Abstract The objective of this study was to present information on the impacts resulting from Covid-19 on the artisanal coalho cheese production chain about: access to information; socioeconomic; income and government support; healthcare. The interviews were conducted using the Google Forms tool, with milk and artisanal coalho cheese producers in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The producers obtained a lot of information transmitted on television (66%); the majority to adhere to health protocols. There was instability in the production, with an initial need to reduce production resulting from prohibitive measures to trade. The level of demand with regard to the consumer market increased with the quality of milk and cheeses. An allegation of lack of support from the government to maintain the activity was also verified in 78.7% of the interviewees, but 83% had resorted to emergency aid. Therefore, it can be concluded that the challenges imposed by the pandemic are not just sanitary. The study confirmed the need to restructure public services and policies. These results can provide compelling evidence about the rural context in the country.

Abstract The aims were to evaluate the effect of breed on the genetic polymorphism kappa-casein, physicochemical composition of milk and Coalho cheese, and on cheese yield; and to evaluate the effect of different periods of storage on sensorial acceptance of the Coalho cheese obtained from milk of Guzerat, Gyr and Sindi cows. Twenty (20) cows of Zebu breeds were selected, from which it was obtained the frequency values of the genetic polymorphism kappa-casein. Milk were submitted to fat, protein, lactose, non-fat solids and total solids, electrical conductivity analysis and somatic cell count. Cheeses were submitted to fat, protein, total solids, pH, moisture and yield (g TS/L) analysis. Attributes appearance, aroma, texture and flavor were judged at the 1st, 25th and 46th day of storage. There was a total frequency of 0.70 for genotype AA, 0.30 for genotype AB. There was no significant difference in milk composition among the studied breeds. However, there were differences in the physicochemical composition (with the exception of the protein) and the yield of the cheeses, but all the breeds showed a similar real yield. It was found effect of the storage period on the cheeses sensory attributes in the different breeds, with the exception of the appearance. The milk of the Guzerat, Gyr and Sindi breeds constitute an excellent raw material for the production of curd cheese and ensures a satisfactory sensorial acceptance of the product at the 1st, 25th and 46th days of storage.

Resumen Los objetivos fueron evaluar el efecto de la raza sobre el polimorfismo genético de la kappa-caseína, la composición fisicoquímica de la leche y del queso Coalho, y el rendimiento del queso, así como evaluar el efecto de diferentes periodos de almacenamiento sobre la aceptación sensorial del queso Coalho obtenido a partir de leche de vacas Guzerat, Gyr y Sindi. Se seleccionaron veinte (20) vacas de razas cebú y se obtuvieron sus valores de frecuencia del polimorfismo genético de la kappa-caseína. La leche se sometió a un análisis de grasa, proteína, lactosa, sólidos no grasos y sólidos totales, conductividad eléctrica y cuenta de células somáticas. Los quesos se sometieron a análisis de grasa, proteína, sólidos totales, pH, humedad y rendimiento (g ST/L). Se evaluaron los atributos apariencia, aroma, textura y sabor en los días 1, 25 y 46 de almacenamiento. La frecuencia total fue de 0.70 para el genotipo AA y 0.30 para el genotipo AB. No hubo diferencias significativas en la composición de la leche entre las razas estudiadas. Sin embargo, hubo diferencias en la composición fisicoquímica (exceptuando la proteína) y el rendimiento de los quesos; pero todas las razas mostraron un rendimiento real similar. El periodo de almacenamiento tuvo efectos observables sobre los atributos sensoriales de los quesos en las diferentes razas, con la excepción de su apariencia. La leche de las razas Guzerat, Gyr y Sindi constituye una excelente materia prima para la producción de cuajada y garantiza una aceptación sensorial satisfactoria del producto a los días 1, 25 y 46 de almacenamiento.

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate the sensorial acceptance and consumption intent of pasteurized milks and coalho cheeses produced with milk with low (80,000 cells/mL) and high (480,000 cells/mL) somatic cell count (SCC) level. Low SCC pasteurized milk (LCC) obtained statistically higher scores on the aroma, consistency, flavor and overall liking attributes in comparison with high SCC pasteurized milk. LCC mean scores for all attributes were statistically higher than high SCC Coalho Cheese. High SCC in raw milk has a detrimental effect on the quality of pasteurized milk and coalho cheeses as it presented lower sensory acceptance, failing to meet the consumer’s desired expectations.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the milking method, the storage conditions and the SCC (Somatic Cell Count) increase on the quality of raw milk. Monthly evaluations were performed out over a year in 21 tanks by monitoring the refrigeration temperature and the storage time of the milk in the tank. The tanks were grouped into three temperature levels. Milk storage time intervals were established in each tank: up to 24 h of storage; between 24 and 48 h; and above 48 h. The effect of SCC on the composition was evaluated in three categories: Low SCC; Medium SCC; High SCC. In the analyzed period, 10.8 % presented low SCC, followed by 46.5 % with medium SCC, while 42.7 % had high SCC. There was a positive correlation between SCC and protein, and a negative correlation between SCC and lactose. It is concluded that the milking method does not influence the microbial contamination of the milk; however, longer storage time and increased temperature influenced an increase in microorganism counts in milk. In evaluating the hygienic/sanitary quality of the milk, 42.7 % had high SCC and the total bacterial counts presented values above the values recommended by legislation.

