Recent advances in exploiting goat's milk: Quality, safety and production aspects

Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of heat stress tolerance in goats: Insights from transcriptome and Gene Co-expression analysis

Climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainability of livestock production systems in developing countries, particularly impacting small ruminants like goats, which are highly susceptible to heat stress. This stressor not only reduces productivity but also undermines economic viability. This study aimed to delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress tolerance in goats by conducting a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of heat-tolerant (HT, n = 4) and heat-susceptible (HS, n = 6) Jamunapari goats. Physiological metrics, such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate, were meticulously monitored under extreme environmental conditions (Temperature Humidity Index >92) to effectively classify goats based on their distinct heat stress responses. Samples of blood were obtained, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted for subsequent RNA extraction. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a sum of 734 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), comprising 251 upregulated and 483 downregulated genes in HT goats compared to their HS counterparts. The WGCNA revealed three key modules, darkorange (tolerance), paleturquoise (respiration rate), and darkmagenta (heart rate). Moreover, functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs within these modules played intricate roles in crucial biological processes and pathways, including mitochondrial function, cardiac function, immune response, genomic stability, and metabolic regulation. This research notably enhances our comprehension of the genetic underpinnings of thermo-tolerance in goats and provides invaluable guidance for formulating breeding strategies aimed at bolstering livestock resilience against the challenges of climate change.

Stage of lactation, parity, breed, milk composition and minerals affect the non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of sheep milk

The aims of this study were to i) characterize sheep milk for non-enzymatic antioxidant activity via 2 different assays, namely the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), and ii) investigate the effect of milk composition and animal-related parameters on these 2 assays by using Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) approach. A total of 740 ewes belonging to Massese and Comisana breeds were sampled once during the morning milking across 11 sampling sessions. All milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, casein, and lactose, somatic cell score (SCS) and minerals (Ca, Mg, Na and Cl). The FRAP and DPPH assays were tested to measure the non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of milk, expressed as μM eq. ascorbic acid/mL of milk and % of inhibition, respectively. The GAMM model included the effect of parity and breed as parametric terms, and the effect of days in milk (DIM), milk yield and the interactions protein × fat, casein × SCS, Ca × Mg and Na × Cl as smooth terms. The sampling day was included in the model as random effect. Results revealed that the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity of sheep milk, expressed as FRAP, was affected by DIM, potentially because of changes in milk composition over time. Conversely, parity and breed of ewes affected DPPH, suggesting that age- and breed-specific factors are related to specific components in milk acting as hydrogen donors. Milk fat and high casein percentages were found to significantly affect FRAP, while protein content was crucial for high DPPH levels. Additionally, Ca and Mg emerged as important non-enzymatic antioxidants for both FRAP and DPPH, highlighting their important role in antioxidant activity of sheep milk. On the other side, combinations of Na and Cl were particularly influential for FRAP, revealing the complex relationship between these minerals and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity of milk. These findings offer valuable insights into the factors affecting the antioxidative properties of sheep milk, highlighting the need for further exploration of other non-enzymatic antioxidants and their contribution to the total antioxidant activity.

A Comprehensive Review on the Biogenic Amines in Cheeses: Their Origin, Chemical Characteristics, Hazard and Reduction Strategies

Most of the biogenic amines are naturally found in fermented foods as a consequence of amino acid decarboxylation. Their formation is ascribable to microorganisms (starters, contaminants and autochthonous) present in the food matrix. The concentration of these molecules is important for food security reasons, as they are involved in food poisoning illnesses. The most frequent amines found in foods are histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, spermine and spermidine. One of the most risk-prone foods are cheeses, mostly ripened ones, which could easily accumulate amines due to their peculiar manufacturing process and ripening. Cheeses represent a pivotal food in our diet, providing for nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, vitamins and others; thus, since they are widely consumed, it is important to evaluate the presence of toxic molecules to avoid consumers' poisoning. This review aimed to gather general information on the role of biogenic amines, their formation, the health issues and the microorganisms and processes that produce/reduce them, with a focus on their content in different types of cheese (from soft to hard cheeses) and the biotic and abiotic factors that influence their formation or reduction and concentration. Finally, a multivariate analysis was performed on the biogenic amine content, derived from data available in the literature, to obtain more information about the factors influencing their presence in cheeses.

