Feeding Dairy Goats Dehydrated Orange Pulp Improves Cheese Antioxidant Content.

Agroindustrial by-products constitute an alternative source of feed livestock, and their use contributes to the sustainability of livestock systems and the circular bioeconomy. The effects of replacing cereal (0%, 40%, and 80%) with dehydrated orange pulp (DOP) in the diet of goats on the antioxidant and fatty acid (FA) contents of cheeses were evaluated. For a more suitable understanding of the role of coagulant enzymes in establishing the properties of the cheese, the effect of milk-clotting with animal and vegetable rennet was also analysed. The rennet did not substantially affect the FA or the antioxidant compounds, and the use of DOP did not affect the FA contents. However, the α-tocopherol levels, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in cheeses increased as the percentage of DOP replacing cereals increased. Moreover, the high correlation obtained between the TAC and the TPC (r = 0.73) and α-tocopherol (r = 0.62) contents indicated the important role played by these compounds in improving the antioxidant capacity of the cheese. In conclusion, DOP is a suitable alternative to cereals in the diet of goats and improves the antioxidant status of the cheese produced.

Organoleptic and Nutritional Traits of Lambs from Spanish Mediterranean Islands Raised under a Traditional Production System.

Our aim was to characterize the organoleptic and nutritional properties of meat from suckling (one-month-old) and light (around three-months-old) lambs in local breeds on the Spanish Mediterranean islands, using meat from male lambs of the Mallorquina and Roja Mallorquina breeds. The lambs were kept with their mother at all times under an extensive management system and fed on mother's milk until naturally weaned. In the Mallorquina breed, suckling lambs (n = 20) were slaughtered after weaning and the light lambs were bred using natural pasture (n = 20) or concentrate (n = 20), and the Roja Mallorquina light lambs were fed pasture and concentrate (n = 20). The pH, colour, texture, water-holding capacity, fatty acids, volatile compounds and sensorial attributes of the meat were analyzed. No differences in meat colour or texture were observed. The highest levels of non-desirable fatty acids were observed in lambs raised using concentrate. Light lambs showed a higher aldehydes content than suckling lambs. High notes of lactic acid and milk flavour were detected. Regardless of access to pasture or concentrate, continued access to mother's milk during rearing influences the sensorial meat traits of these lambs, so we consider this type of management an optimal way of obtaining the traditional 'Mediterranean lamb meat'.

The High Testosterone Concentrations of the Bucks Used in the "Male Effect" Is Not a Prerequisite for Obtaining High Ovarian Activity in Goats from Mediterranean Latitudes.

Two experiments were carried out. Firstly, 54 anestrous females were placed in contact with photostimulated males (Photo; n = 27) or with no photostimulated males (Natural; n = 27). Moreover, a group of bucks treated with artificial photoperiod and a group of bucks subjected to natural photoperiod without contact with females was used (Photo Isolated and Natural Isolated, respectively). In the Natural groups, the testosterone concentrations were similar except for three days after the introduction of the bucks to the does (19.72 ± 4.11 vs. 2.05 ± 0.25 ng/mL for Natural and Natural isolated bucks, respectively, p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in the Photo groups during the entire experiment. The percentage of females showing estrous was higher in the group of females in contact with photostimulated bucks (96 vs. 74%, respectively, p < 0.05). In the second experiment, a GnRH agonist, deslorelin, was used to regulate the testosterone concentrations of the bucks. Seventy anestrous females were divided into five groups depending on the treatment received by the bucks to which they were exposed: photostimulated bucks (Photo group, n = 14); photostimulated bucks but treated with the agonist at the onset of the photoperiod treatment (Photo-Ago Long group, n = 13); photostimulated bucks but treated with the agonist at the end of the photoperiod treatment (Photo-Ago Short group, n = 15); bucks receiving no photostimulation but treated with the agonist at the end of the photoperiod treatment period (Natural-Ago Short group, n = 13) and bucks receiving no photostimulation nor agonist (Natural group, n = 15). The agonist treatment increased testosterone concentrations after the injection, which remained high for the entire experiment (p < 0.05). Six days after the introduction of the bucks to the does, the testosterone concentrations increased only in the Natural group reaching similar concentrations to the other groups (12.17 ± 6.55, 16.69 ± 4.53, 8.70 ± 0.61, 11.03 ± 1.45 and 14.42 ± 3.64 ng/mL for Photo, Photo-Ago Long, Photo-Ago Short, Natural-Ago Short and Natural bucks, respectively, p > 0.05). No differences in reproductive parameters were observed (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate that, at Mediterranean latitudes, anestrous females can stimulate the testosterone concentrations of bucks after a period of isolation. The high testosterone concentrations are not a prerequisite for an adequate response to the male effect.

