Short Communication: Simultaneous Identification of Five κ-Casein (CSN3) Alleles in Domestic Goat by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism

Until now, a total of nine polymorphic sites corresponding to six different alleles have been described at the kappa-casein (CSN3) locus in the domestic goat (Capra hircus). A protocol for the rapid and simultaneous genotyping of five goat CSN3 alleles by using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique was developed. Moreover, the developed test was validated by screening the CSN3 variability in four Italian breeds, Garganica, Jonica, Maltese, and Camosciata. Seven different patterns were readily identifiable. These corresponded to five known alleles and two newly identified variants. The G/A substitution at nucleotide position 471, which is not identifiable at the protein level but was found to be very frequent in the typed breeds, is easily detectable by the protocol developed. The PCR-SSCP analysis is a powerful tool for the genetic study of CSN3 variability in domestic goats, allowing both the simultaneous identification of different alleles, and the detection of new variants

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Stachys Glutinosa L. from Sardinia

The oil composition of Stachys glutinosa L. from two different areas of Sardinia was analyzed by GC/MS. The oil from Gallura plants was characterized by the four main constituents: terpinen-4-ol (12.7%), α-terpinyl acetate (10.6%), trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene (8.5%), and α-terpineol (8.4%) whilst α-cedrene (19.2%), α-terpineol (18.5%), terpinen-4-ol (12.6%), and α-terpinyl acetate (8.6%) were the main compounds in the oil from Ulassai plants. The oils showed good bacteriostatic activities against Vibrio cholerae (MIC 0.6%), all the Candida tested (1.25%) and Rodotorula rubra (2.5%). There were also bactericidal activities against Candida glabrata (1.25 %) and Rodotorula rubra (2.5%)