Effects of Heat Stress on Goat Production and Mitigating Strategies: A Review

Goats, versatile creatures selectively bred for various purposes, have become pivotal in shaping the socioeconomic landscape, particularly in rural and economically challenged areas. Their remarkable ability to withstand and adapt to extreme heat has proven invaluable, allowing them to flourish and reproduce in even the harshest climates on Earth. Goat farming has emerged as a reliable and sustainable solution for securing food resources. However, despite its significance, the goat-producing industry has received less attention than other ruminants. Despite goats' inherent resilience to heat, their productivity and reproductive performance suffer under high ambient temperatures, leading to heat stress. This presents a significant challenge for goat production, necessitating a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to mitigating the adverse effects of heat stress. This review aims to explore the diverse impacts of heat stress on goats and propose effective measures to address the sector's challenges. By understanding and addressing these issues, we can enhance the resilience and sustainability of goat farming, ensuring its continued contribution to food security and socioeconomic development.

Morphophysiological Responses of the Goat Mammary Gland to Water Scarcity in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments: Are They Enough to Generate Adaptation to New Climatic Challenges?

Due to climate change, diverse territories of the planet will suffer from water restrictions. Goats are perceived as the most resilient ruminants in this scenario. So, various studies have focused on describing how a lower water intake influences milk production, especially in breeds adapted to desert environments. In water-stress situations, goats lose up to 32% of their body weight (BW), the rate of passage is reduced, and the digestibility of the feed increases. When goats consume water again, the rumen prevents hemolysis and osmotic shock from occurring. Regarding milk production, the response varies depending on the breed and the level of water restriction, maintaining the milk volume or reducing it by up to 41%. Systemically, it decreases the urinary volume and glomerular filtration rate, increasing blood osmolality and the vasopressin (ADH) concentration. Studies are scarce regarding changes in blood flow to the mammary gland, but there would be a reduction in blood flow velocity of up to 40% without changing blood pressure. New studies must be undertaken to determine which breeds or crosses are the best adapted to changing environmental conditions and to improve our understanding of the changes that occur at the morphophysiological level of the caprine mammary gland.

Characterization of artisanal saffron ricotta cheese produced in Sicily: Physicochemical, microbiological, sensory, and antioxidant characteristics

The present study aims to characterize the artisanal saffron ricotta cheese produced from the whey of Piacentinu Ennese protected designation of origin (PDO) cheesemaking, including via technological parameters detected during the production process and by assessment of the main physicochemical, microbial, sensory, and antioxidant characteristics. A survey on the manufacture process of saffron and control ricotta cheese was conducted on 3 farms, located in the production area of the Piacentinu Ennese PDO cheese. pH and temperature followed a specific behavior, characterized by an inverse trend where pH decreased and temperature increased, playing an important role in the production process. All the analytical parameters were affected by the presence of saffron, also showing high between-farm variability, with significantly higher total solids and fat contents in saffron ricotta cheese compared with the control cheese (28.68% vs. 23.86%, and 19.83% vs. 14.22%, respectively). Microbial analysis showed significantly lower values in saffron compared with control ricotta cheese, for coliforms (1.51 vs. 1.91 log10 cfu/g, respectively), yeasts (1.55 vs. 2.06 log10 cfu/g, respectively), and molds (1.03 vs. 1.30 log10 cfu/g, respectively), denoting potential reduction of microbial growth asserted by saffron. Escherichia coli concentration (1.26 log10 cfu/g) in saffron ricotta cheese was in accordance with EU Regulation 2073/2005 and then safe for consumption. The presence of saffron influenced all sensory attributes, particularly color and aroma. Interestingly, high total antioxidant activity was found in saffron ricotta cheese (372 µC) compared with the control cheese. Thus, this artisanal dairy production could be considered a suitable option for functional foods with antimicrobial properties, due to the presence of saffron, which may contribute to extend the shelf life of the product. Further studies need to focus on the bioactive compounds that affect the antioxidant proprieties, characterization of the microbiota of saffron ricotta cheese, and evaluation of consumers' acceptance and perception as well as market demand.

Butter from Different Species: Composition and Quality Parameters of Products Commercialized in the South of Spain

Butter is an important product for the dairy industry due to its particular sensory attributes and nutritional value, while the variability of the composition of the fatty acids in the milk can alter the nutritional and physical properties of butter and its acceptance by consumers. Butter is highly appreciated for its distinctive flavor and aroma; however, one of its main drawbacks lies in the difficulty in spreading it at low temperatures. Several types of butter that are present in the market were used in this study. We assessed the variability in the composition of the samples regarding their texture, color properties, and volatile organic compound profiles. We analyzed samples commercially produced from sheep's milk (SB), goat's milk (GB), and cow's milk (CB); samples from the latter species with (CSB) and without salt (CB); and the low-fat (CLB) version. All the physicochemical composition parameters were significantly affected by the effect of the type of butter, although only 29 out of the 45 fatty acids examined were identified in the butter samples analyzed. The textural properties of the butters were influenced by both their solid fat content and the fatty acid profile. In addition, the origin of the milk not only affected the texture parameters but also the color of the butters and the compounds associated with traits such as odor and flavor. Through the multivariate data analysis of butter fatty acids and volatile compound percentages, we observed a clear differentiation of the samples based on the species of origin.