Supplementing the Diet of Dairy Goats with Dried Orange Pulp throughout Lactation: I. Effect on Milk Performance, Nutrient Utilisation, Blood Parameters and Production Economics.

Dried orange pulp (DOP) can be incorporated into ruminant diets, but no reports have considered this strategy during the entire lactation period in goats. Two experiments were performed using lactating Payoya goats. In experiment 1, to study the effect, over 180 days, of DOP on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and economic values, 44 primiparous goats were allocated into three groups: control diet (concentrate plus lucerne) and DOP40 and DOP80 diets, in which DOP replaced 40% and 80%, respectively, of the cereals. Nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation were also studied (experiment 2). The DOP diets did not affect milk yield and composition. DOP triggered lower intake and digestibility of ether extract and crude protein. Ruminal fermentation was unaffected by DOP, except for a decrease in butyrate for DOP80. The energy balance was unaltered by diet while the balance and retention of nitrogen decreased. Regarding plasma biochemistry, DOP supplementation caused changes that could indicate an improvement in hepatic function and reduced muscular damage and oxidative muscular stress. Moreover, DOP80 provided a profit increase of EUR 3.27/goat. In conclusion, the partial replacement of cereals by DOP is a profitable and healthy nutritional strategy in dairy goats and is suitable for the entire lactation period without compromising productivity.

Supplementing the Diet of Dairy Goats with Dried Orange Pulp throughout Lactation: II Effect on Milk Fatty Acids Profile, Phenolic Compounds, Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Antioxidant Capacity.

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) as a short-term dietary supplementation has been proven an effective substitute for cereals in goat diets-without impairing milk quality-there have been no studies considering its use over the full lactation period. This study evaluated replacing cereal with DOP in goat diets for the full 180-day lactation period on milk's fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant composition. Payoya goats were assigned to three diet groups: a control group consuming a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; a DOP40 or DOP80 group, wherein 40% or 80% of the cereal in the concentrate was replaced by DOP. The α-tocopherol and phenolic compounds levels and the antioxidant capacity in the milk increased as the DOP percentage increased. Including DOP might improve the FA indices of milk in the context of human health, especially when included at the end of lactation because it contributes to reducing the thrombogenicity index and increasing both the monounsaturated/saturated FA and polyunsaturated/saturated FA indices and the amounts of indispensables α-C18:3 n-3 and C18:2 n-6 cis. Ultimately, DOP presents a plausible alternative to cereals in the diet of goats throughout lactation to improve the nutritional milk quality, especially the healthy antioxidant capacity.

Better Animal Feeding for Improving the Quality of Ruminant Meat and Dairy.

The quality of meat and dairy products can be evaluated from the perspective of the farmer seeking high yields and profits or the consumer for whom sensory characteristics are the most important, although health and ethical aspects, such as animal welfare and the environmental impact of the production system, are increasingly becoming concerns worldwide [...].

Photoperiod-Treatment in Mediterranean Bucks Can Improve the Reproductive Performance of the Male Effect Depending on the Extent of Their Seasonality.

This study examines the effectiveness of the photoperiod treatment (extra light for 88 days) to render the bucks sexually active during the seasonal anoestrous in order to induce a male effect, depending on the reproductive seasonality of the breed of the bucks used. In April, 57 anoestrous Blanca Andaluza does were distributed into four groups with three males each: 13 were exposed to control Murciano-Granadina bucks (lower seasonality); 15 were exposed to photostimulated Murciano-Granadina bucks; 14 were exposed to control Blanca Andaluza bucks (higher seasonality), and 15 were exposed to photostimulated Blanca Andaluza bucks. After male introduction, the sexual behaviour of the bucks was assessed, and harness marks recorded doe oestrous behaviour. Ovulation was confirmed from plasma progesterone, and the ovulation rate was assessed by transrectal ultrasonography. Fecundity, fertility, prolificacy and productivity were also determined. All of the does in all of the groups showed ovulation. Interaction between both sources of variation was observed: the percentage of females showing oestrous (p < 0.01) and productivity (p < 0.05) was the lowest in the Blanca Andaluza control group (50% and 0.36 ± 0.17 goat kids born/female, respectively). In conclusion, photoperiod-treated bucks efficiently induce a male effect, but photostimulation could be more necessary for breeds with deep seasonality.

