The aim of the present study was to determine whether the echotextural features of the mammary gland parenchyma in buffaloes during lactation at different somatic cell levels could be used to diagnose mastitis. This study was divided into two parts. In the first experiment, experimental buffaloes (n = 65) with somatic cell counts (SCC) tests (n = 94) in different seasons, including spring (n = 22), summer (n = 24), autumn (n = 37), and winter (n = 11), were used to obtain ultrasonic variables for each quarter of mammary gland that could best explain the corresponding somatic cell level. In the second part of the study, the first part's experimental results were verified by subjecting at least one-quarter udder of eight buffaloes to ultrasonography seven times during mid-July to mid-August for obtaining ultrasonic values at different somatic cell levels. The echo textural characteristics [mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) and pixel heterogeneity (pixel standard deviation, PSD)] were evaluated using 16 ultrasonographic images of each buffalo with Image ProPlus software. The effects of SCC, days in milk (DIM), scanning order (SO), season, as well as the scanning plane and udder quarter (SP + UQ) on both the PSD and NPVs of the mammary gland were significant (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient between pre-milking sagittal PSD and somatic cell score (SCS) was the highest (r = 0.4224, p < 0.0001) with fitted linear model: y = 0.19445x (dependent variable: SCS, independent variables: pre-milking sagittal PSD; R2 = 0.84, p < 0.0001). In addition, SCC and ultrasonic of udder quarter were followed for 1 month, confirming that pre-milking sagittal PSD of mammary gland value could explain the SCC variation in milk. The current study demonstrated that the ultrasonographic examination of the udder could be one of the complementary tools for diagnosing subclinical mastitis in buffaloes.
Buffalo milk is a dairy product that is considered to have a higher nutritional value compared to cow’s milk. Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential fatty acid that is important for human health. This study aimed to investigate and validate the use of Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) for the quantification of the linoleic acid in buffalo milk. Three machine learning models were used to predict linoleic acid content, and random forest was employed to select the most important subset of spectra for improved model performance. The validity of the FT-MIR methods was evaluated in accordance with ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines using the accuracy profile method, and the precision, the accuracy, and the limit of quantification were determined. The results showed that Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a suitable technique for the analysis of linoleic acid, with a lower limit of quantification of 0.15 mg/mL milk. Our results showed that FT-MIR spectroscopy is a viable method for LA concentration analysis.
The objective of the study was to compare and reveal differences in basic chemical parameters, fatty acids, amino acids, and lipid quality indices of crossbred buffalo (swamp x river type) milk produced in summer and winter. The buffalo milk samples were collected in summer (Jul–Aug) and winter (Dec–Jan) from Hubei province, China. The samples were detected by using CombiFoss apparatus, gas chromatography, and an automated specialized amino acid analyzer. The results showed that the basic chemical parameters, fatty acid profiles, lipid quality indices, and amino acid profiles of crossbred buffalo milk differed between summer and winter. Specifically, summer buffalo milk exhibited a higher content of MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) than winter buffalo milk. Summer buffalo milk had a lower content of major SFA (saturated fatty acids), a higher content of ω-3 and DFA (hypocholesterolemic fatty acids), a lower ω-6/ω-3 ratio, a higher value of 3 unsaturated fatty acid indices (C14, C16, C18), and a lower value of IA (index of atherogenicity) and IT (index of thrombogenicity) than winter buffalo milk. Additionally, 17 amino acids, including 8 EAA (essential amino acids) and 9 NEAA (non-essential amino acids) were higher in summer buffalo milk. These results indicated that summer buffalo milk was more health-beneficial than winter buffalo milk. Therefore, summer buffalo milk might be a desirable diet option for human nutrition and health. Our findings provide valuable information for the research and development of buffalo dairy products in China or other Asian countries.
Colostrum is a vital performance for buffaloes and potentially functional foods in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the difference between the parity of buffalo colostrum and mature milk. Twenty pregnant buffaloes (primiparous = 10; multiparous = 10) were assigned to the same diet prepartum and milking routine postpartum. Calves were separated from the dams immediately after birth and colostrum was harvested within 2 h, whilst mature milk was harvested at 7 days postpartum. The colostrum was analyzed for immunoglobulin G and milk composition as the mature milk. The results showed that there was a higher level of protein, solid not fat, and milk urea nitrogen (p < 0.05), with a tendency for higher total solids (p = 0.08) in primiparous buffaloes’ colostrum compared with multiparous. No parity effect was observed in colostrum immunoglobulin G, fat, lactose, and yields of colostrum and composition (p > 0.05). There was no difference in mature milk composition and yield by parity affected (p > 0.05). Compared with mature milk composition, colostrum had a higher content protein, total solids, solid not fat, and milk urea nitrogen (p < 0.05); however, fat and lactose were lower than that of mature milk (p < 0.05). For minerals, multiparous buffaloes’ colostrum had a higher concentration of Fe (p = 0.05), while the mature milk had higher concentrations of K and P compared with primiparous. Buffalo colostrum had higher concentrations of Na, Mg, Co, Fe, and K with a lower concentration of Ca relative to mature milk (p < 0.05). It was observed that parity affected colostrum characteristics rather than mature milk and caused subtle variations in minerals in colostrum and mature milk of buffaloes. As lactation proceeded, both milk composition and minerals in the milk changed drastically.
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