An observational study of the presence and variability of the microbiota composition of goat herd milk related to mainstream and artisanal farm management

Goat milk is produced on mainstream and artisanal farms. It was expected that the farm management may influence the microbial population of the milk. Therefore, we investigated the bacterial content and microbiota composition of raw milk in relation to Dutch goat farm management. After amplicon sequencing we analyzed the taxa at phylum and genus levels, and used the relative values enabling to provide information about the variation among the different samples. On ten farms our results indicated that the number of bacterial colony forming units and microbiota composition of the milk, directly after milking was variable among farms and not related to the farm management system. At the phylum level the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and to a minor extend Bacteriodota were the dominant phyla in the raw goat milk, together usually comprising 90% of the total bacterial phyla. The most dominant genera were Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Lactococcus, Microbacteria, Acinetobacteria, and Corinebacteria. The number of bacterial phyla and genera does not differ between the mainstream and artisanal farms, although the Shannon index may be numerically higher in the mainstream farms as compared to artisanal farms. In addition, the variability is higher among artisanal farms, which may be due to less standardization of the management. The milk microbiota composition differed among farms. Repeated sampling of a farm showed that this changed over time. The lactic acid producing bacteria showed a similar pattern. Variable microbiota richness amount and diversity of microorganisms were present in different farming systems. We concluded that farm-specific management and sampling moment were the major determining factors for the milk microbiota composition.

Metagenomic, microbiological, chemical and sensory profiling of Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano cheese

In this study, Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano (CPL) cheese was deeply characterized for its bacterial community, chemical composition and sensory aspects. The entire cheese making process (from milk collection to ripened cheese) was performed by strictly applying the traditional protocol for CPL production in four dairy factories (A-D) representative of the production area. The vat made of wood represents the main transformation tool for CPL cheese production and the biofilms hosted onto the internal surfaces of all vats analyzed in this study were dominated by lactic acid bacteria. Total mesophilic microorganisms present in bulk milk (4.7-5.0 log CFU/ml) increased consistently after contact with the wooden vat surfaces (5.4-6.4 log CFU/ml). The application of Illumina sequencing technology identified barely 18 taxonomic groups among processed samples; streptococci and lactobacilli constituted the major groups of the wooden vat biofilms [94.74-99.70 % of relative abundance (RA)], while lactobacilli dominated almost entirely (94.19-100 % of total RA) the bacterial community of ripened cheeses. Except coagulase positive staphylococci, undesirable bacteria were undetectable. Among chemical parameters, significant variations were registered for unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant properties (significantly lower for CPL cheeses produced in factory B). The cheeses from factories A, C and D were characterized by a higher lactic acid and persistence smell attributes than factory B. This work indicated that the strict application of CPL cheese making protocol harmonized the main microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters of the final cheeses produced in the four factories investigated.

Fatty Acid Desaturation Is Suppressed in Mir-26a/b Knockout Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells by Upregulating INSIG1

MicroRNA-26 (miR-26a and miR-26b) plays a critical role in lipid metabolism, but its endogenous regulatory mechanism in fatty acid metabolism is not clear in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). GMECs with the simultaneous knockout of miR-26a and miR-26b were obtained using the CRISPR/Cas9 system with four sgRNAs. In knockout GMECs, the contents of triglyceride, cholesterol, lipid droplets, and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) were significantly reduced, and the expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism was decreased, but the expression level of miR-26 target insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1) was significantly increased. Interestingly, the content of UFA in miR-26a and miR-26b simultaneous knockout GMECs was significantly lower than that in wild-type GMECs and miR-26a- and miR-26b-alone knockout cells. After decreasing INSIG1 expression in knockout cells, the contents of triglycerides, cholesterol, lipid droplets, and UFAs were restored, respectively. Our studies demonstrate that the knockout of miR-26a/b suppressed fatty acid desaturation by upregulating the target INSIG1. This provides reference methods and data for studying the functions of miRNA families and using miRNAs to regulate mammary fatty acid synthesis.

