Aspetti della produzione dei piccoli ruminanti con impatto sulla salute umana

Dairy sheep and goat farming represents a useful tool to utilize those areas that are characterized by hard climatic and geopedological conditions, such as vast areas of the Italian territory. In such a context, both consumers and producers request constantly updated information concerning the main aspects affecting the global quality of products. The project “Aspects of small ruminant production with particular impact on human health” aims at studying some elements of small ruminants’ production particularly actual for implications on human health. Five subjects were chosen: 1) the genetic polymorphisms of bioactive peptides from milk of small ruminants; 2) the health and nutritional aspects of the membrane and core of milk fat globules from ewe’s milk; 3) the nutritional quality of milk and cheese as affected by grazing intensity; 4) the bioactive components recovery of rennet whey and “scotta” by-products from ovi-caprine cheese production; 5) the relationships between genetic resistance to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies potential risk for public health and economic and biological efficiency in sheep breeds. The obtained results as well as their potential impact on public health are discussed from different point of view.