Search Results (3,510)

Heat stress (HS) is among the most economically consequential environmental challenges to global dairy production, causing progressive declines in milk yield, compositional quality, and mammary cellular integrity. The temperature–humidity index (THI) is the primary thermal load metric, with performance-impairment thresholds typically beginning at THI 68 in Holstein cattle, with severe impacts manifesting beyond THI 72; breed-specific thresholds for Jersey, Brown Swiss, and Simmental cows differ owing to their lower metabolic heat load and greater inherent thermotolerance. At the molecular level, HS activates heat shock protein networks—notably HSPA1A, HSP90B1, and HSPH1—through HSF1/HSF4 transcriptional activation, while simultaneously suppressing casein genes (CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN3), lipogenic genes (FASN, SCD, CD36), amino acid transporters (SLC7A5, SLC38A2), and mTOR-AKT-STAT5 translational machinery, collectively impairing milk biosynthetic capacity. Pro-apoptotic signaling (BAX, CASP3 upregulation; BCL2 downregulation) and mitochondrial dysfunction further compromise mammary epithelial viability. Post-transcriptional regulation through miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA competing endogenous RNA networks, alongside epitranscriptomic m6A modifications, adds further regulatory complexity. Genome-wide association studies have identified SNPs in HSP70A1A, HSPA4, TLR4, and PRLR as thermotolerance candidates compatible with sustained milk production. Nutritional supplementation with methionine, arginine, and taurine partially restores cellular synthetic capacity. Integrating multi-trait genomic selection with Bos indicus introgression, precision cooling, and targeted nutrition offers the most viable path toward climate-resilient, high-producing dairy cattle. Full article

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) has demonstrated antidepressant potential, but its oral application is limited by poor water solubility and undesirable organoleptic properties. In this study, a BEO-loaded beverage was developed based on a whey protein-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion system. The optimal formulation, determined via single-factor experiments combined with orthogonal optimization, consisted of inulin (0.5 g/50 g), milk powder (2.0 g/50 g), sucralose (0.008 g/50 g), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.04 g/50 g). The resulting beverage remained stable without visible phase separation during 4 months of storage at 4 °C. In a chronic corticosterone treatment (CCT)-induced mouse model of depression, oral administration of the BEO beverage increased activity in the central area of the open field test and exploratory behavior in the elevated plus maze, while reducing repetitive stereotyped behaviors in the marble burying test. At the molecular level, the BEO beverage was associated with reduced levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and corticosteroid (CORT), and increased levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE). Additionally, the BEO beverage was associated with observed alleviation of neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA3 region, upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), improved gut microbial diversity, and altered host metabolic profiles. Collectively, these findings suggest that the BEO emulsion beverage is a feasible intervention for alleviating depression-like behaviors in the mouse model, and provide initial associative evidence supporting its potential as a functional food for mood management. Full article

Ketosis is a prevalent metabolic disorder in early-lactation dairy cows, significantly affecting animal health, milk production, and farm profitability. Developing accurate and non-invasive methods for early risk detection is therefore of critical importance. In this study, a hybrid optimization framework integrating an Improved Whale Migration Algorithm (IWMA) with a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) is proposed to predict ketosis risk based on the milk fat-to-protein ratio (F/P) using Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) records. The proposed IWMA enhances optimization performance through cubic chaotic initialization, elite opposition-based learning, and a Cauchy–Gaussian hybrid mutation strategy, enabling improved global exploration and convergence stability. A dataset comprising 25,155 DHI records collected from multiple commercial dairy farms over seven months was used for model development and evaluation. Experimental results demonstrate that the IWMA–LightGBM model achieves a classification accuracy of 0.8997 and a mean squared error of 0.289, consistently outperforming six benchmark optimization methods. Feature analysis identifies Herd Within Index (WHI), Energy Corrected Milk (ECM), Days in Milk (DIM), Milk Urea Nitrogen, and Foremilk as key predictors associated with metabolic risk. Overall, the proposed approach provides a robust and effective non-invasive solution for early-stage metabolic risk screening at the herd level, offering practical value for precision dairy management. It should be noted that the model is intended for risk assessment rather than clinical diagnosis of ketosis. Full article