Enhanced Goat Milk MUFA Quality via Date Pit Supplementation: A Time-Based Pattern Recognition Analysis Utilizing Agricultural Waste Byproduct

Date pits are agricultural waste byproducts and are available in tons yearly. Milk MUFAs are lipids beneficial for health and sorted out for food product development. This work is aimed at researching the effect of supplementing dairy goats with date pit powder (DPP) as a source of fatty acids (FA), an alternative to enhancing the unsaturated FA in milk and analysed via chemometrics in a 3-month supplementation-based study. Saanen-Boer crossed dairy goats were divided into six groups comprising of control, 10 g and 20 g both for Ajwa DPP (high-quality dates) and Mariami DPP (agricultural waste byproduct), and another 30 g for Mariami DPP only. The supplementation exercise was done daily on each dairy goat. The DPP and milk samples were analysed for its FA profile applying GC-FID and followed by chemometric techniques, namely, PCA and PLS. Results indicated that the n-6/n-3 ratio was the highest for the unsupplemented group compared to the DPP-treated goats with lower n-6/n-3 ratios. The M30 group showcased the most promising health-related class of FAs viewed by 3D PCA and PLS model clustering patterns, in particular monounsaturated FA (MUFA) (C18:1n9c or oleic acid). These results suggest that Mariami DPP supplementation at higher doses and time to lactating Saanen-Boer cross goats can be a means to milk FA quantity and quality enhancement and that chemometrics via pattern recognition can be useful statistical tools when dealing with overwhelming data.

Genetic studies of heat stress regulation in goat during hot climatic condition

Various direct and indirect environmental constraints have an impact on livestock performance. The physiological parameters, such as rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, are the primary indicators of thermal stress. Under a stressed environment temperature humidity index (THI) had established as a vital measurement to identify the thermal stress in livestock. THI in association with climatic variations can define the environmental effect as stressful or comfortable for livestock. Goats are small ruminants that adapt to a wide range of ecological variations due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics. However, the productivity of animals declines at the individual level during thermal stress. Stress tolerance can be determined through genetic studies associated with at the cellular level using physiological as well as molecular approaches. Information on genetic association with thermal stress in goats is scanty, this severely affects their survival and hence productivity of livestock. The ever-increasing demand for food across the globe needs deciphering novel molecular markers as well as stress indicators that play a vital role in livestock improvement. This review represents an analysis of current knowledge of phenotypic differences during thermal stress and signifies the importance of physiological responses and their association at the cellular level in goats. The regulation of vital genes associated with thermal stress such as Aquaporins (AQP 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8), aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, 7, 9, and 10) and super-aquaporins (AQP 11, 12); BAX inhibitors such as PERK (PKR like ER kinase), IRE 1(inositol-requiring-1); Redox regulating genes such as NOX; Transport of Na+ and K+ such as ATPase (ATP1A1) and several heat shock proteins have been implicated in heat-stress related adaptations have been elucidated. As these changes have a significant impact on production performance as well as on livestock productivity. Such efforts may help in the development of molecular markers and will assist the breeders to develop heat-tolerant goats with improved productivity.

Sustainable Approaches in Whey Cheese Production: A Review

Whey cheeses have been produced from the very early steps of cheesemaking practices as a sustainable way to utilize whey, which is the main by-product of cheesemaking. Traditional whey cheeses, manufactured with similar processes, are Ricotta, Ricotta salata or Ricottone, and Ricotta fresca in Italy; Anthotyros, Myzithra, Manouri, Xynomyzithra, and Urda in Greece; Urda in Serbia and Romania as well as in other countries such as Israel; Lor in Turkey; Anari in Cyprus; Skuta in Croatia and Serbia; Gjetost and Brunost in Norway; Mesost and Messmör in Sweden; Mysuostur in Iceland; Myseost in Denmark; Requeijão in Portugal; and Requesón in Spain and Mexico. The production of whey cheese is based on the denaturation of whey proteins by heating to 88–92 °C. The specific processing conditions and aspects of the microbiology of whey cheeses are discussed. The special characteristics of whey cheeses, which are high pH and high moisture content, make them susceptible to microbial growth. Due to the limited shelf life of these products, extended research has been carried out to extend the shelf life of whey cheese. The sustainable preservation approaches, such as modified atmosphere packaging, addition of herbs and/or plant extracts, and bio-preservation methods are reviewed. Moreover, novel whey cheeses focused on functional properties have developed during the last 10 years.

Effects of chronic low-dose aflatoxin B1 exposure in lactating Florida dairy goats

In the past few years there has been a growing trend in the prevalence of aflatoxins, attributable to climate change, in substances destined for animal feeding, together with an increase in dairy product consumption. These facts have triggered great concern in the scientific community over milk pollution by aflatoxin M₁. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the transfer of aflatoxin B₁ from the diet into milk as AFM₁ in goats exposed to different concentrations of AFB₁, and its possible effect on the production and serological parameters of this species. For this purpose, 18 goats in late lactation were divided into 3 groups (n = 6) and exposed to different daily doses of aflatoxin B₁ (T1 = 120 µg; T2 = 60 µg, and control = 0 µg), during 31 d. Pure aflatoxin B₁ was administered 6 h before each milking in an artificially contaminated pellet. The milk samples were taken individually in sequential samples. Milk yield and feed intake were recorded daily, and a blood sample was extracted on the last day of exposure. No aflatoxin M₁ was detected, either in the samples taken before the first administration, or in the control group ones. The aflatoxin M₁ concentration detected in the milk (T1 = 0.075 µg/kg; T2 = 0.035 µg/kg) increased significantly on a par with the amount of aflatoxin B₁ ingested. The amount of aflatoxin B₁ ingested did not have any influence on aflatoxin M₁ carryover (T1 = 0.066% and T2 = 0.060%), these being considerably lower than those described in dairy goats. Thus, we concluded that the concentration of aflatoxin M₁ in milk follows a linear relationship with respect to the aflatoxin B₁ ingested, and that the aflatoxin M₁ carryover was not affected by the administration of different aflatoxin B₁ doses. Similarly, no significant changes in the production parameters after chronic exposure to aflatoxin B₁ were observed, revealing a certain resistance of the goat to the possible effects of that aflatoxin.

