SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: W181 : Modifying Milk Fat Composition for Improved Manufacturing Qualities and Consumer Acceptability
- Period Covered: 01/01/2001 to 12/01/2001
- Date of Report: 12/09/2002
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/07/2002 to 01/08/2002
Participants
COOPERATING AGENCIES AND PRINCIPLE LEADERS: State Agricultural Experiment Stations CA University of California, Davis E. DePeters*, B. German FL University of Florida C. Staples* ID University of Idaho M. McGuire* IL University of Illinois J. Drackley* IA Iowa State University D. Beitz* KY University of Kentucky S. Franklin* MD University of Maryland R. Erdman*, B. Teter MN University of Minnesota D. Smith* NY Cornell University D. Barbano*, D. Bauman OH The Ohio State University M. Eastridge* SC Clemson University T. Jenkins* SD South Dakota State University D. Schingoethe*, R. Baer UT Utah State University T. Dhiman* VA Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University J. Herbein*, S. Duncan * Voting members Administrative Advisor Administrative advisor R. Pardini USDA-CREES Representative H. Tyrrell Collaborators: California Dairy Research Foundation, CA J. O'Donnell Dairy Management Inc., IL R. Champion Ecole Nationale Supirliure Agronomique, France C. Bayourthe Ecole Nationale Veterinaire, France F. Enjalbert Elanco Animal Health, IN R. Ken McGoffey Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, France Y. Chilliard Land O'Lakes, IA C. Luhman and Naomi Scott CSIRO, Australia J. Ashes University of Alberta, Canada J. Kennelly University of Laval, Quebec, Canada P. Chouinard University of Helsinki, Finland M. Giriinari Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, WI Kerry Kaylegian
Accomplishments
IMPACT STATEMENT
Dairy products are an important source of vital nutrients in the human diet. We have increased understanding of methods for improving the health index of dairy products, demonstrated health benefits of vaccenic acid, learned that products from these methods are acceptable to consumers, and increased the marketability of dairy products.
Objective 1: To identify and characterize important regulatory steps in fatty acid synthesis and
desaturation and their positional distribution on glycerol in milk fat.
In lactating dairy cows it was established that endogenous synthesis of milk fat CLA was possible. There was a 31% increase in milk fat CLA with abomasal infusion of trans-11 C18:1 fatty acid. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme was identified to be responsible for conversion of trans C18:1 to CLA in the mammary gland. It was shown that endogenous synthesis of CLA accounted for over 75% of the cis-9, trans-11 CLA found in milk.
Research completed at Cornell University showed that there are differences in dairy cows, probably based on genetics, in ability to either extract CLA or make CLA for deposition into milk fat. The rank order of cows based on CLA concentration in milk fat did not change whether cows were fed a diet to enhance CLA synthesis or a diet that was designed to keep CLA synthesis in the cow low. The researchers used a C14:0 to C14:1 ratio to determine desaturation indices because all C14:1 originates from the delta-9 desaturase.
It was found that the trans-10 cis-12 isomer of CLA reduces milk fat content and fat yield. Variation in trans 11 oleic acid may explain the trans 10, cis 12 effect on milk fat depression. Research completed at the Ohio State University suggests a dose response curve of lower milk fat yield with increasing concentrations of the trans 11, cis 12 isomer of CLA. Much of the decrease was due to a decrease in de novo synthesis. Several other isomers were involved, however, it is felt that the t10, c12 isomer is coordinating the change. When milk fat synthesis is decrease, it may lead to increased lipogenesis in adipose tissue.
Research completed at the University of Minnesota is studying the fatty acid concentration of milk from high and low producing herds in the state. Data is being collected. University of Minnesota is also interested in determining what effects flavors in milk and certain peptides in milk to determine if flavors or peptides can be fed or selected for.
Studies conducted at the University of Maryland were started to determine if concentrations trans isomers and CLA isomers in milk fat are correlated or independent. Ruminocentesis was used to determine concentrations of TVA and CLA in ruminal fluid and this was compared to milk concentrations. It was found that trnas, trans isomers may have been made during the processing of samples. There may actually be trans, trans isomers formed in the rumen, but it is not likely that they are absorbed.
Objective 2: To quantify modification of milk fat composition by manipulating the diet of
the cow.
Studies were conducted to determine the influence of feeding various fat sources on fatty acid composition of various breeds of dairy cows. It was found that milk from Jersey cows was more saturated than milk from Holstein and Brown Swiss cows. Feeding supplemental fat reduced the fat globule size in milk.
An interesting aspect of CLA is its relationship to diet-induced milk fat depression. Recent research results from the Cornell University suggest that it is trans-10 C18:1 fatty acid that is responsible for milk fat depression.
Ann Fearon, Belfast University, presented Optimizing milk fat composition and an example of current technology practices. Dietary enhancement by feeding cows on pasture a supplement to increase unsaturated fatty acids allowed manufacturing and marketing of a naturally spreadable butter. Produced only in summer when animals are on pasture then stored. The primary criterion for increasing spreadability was increasing oleic acid content of milk fat.
Research done at University of Utah compared breeds of dairy cattle for changes in fatty acids composition of milk fat. Data suggested that, if animals had been pastured, there would have been larger differences. When not pastured, animals had lower CLA concentrations in milk, but TVA concentrations were similar. Research on breed differences will also continue at the University of Arizona where Brown Swiss will be compared with Holstein cattle. There may be differences in these two breeds because Brown Swiss are thought to be less susceptible to milk fat depression.
Research competed at Iowa State University was completed to determine the diversity of fatty acid composition in cow distinct dairy herds. Differences in cows were seen that seemed to be related to stage of lactation, parity, and genetics. The idea was that, if milk could be segregated from certain animals, products enhanced in unsaturated fatty acids or CLA concentrations could be manufactured. ISU also tried using NIR indices as potential rapid checks for the unsaturation (via the atherogenic index of milk fat) but accuracy was not adequate for good estimation. FTIR may provide a better answer.
Objective 3: To characterize the effects of modified milk fats on physical, chemical,
manufacturing, and sensory properties of dairy products.
Sphingomyelin is a phospholipid referred to as tumor suppressor lipid. Milk is a major source of sphingomyelin in the human diet. Studies conducted at the University of Illinois showed that Sphingomyelin was more concentrated in Holstein milk fat than Jersey milk fat.
Consumer testing done at two sites in the United States by Land OLakes on pilot samples of spreadable butter. Consumers suggested that they liked the concept but were not willing to pay a premium for the product. Consumer testing completed by University of Kentucky, however, suggested that consumers would purchase a CLA enhanced products (milk and cheese) based on health claims. The CLA enhancement was accomplished by feeding fish oil.
COLLABORATIVE WORK
Linkages between researchers
1. Health aspects of vaccinic acid are being demonstrated by collaborations done with Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) and University of Helsinki
2. University of Illinois and University of Reading, Dept. of Agriculture, UK.
3. Cornell University is collaborating with University of Helsinki, Finland; University Cagliari, Italy; INRA France; University of Laval, Canada; University of Illinois; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo; University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; University of Idaho; Natural lipids, Norway; ARS/USDA; ARO Israel; Purdue University, Land OLakes, Webster City, Iowa.
4. Utah State University and Western Dairy Center, Logan, Utah
5. Department of Dairy Science and Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
6. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa and Land O‘Lakes, Webster City, Iowa.
7. University of Belfast representative visited with W-181 group to share experiences with commercialization of fatty acid modified butters in Ireland.