Milk quotas, based on an average fat content, severely limit milk production on UK farms. Predictions of the time-course of lactation are incorporated into most computerized herd management programs but these models take no account of food inputs, body weight change or milk composition. Dynamic models are generally used to simulate metabolic pathways and, as such, have little direct relevance to commercial milk production. Dynamic models can be converted to an adaptive-predictive model that partitions food energy into milk and non-milk constituents. This paper reports the development of an adaptive-predictive model to partition food into milk and non-milk components. Additional functions further partition milk energy into the principal constituents, fat, protein and lactose.

Eighteen cows with a wide range of quarter peak flow rates (0·35–2·22 kg/min) were inoculated with Streptococcus agalactiae and Str. dysgalactiae 4 mm into each streak canal every 3 d for 12 d. Thirty of the 72 quarters developed intramammary infection. Mean peak flow rate and length of streak canal of those quarters that became infected were 1·26 ± 0·08 kg/min (mean ± SEM) and 11·47 ± 0·41 mm respectively, compared with 1·01 ± 0·05 kg/min and 12·05 ± 0·35 mm for those that remained uninfected. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of infection increased significantly with the increase in peak flow rate (P = O·O1). The influence of streak canal length on new infection, after allowing for the effect of peak flow rate, was not significant at the 5% level (P = 0·07), suggesting that there may be an inverse relationship between teat duct length and infection, but that it is of secondary importance to peak flow rate. If increased mass of milk distends the teat duct by raising intramammary pressure, then quarter susceptibility to infection is further compromised. These results strongly suggest that the benefits of reduced infection from mastitis control, achieved despite dramatic increases in milk flow rate and milk yield, are significantly underestimated.

We have evaluated the usefulness in mastitis diagnostics of new diagnostic measures using the continuous nature of the variation in quarter milk samples of four inflammatory markers: somatic cell count, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), electrical conductivity and antitrypsin. A two-way analysis of variance was performed for each of the inflammatory markers on results from 273 cows sampled six times at 14 d intervals. Adjustment for the individual cow's mean removed approximately half the total variation for all four markers, indicating that comparisons in marker levels between quarters without taking the cows' overall level into account, as is done in diagnostic keys based on fixed threshold, is a rash procedure. After adjusting for the individual cow means, the total variation of the marker observations was partitioned in three sources of variation: between the four quarter levels, between different sampling days, and the experimental error, i.e. the variation within each quarter over-the study period. As expected, the variation between quarters accounted for the largest percentage of the variation (44–65%). In contrast the variation between days was only 16–34% and of the same magnitude as the experimental error. These figures can profitably be taken into account when designing experiments in future mastitis research studies. They imply that mastitis diagnostics based on quarter milk samples collected over time will be influenced only slightly by random biological variation and that the same relative differences that exist in marker levels between the four quarters of a cow as a rule will be disclosed irrespective of sampling day. Thus, the udder health state is relatively stable when determined by these inflammatory markers. In addition to simple correlations between markers measured on the same day, correlations of the logarithm of the interquarter ratios and of the experimental errors were computed. Stronger associations between the markers emerged and these correlations reflect more precisely than simple correlations the real diagnostic relations of the markers.

Xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase (XO/XDH) increases at mid gestation in mammary gland but not in liver of the mouse and remains elevated until the pups are weaned at 20 d post partum. The increase in enzyme activity is due neither to alteration in activators or inhibitors nor to a production of a variant enzyme with altered catalytic properties. The increase is preceded in vivo by a surge of prolactin-like activity (placental lactogen) in plasma, and prolactin is required for induction of XO/XDH in explant culture in vitro. Induction of XO/XDH in vivo and in vitro precedes the full histological differentiation of the gland. In addition, induction of XO/XDH in vitro occurs more rapidly and at lower concentrations of prolactin than does histological differentiation. Thus although XO/XDH is present in milk, increased XO/XDH activity is an early event in mammogenesis in vivo and in vitro rather than a terminal component of differentiation.