Marine endophytic fungi inhabit the internal tissues of seaweed, seagrass, and mangroves without causing harm. These fungi are known to produce extracellular enzymes, including proteases and cellulases, which play crucial roles in various biological processes and have potential applications in diverse industrial sectors. This study aimed to screen the enzymatic potential of marine endophytic fungi, identify selected isolates, and characterize their enzyme activities. A total of 20 fungal isolates were obtained, comprising 16 isolates from seaweed, three from seagrass, and one from mangrove leaves, collected from the coastal areas of the Seribu Islands (Jakarta), Sukabumi (West Java), Nusa Dua (Bali), and the Buton Islands (Southeast Sulawesi). Screening results showed that 50% of the isolates exhibited proteolytic activity on skim milk agar, while 40% demonstrated cellulolytic activity on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) agar. Two isolates with the highest clear zone indices for protease and cellulase activity were identified as Penicillium citrinum and Fomitopsis sp., with distinct morphological characteristics including velvety colonies and filamentous hyphal structures. The specific activities of the protease and cellulase were 5475.42 ± 2724.25 U/mg protein and 620.77 ± 607.71 U/mg protein, respectively, indicating high catalytic potential. Full article

Background: Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is generally considered a benign and self-limited condition; however, both its natural course and the impact of management strategies on prognosis remain controversial. Data on modifiable factors influencing tolerance acquisition are limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 180 infants with cow’s milk-induced FPIAP. Clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes were analysed. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with delayed tolerance, and Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate time to tolerance. Results: Tolerance was achieved in 91.2% of infants, with a median time from diagnosis to tolerance of 31.1 weeks. In multivariable logistic regression, multi-food elimination at presentation (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.02–6.54; p = 0.046) and a longer interval from diagnosis to reintroduction (OR per week, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02–1.14; p = 0.022) were independently associated with delayed tolerance. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower odds of delayed tolerance in univariable analysis but not after adjustment. In unadjusted time-to-event analyses, observation-first management was associated with earlier tolerance acquisition (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22–0.62; p < 0.001), whereas multiple food allergy was associated with a lower probability of tolerance acquisition over time (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41–0.88; p = 0.009). Feeding modality also showed an unadjusted temporal association with tolerance acquisition, with exclusively breastfed infants demonstrating a more favorable pattern than formula-fed infants. Conclusions: The course of FPIAP appears to be influenced not only by clinical characteristics but also by management strategies. Delayed reintroduction and multi-food elimination were associated with later tolerance, while observation-first management was associated with earlier tolerance acquisition. These findings suggest that commonly used strategies such as prolonged elimination or delayed reintroduction may warrant reconsideration in selected infants and support a more individualized and less restrictive approach to management. Full article

The valorization of dairy by-products, particularly whey, represents a key challenge and opportunity in sustainable food systems. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and amino acid composition of milk and whey-derived products and to identify optimal whey–milk mixtures using integrated multivariate and desirability-based approaches. Ten model systems (M1–M10) were prepared with increasing whey content (7.5–75%), and their composition was analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis, including PCA and correlation heatmaps, revealed that protein, casein, TS, SNF, and amino acid fractions (ΣEAA and ΣBCAA) were the primary drivers of compositional variability, whereas lactose and acidity-related parameters contributed to secondary differentiation. Desirability function analysis was applied by integrating nutritional quality, functional balance, and sustainability score into a composite index. The results demonstrated that intermediate formulations achieved a more balanced profile compared with extreme compositions. Among all mixtures, the formulation containing 30% whey (M5) showed the highest overall desirability within the evaluated parameters, reflecting a favorable balance between compositional quality and whey utilization. These findings highlight the potential of integrated analytical approaches for the development of nutritionally optimized and resource-efficient dairy systems. Full article