Resumen Las condiciones del ordeño y almacenamiento pueden afectar a la calidad de la leche cruda. Se hizo una evaluación de la influencia del método de ordeño, las condiciones de almacenamiento y el aumento en el recuento de células somáticas (RCS) en la calidad de la leche cruda. Se realizaron evaluaciones mensuales durante un año en 21 tanques mediante el monitoreo de la temperatura de refrigeración y el tiempo de almacenamiento de la leche en el tanque. Los tanques se agruparon en tres rangos de temperatura. Se establecieron intervalos de tiempo de almacenamiento de leche en cada tanque: hasta 24 h; de 24 a 48 h; y más de 48 h. El efecto de RCS sobre la composición se evaluó en tres categorías: RCS bajo; RCS intermedio; y RCS alto. En el período analizado, solo el 10.8 % de los tanques tuvieron un RCS bajo, el 46.5 % tuvieron uno intermedio, y el 42.7 % uno alto. Hubo una correlación positiva entre el RCS y el nivel de la proteína, y una correlación negativa entre el RCS y el nivel de la lactosa. Los resultados indican que el método de ordeño no influye en la contaminación microbiana de la leche. En contraste, un mayor tiempo de almacenamiento y el aumento de la temperatura causaron un aumento en el RCS y el conteo microbiano total. Las prácticas de higiene en los hatos y los tanques estudiados requieren de mejoramiento, ya que el 42.7 % de los tanques presentaron un RCS alto y los conteos bacterianos totales presentaron valores superiores a los recomendados por la legislación.

Abstract Our objective was to address the use of equine milk for human consumption, highlighting important compositional aspects and peculiar characteristics of this milk. Equine milk stands out for its similarity to breastmilk in compositional aspects considering the quality of the protein and lipid fractions, and due to the presence of important bioactive compounds. The high percentage of whey proteins and the structure of the protein micelles favor equine milk’s digestibility, while its bioactive protein richness and the good relationships established between fatty acids highlight it as a functional food. Children who are allergic to cow's milk protein, the elderly and/or people affected by skin and gastrointestinal disorders are potential consumer of equine milk. Assays have proven the therapeutic properties of koumiss ; high tolerability of equine milk by children who are intolerant to cow’s milk; beneficial effects in treating atopic dermatitis and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; and potential of this milk in the prophylaxis and/or nutritional support of patients affected by several diseases. Scientific findings highlight the potential of equine milk as a beneficial food for human health, regarding both its nutritional aspects and functionalities, which could contribute to the increased demand for equine milk in global dairy market.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence seasons of the year and somatic cell counts (SCC) on physical-chemical and sensory parameters of cow’s milk from individual and collective refrigeration tanks with different milking systems. In addition to analyzing the sensory acceptance of pasteurized milk and coalho cheese developed with high (> 800,000 cells mL-1) and low SCC levels (<200,000 cells mL-1). Seasonality did not affect fat content, casein, lactose, total solids, defatted dry extract and SCC, but lower protein levels than May and June were observed from July to September. Based on the SCC results, milk from refrigeration tanks was classified as low SCC and high SCC. The samples were used to obtain pasteurized milk and coalho cheese which were sensorially evaluated for general appearance, odor and flavor by a panel of untrained tasters using a hedonic scale of 9 points. Pasteurized milk with high and low SCC presented pleasant sensory characteristics to the consumer up until two days of storage. The same behavior was observed for coalho cheese at 20 and 40 days of shelf life, respectively.

RESUMO. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do estádio de lactação, estado fisiológico, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e escore de condição corporal (ECC) sobre a produção e composição do leite de vacas Gir e Guzerá. Foram utilizadas noventa e oito vacas, que foram classificadas de acordo com o estado fisiológico, estádio de lactação, CCS e ECC. O leite foi pesado mensalmente para obtenção dos dados de produção. Amostras compostas coletadas em frascos contendo conservante foram enviadas ao laboratório para análises. Os dados foram submetidos a análises estatísticas descritivas e de variâncias. Verificou-se maior produção de leite nos primeiros 60 dias de lactação. Os teores de gordura, proteína e extrato seco aumentaram com o avançar da lactação; enquanto o teor de lactose decresceu. Foram observados maiores teores de gordura, proteína e sólidos totais no leite de vacas vazias; enquanto as vacas gestantes apresentaram maior produção diária e maior teor de lactose no leite. Maiores teores de lactose foram verificados em animais com menor CCS. O ECC não teve efeito sobre a composição e escore de células somáticas do leite. A produção e composição do leite de vacas zebuínas sofrem influência do estádio de lactação, do estado fisiológico e da CCS.

ABSTRACT. This work was realized to evaluate lactation stage, physiological state, somatic cell count (SCC) and body condition score (BCS) on production and composition of cow's milk from Gir and Guzerat breeds were studied. Ninety-eight cows were analyzed and classified according to their physiological state, lactation stage, SCC and BCS. Milk production was weighed monthly to obtain production data. Composed samples were collected in vials containing preservatives and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Data were used for statistic descriptive analysis and analysis of variance. Higher milk production in the first 60 days of lactation was observed. Fat, protein and total solids concentration increased according to the increase of days in milk; while lactose concentration decreased. Higher levels of fat, protein and total solids in milk of non-pregnant cows were observed; while pregnant cows had higher daily production and higher lactose content in their milk. Higher lactose levels in milk were observed in animals with lower SCC. The BCS had no effect on milk composition or on somatic cell count. Zebu cow milk production and composition are influenced by lactation stage, physiological state and SCC.