Rapid quantification of goat milk adulteration with cow milk using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

As goat milk has a higher economic value compared to cow milk, the phenomenon of adulterating goat milk with cow milk appears in the market. In this study, the potential of Raman spectroscopy along with chemometrics was investigated for the authentication and quantitation of liquid goat milk adulterated with cow milk. First, the results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that there were differences between the Raman spectra of cow and goat milk, which made quantitative experiments possible. For quantification, three different brands of cow milk and goat milk were selected randomly and adulterated goat milk with cow milk at the proportion of 5-95%. 342 samples were used for the construction of the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model with 80% for the calibration set and 20% for the prediction set. The PLSR model showed excellent performance in quantifying the level of adulteration, for the prediction set, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9781, root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.82%, and a ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) of 6.8. The results demonstrated the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a rapid, low cost and non-destructive analytical tool for detecting adulteration in goat milk.

The Choice of Product for Mixed or Formula Feeding of Infant: Beneficial Properties of Goat’s Milk Formula

This review summarizes the benefits of goat’s milk as the basis to produce adapted milk formulas according to relevant infants feeding issues. The characteristics of main nutrients of modern goat’s milk formulas are presented. A balanced protein composition enriched with β-palmitate, presence of prebiotics-oligosaccharides, natural nucleotides and probiotics advances these formulas closer to breast milk and provide their multipotent sanogenetic effects. The unique composition of goat’s milk formulas allows to ensure normal physical growth of a baby, induces tissue and systemic immunity via adequate intestinal microbiota formation, maintains normal functioning of gut-brain axis, that promotes vegetative and visceral disorders (due to functional digestive disorders) correction. Thus, it is possible to recommend goat’s milk formulas in cases of forced mixed or formula feeding of healthy infants and children with functional digestive disorders.

Milk Pathogens in Correlation with Inflammatory, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Markers in Goat Subclinical Mastitis

Goat mastitis is still frequently diagnosed in dairy farms, with serious consequences on milk quality and composition. The aim of this study was to establish correlations between milk microorganisms and biochemical parameters in goats with no signs of clinical mastitis. Thus, 76 milk samples were collected from a dairy goat farm, Carpathian breed, followed by microbiological, molecular (16S rRNA sequencing) and somatic cells analysis, determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β-glucuronidase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxides (LPO) using spectrophotometry and the ELISA method for 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as the oxidative DNA damage indicator. Samples positive for bacterial growth showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the number of somatic cells, LDH and β-glucuronidase activity, as well as higher levels of CAT, GPx, NO, LPO and 8-OHdG compared with pathogen-free milk whereas TAC was lower in milk from an infected udder. These findings suggest that subclinical mastitis is associated with increased enzymatic activity and induction of oxidative stress. Nevertheless, changes in biochemical parameters tended to vary depending on the pathogen, the most notable mean values being observed overall in milk positive for Staphylococcus aureus.

Nutritional Profile, Processing and Potential Products: A Comparative Review of Goat Milk

Goat milk contains an abundance of different macro and micro-nutrients. Compared with other milk, goat milk is a viable option due to its low allergy levels and is preferred for infants with cow milk allergies. A wide variety of goat milk-based products, including yoghurt, ice cream, fermented milk, and cheese, are available on the market. They are produced using effective processing technology and are known to exhibit numerous health benefits after consumption. However, goat milk consumption is limited in many nations (compared with cow, buffalo, camel, and sheep milk) due to a lack of awareness of its nutritional composition and the significance of its different byproducts. This review provides a detailed explanation of the various macronutrients that may be present, with special attention paid to each component, its purpose, and the health benefits it offers. It also compares goat milk with milk from other species in terms of its superiority and nutritional content, as well as the types, production methods, health advantages, and other beneficial properties of the various goat milk products that are currently available on the market.

Qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry comparison of characteristic galactosyl lactose isomers from goat milk at different lactation stages

Galactooligosaccharides are composed mainly of galactosyl lactose, which is important for infant growth and as a functional food additive. Although galactosyl lactose is abundant in goat milk, its complex structure has hindered the separation and analysis of its isomers. In this study, 5 isomers of goat milk galactosyl lactose were separated by HPLC: β6'-galactosyl lactose (β6'-GL), α6'-galactosyl lactose (α6'-GL), β4'-galactosyl lactose (β4'-GL), α3'-galactosyl lactose (α3'-GL), and β3'-galactosyl lactose (β3'-GL). This composition differs from that of commercial galactooligosaccharide products, which comprise mainly β-configuration oligosaccharides. The isomers were then qualitatively and quantitatively compared at different lactation stages using online HPLC-mass spectrometry. Relative quantitative analysis showed that the total content of the 5 galactosyl lactose isomers was highest in transitional goat milk. Specifically, β3'-GL was the main isomer in colostrum and α3'-GL was the main isomer in transitional and mature milk. β6'-Galactosyl lactose and β4'-GL tended to increase and then decrease during lactation. Moreover, α3'-GL content was 2 times higher than in colostrum and 10 times higher in transitional milk than in mature milk; in contrast, for β3'-GL, the values were 5 and 2 times higher, respectively. Absolute quantitative analysis revealed that β3'-GL was the most abundant isomers in colostrum (32.3 mg/L), and α3'-GL was the most abundant in transitional milk (88.1 mg/L) and mature milk (36.3 mg/L). These findings provide an important quantitative basis for understanding the relationship between structure and function of galactosyl lactose in goat milk, as well as its exploitation as a functional food.

Characterization of Bioactive Sialyl Oligosaccharides Separated from Colostrum of Indonesia Dairy Goat

The bioactive functions of oligosaccharides from human milk have been reported by many studies. Many of oligosaccharides isolated from colostrum and/or milk of dairy animals have been reported to have similar chemical structures with those in human colostrum and/or milk. It has been proved by several studies that the oligosaccharides with similar chemical structure shared common bioactivities. Among domesticated dairy animals, bovine/cattle, caprine/goat, and ovine/sheep are the most commonly used species to isolate oligosaccharides from their colostrum and/or milk. Several studies on the oligosaccharides from goat colostrum and milk have revealed similar properties to that of human milk and possess the highest content of sialyl oligosaccharides (SOS) as compared to other ruminants. Indonesia ranks first in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for goat milk production. Therefore, goat milk is the second most consumed milk in the country. The most reared dairy goat breed in Indonesia is Etawah Grade. However, oligosaccharides from Indonesia dairy animals including goat, have not been characterized. This is the first study to characterize oligosaccharides from Indonesia dairy animals. The present study was aimed to isolate and characterize oligosaccharides, specifically SOS from the colostrum of Etawah Grade goats by using proton/1H-nuclear magnetic resonance. The SOS successfully characterized in this study were: Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(β1-4)Glc (3'-N-acetylneuraminyllactose), Neu5Ac(α2-6)Gal(β1-4)Glc (6'-N-acetylneuraminyllactose), Neu5Gc(α2-3)Gal(β1-4)Glc (3'-N-glycolylneuraminyllactose), Neu5Gc(α2-6)Gal(β1-4)Glc (6'-N-glycolylneuraminyllactose), Neu5Ac(α2-6)Gal(β1-4) GlcNAc (6'-N-acetylneuraminyllactosamine) and Neu5Gc(α2-6)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc (6'-N-glycolylneuraminyllactosamine). This finding shows that Etawah Grade, as a local dairy goat breed in Indonesia, is having significant potential to be natural source of oligosaccharides that can be utilized in the future food and pharmaceutical industries.

Genetic Parameters of Somatic Cell Score in Florida Goats Using Single and Multiple Traits Models

A total of 1,031,143 records of daily dairy control test of Spanish Florida goats were used for this study. The database was edited, and only the records of the first three lactations were kept. The final database contained 340,654 daily-test somatic cell counts from 27,749 daughters of 941 males and 16,243 goats. The evolution of this count in the last 14 years was analyzed following French and American international associations’ criteria for the risk of mastitis in goats, and confirmed the slight increase in SCS in the last years and the importance of this problem (50% of dairy control tests show a risk of suffering mastitis). For the genetic analysis, the SCS records were log-transformed to normalize this variable. Two strategies were used for the genetic analysis: a univariate animal model for the SCS assuming that SCS does not vary throughout the parities, and a multi-character animal model, where SCS is not considered as the same character in the different parities. The heritabilities (h2) were higher in the multiple traits models, showings an upward trend from the first to the third parity (h2 between 0.245 to 0.365). The genetic correlations of the same trait, as well as between breeding values (GVs) between different parities, were different from unity. The breeding values (EBVs) obtained for both models were subjected to a PCA: the first eigenvector (λ1) explained most of the variations (between 74% to 90%), while the second λ2 accounted for between 9% to 20% of the variance, which shows that the selection will be proportionally favorable but not equivalent in all parities and that there are some variations in the type of response.

