Quantitative Neutron Dark-Field Imaging of Milk: A Feasibility Study

Scattering studies of milk and milk products, which are highly relevant food products on the global market, are often utilized and reported in literature to investigate and understand the subtle microscopic structural differences between dairy samples. These structural features determine the physical properties and ultimately the texture of milk products and, thus, also influence the consumer’s experience. Small-angle neutron scattering is a prominent example, which enables observations of length scales, which convey proteins and fat globules in food-grade milk. In addition, deuteration enables contrast variations between the constituents of dairy products. In this study, we investigate the potential of probing small-angle neutron scattering from milk samples through quantitative neutron dark-field imaging using grating interferometry, to establish the feasibility of studying, in particular, fat globules and milk gel structures with this spatially resolved scattering technique.

Multiple Fat- Containing Hepatic Hydatid Cysts: A Case Report in The X- Ray Institute at Medical City Health Directorate in Iraq

Background: Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis parasite which is still endemic in many countries all over the world especially in the developing countries. The liver is the primary site to be infested by the parasite with a rate of 60 – 75%. The right lobe of the liver gets infected in about 80% of cases. Hydatid disease of the liver is usually asymptomatic and most cases discovered accidentally on routine clinical or radiological examinations for other illness. Symptoms usually appear in complicated cases either due to rupture, secondary bacterial infection, or due to the large size of the cyst which might cause pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, discomfort, and sometimes swelling. In this case report, we reported the presence of fat globules within the hepatic hydatid cysts which is most probably due to rupture of hepatic hydatid cysts into the biliary tree. Keywords: Hepatic, hydatid cyst, fat globule and CT scan

Comparative Structural and Compositional Analyses of Cow, Buffalo, Goat and Sheep Cream

Factors affecting milk and milk fraction composition, such as cream, are poorly understood, with most research and human health application associated with cow cream. In this study, proteomic and lipidomic analyses were performed on cow, goat, sheep and Bubalus bubalis (from now on referred to as buffalo), bulk milk cream samples. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to determine the composition, including protein, lipid and their glycoconjugates, and the structure of the milk fat globules. BLAST2GO was used to annotate functional indicators of cream protein. Functional annotation of protein highlighted a broad level of similarity between species. However, investigation of specific biological process terms revealed distinct differences in antigen processing and presentation, activation, and production of molecular mediators of the immune response. Lipid analyses revealed that saturated fatty acids were lowest in sheep cream and similar in the cream of the other species. Palmitic acid was highest in cow and lowest in sheep cream. Cow and sheep milk fat globules were associated with thick patches of protein on the surface, while buffalo and goat milk fat globules were associated with larger areas of aggregated protein and significant surface adsorbed protein, respectively. This study highlights the differences between cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo milk cream, which can be used to support their potential application in functional foods such as infant milk formula.

Possible benefits of whole goat milk in infant formulas for a healthy baby

Смеси на основе белков козьего молока для вскармливания детей первого года жизни применяются с 1980-х гг. Новое поколение детских смесей производится с использованием цельного козьего молока, в которых поддерживается естественное соотношение сывороточного белка к казеину – 20:80, сохранен молочный жир и углеводный компонент, что позволяет транслировать преимущества козьего молока на состав адаптированной смеси для приближения к составу грудного молока. Белок и молочный жир, полученные из цельного козьего молока, обладают высокой усвояемостью вследствие особенностей строения и состава: белок с низким αs1-казеином образует мягкий сгусток в желудке, что способствует легкому его перевариванию, а жировые глобулы козьего молока имеют меньшие размеры и большую площадь поверхности, сравнимую с грудным молоком. Молочный жир козьего молока в смеси является источником основных донаторов энергии – жирных кислот с короткой и средней длиной углеродной цепи, β-кетокислот, а также пальмитиновой кислоты в sn-2-положении в молекуле глицерола. В составе смеси в процессе производства сохраняются мембраны жировых глобул козьего молока. Их компоненты обладают разнообразными физиологическими функциями. Белки мембран жировых глобул козьего молока способствуют развитию микробиоты кишечника, иммунных функций, обладают антимикробным и противовирусным действием. Липиды мембран жировых глобул козьего молока улучшают барьерные функции кишечного эпителия, поддерживают его структурную целостность, а также участвуют в построении мембран клеток слизистой оболочки желудочно-кишечного тракта и быстроразвивающейся нервной ткани ребенка. В цельном козьем молоке присутствуют олигосахариды в меньшем количестве и разнообразии по сравнению с грудным молоком, что диктует необходимость дополнения детской смеси олигосахаридами или пребиотиками, повторяющими функции олигосахаридов грудного молока. Доказательства безопасности и клинической эффективности применения смесей на основе цельного козьего молока в обеспечении правильного роста и развития детей первых месяцев жизни представлены в клинических исследованиях. Goat milk protein-based formulas for feeding babies of the first year of life have been used since the 80s of the last century. A new generation of infant formula is made using whole goat milk, in which the natural ratio of whey protein: casein is maintained at 20:80, milk fat and carbohydrate components are preserved, which allows translating the benefits of goat milk into an adapted formula to approximate the composition of breast milk (BM). Protein and milk fat obtained from whole goat milk are highly digestible due to the structural and compositional characteristics: protein with low αs1-casein forms a soft clot in the stomach, which facilitates its easy digestion, and the fat globules of goat milk are smaller and larger surface area comparable to BM. Goat milk fat in the formula is the source of the main donor energy – fatty acids with a short and medium carbon chain length, β-keto acids, and palmitic acid in the sn-2-position in the glycerol molecule. In the composition of the formula during the production process, the goat's milk fat globules membranes (MFGM) are preserved. The components of MFGM have different physiological functions. MFGM proteins contribute to the development of intestinal microbiota, immune functions, have antimicrobial and antiviral effects. Lipids MFGM improve the barrier functions of the intestinal epithelium, maintain its structural integrity, and also participate in the construction of cell membranes of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and the rapidly developing nervous tissue of the child. In whole goat milk, oligosaccharides (OS) are present in a smaller amount and variety in comparison with BM, which dictates the need to supplement the infant formula with OS or prebiotics that repeat the functions of BM OG. Clinical studies have shown evidence of the safety and clinical efficacy of using whole goat milk formulas in promoting the proper growth and development of infants in their first months of life.