Under grazing conditions, it is difficult for lactating Yili mares to meet their nutritional requirements and those of their suckling foals solely through the consumption of natural pasture. Furthermore, seasonal variations and rainfall significantly influence the quality and nutrient content of forage, which severely constrains the healthy breeding of Yili horses and the industrial development of mare milk resources. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of concentrate supplementation on lactation performance and milk concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, and mineral elements in Yili horses under grazing conditions. Twenty-two healthy Yili mares in early lactation, with similar ages (3–4 years), foaling dates, and body weights (391.5 ± 13.74 kg), were randomly assigned to either a grazing group (G, n = 11) or a grazing + supplementation group (GS, n = 11). Mares in group G grazed naturally on pasture, while those in group GS received 1 kg of concentrate supplement twice daily (totaling 2 kg/day) in addition to grazing. The experimental period lasted for 100 days, including a 10-day adaptation period and a 90-day formal experimental period. The results showed that: (1) In terms of lactation performance, the GS group exhibited highly significant increases in milk yield and lactose yield (p < 0.01), as well as significant increases in milk protein and milk fat yields (p < 0.05), with an extended duration of the peak lactation period. (2) Regarding the amino acid profile, the concentrations of threonine (Thr), serine (Ser), glycine (Gly), and alanine (Ala) in the milk of the GS group were significantly higher than those in the G group (p < 0.05), whereas the proline (Pro) content was significantly lower (p < 0.01); supplementation improved the uptake of certain functional amino acids by the mammary gland. (3) Concerning the fatty acid profile, the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and alpha-linolenic acid in the milk of the G group were significantly or highly significantly higher than those in the GS group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). (4) For mineral elements, concentrate supplementation highly significantly decreased the potassium (K) content and the K/Na ratio in horse milk (p < 0.01), highly significantly increased the levels of iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) (p < 0.01), and significantly enhanced the chromium (Cr) content (p < 0.05). In conclusion, concentrate supplementation during grazing improved lactation performance in Yili mares, primarily by increasing milk yield and extending the peak lactation period. However, grazing alone was more favorable for maintaining higher PUFA and α-linolenic acid proportions in milk. Therefore, concentrate supplementation should be regarded as a nutritional strategy that increases milk output and modifies amino acid and mineral element composition, but may involve a trade-off with some beneficial fatty acids. Full article

Buffalo milk is a rich source of various nutritional components and bioactive peptides, offering significant health benefits. Endogenous peptides, which occur naturally in milk, represent a valuable source of bioactive peptides with potential nutraceutical applications. However, research on endogenous peptides in buffalo milk remains limited. This study employed a quantitative peptidomic approach to characterize endogenous peptides across different lactation stages. A total of 2099, 2946, and 4418 peptides were identified in colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk, respectively. The majority of these peptides were derived from β-casein, followed by α_S1-casein, κ-casein, and other proteins. Notably, variations in precursor proteins contributing to peptide production were observed throughout lactation. Phosphorylation levels of endogenous peptides were highest in mature milk, with serine residues predominating. Enzymatic cleavage analysis identified cathepsin D as the key enzyme involved in endogenous peptide production, while proline endopeptidase and plasmin exhibited stage-specific activities. Bioinformatics analysis revealed differentially expressed precursor proteins linked to complement cascades and NF-κB signaling, emphasizing the immune protective role of colostrum. Furthermore, 54 potentially bioactive peptides with favorable water solubility were identified in colostrum, of which 17 were predicted to possess anti-inflammatory properties. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of buffalo milk’s functional properties, highlighting its potential as a source of bioactive peptides for both nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Milk adulteration is a common form of food fraud, particularly in high-value dairy products from small ruminants. A frequent practice involves dilution with water, often combined with the addition of sugars to mask physicochemical changes and avoid detection during routine quality control. This study aimed to develop an analytical approach for detecting combined adulteration in goat and sheep milk involving both water dilution and sucrose addition. Controlled experiments were conducted by diluting milk samples with water (1–15%) followed by the addition of sucrose solutions. Changes in physicochemical parameters, including fat, protein, total solids, lactose, density, freezing point depression, mineral content, and pH, were evaluated using an automated milk analyzer. In parallel, a suspected adulterant powder was characterized using conventional chemical analysis, ICP-AES, and HPLC-RI, revealing a composition predominantly of sucrose (91.4% w/w) with elevated sodium levels. Sucrose in milk samples was subsequently quantified using an enzymatic spectrophotometric method. Water dilution reduced protein, total solids, and density, while sucrose addition partially restored these parameters, masking adulteration effects. However, sucrose was reliably detected at concentrations above 0.1%. The proposed workflow may provide a practical and cost-effective complementary tool for routine dairy authenticity surveillance and fraud prevention. Full article

