 8–11 kg and >11 kg had higher proportions of intramuscular fat.

Assessment of dairy sheep internal fat depots by real time ultrasound and image analysis

In sheep production the ability of the animal to retain and mobilize body fat reserves is of considerable importance in determining the sheep productivity or even its survival. The most common way to predict body fat reserves is the body condition score. On the other hand, it is accepted that breeds have a different fat distribution within the body (Taylor et al., 1989). In general, ewes breed for milk production tend to deposit more fat in internal depots and those breed for meat production deposit more fat in the carcass depot (Frutos et al., 1997). This kind of fat distribution can explain the use of an objective and more precise way to predict the internal fat in ewes of the Churra breed, in which the internal fat depots plays an important role. Thus, it is reasonable hypothesize that the internal fat depots are related with muscle and subcutaneous fat measurements. As a result, the study herein reported was undertaken to achieve the relationship between real time ultrasound measurements obtain over thoracic, lumbar and sternum regions to predict the internal fat depots of Churra da Terra Quente (CTQ) milk breed.

Casein Breakdown in Terrincho Ovine Cheese: Comparison with Bovine Cheese and with Bovine/Ovine Cheeses

Terrincho cheese is an uncooked, pressed cheese made from raw whole ovine milk from the “Churra da Terra Quente” breed. It requires a minimum ripening time of 30 d. A detailed evaluation of the effect of ripening time on the breakdown of the casein fractions, along with the formation of major breakdown products of casein hydrolysis, was monitored by HPLC to contribute to a more complete characterization of this product. In 30-d-old cheeses, only 20% of αS1-casein remained intact; the β-casein fraction was more resistant to hydrolysis. The ripening time of Terrincho cheese can be predicted using 2 variables of normalized peak areas of αS1-casein and αS1-I peptide, and a constant; the estimation error is 2.5 d. The pH 4.3-insoluble fraction of Terrincho and cheeses manufactured with bovine milk and with ovine milk combined with 2 levels of bovine milk (10 and 20%) revealed different chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles, especially the αS1-casein fraction. Similar proteolysis progress was observed, particularly in the percentage of casein fraction degradation. However, using both analytical methods, the detection of 10% bovine milk at 30 d of ripening was no longer possible as result of αS1-casein hydrolysis. The discriminate analysis applied to HPLC data indicated that at 30 d of ripening, differences between the casein fractions of Terrincho cheese and mixture cheeses were mainly from β1-casein content. The function thus obtained was able to correctly classify all the samples according to cheese type. Using the descriptive sensory profile, Terrincho cheese at 30 d of ripening could be distinguished from bovine and mixture cheeses owing to its higher fracturability and adhesiveness and lower elasticity and hardness, which correlated with its lower total casein content.

Ovis aries POU1F1 Gene: Cloning, Characterization and Polymorphism Analysis

POU1F1 (PIT-1/GHF-1) is a transcription factor with critical role in the transcriptional regulation of multiple genes in the pituitary and also important for the survival, differentiation and proliferation of three pituitary cell types. To understand the regulation of POU1F1 gene in Ovis aries we report its cloning, sequencing and characterization. The sequenced 5787 bp included six exons and two complete introns. Ovine POU1F1 gene has a high level of conservation with its bovine, human and rat counterparts showing 98.2%, 91.2% and 86.2% of similarity at the coding level, respectively. All six exons were analyzed for polymorphism detection in 100 animals of the Portuguese indigenous ovine breed 'Churra da Terra Quente'. One polymorphism was found at codon 58 in exon 2, in one allele of 4 animals leading to a change from cysteine to tyrosine (2% allelic frequency). In exon 3 two polymorphisms were detected: a G to A transition altering a glycine to an asparagine at codon 89 in one allele of one animal (0.5% allelic frequency) and another G to A transition at codon 105 converting an alanine into a threonine in one allele of 3 animals (1.5% allelic frequency). These polymorphisms might change the structure of the POU1F1 protein and modify gene-expression. In intron 4, an A to G transition was detected in one allele of six animals (3% allelic frequency). Exons 1, 4 and 6 showed no polymorphisms.

Development of a stochastic dynamic model for ecological indicators’ prediction in changed Mediterranean agroecosystems of north-eastern Portugal

Abstract A holistic stochastic dynamic model was developed by focusing on the interactions between conceptually isolated key-components, such as local passerine guilds and changes in habitat conditions, in Mediterranean agroecosystems of the “Terra Quente Transmontana region” (north-eastern Portugal). The ecological integrity of the typical patchwork of this region, with respect to land use, can be partly assessed by the observation of the occurrence of passerine guilds. These important indicators and state variables are the underlying database of our model. This model aimed the prediction of the ecological changes which can be expected when olive orchards are being intensified. The model proposed was preceded by a conventional multivariate statistical procedure (stepwise multiple regression analysis) performed to discriminate the significant relationships between guild richness and environmental variables. Since this statistical analysis is static, the dataset recorded from the field included true gradients of habitat changes. The model parameters were estimated from the results of the stochastic treatment and from regional data regarding tendencies within the use of land. A period of 50 years was considered. The final model provided some basis to analyse the responses of passerine guilds to the environmental scenarios that will characterize the new agroecosystems of the region. The model simulations were incorporated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) approach. The results of the simulation revealed a structural drift within the different guild richness in response to the expected gradient of habitat changes. The possible local extinction of several species within the less well-represented guilds, such as the steppe passerine species, may be associated with a predictable reduction in ecological integrity of the typical agroecosystems. Therefore, a new structure of the passerine communities indicates that future agroecosystems will diverge from the initial or actual ecological state.

Discriminate analysis of the volatile fraction from “Terrincho” ewe cheese: correlation with flavour characteristics

Abstract “Terrincho” cheese is a semi-hard cheese variety made in Tras-os-Montes (North-Eastern Portugal) from “Churra da Terra Quente” raw ewes’ milk using animal rennet as milk coagulant. headspace-solid phase microextraction coupled to a GC-MS was used to study the evolution of volatile compounds from this type of cheeses over 60 days of ripening, and to study the variability of the volatile fraction from “Terrincho” cheeses, from the same season, made at five different dairy plants. Panellists, trained to correlate the abundance of volatile compounds with quality and intensity of flavour, performed sensory evaluation of the “Terrincho” cheeses. A total of 82 compounds were identified. During ripening there was an overall increase in short-chain fatty acids, esters, alcohols and butanone. Discriminate analyses, using volatile compounds as variables, showed that it was possible to distinguish between cheeses ripened for different times and between “Terrincho” cheeses made at different dairy plants. Similar results were obtained for discriminate analyses of sensory profiles.