Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate β-CN variants and their effects on milk nutritional composition and protein profile in Podolian cattle breeds reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy). Individual milk samples of Podolian and Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle were analyzed for β-CN all...

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Main Authors: Antonella Santillo, Francesca d'Angelo, Cristina Lamberti, Maria Gabriella Giuffrida, Francesco Romaniello, Marzia Albenzio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Dairy Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225001791
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author Antonella Santillo
Francesca d'Angelo
Cristina Lamberti
Maria Gabriella Giuffrida
Francesco Romaniello
Marzia Albenzio
author_facet Antonella Santillo
Francesca d'Angelo
Cristina Lamberti
Maria Gabriella Giuffrida
Francesco Romaniello
Marzia Albenzio
author_sort Antonella Santillo
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate β-CN variants and their effects on milk nutritional composition and protein profile in Podolian cattle breeds reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy). Individual milk samples of Podolian and Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle were analyzed for β-CN allele and genotype frequencies, chemical composition, and protein fractions of milk. In both populations, the most common allelic variant was A2, followed by A1, whereas alleles B and I had frequencies lower than 10% in both populations. A total of 6 genotypes in Podolian population (A1A2, A1B, A2B, A1I, A2I, A2A2), and 7 genotypes (A1A1, A1A2, A1B, A2B, A1I, A2I, A2A2) in HF were detected. Milk protein, lactose, and casein percentages were affected by β-CN allele in both breeds. In particular, alleles A1 and A2 resulted in higher levels of both protein and casein in HF, whereas in Podolian, allele I showed the highest, alleles A1 and A2 intermediate, and B the lowest levels of the mentioned parameters. Protein fractions were influenced by β-CN alleles, and the most abundant protein fractions were β- and αs1-CN in both breeds, although with different percentage distribution. In Podolian milk, regardless of the detected allele, a similar behavior was observed for β- and κ-CN, and opposite to that observed for αs2-CN. The study of the genetic variability of milk proteins offers the opportunity to valorize the nutritional, technological, and functional features of Podolian cattle dairy productions as a strategy to sustain the economic value of this ancient breed which is well adapted to the farming systems in marginal areas.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
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spelling doaj-art-e16e36f586f748b383bc874b4bed4cde2025-08-20T01:55:33ZengElsevierJournal of Dairy Science0022-03022025-06-0110865570557910.3168/jds.2025-26317Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)Antonella Santillo0Francesca d'Angelo1Cristina Lamberti2Maria Gabriella Giuffrida3Francesco Romaniello4Marzia Albenzio5Department of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia FG, Italy; Corresponding authorDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia FG, ItalyInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), ItalyInstitute of Sciences of Food Production, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), ItalyNational Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM), 10135 Torino, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia FG, ItalyABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate β-CN variants and their effects on milk nutritional composition and protein profile in Podolian cattle breeds reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy). Individual milk samples of Podolian and Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle were analyzed for β-CN allele and genotype frequencies, chemical composition, and protein fractions of milk. In both populations, the most common allelic variant was A2, followed by A1, whereas alleles B and I had frequencies lower than 10% in both populations. A total of 6 genotypes in Podolian population (A1A2, A1B, A2B, A1I, A2I, A2A2), and 7 genotypes (A1A1, A1A2, A1B, A2B, A1I, A2I, A2A2) in HF were detected. Milk protein, lactose, and casein percentages were affected by β-CN allele in both breeds. In particular, alleles A1 and A2 resulted in higher levels of both protein and casein in HF, whereas in Podolian, allele I showed the highest, alleles A1 and A2 intermediate, and B the lowest levels of the mentioned parameters. Protein fractions were influenced by β-CN alleles, and the most abundant protein fractions were β- and αs1-CN in both breeds, although with different percentage distribution. In Podolian milk, regardless of the detected allele, a similar behavior was observed for β- and κ-CN, and opposite to that observed for αs2-CN. The study of the genetic variability of milk proteins offers the opportunity to valorize the nutritional, technological, and functional features of Podolian cattle dairy productions as a strategy to sustain the economic value of this ancient breed which is well adapted to the farming systems in marginal areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225001791Podolian cattleβ-caseinpolymorphismsmilk quality
spellingShingle Antonella Santillo
Francesca d'Angelo
Cristina Lamberti
Maria Gabriella Giuffrida
Francesco Romaniello
Marzia Albenzio
Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
Journal of Dairy Science
Podolian cattle
β-casein
polymorphisms
milk quality
title Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
title_full Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
title_fullStr Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
title_full_unstemmed Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
title_short Distribution of β-casein variants and effects on milk composition in Podolian cows reared in Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)
title_sort distribution of β casein variants and effects on milk composition in podolian cows reared in gargano promontory southern italy
topic Podolian cattle
β-casein
polymorphisms
milk quality
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225001791
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