α-Adrenergic mimetics inhibit milk removal whereas β-adrenergic mimetics have a favourable effect upon milk removal in dairy cows. This work aimed to relate these effects to the milk ejection reflex mechanism and/or milk flow from the cisternal cavities only. The α-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol were injected prior to and after milk ejection. Applied after milk ejection, the phenylephrine treatment reduced intramammary pressure (IMP) and milk yield markedly. Phenylephrine application before milk ejection prevented IMP from rising during teat stimulation or after oxytocin injection. Milking produced small amounts of milk at minimal milk flow rates. The very different responses to phenylephrine application prior to and after milk ejection indicate separate adrenergic inhibitory mechanisms for milk ejection and milk flow. The application of the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol did not alter the IMP. Nevertheless, this compound improved milk removal by increasing milk flow. The observation of bimodal milk flow at milkings without preceding teat stimulation indicates a delayed milk ejection. Isoproterenol injection without teat stimulation enhanced milk flow rates, but the bimodality remained unchanged. We conclude that isoproterenol enhances milk flow without affectiiig milk ejection.

Enzymic modification with peptidylarginine deiminase (EC 3.5.3.15) enabled five out of six arginyl residues in αs1-casein to be convcrted to citrullyl residues, only the N-terminal arginyl residue remaining unaffected. An increase in the net negative charge was confirmed by PAGE. The isoelectric point was decreased from 4·46 for the intact αsl-casein to 4·30 for the deiminated type, while simultaneously lowering the acid-precipitation starting point from pH 5·17 to pH 4·62. The deiminated αs1-casein self-associated less in the absence of Ca and was less Ca-sensitive than the native type, although its Ca-binding ability was slightly enhanced. In the presence of 25 mM-CaC12 and K-casein, Ca-induced precipitation of αs1-casein did not occur, the solution of the mixture remaining transparent. Deimination of αs1-casein resulted in altering its characteristics, possibly by interfering with interactions through hydrophobicity and/or hydrogen bonding. The positive charge of the arginyl residues might play an important role in casein micelle formation.

The effect of heat treatments, at various water activities (αw), on digestibility and on the availabilities of amino acids of whey protein samples in the presence of lactose was estimated by an in vitro digestion method with continuons dialysis. Four αw (0·3, 0·5, 0·7 and 0·97), three temperatures (75, 100 and 121 °C) and three heating periods (50, 500 and 5000 s) were selected. The initial lysine: lactose molar ratio was 1:1. Amino acid profiles showed that excessive heating of whey (121 °C, 5000 s) destroyed a significant proportion of cystine at all αw, lysine at αw 0·3, 0·5 and 0·7, and arginine at αw 0·5 and 0·7. At αw 0·3, 0·5 and 0·7, protein digestibility decreased (P < 0·05) as the temperature increased from 75 to 121 °C for a heating period of 5000 s, and as the heating time was prolonged from 500 to 5000 s at 121 °C. Excessive heating also decreased (P < 0·05) the availabilities of ail amino acids at αw 0·3, 0·5 and 0·7. The availabilities of lysine, proline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, glycine and serine were particularly affected. Severe heating at αw 0·97 did not seem to favour the Maillard reaction, but the availabilities of cystine, tyrosine and arginine were decreased, probably as a result of structural modifications of the protein upon heating. Heating whey protein concentrates in the presence of lactose not only affected lysine, but also impaired enzymic liberation of other amino acids, according to the severity of heat treatments and αw.

The 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of milk from goats, sheep, a rabbit, a baboon and a human were examined and compared with the spectrum of cows' milk. Most of the peaks observed could be assigned to phosphorus compounds already known to be present in such milks. However, rabbit milk was found to contain unexpectedly large amounts of phosphate esters, and to have only low levels of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity. In addition, an unknown compound was detected in baboon milk and in some samples of sheep and goat colostrum. This compound was not identified, but may be a mixed anhydride such as 1,3 diphosphoglyceric acid. The results show that changes during lactation may be followed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance and that the technique may be of value in authentification of samples.

Photoacoustic and proton-induced X-ray emission measurements were performed on iron-enriched milk protein concentrates. The possibility of measuring Fe content by photoacoustic measurements in the visible region of the spectrum is discussed.

Electrophoretic analysis of the action of two commercial enzymes, Neutrase 0·5 and MKC Fungal Protease, on whole casein and αs-, β- and κ-caseins from cows' and ewes' milk showed that Neutrase 0·5 chiefly degraded β-casein, giving rise to peptides soluble at pH 4·6 detectable by PAGE. In contrast, although MKC Fungal Protease caused intense hydrolysis of bovine β-casein, in ovine casein it resulted in more active degradation of αs- than β-casein. The latter enzyme did not produce peptides soluble at pH 4·6 detectable by PAGE. Both enzymes degraded κ-casein, yielding a breakdown product that exhibited an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the breakdown product produced by the action of commercial rennet.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus cells heat treated at 67 or 68 °C for 15·5–16 s had significantly less acidification capacity and much lower endopeptidase activity than untreated cells, while they still retained high aminopeptidase activities against amino acids commonly found in bitter peptides. A stimulatory effect of heat treatment on the leakage of aminopeptidases from cells was observed at pH 5·4. These properties make them suitable as extra sources of important ripening enzymes in cheesemaking.

