The aim of the study was to determine differences in the status of selected bioactive whey proteins and lipophilic vitamins in milk obtained from certified organic farms as compared to conventional farms (using traditional and intensive production systems). Significant relationships were noted with regard to production system and individual bioactive milk compounds, that is β‐lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, vitamins A, D3 and E, and β‐carotene (P = 0.001) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) (P = 0.016). Milk obtained from extensive farms, especially certified organic ones, was a valuable source of certain antioxidant compounds: β‐lactoglobulin (3.32 g/L), lactoferrin (123.8 mg/L), vitamin E (2.044 mg/L) and β‐carotene (0.257 mg/L) in the case of organic farms.

Global milk production is undeniably dominated by 2 dairy breeds recognized worldwide: Holstein-Friesian and Jersey. A third breed, Simmental, serves as a dual-purpose breed. The objective of the present research was to establish potential changes in the fractional components of bovine milk protein (mainly whey) in relation to the health status of a dairy cow's mammary glands, which is closely determined by somatic cell count (SCC). The milk of 3 breeds was studied: Polish Holstein-Friesian (Black and Red-White varieties), Simmental, and Jersey. The cows were housed in freestall barns and fed according to the total mixed ration feeding system for both winter and summer periods. Milk samples were collected individually from each cow twice a year, in the winter and summer seasons. A total of 1,822 milk samples were evaluated (946 in winter and 876 in summer). The milk was examined for SCC, crude protein, casein, and whey fraction proteins (α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, BSA, and lysozyme). The research material for each breed was split into 4 groups based on SCC (group I: ≤100,000 cells/mL; group II: 101,000 to 400,000 cells/mL; group III: 401,000 to 500,000 cells/mL; and group IV: 501,000 to 1,000,000 cells/mL). It was found that an increase of SCC promulgated a progressive decline in the daily yield of milk, which was significantly true for the Polish Holstein-Friesian. The level of crude protein decreased slightly as SCC increased, and casein concentration (r=-0.591) also followed this trend of decline. Elevation of SCC produced a decrease of major albumins (i.e., α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin). However, SCC increase induced an increase in the immunoactive proteins (lactoferrin and lysozyme) as well as BSA. The interactions of a breed with increased SCC, which can be measured based on the BSA content of the milk, has indicated various levels of susceptibility to the increase in different breeds. This is confirmed by different values of correlation coefficients for these relationships: 0.71 in the Holstein-Friesian, 0.58 in Simmental, and 0.47 in the Jersey cows. Holstein-Friesian cows are more sensitive to mammary gland infections causing a greater decline of their daily milk yields, which, in turn, is reflected in an increase of the negative value of the correlation coefficients between SCC and milk efficiency (-0.24). In the other 2 breeds, the correlations were also negative, but substantially lower (-0.12 and -0.15).

The aim of the study was to present a review of literature data on the antioxidant potential of raw milk and dairy products (milk, fermented products, and cheese) and the possibility to modify its level at the milk production and processing stage. Based on the available reports, it can be concluded that the consumption of products that are a rich source of bioactive components improves the antioxidant status of the organism and reduces the risk of development of many civilization diseases. Milk and dairy products are undoubtedly rich sources of antioxidant compounds. Various methods, in particular, ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH assays, are used for the measurement of the overall antioxidant activity of milk and dairy products. Research indicates differences in the total antioxidant capacity of milk between animal species, which result from the differences in the chemical compositions of their milk. The content of antioxidant components in milk and the antioxidant potential can be modified through animal nutrition (e.g., supplementation of animal diets with various natural additives (herbal mixtures, waste from fruit and vegetable processing)). The antioxidant potential of dairy products is associated with the quality of the raw material as well as the bacterial cultures and natural plant additives used. Antioxidant peptides released during milk fermentation increase the antioxidant capacity of dairy products, and the use of probiotic strains contributes its enhancement. Investigations have shown that the antioxidant activity of dairy products can be enhanced by the addition of plant raw materials or their extracts in the production process. Natural plant additives should therefore be widely used in animal nutrition or as functional additives to dairy products.

the study included milk obtained from cows of three native cattle breeds, i.e. white-backed (bg), Polish red (rP) and Polish black-and-white (Zb) kept under conventional conditions. the reference group consisted of milk from Polish holstein-friesian cows (Phf) maintained in the intensive system and milk from simmental cows (sm) kept under conventional conditions. the following parameters were determined in 976 samples of milk: content of fat, protein, casein, lactose and solids; acidity (pH value); heat stability; rennet coagulation time; content of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, serum albumin, lactoferrin and lysozyme. additionally, a certain proportion of samples was investigated for fatty acid profile and content of macro-and microelements. cows of native breeds produced milk of higher nutritional value (higher content of whey proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including cla) and more suitable for processing as compared to Phf cows. milk from cows of the Polish red breed was the most valuable in terms of these parameters, which can be associated with a distinctive phylogenetic origin of this breed. the favourable parameters in regard to the nutritional value and technological suitability of milk obtained from analysed population of cows of 3 breeds included in the programme of genetic resources conservation are therefore an important reason of validity for subsequent implementation of this programme. key words: local cattle breeds, milk, nutritional value, technological suitabilityCow's milk is a good raw material for processing, including the manufacture of cheese. Current worldwide production of cheese exceeds 20 million tonnes, including 633,500 tonnes of cheese produced in Poland (FAOSTAT, 2011). The number of cheeses available worldwide is very large and they not only serve to satisfy hunger This work was conducted as part of Ministry of Science and Higher Education project no. NN 311 02 83 34.

The stability of the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of yoghurts during refrigerated storage is important for industry and the consumer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional value, microbiological quality, sensory properties, and structure of natural probiotic yoghurts made with the addition of sea buckthorn fruit mousse during refrigerated storage. In this study, we produced natural, probiotic organic yoghurts with the addition of superfoods, i.e., sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit mousse, using ABT-1 probiotic yoghurt starter culture based on Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus. Physico-chemical (acidity, nutritional value, and structure) as well as microbiological and sensory changes occurring during 21-day refrigerated storage were determined. The yoghurts were characterized by high sanitary and hygienic quality during the whole refrigerated storage. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra were also used in the analyses of the obtained yoghurt samples. The applied yoghurt additive was visible at the spectral level as an increase in the intensity of the characteristic bands for vibrations related to protein, fat, and polysaccharide structures. Sea buckthorn can be used as a modern and unconventional addition to yoghurts with health-promoting properties. Micrographic studies have shown that the addition of sea buckthorn mousse significantly changes the microstructure of the yoghurt. The structure of sea buckthorn to yoghurt seems to be more susceptible to the influence of damaging factors, which is also confirmed by the FTIR test conducted during the storage.