Search Results (198)

Pastırma is a traditional dry-cured meat product made from whole pieces of cattle or water buffalo carcasses. Sixteen or more types of pastırma can be produced from different parts of the carcass. This study investigated the effect of low salt processing (3% NaCl) on the lipolytic enzyme activity, volatile profile, color, lipid oxidation, and microbiological properties of commonly produced types of pastırma (kuşgömü, sırt, bohça, and şekerpare). In the study, 5% NaCl level was used as the control group. For all pastırma types, the pH changed between 5.5 and 6.0. The a_w value was less than 0.90 for the pastırma types. The L* value increased when the salt level decreased from 5% to 3% (p < 0.05); however, the salt level did not affect the a* and b* values (p > 0.05). Reducing the salt level increased the neutral lipase activity and decreased the TBARS. As the salt level increased, the acid lipase activity increased in the bohça pastırma, and the phospholipase activity increased in the kuşgömü and sırt pastırma (p < 0.05). Furthermore, while Micrococcus/Staphylococcus constituted the dominant microbiota in pastırma types, a 5% salt level led to a decrease in the number of lactic acid bacteria. The volatile compounds were more affected by salt level than by pastırma type. The correlation analysis showed that there are some differences between 3% and 5% salt levels and the use of a 3% salt level increases the abundance of the compounds. The correlation analysis also revealed that there are differences between the pastırma types in terms of the volatile compounds and that kuşgömü pastırma differs from other pastırma types. Full article

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are a primary source of milk in Pakistan, where bovine mastitis is a significant health issue among cattle, leading to substantial economic losses. Staphylococcus aureus is a predominant pathogen associated with mastitis; however, a detailed molecular characterization of the strains in the country remains limited. We previously characterized mastitis strains from the Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this study, we investigated mastitis cases in the Peshawar division, including samples from both animals and human farm workers for comparison. Higher rates of mastitis (67.27% of animals) and sub-clinical mastitis (91.03% of positive animals) were identified in Peshawar than for those (34.55% and 75.31%, respectively) previously observed in Hazara. Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) belonging to clonal complex 9 (ST2454) were predominant. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) belonging to ST22 and ST8 were also detected in the Nowshera district. While no S. aureus colonization was observed among animal handlers, evidence of hand contamination suggests a potential route for pathogen spread. Low levels of antibiotic resistance were noted amongst isolates, but higher rates were seen in MRSA. This study presents only the second comprehensive molecular investigation of S. aureus isolated from buffalo mastitis in Pakistan and indicates a concerning rise in mastitis within the province. Full article

Background: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is major transboundary disease affecting cattle and water buffaloes, indirectly causing huge socio-economic losses. Following its first outbreak in India in 2019, the heterologous Goatpox (Uttarkashi strain) vaccine mitigated LSD. Objective: Due to limited data on the spatiotemporal distribution of the disease, this study investigates its dynamics and presents findings from a field study conducted in Maharashtra, India. This study evaluates the safety, immunogenicity, and duration of immunity provided by a heterologous vaccine. Additionally, it examines post-vaccination responses in relation to factors such as age, gender, and breed. Methods: This study employed spatiotemporal analysis of lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks from 2020 to 2024 using GeoDa (v1.22), incorporating Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics to identify spatial clustering patterns. A randomized field trial was conducted to evaluate vaccine safety and immunogenicity in 657 cattle across seven districts. Humoral immune responses were assessed using the serum neutralization test (SNT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cell-mediated immunity was evaluated via Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ELISA. For sero-monitoring, a total of 1925 serum samples from 22 districts were analyzed. Additionally, statistical analyses (n = 1925), including the Kappa Index, ANOVA, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS v27 to investigate the influence of factors such as age, sex, and breed (significance level: p < 0.05). Results: LSD exhibited significant spatial clustering across Maharashtra. The Goatpox vaccine was 100% safe, with no adverse reactions. Protective antibody titers (≥1:8) were observed in 96.9% of vaccinated cattle by 14–21 days post-vaccination (dpv), peaking at 60 dpv before declining at 150 dpv. The cell-mediated immune response peaked at 28 dpv. Clinical monitoring for one year showed that only 2% of vaccinated cattle developed mild LSD symptoms after nine months, with no mortality. At six months post-vaccination, seroconversion was 69.7%, with breed significantly influencing seropositivity. Conclusions: This study confirms the Goatpox vaccine’s safety and strong immunogenicity in cattle, marking its first large-scale evaluation in the Indian subcontinent. Further research is needed to assess long-term immunity and protection against virulent LSD strains. Full article

