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Determination of changes in the microbial and chemical composition of Taga cheese during maturation
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 9 November 2020; Published online - 3 December 2020Țaga cheese is a traditional Romanian smear-ripened cheese made from bovine milk and identified with the name of the village and caves where it is produced. As no previously reported microbiological and chemical studies have been undertaken on this product, this research aimed to investigate the microbiological and biochemical characteristics which ensure the uniqueness of Țaga cheese during the ripening process, to inform producers as to key quality determinants. Cheese samples, consisting of retail blocks, were collected on days 2, 5, 12, 18, and 25 of the ripening process. The evolution of lactic microbiota during the production and maturation of traditional cheeses involves isolating lactic acid microorganisms present in cheese. Cheese samples were analyzed for pH, fat, NaCl, fatty acids, and volatile compounds. The microbial ecosystem naturally changes during the maturation process, leading to variation in the microorganisms involved during ripening. Our results show that specific bacteria were identified in high levels during the entire ripening process and may be responsible for milk fat lipolysis contributing directly to cheese flavor by imparting detailed fatty acid flavor notes, or indirectly as precursors formation of other flavor compounds.This paper was published with the support of the Romanian Ministry of Research and Innovation through Program 1 - Development of the National Research and Development System, Subprogram 1.2-Institutional Performance - Projects for Financing the Excellence in CDI, Contract No. 37PFE-2018-2020
Atlantic salmon smolts in the Irish Sea: First evidence of a northerly migration trajectory
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 1 May 2020; Published online - 9 June 2020Results from an acoustic telemetry study revealed for the first time a northerly migration route for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts leaving the east coast of Ireland. Atlantic salmon smolts were tagged in spring 2019 in the Castletown and Boyne rivers. Three tagged smolts registered on disparate deep‐water offshore marine receivers as they travelled northwards out of the Irish Sea through the North Channel. One fish had migrated an estimated 250 km in a period of 32 days. The remaining two individuals were detected on receivers located off the Northern Ireland coast, further corroborating the northward migration of salmon smolts through the Irish Sea.This research was undertaken as part of the COMPASS project supported by the EU INTERREG VA Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
Contributions of tenderness, juiciness and flavor liking to overall liking of beef in Europe
No full textPublication history: Accepted - 19 May 2020; Published online- 19 May 2020.This study evaluated the contributions of sensory traits to overall liking in Europe. Perceptions by untrained consumers of tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking and overall liking were determined using the Meat Standards Australia protocols. According to European consumer testing with European beef samples, flavor liking was the most important contributor (39%) to beef overall liking, followed by tenderness (31%) and juiciness (24%) (P 0.94). The improvement in tenderness over the last decades may explain the highest contribution of flavor liking nowadays. Flavor liking is therefore the main driver of variability in overall liking. Juiciness is the least robust trait which could be influenced by other traits during consumer perception. For outstanding steaks, each sensory trait should have excellent scores and high contributions to overall liking. For medium cuts, one sensory trait with a low score has the potential to be compensated by other traits with higher scores and more emphasis will be placed on the trait with the lowest perception.The research work was sponsored by Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC). Data were obtained through the financial contributions of the European research project ProSafeBeef (Contract No. FOOD-CT-2006-36241), the Polish ProOptiBeef Farm to Fork project funded by the EU Innovative (POIG.01.03.01-00-204/09), the French ‘Direction Générale de l'Alimentation’ and FranceAgriMer, the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and The Marine under the FIRM programme, and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development ‘Vision’ program
The Correct Cover Crop Species Integrated with Slurry Can Increase Biomass, Quality and Nitrogen Cycling to Positively Affect Yields in a Subsequent Spring Barley Rotation
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 6 November 2020; Published - 12 November 2020.The aim of this study is to identify species of cover crops that cause an increase in biomass
and total nutrient accumulation in response to manure/slurry. This could improve nutrient e ciency
and intensify the benefits from over-winter cover crops in arable rotations and improve following
commercial crop yields. In a pot experiment, sixteen cover crops were grown for 100 days in response
to slurry. Growth and nutrient (N, P, K, Mg and S) accumulation were measured, and then residue
was reincorporated into the soil with spring barley (Hodeum vulgare L.) sown and harvested for yield.
