Piemontese cattle, autochthonous of Piedmont region, are bred in many Alpine valleys of North-Western Italy due to their high environmental adaptation degree and ability of exploiting marginal mountain areas. In the last forty years the genetic selection of this breed has been mainly oriented to meat production. Piemontese breed is now primarily known and appreciated for its precocious growth, high slaughter yield, and meat quality. Although Piemontese milk production recently underwent to a substantial decline, it historically represented the base for some Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses (e.g., Castelmagno and Raschera). Milk and dairy products obtained from this breed are now gaining importance as a consequence of consumers’ increasing attention towards traditional food. A study was conducted to investigate the nutritional characteristics (i.e., fatty acid profile) of milk obtained from Piemontese cattle bred on mountain pastures and fed with fresh grass and hay, only. A comparison with the fatty acid (FA) profile of milk types obtained in the same territory from different cattle breeds, stabled and fed with hay and concentrates due to their reduced rusticity, was also performed. Both regular milk and high quality milk (characterised by peculiar hygienic and chemical features according to the Italian Law n 169/89) have been considered in the comparison. Piemontese milk revealed the healthiest FA profile among the considered milk types, showing the lowest level of hypercholesterolemic saturated FA (P<0.001), and the highest level of total monounsaturated FA (P<0.001), rumenic acid (C18:2 c9t11, which has been proven to hold many beneficial biological activities for human health; P<0.001), and n3/n6 fatty acids ratio (P<0.01). These results suggest the existence of a strong relation among autochthonous breeds, their ability of exploiting local resources, and the quality of animal-derived food products. Given the above-mentioned results, a return to a double aptitude genetic type for the Piemontese breed should be taken into account for its further valorisation.
Autochthonous breeds, sustainable local exploitation, and quality of animal products: the case study of Piemontese cattle.
RENNA, Manuela;CORNALE, Paolo;LUSSIANA, Carola;MIMOSI, Antonio;BATTAGLINI, Luca Maria
2010-01-01
Abstract
Piemontese cattle, autochthonous of Piedmont region, are bred in many Alpine valleys of North-Western Italy due to their high environmental adaptation degree and ability of exploiting marginal mountain areas. In the last forty years the genetic selection of this breed has been mainly oriented to meat production. Piemontese breed is now primarily known and appreciated for its precocious growth, high slaughter yield, and meat quality. Although Piemontese milk production recently underwent to a substantial decline, it historically represented the base for some Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses (e.g., Castelmagno and Raschera). Milk and dairy products obtained from this breed are now gaining importance as a consequence of consumers’ increasing attention towards traditional food. A study was conducted to investigate the nutritional characteristics (i.e., fatty acid profile) of milk obtained from Piemontese cattle bred on mountain pastures and fed with fresh grass and hay, only. A comparison with the fatty acid (FA) profile of milk types obtained in the same territory from different cattle breeds, stabled and fed with hay and concentrates due to their reduced rusticity, was also performed. Both regular milk and high quality milk (characterised by peculiar hygienic and chemical features according to the Italian Law n 169/89) have been considered in the comparison. Piemontese milk revealed the healthiest FA profile among the considered milk types, showing the lowest level of hypercholesterolemic saturated FA (P<0.001), and the highest level of total monounsaturated FA (P<0.001), rumenic acid (C18:2 c9t11, which has been proven to hold many beneficial biological activities for human health; P<0.001), and n3/n6 fatty acids ratio (P<0.01). These results suggest the existence of a strong relation among autochthonous breeds, their ability of exploiting local resources, and the quality of animal-derived food products. Given the above-mentioned results, a return to a double aptitude genetic type for the Piemontese breed should be taken into account for its further valorisation.
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