A Brief Update on the Challenges and Prospects for Goat Production in Mexico

In Mexico, information on goat production is scarce and documenting goat production challenges and future perspectives could be of great value, not only for Latin America, but also for international players—including those from farms, industry, and academia. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide current knowledge on goat production systems in Mexico and discuss current challenges and future perspectives for this animal production sector. In Mexico, more than 70% of goats are produced under extensive production systems in arid and semi-arid areas and roughly 25% are produced in intensive or semi-intensive systems. Main breeds are French Alpine, Saanen, Toggenburg, LaMancha, Nubian, Boer, and their crosses. The main challenges are correlated at different levels, where economic, social, and environmental issues are mixed and are closely associated with goat health and welfare. Newly available farming technologies could be an option that should be explored. Mexican goat farming systems will need to look at the animal, social, and environmental factors to promote sustainable production systems.

Comparative Analysis of Fatty Acid Profile and Fat-Soluble Vitamin Content in Sheep and Goat Milk of Organic and Conventional Origin

Consumers tend to perceive organic foods as more nutritious and safer in comparison to conventional, due to the perception that organic food is eco- and animal-friendly. Since fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins in dairy produce are important nutrients, this study aims to assess possible differences in the amount of these components included in organic and conventional ewes and goat raw milk in Greece, while identifying the potential determining factors. A total of 48 samples were collected from organic and conventional sheep and goat farms in Greece (Thessaly) during the lactation period. A standardized questionnaire, including information about the farming system, and a sampling protocol were completed. Samples were studied for the fat-soluble vitamins (all-trans-retinol and α-tocopherol) and the fatty acids profile, while the outcomes were statistically analyzed to explore any associations with the questionnaire data for potential factors affecting the results. According to the obtained results there are slight differences in milk fatty acid content, which indicates that organic and conventional sheep and goat milk in Greece do not have any substantial differences in terms of feeding strategies. Regarding the content of fat-soluble vitamins, the organic milk is generally found to contain a higher amount than the conventional one.

Autochthonous adjunct culture of Limosilactobacillus mucosae CNPC007 improved the techno-functional, physicochemical, and sensory properties of goat milk Greek-style yogurt

We evaluated the performance of Limosilactobacillus mucosae CNPC007 as an autochthonous adjunct culture in the production of goat milk Greek-style yogurt. The techno-functional, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of the control yogurt (containing only starter culture, CY) and the probiotic yogurt (with the probiotic strain added, PY) were assessed during 28 d of refrigerated storage. Furthermore, we determined the survival of the strain throughout the gastrointestinal tract under simulated conditions. The PY yogurt had a lower extent of proteolysis index and a higher depth of proteolysis index. These results indicate that the proteolytic enzymes of L. mucosae may have a possible action in PY. The PY formulation exhibited viscosity almost 1.5 times as high as CY over the refrigeration period, probably due to higher production of exopolysaccharides by the probiotic strain, which directly interferes with the microstructure, texture, and viscosity of the product. The PY formulation received higher scores for color, flavor, and global acceptance at 1 d of storage and higher texture scores at 28 d. The counts of L. mucosae remained high (>7 log cfu/g and >8.5 log cfu/g) throughout mouth-ileum digestion and storage, respectively, in PY. The autochthonous adjunct culture of L. mucosae CNPC007 can be used for production of a novel potentially probiotic goat yogurt without negatively affecting the general characteristics of the product quality, adding value associated with maintaining its functional potential.

Fatty Acids of Semi-Hard Cheese Made from Milk of Goats Fed Diets Enriched with Extruded Linseed or Pumpkin Seed Cake

The addition of oilseeds and their cakes to the diets of lactating dairy goats is an alternative to supplemental feeding, which improves the lipid profile of goat cheeses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a diet containing extruded linseed or pumpkin seed cake on the fatty acid profile of semi-hard cheese made from goat milk. The research was carried out with 28 French Alpine goats fed the following diets: 1—basal diet based on extruded soybean and soybean meal; 2—basal diet with 90 g/kg DM extruded linseed (ELS); and 3—basal diet with 160 g/kg DM pumpkin seed cake (PSC). Bulk milk from three separated milk tanks at three samplings was used for the manufacture of four traditional semi-hard cheeses from each milk tank at each sampling on the family farm. The ELS and PSC diets increased fat content in the cheese. The ELS feeding increased the proportion of C18:1 c9, C18:2 c9t11, and C18:3 n-3 in cheese and lowered C8:0, C6:0, and C16:0, while PSC resulted in the highest C18:2 n-6 proportions in the cheese. The health-promoting index was the highest in the cheese of ELS. The ELS had a contribution to higher nutritional and health quality of semi-hard traditional goat cheeses, thus representing a food with health-promoting properties.