In response to slurry, tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.) increased N accumulation by 101% due to a
significant increase in biomass and%N(p < 0.05) over its relative control plots. Significant interactions
between species and the application of slurry were found in cover crop biomass, cover crop and
spring barley nutrient uptake, as well as cover crop carbon accumulation, particularly in the brassica
species used. Slurry integrated with cover crops both reduced the cover crop C:N ratio and enhanced
nutrient cycling compared to the control when soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) and spring barley crop N
o take were pooled. However, this was not observed in the legumes. This study shows that slurry
integration with cover crops is a promising sustainable farming practice to sequester N and other
macro-nutrients whilst providing a range of synergistic benefits to spring barley production when
compared to unplanted/fallow land rotations. However, this advantage is subject to use of responsive
cover crop species identified in this study.This research was supported and funded by AFBI (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute) in conjunction with DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural A airs)
Potential of milk mid-infrared spectra to predict nitrogen use efficiency of individual dairy cows in early lactation
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 6 January 2020; Published online - 5 Marc 2020Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) at both the individual cow and the herd level has become a key target in dairy production systems, for both environmental and economic reasons. Cost-effective and large-scale phenotyping methods are required to improve NUE through genetic selection and by feeding and management strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using mid-infrared (MIR) spectra of milk to predict individual dairy cow NUE during early lactation. Data were collected from 129 Holstein cows, from calving until 50 d in milk, in 3 research herds (Denmark, Ireland, and the UK). In 2 of the herds, diets were designed to challenge cows metabolically, whereas a diet reflecting local management practices was offered in the third herd. Nitrogen intake (kg/d) and nitrogen excreted in milk (kg/d) were calculated daily. Nitrogen use efficiency was calculated as the ratio between nitrogen in milk and nitrogen intake, and expressed as a percentage. Individual daily values for NUE ranged from 9.7 to 81.7%, with an average of 36.9% and standard deviation of 10.4%. Milk MIR spectra were recorded twice weekly and were standardized into a common format to avoid bias between apparatus or sampling periods. Regression models predicting NUE using milk MIR spectra were developed on 1,034 observations using partial least squares or support vector machines regression methods. The models were then evaluated through (1) a cross-validation using 10 subsets, (2) a cow validation excluding 25% of the cows to be used as a validation set, and (3) a diet validation excluding each of the diets one by one to be used as validation sets. The best statistical performances were obtained when using the support vector machines method. Inclusion of milk yield and lactation number as predictors, in combination with the spectra, also improved the calibration. In cross-validation, the best model predicted NUE with a coefficient of determination of cross-validation of 0.74 and a relative error of 14%, which is suitable to discriminate between low- and high-NUE cows. When performing the cow validation, the relative error remained at 14%, and during the diet validation the relative error ranged from 12 to 34%. In the diet validation, the models showed a lack of robustness, demonstrating difficulties in predicting NUE for diets and for samples that were not represented in the calibration data set. Hence, a need exists to integrate more data in the models to cover a maximum of variability regarding breeds, diets, lactation stages, management practices, seasons, MIR instruments, and geographic regions. Although the model needs to be validated and improved for use in routine conditions, these preliminary results showed that it was possible to obtain information on NUE through milk MIR spectra. This could potentially allow large-scale predictions to aid both further genetic and genomic studies, and the development of farm management tools.The Genotype Plus Environment (GplusE) Project has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement no. 613689
Transcriptome and secretome analysis of intra-mammalian life-stages of the emerging helminth pathogen, Calicophoron daubneyi reveals adaptation to a unique host environment.