Physicochemical Composition, Antioxidant Status, Fatty Acid Profile, and Volatile Compounds of Milk and Fresh and Ripened Ewes' Cheese from a Sustainable Part-Time Grazing System.

We conducted the first nutritional analysis of dairy products from the traditional Roja Mallorquina sheep breed. Samples of bulk raw milk were taken twice a month from December 2015 to March 2016 from sheep fed using a part-time grazing system, and fresh soft (FC, n = 8) and ripened (RC, n = 8) cheeses were made. The variability in vitamins, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and fatty acid (FA) content was influenced by the cheese-making process (differences between the cheese and the original milk) and by the type of cheese-making technology (mainly related to heating, the use of starter culture, and ripening). The most notable physicochemical characteristic of the cheeses was low fat content (24.1 and 29.6 g/100 g for FC and RC). Milk and RC were characterised by major concentrations of retinol (211.4 and 233.6 µg/100 g dry matter (DM), respectively) and TPC (18.7 and 54.6 µg/100 g DM, respectively), while FC was characterised by major concentrations of retinol (376.4 µg) and α-tocopherol (361.7 µg). The fat-soluble components of the FC generally exhibited better nutritional value for human health than those of the milk and RC, with a higher level of retinol and α-tocopherol; lower values for saturated FA, atherogenic, and thrombogenic indices; and higher levels of monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA, n-3, and n-6. Acids, alcohols, and ketones comprised almost 95% of the volatile compounds detected. Acetoin and products of lactose and citrate metabolism played an important role in the development of the aromatic attributes of both kinds of cheese. This preliminary study can contribute to add value to these traditional products according to healthy nutritional criteria and supports the implementation of strategies to promote their commercialisation and obtain product labelling as "pasture-fed" or specific marks.

Effect of Citrus By-product on Physicochemical Parameters, Sensory Analysis and Volatile Composition of Different Kinds of Cheese from Raw Goat Milk.

The increased use of concentrates to reduce pasture as a feed source in productive systems like Payoya breed goat farms has made it necessary to decrease feeding costs. The inclusion of agro-industry by-products such as dry orange pulp pellets in goat diets has been suggested as a sustainable alternative to cereal-based concentrates. The aim of this work was to assess the influence of diets including dry orange pulp pellets on the quality of cheeses traditionally made from Payoya breed goat milk. We analysed the physicochemical characteristics, sensory properties and volatile compound profiles of 18 artisanal cheeses made from raw Payoya milk. In this study, goats were fed with different concentrations of dry orange pulp; and cheeses were curdled with animal and vegetable coagulants. Slight differences were detected between some cheeses. However, the use of citrus by-products in the Payoya goat diets did not substantially affect the cheeses' physicochemical properties, olfactory attributes, or volatile profiles. Therefore, dried citrus pulp can be used as a substitute for cereal concentrates without affecting the distinct properties of these ripened raw goat milk cheeses.

The Use of Concentrates Rich in Orange By-Products in Goat Feed and Its Effects on Physico-Chemical, Textural, Fatty Acids, Volatile Compounds and Sensory Characteristics of the Meat of Suckling Kids.

We analysed how replacing cereal concentrates with dehydrated orange pulp (DOP) in the diet of mother goats affects the meat quality of suckling kids. Three experimental diets for mother goats were designed. The DOP-0 diet contained commercial concentrates and alfalfa hay. In the DOP-40 and DOP-80 diets, 40% and 80% (respectively) of the cereal in the concentrate was replaced with pellets of DOP (the alfalfa hay component was unchanged). We evaluated the chemical composition, texture, water holding capacity, colour, fatty acids (FAs) profile, volatile compounds, and sensorial appraisal of the meat from 30 male suckling kids (cold carcass weight 4.74 kg, 4.82 kg, and 4.65 kg for DOP-0, DOP-40, and DOP-80, respectively) of the Payoya breed (n = 10 for each diet). Meat from kids in the DOP-40 and DOP-80 groups exhibited characteristics favourable for human health, including the meat's thrombogenicity index, PUFA/SFA ratio (0.60 index), and n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratio (approximately 7.50). The meat also exhibited reduced MUFA content (around 460 mg/100 g fresh meat). An increase in ethyl furan, dimethyl disulphide and heptane was observed in grilled meat from goats that were fed using DOP. The inclusion of DOP in goat feed improved consumers' sensory appreciation of the kid's meat.