Investigation of antimicrobial properties of Latvian and Norway cow and goat milk

About this project

<p>Milk is not only a valuable product due to protein, calcium, vitamin D, which improves the properties of human bones, hair and nails, but also has antimicrobial properties, which are important for the human digestive system for all ages. It is important to study how these properties change and are maintained through this whole process from milking to human consumption and passing through the entire human digestive system.<br> The objectives of the research are cow and goat milk, metabolism, stability, antimicrobial properties in digestion.<br> The goals of the project are:<br> 1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;to explore the new methods of antimicrobial compounds’ analysis for milk.<br> 2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;to evaluate the location, seasonal and climatic effects on the antimicrobial properties of cow and goat milk, ensuring monitoring within 1 year in both countries.<br> 3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;to obtain results on the effect of gastrointestinal enzymes on the hydrolysis of proteins.<br> The new data will provide more information on how location and climate change affect the cow's and goat's milk protein composition and also how the industrial treatment affects their antimicrobial properties. There is insufficient information in the literature on the effect of environment factors on milk antimicrobial properties. Therefore, this research is highly important to gain such results.&nbsp;<br> Cooperation with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences gives Latvian researchers (including PhD students) the opportunity to adapt/explore the new antimicrobial analysis methods that could be important to continue for future projects and PhD students’ research. Milk antimicrobial research in Latvia is not so common, so it is significant to add a new knowledge in this area, as well as to substantiate the consumption of milk as food product in diet.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The project results summary was done mostly by Latvian participants, especially Latvian student. Mutual cooperation between project partners most likely will be continued by preparing other common research projects.

Project partners

• Norwegian University of Life Sciences Donor project partner· Norway