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 20 October 2020; Published online - 20 October 2020.Paramphistomosis, caused by the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, is a parasitic infection of ruminant livestock which has seen a rapid rise in prevalence throughout Western Europe in recent years. Following ingestion of metacercariae (parasite cysts) by the mammalian host, newly-excysted juveniles (NEJs) emerge and invade the duodenal submucosa which causes significant pathology in heavy infections. The immature larvae then migrate upwards, along the gastrointestinal tract, and enter the rumen where they mature and begin to produce eggs. Despite their emergence, and sporadic outbreaks of acute disease, we know little about the molecular mechanisms used by C. daubneyi to establish infection, acquire nutrients and to avoid the host immune response. Here, transcriptome analysis of four intra-mammalian life-cycle stages, integrated with secretome analysis of the NEJ and adult parasites (responsible for acute and chronic disease respectively), revealed how the expression and secretion of selected families of virulence factors and immunomodulators are regulated in accordance with fluke development and migration. Our data show that whilst a family of cathepsins B with varying S2 sub-site residues (indicating distinct substrate specificities) are differentially secreted by NEJs and adult flukes, cathepsins L and F are secreted in low abundance by NEJs only. We found that C. daubneyi has an expanded family of aspartic peptidases, which is up-regulated in adult worms, although they are underrepresented in the secretome. The most abundant proteins in adult fluke secretions were helminth defence molecules (HDMs) that likely establish an immune environment permissive to fluke survival and/or neutralise pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide in the microbiome-rich rumen. The distinct collection of molecules secreted by C. daubneyi allowed the development of the first coproantigen-based ELISA for paramphistomosis which, importantly, did not recognise antigens from other helminths commonly found as co-infections with rumen fluke.This work was supported by an Industrial Partnership Award (to M.W.R) from the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/N017757/1) with additional
financial support from Agrisearch and AHDB Beef & Lamb. N.A.M.O. was supported by a
postgraduate studentship from the Department for the Economy (DfE) Northern Ireland
Cistanche deserticola Addition Improves Growth, Digestibility, and Metabolism of Sheep Fed on Fresh Forage from Alfalfa/Tall Fescue Pasture
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 9 April 2020; Published online - 12 April 2020This study is targeted at evaluating whether C. deserticola addition promotes digestion,
nitrogen and energy use, and methane production of sheep fed on fresh forage from alfalfa/tall fescue
pastures. The sheep feeding trial was conducted with four addition levels with C. deserticola powder,
and a basal diet of fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Addition
levels of 4% and 6% improved average body weight gain (BWG) by 215.71 and 142.86 g/d, and feed
conversion ratio (FCR) by 0.20 and 0.14, respectively. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter
(OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ether extract (EE) was 62.25%, 65.18%, 58.75%, and 47.25%
under the addition level of 2%, which is greater than that in the control group. C. deserticola addition
improved energy utilization efficiency, while addition levels of 2% and 4% increased nitrogen intake
and deposited nitrogen. Overall, C. deserticola has the potential to improve growth performance,
digestion of sheep, so it has suitability to be used as a feed additive.Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences,
grant number XDA20100102
National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 31672472
e Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University, grant number IRT_17R50
Major Special Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province, grant number 18ZD2FA00
Effect of Varying Dietary Crude Protein Level on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Lactating Holstein-Friesian Cows
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 17 December 2020; Published online - 19 December 2020The effect of dietary crude protein (CP) level on intake, digestibility, milk production,
and nitrogen (N) use efficiency was studied. Twenty-four Holstein-Friesian cows (17 multiparous
and seven primiparous) were grouped by parity, days in milk, milk yield, and live weight into six
blocks of four, and randomly assigned to four total mixed ration (TMR) treatments, containing 141,
151, 177, or 210 g CP/kg dry matter (DM), over 28 day experimental periods. Apparent total-tract DM
and fiber digestibilities and milk fat composition were similar across treatments. Milk protein and
urea-N compositions, and urinary and manure N excretion increased linearly, while milk N efficiency
(MNE) decreased linearly with increasing CP. DM intake was highest with the 177 diet, while CP