The buffalo species (Bubalus bubalis) is crucial for the global economy, supplying high-nutritional-value animal proteins vital for children’s growth. These animals efficiently convert fiber into energy and thrive in various harsh environments, from frigid climates to hot, humid areas, including wetlands. They produce milk and meat while supporting the sustainability of ecosystems that other ruminants cannot inhabit. Buffalo offers a unique opportunity to supply resources for both rural communities and larger farms located in specific regions, such as marshlands and humid savannahs. They also thrive on extensive pastures and family farms, thus preserving biodiversity, habitats, and cultural practices. Intensive farming brings distinct challenges and is often criticized for its negative effects on climate change. To counter these impacts, multiple strategies have been researched and implemented. These include enhancing livestock genetics, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, optimizing local feed resources (including by-products), managing manure (with an emphasis on renewable energy), and improving animal health and welfare. This review explores various buffalo farming system applications in different global contexts. It is based on the hypothesis that the adaptable traits of buffalo, as well as the environmental and economic challenges that must be addressed for sustainability, are the key factors in determining the viability of such enterprises. Full article

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma marginale, is a major tick-borne disease in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, leading to significant production losses. Prolonged convalescence periods are common and surviving animals often become subclinical carriers. This study aimed to detect and characterise A. marginale in bovines in smallholder dairy farms across diverse climatic zones of Pakistan using molecular methods. In total, 321 blood DNA samples from apparently healthy cattle (n = 174) and buffaloes (n = 147) from six districts in Pakistan were tested for A. marginale using a nested PCR assay, targeting part of the major surface protein B gene (msp1β) as a genetic marker, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis and selective sequencing of amplicons from test-positive samples. Of the 321 DNA samples tested, 135 (42.1%) were test-positive for A. marginale. Prevalence was significantly higher in cattle (64.4%; 112/174) than in buffaloes (15.6%; 23/147), and female bovines (43.5%; 108/248) were more frequently infected than males (37%; 27/73). Phylogenetic analysis of the msp1β sequence data (n = 42) revealed that A. marginale from Pakistan clustered with those from Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, and the USA. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of A. marginale from bovines from diverse agroecological zones of Pakistan and will further stimulate population genetic studies of A. marginale and investigations into the economic impact of subclinical infections in bovines in smallholder farming systems. Full article

The application of organic amendments in agriculture has gained increasing attention as a sustainable approach to improving soil fertility and crop productivity. This study assessed the effects of vermicompost derived from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) manure on the yield and biochemical quality of cauliflower cultivated in soil types typical of the Campania region: loam and clay. Three fertilization treatments were tested, an unfertilized control, vermicompost (140 kg N ha⁻¹), and mineral fertilizer (MIN), at the same nitrogen rate. The results showed that vermicompost more significantly improved plant growth compared to the unfertilized control, particularly in loam soil, where the biomass and the leaf number increased by 160% and 335%, respectively. In clay soil, vermicompost enhanced nutrient availability, leading to a 159% biomass increase relative to the control. While mineral fertilization resulted in the highest yields, vermicompost improved the antioxidant capacity and influenced the amino acid composition, particularly in clay soil, where it enhanced the total amino acid content by 35% over that of the control. Additionally, vermicompost increased the quantity of soil organic matter and moderated the oxidative stress responses, suggesting long-term benefits for soil health. These findings highlight the potential of vermicompost as an effective and sustainable soil amendment, particularly in regions with intensive livestock farming and nitrate-sensitive environments. Further research is needed to optimize its integration with conventional fertilization strategies to maximize the agronomic and environmental benefits. Full article

Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is an Italian protected designation of origin cheese characterized by a stretched structure, high moisture (<65%), and short shelf life (<30 days). This cheese is generally stored refrigerated in a covering liquid that is an aqueous solution containing NaCl and organic acids. Although microbial growth has been reported as the main cause of quality deterioration, physico-chemical phenomena (water/solute migration, enzymatic reactions, etc.) also play a role in determining the cheese quality and its storability. This study investigates the effect of covering liquids formulated with different percentages of NaCl (1, 2%) and types of organic acids (lactic acid, citric acid, and a 1:1 mix of both) on the evolution of some physico-chemical characteristics of the cheese (moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, color, expressible serum, texture, rheology) during a 30-day storage period. Eight cheese batches collected from different dairies were considered as replicates of the study. The % of NaCl in the covering liquid showed a strong, significant effect on the evolution of different structural, physico-chemical characteristics of the cheeses; in particular, a NaCl concentration of 2% caused the greatest extent of moisture content increase because of casein swelling during storage, accompanied by softening of the structure. Full article

Background: The reproductive performance of water buffalo significantly impacts the economic aspects of production. Traditional breeding methods are constrained by low heritability and numerous influencing factors, making it difficult to effectively improve reproductive efficiency. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) offer new possibilities for exploring reproductive traits in water buffalo, opening up new avenues for efficient breeding. Methods: Using whole-genome resequencing, we identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with four suggestive reproductive traits: calving interval (CI), calf birth weight (CBW), dam birth weight (BW), and age at first calving (FCA). The study focused on identifying genetic variants that influence these reproductive traits. Results: Our research identified 52 suggestive regulatory loci associated with reproductive traits in water buffalo. Based on a 50 kb interval, we annotated these loci to 58 candidate genes. These loci involve genes such as AGBL4, GRM1, NCKAP5, and NRXN1, which are primarily enriched in pathways including the FOXO signaling pathway, calcium ion pathways, estrogen signaling pathway, and phospholipase D signaling pathway. These pathways directly or indirectly regulate the reproductive efficiency of water buffalo. Conclusions: This study has revealed suggestive regulatory genes (AGBL4, GRM1, NCKAP5, NRXN1) associated with reproductive traits in water buffalo. This not only enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits but also points towards strategies for improving the reproductive capacity of water buffalo. These findings provide a solid foundation for future breeding programs aimed at enhancing water buffalo productivity. Full article

Pastirma is an ethnic meat product derived from dry curing, drying, and pressing the whole muscles of cattle and buffalo and coating them with a special paste containing fenugreek seed flour, garlic, milled red capia pepper, and water. In this narrative literature review, the history of pastirma, its definition and classification, detailed production steps, composition and yield, chemical and microbiological properties, pastirma fraud, and customer concerns are mentioned. In this narrative review, relevant studies were identified by searching Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Trdizin, and Google Scholar, including articles, online reports, books, and electronic books in English or Turkish. The keywords “pastirma, cemen, cemening, cemen paste, fenugreek” were used. The results of this review indicate that future studies on pastirma may focus on the related cultural aspects, the elimination of unpleasant odor from fenugreek, providing a detailed grading guide, the histological and chemical effects of pressing meat parts, the kinetics of drying, osmotic dehydration, and developing new starter combinations. Additionally, this is the first article to provide information on grading and food fraud in pastirma. Full article