Inflammatory lung diseases are characterized by complex immune dysregulation and structural tissue damage, demanding the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Exosomes (Exos) have emerged as promising alternatives to address these challenges by serving as key mediators and effective therapeutic nanocarriers. This review systematically analyzes the multifunctional roles of Exos derived from various sources, including immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), lung structural cells, and non-mammalian sources such as plants and milk, in the context of inflammatory lung diseases. These vesicles modulate critical pathological processes, such as macrophage polarization, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death, by delivering functional cargos, including miRNAs and proteins. Studies demonstrating the antioxidant properties of Exos are classified, and their roles in attenuating oxidative stress-mediated lung injury are discussed. Furthermore, engineering and priming strategies, as well as airway-directed delivery methods such as nebulization, are reported to enhance therapeutic efficacy and targeting. Evidence also indicates that plant-derived Exos could be scalable and safer alternatives to mammalian cell-derived Exos. Collectively, Exos represent a next-generation platform for precision medicine, functioning as potent therapeutic agents and efficient drug-delivery systems for the treatment of complex inflammatory lung diseases. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of inulin addition and storage time on the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, mineral content, volatile compounds, and sensory properties of fermented milk drinks produced from cow’s milk with different fat contents (2% and 4%) using the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. Four drink variants were produced: control drinks and drinks supplemented with 2% inulin. Analyses were conducted over 21-day refrigerated storage. The results showed that fat standardization led to significant differences in fat content, whereas protein levels remained relatively stable across samples. The addition of inulin significantly increased dry matter content and improved texture-related sensory attributes, including viscosity, creaminess, and smoothness. GC–IMS analysis revealed that fermentation and storage led to a progressive increase in the contents of volatile compounds, including esters, alcohols, and ketones, with the most complex aroma profile observed after 14 days. Samples with the higher fat content and inulin addition exhibited a greater diversity and intensity of volatile compounds compared to the control drinks. In turn, storage time influenced fatty acid composition, including CLA content, and caused fluctuations in mineral concentrations. Additionally, inulin addition and a higher fat content positively affected the survival of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 during storage. The results indicate that the combined application of inulin and an increased fat content enhances the functional and sensory quality of fermented milk drinks, demonstrating the potential of synbiotic formulations in dairy product development. Full article

This study investigated the fatty acid profile of Muli yak (Bos grunniens) milk and its relationship with compositional parameters across different parities. Milk samples from second-, third-, and fourth-parity yaks were analysed for protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and 37 fatty acids using gas chromatography. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), machine learning algorithms, and molecular docking. Parity significantly affected 15 components (p < 0.05), with third-parity milk showing the highest eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4n6) concentrations. Among 134 significant correlations, calcium-ARA and ARA-EPA exhibited strong positive associations (|r| > 0.67). PCA explained 54.2% of the variance through three principal components, differentiating samples by parity. The optimal prediction models were ARA-XGBoost, EPA-Random Forest, ALA-GAM, and LA-SVM, with calcium and protein serving as key predictors. Molecular docking revealed that EPA-FABP2 had the lowest binding energy. These parity-related shifts in functional long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are meaningful for the nutritional value of yak milk (e.g., omega-3/omega-6 profile) and may also influence technological properties associated with milk fat composition (e.g., oxidative stability and processing behaviour), supporting parity-oriented quality evaluation and targeted utilisation of yak milk. Full article

