Method for determination of fatty acids in bovine colostrum using GC-FID

Integrating mid-infrared spectroscopy, machine learning, and graphical bias correction for fatty acid prediction in water buffalo milk

BACKGROUND

Buffalo milk, constituting 15% of global production, has higher fatty acids content than Holstein milk. Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy is widely used for dairy analysis, but its application to buffalo milk, with larger fat globules, remains understudied. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop machine learning models based on FT-MIR spectroscopy for predicting fatty acids in buffalo milk and to assess the accuracy of commercial milk analyzers. This research provides a convenient, fast, and environmentally friendly method for detecting the fatty acid composition in buffalo milk.

RESULTS

We employed six machine learning algorithms to establish a detection model for 34 fatty acids in buffalo milk. The predictive models demonstrated robust capabilities for high-content fatty acids [C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C18:1, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)], with errors within a 15% range. Traditional FT6000 detection methods exhibited limitations in measuring SFAs and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Implementing a mean difference correction of 0.21 for MUFAs and applying regression equations (SFA × 1.0639 + 0.0705; PUFA × 0.5472 + 0.0047) significantly improved measurement accuracy.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully developed a predictive model for fatty acids in Mediterranean buffalo milk based on FT-MIR spectroscopy. Additionally, a correction was applied to the existing measurement device, FT6000, enabling more accurate measurements of fatty acids in buffalo milk. The findings have practical implications for the food industry, offering a faster and more reliable approach to assess and monitor fatty acid composition in buffalo milk, potentially influencing product development and quality control processes. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Establishment and Validation of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT–MIR) Methodology for the Detection of Linoleic Acid in Buffalo Milk

Buffalo milk is a dairy product that is considered to have a higher nutritional value compared to cow’s milk. Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential fatty acid that is important for human health. This study aimed to investigate and validate the use of Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) for the quantification of the linoleic acid in buffalo milk. Three machine learning models were used to predict linoleic acid content, and random forest was employed to select the most important subset of spectra for improved model performance. The validity of the FT-MIR methods was evaluated in accordance with ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines using the accuracy profile method, and the precision, the accuracy, and the limit of quantification were determined. The results showed that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a suitable technique for the analysis of linoleic acid, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.15 mg/mL milk. Our results showed that FT-MIR spectroscopy is a viable method for LA concentration analysis.

Gas chromatographic method with minimal sample consumption for quality control of 13C-mixed triglycerides used in clinical diagnosis

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) can be comfortably diagnosed by a breath test using the mixed triglyceride 2-octanoyl (1-¹³C)-1,3 distearoyl glycerol (¹³C-MTG). However, it is not fully accepted as a routine test yet as no vendor provides a certified product for clinical applications. Current recommended methods for quality control of triglycerides are not compatible with the produced expensive small batches of ¹³C-MTG. In this article, two procedures were miniaturized and optimized: one to confirm the structure by a regiospecific enzymatic reaction and another to check the purity via a methyl esterification. Both pretreated samples were then analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The proposed methods showed good selectivity for the structure confirmation and good linearity with external standards for the purity control: R² values were higher than 0.995, accuracy was in the 98-100% range and excellent repeatability (RSD <1.4%) was achieved.

Influence of Farm Management for Calves on Growth Performance and Meat Quality Traits Duration Fattening of Simmental Bulls and Heifers

Simple Summary

Cattle have been selected for their adaptation to a specific environment and productive system, in which they show, in theory, their best economical results. With appropriate nutrition, the calf’s performance enhances during early life and improve the production limit providing distinctive opportunities to optimize feeding strategies and increase the profitability of beef production. There is considerable variation in fattening protocols as well as in farm conditions. Meat quality parameters and carcass traits are the main objectives of most research carried out in the beef production area. Optimizing meat quality parameters and carcass traits are important for farmer profits and consumer satisfaction. According to that, at the phenotypic level, growth performance and traits could be observed. Rearing practices are known to have an impact on cattle carcasses and meat characteristics. The rearing practices applied after calving have an influence on the animal’s performance at the growth period and can involve different animal properties at the beginning of the fattening period.