intake increased linearly with increasing CP, peaking at 200 g/kg DM. Milk yield increased with CP
intake for the three lower CP levels, peaking at 176 g CP/kg DM. The further increase in CP level
from 177 to 210 g/kg DM did not result in improved milk yield, but resulted in decreased milk N
secretion and increased urinary N excretion. In summary, milk protein composition increased linearly
with increasing CP, accompanied by a linear decrease in MNE, resulting in a bell-shaped relationship
between milk yield and dietary CP level.This research project was funded by the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland
What Drives Households’ Payment forWaste Disposal and Recycling Behaviours? Empirical Evidence from South Africa’s General Household Survey
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 22 July 2020; Published - 1 October 2020.Safeguarding the environment and its citizens’ health remains one of the key policy
priorities of the governments of many developing and emerging countries. Using the 2017 General
Household Survey (GHS) dataset, this study examines the driving factors a ecting households’
recycling behaviour and payment for waste disposal in South Africa. The methods of data analysis
were based on descriptive statistics and a Bivariate Probit regression model. The descriptive statistics
results indicate that there are 56.29% male-headed and 43.71% female headed households, with an
average age of 49 years. In addition, the study shows that 89.97% of household heads had formal
education with a mean monthly income of 11,099.07 ZAR/650.504 USD. The study also revealed that
22% of the households sampled had access to social grants. The results from the Bivariate Probit
regression model show that household’s income, access to social grants, formal educational attainment
and the age of the household were significant (p < 0.01) driving factors a ecting households’ recycling
behaviour and payment for waste disposal. The study concludes that the households’ socio-economic
factors a ect their recycling behaviour and willingness to pay for waste management in South Africa.
Actions targeted at poverty alleviation and environmental sensitization programmes are key for
facilitating environmental conservation behaviours of households in South Africa in order to achieve
the environmental sustainability Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of the United Nations
Impact of feeding low and average birthweight pigs on a weight basis post-weaning on growth performance and body composition
Get PDFPublication history: Accepted - 28 August 2020; Published online - 29 August 2020This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of employing a targeted nutritional regime until slaughter to
maintain performance in animals recording high weaning weights. Low birthweight (Low BW; <1 kg) and
average birthweight (Av BW; 1.3kg-1.7 kg) pigs were reared on sows exhibiting a high lactation feed intake and,
as a result, weaning weights were 7.9 kg and 8.9 kg respectively. Pens containing either Low BW or Av BW
animals were then offered either a ‘standard’ (STAND) or ‘feed-to-weight’ (FTW) regime from weaning until
slaughter. The STAND regime was reflective of commercial production, where diet transitions were implemented
after pre-determined feed levels or time intervals had been reached. In contrast, diet transitions in the FTW
regime were carried out when target pen average weights of 12 kg, 18 kg, 22 kg, 45 kg and 75 kg respectively
were met. Animal growth, feeding performance and body composition were monitored from weaning until
slaughter. As expected, Av BW pigs were heavier than Low BW animals throughout (P<0.001), recording a
superior average daily gain (ADG) (P<0.01) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P<0.001) at each stage of
growth. This resulted in Av BW animals recording a greater carcass weight (P<0.001) and kill-out percentage
(P<0.01). DEXA scan analysis showed Low BW animals to exhibit a greater percentage fat (P<0.001) and lower
percentage lean (P0.05). Feeding regime did not affect age or weight at diet transition for Av BW animals for
most transitions (P>0.05). However Low BW animals offered the FTW regime were significantly older and
heavier than those offered the STAND regime at each transition (P<0.05). The FTW regime increased animal
ADG and ADFI compared to STAND pigs from weeks 4 to 10 of age (P<0.05), whilst providing a greater average
daily intake of energy and lysine from week 4 to 10 (P<0.05) and week 10 to 17 (P<0.05). This facilitated a
greater liveweight in FTW animals from 7 weeks of age through to slaughter (P<0.05). Feeding regime had no
effect on kill-out percentage or back-fat depth (P>0.05). Furthermore, DEXA scan results showed total or
percentage lean and fat did not differ for FTW or STAND pigs at 10 or 21 weeks of age (P>0.05). In conclusion,
feeding Low BW animals on a ‘feed to weight’ basis improved nutrient intake and animal liveweight, likely due
to a greater time allowance for digestive development between diet transitions. As such, this approach should be
considered for commercial adoption.DAER