Riceberry rice milk (RBRM) is rich in phytochemicals, particularly anthocyanins, which are known for their potential in managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to develop a novel RBRM-based yogurt derived from its polysaccharide and protein components and to evaluate the effects of supplementation with W. globosa powder (WGP) at 0% (F1, control), 5% (F2), 10% (F3), and 15% (F4) on nutritional and functional properties. Among all formulations, F4 exhibited the highest nutritional values, including dietary fiber (41.25%), curd protein (21.34%), and carbohydrate (starch) content (25.25%), with a lower fat content (2.13%) compared to other groups. In terms of antioxidant activity, F4 showed high total phenolic content (33.70 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (25.2 mg QUE/g), along with strong radical scavenging activities, with DPPH and ABTS inhibition values of 41.52% and 78.18%, respectively. Furthermore, F4 demonstrated notable antidiabetic potential through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 0.89 and 1.32 mg/mL, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics analysis identified 88 differential metabolites between F4 (potent condition) and F1 (control group). Twelve selected compounds from RBRM–WGP yogurt contributed to increased levels of amino acids, peptide derivatives, saccharides, organic acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Molecular docking analysis revealed that key metabolites, including vignatic acid B, glimepiride, and indoramin, exhibited strong binding affinities with the active sites of α-amylase (PDB: 2GVY, Aspergillus niger) and α-glucosidase (PDB: 3A4A, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). These findings indicate that phytonutrient compounds, particularly indoramin, play a significant role in enhancing the nutritional composition and functional properties of RBRM–WGP yogurt for potential applications in food processing. Full article

Due to the substantial secretory burden, bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) are highly susceptible to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins when protein-folding capacity is overwhelmed. However, how ATF3 regulates ER stress-induced impairment of milk synthesis and apoptosis in BMECs, particularly through its direct transcriptional targets, remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the protective role of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) against ER stress-induced impairment of milk synthesis in BMECs. Using a tunicamycin-induced ER stress model, we overexpressed ATF3 in BMECs and performed integrated RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results indicated that ER stress disrupted milk protein and fat synthesis in BMECs by suppressing the expression of CSN2, FASN, FABP3 and promoting apoptosis via upregulation of BAX and CASP3. ATF3 overexpression effectively attenuated these effects, reducing apoptosis and restoring the expression of milk fat-related genes. Transcriptomics demonstrated that ATF3 activated MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling and lipid metabolism pathways, significantly upregulating key genes involved in fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism (CD36, SLC27A1, ACSL1, PLIN1). Integrated RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses identified 81 overlapping genes, with RASGRP2, PRKACB, MAP3K5, and DUSP10 confirmed as direct transcriptional targets of ATF3, mediating its regulation of the MAPK pathway. Collectively, these findings elucidate the protective role of ATF3 against ER stress-induced lactation disruption and offer potential molecular targets for enhancing lactation resilience in dairy cattle under stress. Full article

Milk production in humid tropical regions depends heavily on environmental conditions, yet little is known about how climatic variability affects milk quality in small-scale dairy systems in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This study examined the link between climatic variability and the physicochemical and microbiological quality of raw milk on dairy farms in Pastaza Province, Ecuador. Researchers collected and analyzed 127 milk samples in 2024 for fat, protein, total solids, and solids-not-fat using an automated milk analyzer. They also measured somatic cell count and total bacterial count as microbiological indicators. Climatic data, including precipitation, mean temperature, evaporation, relative humidity, cloud cover, and wind speed, were obtained from official meteorological records and analyzed using generalized linear models and multivariate analysis. The physicochemical makeup of milk remained stable despite climate change, indicating that tropical pasture-based dairy systems exhibit some productive resilience. By contrast, microbiological indicators, especially somatic cell count, varied more and were sensitive to environmental factors such as wind speed. These results show that milk composition remains stable under humid tropical conditions, whereas sanitary indicators respond more to climate variability. Better management and hygiene are crucial to maintaining sustainable dairy production systems in these environments. Full article