Tailings generated by mining account for the largest world-wide waste from industrial activities. As an element, copper is relatively uncommon, with low concentrations in sediments and waters, yet is very elevated around mining operations. On the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, USA, jutting out into Lake Superior, 140 mines extracted native copper from the Portage Lake Volcanic Series, part of an intercontinental rift system. Between 1901 and 1932, two mills at Gay (Mohawk, Wolverine) sluiced 22.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of copper-rich tailings (stamp sands) into Grand (Big) Traverse Bay. About 10 MMT formed a beach that has migrated 7 km from the original Gay pile to the Traverse River Seawall. Another 11 MMT are moving underwater along the coastal shelf, threatening Buffalo Reef, an important lake trout and whitefish breeding ground. Here we use remote sensing techniques to document geospatial environmental impacts and initial phases of remediation. Aerial photos, multiple ALS (crewed aeroplane) LiDAR/MSS surveys, and recent UAS (uncrewed aircraft system) overflights aid comprehensive mapping efforts. Because natural beach quartz and basalt stamp sands are silicates of similar size and density, percentage stamp sand determinations utilise microscopic procedures. Studies show that stamp sand beaches contrast greatly with natural sand beaches in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Dispersed stamp sand particles retain copper, and release toxic levels of dissolved concentrations. Moreover, copper leaching is elevated by exposure to high DOC and low pH waters, characteristic of riparian environments. Lab and field toxicity experiments, plus benthic sampling, all confirm serious impacts of tailings on aquatic organisms, supporting stamp sand removal. Not only should mining companies end coastal discharges, we advocate that they should adopt the UNEP “Global Tailings Management Standard for the Mining Industry”. Full article

The study aimed to determine the effect of intra-vaginal bio-stimulation with a modified penis-like device (mPLD) or artificial penis and clitoral massage subsequent to artificial insemination (AI) to increase the pregnancy rate of water buffaloes. The AI was performed on 160 buffalo cows after observing their estrus sign. The buffalo cows were divided into four experimental groups (group A: only AI was conducted; group B: intra-vaginal bio-stimulation with a mPLD following AI; group C: massage of the clitoris after AI; group D: both the mPLD and the clitoral massage were used following AI). Each group consisted of 40 animals. Age, parity, body weight, reproductive health status, history of previous calving difficulties, and estrus detection method were recorded. The overall pregnancy rate was found to be 41.3%. The pregnancy rate in groups A, B, C, and D were 32.5, 42.2, 37.5 and 52.5%, respectively. It was determined that both the application of intra-vaginal bio-stimulation with a mPLD and massage of the clitoris following AI (group D) showed a significant effect on pregnancy rate than the control group (group A). It is concluded that the application of a mPLD in conjugation with massage of the clitoris enhances the pregnancy rate of buffalo cows in the coastal region of Bangladesh. Full article

A symptom of reduced feed intake, conception and progressive emaciation was noticed in the Murrah buffalo farm of the institute with tail gangrene in some buffaloes and the sudden death of many animals. Thus, the objective of the study was for the systemic investigation to find out the causative agents and necessary ameliorative measures. The tail lesion includes alopecia, scales, necrosis, oedematous and a painful area. After thorough examination of the signs and symptoms of the disease, it was speculated that the case may be due to the presence of mycotoxins in the feeds offered to the animals. The severely affected buffaloes that died subjected to post-mortem examination demonstrated liver damage, nephritis and haemorrhages in all the vital organs. The analyses of offered feed revealed a high concentration of aflatoxin B1 content in maize, groundnut cake, cottonseed cake and compound feed mixtures. The case was typically diagnosed as the aflatoxicosis in water buffalo and ameliorative measures viz. the withdrawal of contaminated feeds, supplementation of toxin binder and penta-sulphate mixture in the feed taken sustained animal health and production performances. Severely affected animals with tail gangrene were treated with local disinfectants and antibiotics as well as systemic injection with broad-spectrum antibiotics and supportive vitamins and minerals to recover to their previous stage. Therefore, routine check-ups of feeds are of utmost importance to prevent feeding of aflatoxin-contaminated feeds. Systemic efforts viz. therapeutic management with topical medicines, broad-spectrum antibiotics, supportive therapies with vitamins and antioxidants along with replacement of contaminated feeds and inclusion of peta-sulphate mixture, and a toxin binder are effective in the prevention and control of aflatoxicosis in buffaloes. Full article

