1H NMR metabolic profile to discriminate pasture based alpine asiago PDO cheeses

The study was carried out in an alpine area of North-Eastern Italy to assess the reliability of proton nuclear magnetic resonance 1H NMR to fingerprint and discriminate Asiago PDO cheeses processed in the same dairy plant from upland pasture-based milk or from upland hay-based milk. Six experimental types of Asiago cheese were made from raw milk considering 2 cows’ feeding systems (pasture- vs. hay-based milk) and 3 ripening times (2 months, Pressato vs. 4 months, Allevo_4 vs. 6 months, Allevo_6). Samples (n = 55) were submitted to chemical analysis and to 1HNMRcoupled with multivariate canonical discriminant analysis. Choline, 2,3-butanediol, lysine, tyrosine, and some signals of sugar-like compounds were suggested as the main water-soluble metabolites useful to discriminate cheese according to cows’ feeding system. A wider pool of polar biomarkers explained the variation due to ripening time. The validation procedure based on a predictive set suggested that 1H NMR based metabolomics was an effective fingerprinting tool to identify pasture-based cheese samples with the shortest ripening period (Pressato). The classification to the actual feeding system of more aged cheese samples was less accurate likely due to their chemical and biochemical changes induced by a prolonged maturation process

Discriminant analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in bee pollen based on near-infrared data from lab-stationary and portable spectrometers

Bee pollen may be contaminated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs), which are mainly detected by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC\u2013MS/MS), even though the use of fast near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is an ongoing alternative. Therefore, the main challenge of this study was to assess the feasibility of both a lab-stationary (Foss) and a portable (Polispec) NIR spectrometer in 60 dehydrated bee pollen samples. After an ANOVA-feature selection of the most informative NIR spectral data, canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was performed to distinguish three quantitative PA/PANO classes (\ub5g/kg): 400, high. According to the LC\u2013MS/MS analysis, 77% of the samples were contaminated with PAs/PANOs and the sum content of the 17 target analytes was higher than 400\ua0\ub5g/kg in 28% of the samples. CDA was carried out on a pool of 18 (Foss) and 22 (Polispec) selected spectral variables and allowed accurate classification of samples from the low class as confirmed by the high values of Matthews correlation coefficient ( 65 0.91) for both NIR spectrometers. Leave-one-out cross-validation highlighted precise recognition of samples characterised by a high PA/PANO content with a low misclassification rate (0.02) as false negatives. The most informative wavelengths were within the 2400\ua0nm regions for Foss and > 1500\ua0nm for Polispec that could be associated with cyclic amines, and epoxide chemical structures of PAs/PANOs. In sum, both lab-stationary and portable NIR systems are reliable and fast techniques for detecting PA/PANO contamination in bee pollen

Digital corporate identity congruence analises: highlighting critical issues and untapped opportunities. A focus on Italian SMEs of the dairy industry

Firms often signal their identities through their digital footprints. The context chosen for this research is the Italian dairy industry, which is fragmented with many product-oriented smaller farms. Corporate identity congruence (CIC) refers to the fit between several corporate identity meanings. These meanings are signaled to stakeholders by multiple vehicles, some of which are digital in nature. Digital signal analyses could reveal misalignment between offline and online communication. The research design involves multiple studies: phenomenological interviews on 7 case studies, using NVIVO to analyze transcripts and other documents; nutritional and chemometric analysis on dairy products; corporate identity congruence meaning based analysis, with a particular focus on digital communication. Misalignments discovered between what companies do, who they are, and what they say (offline and online) are discussed as critical issues. This digital CIC analysis strives to highlight new opportunities for companies that want to evolve their digital corporate identit