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of farm management during rearing practices in the first months of a calf’s life on growth performance and meat quality traits during the fattening period. A total of 48 Simmental calves were divided into two groups at a commercial cattle feedlot. In the first group were calves from the same farm and herd (n = 12 male and n = 12 female). The second group included calves from several different herds and farms (n = 12 male and n= 12 female). Calves were transferred to a feedlot and fed with a commercial feedlot ration at three to four months of age. The aim was to determine if identical fattening conditions at feedlot can reduce initial calf rearing differences between cattle during the fattening period. Bulls grew faster than heifers reaching higher total gain and showed significantly higher slaughter weight than heifers. Meat samples of heifers from the same herd had the highest intramuscular fat content and reddest color with significant differences among cattle groups. The most abundant fatty acid was oleic acid (C18:1), followed by palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), linoleic (C18:2), and myristic acid (C14:0). Meat samples of heifers from different herds were darkest with highest content of iron (Fe) with significant differences among cattle groups.

Evaluation of Breed and Parity Order Effects on the Lipid Composition of Porcine Colostrum

Porcine colostrum lipid classes and fatty acids (FA) were characterized in 6 pools (from 69 samples) from 3 sow breeds (Italian Large White, Italian Landrace, and Italian Duroc) and different parity orders (only Large White). Triacylglycerols (TAG; 94.44 expressed as g/100 g of fat) were the most abundant lipid class, followed by diacylglycerols (DAG; 3.36 g/100 g of fat), free fatty acids (FFA; 0.98 g/100 g of fat), and cholesterol (0.84 g/100 g of fat). The main FAs found in swine colostrum were palmitic (27.29%, expressed as g/100 g of total FA), oleic (28.81%), and linoleic (23.39%) acids. Both the breed of sow and parity order affected the FA and lipid composition. The results suggest that the FA composition of swine colostrum is similar to that of human colostrum and could represent a new source of nutrients for human infants, after further assessment of hygienic and quality aspects. The swine model could be an opportunity for a better understanding of colostrum effects on newborns.

Fatty acid profile of milk from Saanen and Swedish Landrace goats

Recent years have had an increased demand for goat milk and its products. The quality of goat milk is determined, in part, by the fatty acid (FA) profile, but there is little information about breed influence on the FA profile of goat milk. The aim of this study was to describe and compare FA profiles of goat milk produced by Saanen and Swedish Landrace breeds. FA profiles were analysed by gas chromatography with a flame ionisation detector using 100 m capillary column coated with ionic liquids of extreme polarity (SLB-IL111). The amounts of 19 FAs were measured. Analyses indicated that FA profile in the milk of Saanen goats differs from that of Swedish Landrace goats with the first having higher proportions of most SFA-s and the second having lower proportions of C16:0, C16:1 and C18:1. This knowledge enables the improvement of the quality of goat milk and goat milk-derived products.

Ensayo de migración global en empaques para alimentos: evaluación de patrones internos alternativos

En el ensayo de migración global para empaques plásticos destinados a alimentos grasos se emplea triheptadecanoato de glicerilo (GTM) como patrón interno para la cuantificación de los ésteres metílicos de ácidos grasos (FAMEs) por cromatografía de gases. En este trabajo se evaluaron 3-fenil propanoato de etilo (EFP) y ácido tetradecanóico (AM) como patrones internos alternativos. El uso de AM presentó comportamiento lineal (r > 0,99 y %Sb < 5%), buena precisión intermedia (HORRATr = 0,9) y exactitud (%R = 100,6%). En contraste, la evaluación del EFP, demostró que este no es un patrón interno adecuado para la cuantificación de FAMEs. De otra parte, se evaluó estadísticamente que no hay diferencias significativas en el cálculo de la migración global a partir de FAMEs cuantificados usando como patrón interno GTM o AM, mientras que el uso de EFP sí presenta diferencias significativas.