Background: Water buffaloes represent a crucial genetic resource for the global dairy industry, yet enhancements in their production performance remain relatively constrained. The advent of advanced sequencing technologies, coupled with genome-wide association studies (GWASs), has significantly boosted the potential for breeding superior-quality water buffalo. Methods: An integrated genomic analysis was performed on sequencing data from 100 water buffaloes, utilizing the high-quality UOA_WB_1 genome assembly as a reference. This study particularly emphasized reproduction-related traits, with a focus on age at first calving (AFC). Results: Our analysis revealed two significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Based on these genetic markers, the GRM1 gene was identified as a candidate gene. This gene shows substantial involvement in various reproduction-associated pathways, including the FOXO signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway. Conclusions: The identification of GRM1 as a candidate gene provides a robust theoretical basis for molecular breeding strategies aimed at enhancing fertility in water buffaloes. These findings offer critical scientific support for optimizing breeding programs, thereby improving overall production efficiency. Full article

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1) is prevalent in cattle throughout the world, whereas bovine alphaherpesvirus 5 (BoAHV5) prevalence seems restricted to some countries in South America, Australia, and other regions, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. BoAHV5 infections occur where water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming is practiced, often close to cattle (Bos taurus) farms. Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuAHV1), a virus whose natural host is believed to be the water buffaloes, usually causes asymptomatic infections in that species. Here, evidence is provided confirming the close relationship between BuAHV1 and BoAHV5. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses were used to reveal the evolutionary relationship between all whole-genome sequences of BoAHV1 (n = 52), BoAHV5 (n = 7), and BuAHV1 (n = 6) available to date. It is proposed here that BoAHV5 most likely resulted from multiple recombination events between a BuAHV1-like ancestor and BoAHV1-like viruses. The BoAHV5 whole unique short (US) region and most of the unique long (UL) genomic regions seem to have been derived from a BuAHV1-like parental genome, whereas at least six small segments of the UL (corresponding to nucleotides 8287 to 8624; 10,658 to 14,496; 48,013 to 48,269; 71,379 to 71,927; 81,426 to 85,003; and 94,012 to 96,841 of the BoAHV5 genome) and two small segments of the US (corresponding to nucleotides 107,039 to 107,581 and 131,267 to 131,810) have been derived from a BoAHV1-like parental genome. The hypothesis that the BoAHV5 species may have originated following a series of recombination events between BuAHV1 and BoAHV1 variants is consistent with the geographical distribution of BoAHV5, which seems to be prevalent in the regions where cattle and water buffalo farming overlap. Full article

Background: Buffaloes are considered an indispensable genetic resource for dairy production. However, improvements in lactation performance have been relatively limited. Advances in sequencing technology, combined with genome-wide association studies, have facilitated the breeding of high-quality buffalo. Methods: We conducted an integrated analysis of genomic sequencing data from 120 water buffalo, the high-quality water buffalo genome assembly designated as UOA_WB_1, and milk production traits, including 305-day milk yield (MY), peak milk yield (PM), total protein yield (PY), protein percentage (PP), fat percentage (FP), and total milk fat yield (FY). Results: The results identified 56 significant SNPs, and based on these markers, 54 candidate genes were selected. These candidate genes were significantly enriched in lactation-related pathways, such as the cAMP signaling pathway (ABCC4), TGF-β signaling pathway (LEFTY2), Wnt signaling pathway (CAMK2D), and metabolic pathways (DGAT1). Conclusions: These candidate genes (e.g., ABCC4, LEFTY2, CAMK2D, DGAT1) provide a substantial theoretical foundation for molecular breeding to enhance milk production in buffaloes. Full article