Genomic analysis of milk protein fractions in Brown Swiss Cattle

Depending on whether milk protein fractions are evaluated qualitatively or quantitatively, different genetic outcomes may emerge. In this study, we compared the genetic parameters for the major milk protein fractions\u2014caseins (\u3b1S1-, \u3b1S2-, \u3b2-, and \u43a-CN), and whey proteins (\u3b2-lactoglobulin, \u3b2-LG; \u3b1-lactalbumin, \u3b1-LA)\u2014estimated using the multi-trait genomic best linear unbiased prediction method and expressed variously as milk content (g/100g milk), percentage of milk nitrogen (%N) and daily yield per cow (g/d). The results showed that the genetic parameter estimates varied according to how the milk protein fractions were expressed. Heritability estimates for the caseins and whey protein fractions expressed as daily yields were lower than when they were expressed as proportions and contents, revealing important differences in genetic outcomes. The proportion and the content of \u3b2-CN were negatively correlated with the proportions and contents of \u3b1S1-CN, \u3b1S2-CN, and \u43a-CN, while the daily yield of \u3b2\u2013CN was negatively correlated with the daily yields of \u3b1S1-CN and \u3b1S2-CN. The Spearman\u2019s rank correlations and the coincidence rates between the various predicted genomic breeding values (GEBV) for the milk protein fractions expressed in different ways indicated that these differences had a significant effect on the ranking of the animals. The results suggest that the way milk protein fractions are expressed has implications for breeding programs aimed at improving milk nutritional and technological characteristics

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid concentrations in local Italian and retail honeys of different origin: A scenario of human exposure

A validated method in liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was applied to assess the contamination profile of 17 pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxide metabolites (PAs/PANOs) in 775 honey samples of different origins, including from local beekeepers (579, LB), large retail and online stores (Italian (LRI) and foreign (LRF) products). Fifty-five percent of the honey samples contained the 17 monitored compounds at below the limit of quantification. The LB samples were characterised by a total mean concentration of PAs/PANOs at 6.7 and 3.3 times lower than those of the LRF and LRI samples, respectively. The PA echimidine characterised mainly honey samples from the large retail stores (75.8 % and 72.5 % of LRI- and LRF-contaminated samples, respectively). The LB samples showed a senecionine-type contamination profile, providing beekeepers clues to the plants responsible for contamination. The results highlighted that the consumption of the local honey samples analysed does not represent a double risk for human health compared to the consumption of products from large retail stores. Careful attention must be paid to honey imported from areas where lycopsamine-type and senecionine-type PAs/PANOs-producing plants are invasive. A machine learning approach could predict the origin of the sample given its contaminant profile at an accuracy of 0.74, which is useful for detecting fraud in the declared honey origin

The analysis of nutritional profile and communication strategy of intensive and extensive dairy chain products in the North-East of Italy

The aim of this study was to analyse the nutritional value of dairy products obtained by two dairy chains of North-East Italy and evaluate their market communication. One farm is located in the lowland and the dairy cows are mainly fed by permanent grass and alfalfa hay; the other is located in highland and the dairy cows have a diet based on hay (permanent meadow), except during summer, when they are fed on an alpine seasonal pasture plus a small amount of concentrate. Results about the nutritional value of these products highlight that, during the summer season, the analysis of the lipid fraction of the mountain (grazing pasture) dairy products shows a significant higher amount of fat-soluble vitamins as well as a richer profile in beneficial fatty acids such as conjugated of linoleic acid (CLA) and branched-FA, than the samples from the lowland dairy chain. However, it was observed that, during winter, the dairy lipid nutritional value was comparable between the two productive systems. Considering the quite relevant reduction of milk production of dairy cows during the alpine sojourn and the increase of the cost per milk unit, an adequate communication is necessary to improve the costumers perception regarding the mountain dairy products. For this reason the communication of these products has been analyzed through their brand signaling vehicles, in order to understand the overall messages sent to the market. Results highlight similarities and differences between product brands, and underline that some communication efforts (what is said or promised to the market) are not aligned with the real benefits included in the product (what products are really offering in terms of nutritional value). As such, this study suggests that in some cases there are important untapped marketing opportunities that effective communication strategies may help to cover

Methylome-wide analysis of milk somatic cells upon subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle

: Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind bovine mastitis is fundamental for improving the management of this disease, which continues to be of major concern for the dairy industry, especially in its subclinical form. Disease severity and progression depend on numerous aspects, such as livestock genetics, and the interaction between the causative agent, the host, and the environment. In this context, epigenetic mechanisms have proven to have a role in controlling the response of the animal to inflammation. Therefore, in this study we aimed to explore genome wide DNA methylation of milk somatic cells (SC) in healthy cows (n = 15) and cows affected by naturally occurring subclinical mastitis by Streptococcus (Strep.) agalactiae (n = 12) and Prototheca spp. (n = 11), to better understand the role of somatic cells methylome in the host response to disease. Differentially methylated regions (DMR) were evaluated comparing: i) Strep. agalactiae-infected vs. healthy; ii) Prototheca-infected vs. healthy, and iii) mastitis vs. healthy and iv) Strep. agalactiae-infected vs. Prototheca-infected. The functional analysis was performed at 2 levels. To begin with, we extracted differentially methylated genes (DMG) from promoter - DMR, which were analyzed using the Cytoscape ClueGO plug-in. Coupled with this DMG-driven approach, all the genes associated with promoter - methylated regions were fed to the Pathifier algorithm. From the DMR analysis, we identified 1,081 hypermethylated and 361 hypomethylated promoter regions in Strep. agalactiae infected animals, while 1,514 hypermethylated and 358 hypomethylated promoter regions were identified in Prototheca infected animals, when compared with the healthy controls. When considering infected animals as a whole group (regardless of the pathogen), we found 1,576 hypermethylated and 460 hypomethylated promoter regions. Both pathogens were associated with methylation differences in genes involved in pathways related to meiosis, reproduction and tissue remodeling. Exploring the whole methylome, in subclinically infected cows we observed a strong deregulation of immune related pathways, such as nuclear factor kB and toll-like receptors signaling pathways, and of energy-related pathways such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. In conclusion, no evident pathogen-specific SC methylome signature was detected in the present study. Overall, we observed a clear regulation of host immune response driven by DNA methylation upon subclinical mastitis. Further studies on a larger cohort of animals are needed to validate our results and to possibly identify a unique SC methylome that signifies pathogen-specific alterations

Clinical pharmacokinetics of a dexmedetomidine–methadone combination in dogs undergoing routine anaesthesia after buccal or intramuscular administration

This study aimed to define the pharmacokinetic profiles of dexmedetomidine and methadone administered simultaneously in dogs by either an oral transmucosal route or intramuscular route and to determine the bioavailability of the oral transmucosal administration relative to the intramuscular one of both drugs, so as the applicability of this administration route in dogs. Twelve client\u2010owned dogs, scheduled for diagnostic procedures, were treated with a combination of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (10 \u3bcg/kg) and methadone hydrochloride (0.4 mg/kg) through an oral transmucosal route or intramuscularly. Oral transmucosal administration caused ptyalism in most subjects, and intramuscular administration caused transient peripheral vasoconstriction. The results showed reduced and delayed absorption of both dexmedetomidine and methadone when administered through an oral transmucosal route, with median (range) Cmax values of 0.82 (0.42\u20131.49) ng/ml and 13.22 (2.80\u201352.30) ng/ml, respectively. The relative bioavailability was low: 16.34% (dexmedetomidine) and 15.5% (methadone). Intramuscular administration resulted in a more efficient absorption profile, with AUC and Cmax values for both drugs approximately 10 times higher. Dexmedetomidine and methadone administered simultaneously by an oral transmucosal route using injectable formulations were not well absorbed through the oral mucosa. Nevertheless, additional studies on these drugs combination using alternative administration routes are recommended

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in bee pollen identified by LC-MS/MS analysis and colour parameters using multivariate class modeling

Toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs) can be present in bee pollen depending on the plants visited by bees. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to monitor 17 PAs/PANOs in 44 bee pollens. The CIE-L 17a 17b 17 colour coordinates with the specular component either included or excluded were recorded in pellets and ground aliquots. Lightness (L 17) and yellowness (b 17) of ground bee pollen were significantly correlated to PAs/PANOs content. The L 17 and b 17 cut-offs sorted by a receiver operating characteristic analysis to predict PAs/PANOs presence showed a significant increase in the relative risk to detect amounts higher than 84 \u3bcg kg 121. Two supervised canonical discriminant analyses confirmed that pollen without PAs could be distinguished from those containing PAs/PANOs. The data suggest that instrumental colour coupled with supervised models could be used as a screening test for PAs/PANOs in bee pollen, before the confirmatory LC-MS/MS analysis