A rapid fluorogenic medium was evaluated for the detection of Escherichia coli in dairy products. The medium was capable of detecting Esch. coli after 7·5 h incubation at 41·5 °C. Samples of pasteurized milk (136), raw milk (63), soft cheese (60) and pasteurized cream (39) were examined with media based on 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG-7) and Violet red bile agar and there were no significant differences between the numbers of Esch. coli detected on the two media. MUG-7 medium had a specificity of 98·6% and the small number of organisms giving a false positive reaction were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae. The incidence of false negative results was ∼2%. MUG-7 medium was suitable for pour plate, spread plate and membrane filtration methods. Possible applications of the method are discussed.

Lactobacilli, often used as effectors of host functions, could play an important role in maintaining human health by controlling other intestinal microorganisms capable of producing harmful effects. Using an experimental model, we studied the effect of different oral doses of Lactobacillus casei on the secretory IgA response and the protective capacity of the microorganism in preventing intestinal infections. The optimization of the protective dose of Lb. casei by previous feeding and the use of the lactobacillus as an immunological way to control enteric infections were investigated. We found that conventional mice were protected against infection with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli by previous feeding for 2 consecutive days with a daily Lb. casei dose of 1·2 × 109 cfu/mouse. Previous feeding for 7 d proved less effective, and feeding for 5 d afforded no protection at all. We were also able to demonstrate that the protective effect of Lb. casei against Sal. typhimurium and Esch. coli was connected mainly with the high level of IgA antipathogen antibodies present in intestinal secretions. β-Glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) and β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) activities, measured both in the intestinal fluid and histological samples, showed a marked increase in intestinal inflammatory response on day 5 of feeding. These results show that Lb. casei plays an important role in the prevention of enteric infections, a low dose being enough for protection against intestinal infections by increasing IgA secretion into the intestinal lumen, thus providing adequate defences for the mucosal surface. A previously administered dose of this magnitude could therefore be used as an oral adjuvant in preventing enteric infections.

A new fermented milk was prepared by using capsular polysaccharide-producing Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens K1 isolated from kefir grains. Fermentation was carried out at 30°C for 18 h, when pH 4·5 was attained. The product had a ropy consistency and was resistant to syneresis. However, the product was given lower scores for acceptability by a consumer panel than a similar product made with Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus.

Salted whey (7–8% NaCl) was concentrated by ultrafiltration by a factor of 20. Sweet whey equal to the retentate volume was added and ultrafiltration was continued to a concentration factor of 20. Addition of sweet whey and ultrafiltration was repeated twice more for almost complete removal of salt from whey protein concentrate (WPC). The protein content of WPC was adjusted to 3·5% using sweet whey and the mixture was heated to 65°C for 30 min. This was mixed with buffalo milk at the rate of 0, 10, 20 or 30% and then heated at 80°C for 1, 5 or 20 min before use for yogurt manufacture. The chemical, rheological and organoleptic properties of the yogurt were investigated. WPC could be added to buffalo milk at up to 20% without affecting the quality of the yogurt produced. On the contrary, it improved the texture, mouthfeel and wheying-off of yogurt from buffalo milk. Yogurt with 30% WPC had an unacceptably weak body and texture for a set product. Heating at 80°C for 5 min was sufficient to produce good quality yogurt from buffalo milk containing WPC.

The characteristics of La Serena cheese produced using animal rennet in place of the traditional vegetable rennet were evaluated. Total solids, fat and total N were higher in whey from animal rennet than in whey from vegetable rennet. Cheese produced using animal rennet had a higher moisture content and a lower pH. Proteolysis was more rapid in the cheese produced with vegetable rennet than in the cheese produced with animal rennet, but there was less lipolysis. Enterobacteriaceae and coliform counts were respectively 1·7 and 1·4 log units higher in 60 d vegetable rennet cheese than in 60 d animal rennet cheese. Softening of cheese texture was considerably more pronounced in vegetable rennet cheese, which also showed significantly higher flavour quality and intensity.