Goat milk enhances memory of d-galactose-induced aging rats

Background and aim

Goat milk is a food of high nutritional value and has been proved to possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, thus far, little is known of its possible effects on brain especially on memory during aging. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of goat milk supplementation on memory in d-galactose-induced aging rat model.

Experimental procedure

Fifty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control group, 2) goat milk treated group, 3) d-galactose treated group, and 4) goat milk plus d-galactose treated group. Goat milk (1 g/kg orally) and/or d-galactose (120 mg/kg subcutaneously) were administered continuously for six weeks preceded and followed by novel object recognition and T-maze test.

Results and conclusion

Prior to goat milk and d-galactose administration, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in memory between all groups. Goat milk administration alone significantly increased short- and long-term memory (p < 0.05) while d-galactose administration alone significantly decreased short-, long-term and spatial memory (p < 0.001). Goat milk treatment to d-galactose-induced rats managed to protect against memory decline as exhibited by significantly higher short-, long-term and spatial memory (p < 0.0001) when compared to the untreated d-galactose-induced rats. These results suggest that goat milk as a whole or due to the taurine or sialic acid contained in goat milk is effective in improving memory functions and may be useful in protecting against age-related memory deficits.

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Goat milk improved memory of normal rats.

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d-galactose induced memory deficits.

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Goat milk attenuated memory deficits in d-galactose-induced rats.

Effects of goat milk enriched with oligosaccharides on microbiota structures, and correlation between microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in the large intestine of the mouse

In this study, we explored the effects of combining goat milk and oligosaccharides on the large intestine environment of mice. A combination of goat milk with each of 3 oligosaccharides-stachyose, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), and a prebiotics mix-were independently fed to mice. We investigated composition changes in the microbiota of the large intestine using 16S rRNA gene sequencing; measured short-chain fatty acid content using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; and performed a Spearman correlation analysis between microorganisms and short-chain fatty acids. Our results showed that microbial diversity in the large intestine decreased significantly in the FOS group. In terms of α diversity, microbial richness significantly declined in all 3 treatment groups; in terms of β diversity, the intestinal microbial structures clearly changed in the FOS group. The abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased markedly in the FOS group compared with the other groups. Functional predictions showed that FOS reduced intestinal bacterial infections and improved the endocrine and immune systems. Spearman correlation analysis showed that propionic, isobutyric, and valeric acids were all positively correlated with certain microbiota. Our findings suggest that FOS-enriched goat milk is beneficial for improving the large intestine environment in the host.

Comparison of the Bifidogenic Effects of Goat and Cow Milk-Based Infant Formulas to Human Breast Milk in an in vitro Gut Model for 3-Month-Old Infants

Human milk contains prebiotic components, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which stimulate the growth of specific members of the infant gut microbiota (e.g., Bifidobacteria). Plant-based or synthetic oligosaccharides are often added to infant formulas to simulate the bifidogenic effect of HMOs. Cow milk, the most common source of protein in infant formula, and goat milk, used increasingly in the manufacture of infant formula, contain naturally-occurring prebiotics. This study compared the upper gastrointestinal digestion and subsequent colonic fermentation of human milk vs. goat and cow milk-based infant formulas (goat IF and cow IF, respectively), without additional oligosaccharides using an in vitro model for 3-month-old infants based on the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). First, a dialysis approach using 3.5 kDa membranes was demonstrated to simulate small intestinal absorption of carbohydrates in conditions similar to those in vivo. During the in vitro digestion experiment, oligosaccharides were detected in human milk and goat IF but barely detected in the cow IF. Further, all three milk matrices decreased colonic pH by boosting acetate, lactate, and propionate production, which related to increased abundances of acetate/lactate-producing Bifidobacteriaceae for human milk (+25.7%) and especially goat IF (33.8%) and cow IF (37.7%). Only cow IF stimulated butyrate production which correlated with an increase in Lachnospiraceae and Clostridiaceae. Finally, Enterobacteriaceae and Acidaminococcaceae also increased with all three milk matrices, while production of proteolytic metabolites (branched-chain fatty acids) was only detected for the cow IF. Overall, goat and cow milk-based formulas without added oligosaccharides impacted gut microbial activity and composition similarly to human milk. This suggests that even without supplementation of formula with oligosaccharides, whole goat milk, whole cow milk and cow milk ingredients already supply compounds in formulas that exert beneficial bifidogenic effects. Further clinical research is warranted to elucidate the effect of whole goat milk-based formulas on the infant gut microbiome.