Moufida Atigui | INSTITUT DES REGIONS ARIDES (original) (raw)

Papers by Moufida Atigui

Animals, Mar 29, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Journal of Camel Practice and Research

IntechOpen eBooks, Feb 2, 2022

Artificial insemination (AI) plays a key role in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Althoug... more Artificial insemination (AI) plays a key role in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Although it is widely used for cattle in the Maghreb region, it is scarcely applied in sheep at farm level. This is not only due to low fertility and irregular results that range between 30 to less than 76% for both cervical AI with fresh semen and laparoscopic insemination with frozen semen in most of studied breeds and also because of low results related to conditioning of fresh, chilled and frozen rams′ semen. An appropriately literature analysis was conducted to highlight the importance of sheep breeding in the Maghreb region particularly in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and to assess the efficiency of AI for Magrebin ovine breeds, the results related to different semen conditioning techniques and different AI procedures. The main factors affecting AI results are also presented. Finally, this chapter presents different strategies to improve AI efficiency at farm level in the future and the challenges to extrapolate experimental AI techniques to field conditions at a large scale.

Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 2010

Journal of Camel Practice and Research

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 29, 2011

This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three p... more This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three pulsation rates (60, 90, and 120 cpm) on milk production and milk flow characteristics. Six multiparous Maghrebi camels in late lactation and once daily milked were used. The best combination of setting for camel's milking was high vacuum and low pulsation rate (48 kPa/60 cpm). Milk yield and average and peak milk flow rate were the highest, while milking time was the shortest using this combination of setting (3.05±0.30 kg, 1.52±0.21 kg/min, 2.52±0.21 kg/min, and 3.32±0.31 min, respectively). Lower vacuum level lengthened milking time by more than 100 % and was not sufficient to extract milk correctly (1.69 to 2.48 times less milk yield harvested), suggesting a negative interaction with the stimulatory effect of pulsation. Higher pulsation rates did not better stimulate the camels and induced more bimodality and lower milk flow rates. Animal characteristics and liner/claw design affect machine milking and further investigations must be carried out to verify their effects and to study long-term effect of high vacuum level on udder health and teat condition.

Tropical Animal Health and Production, Mar 2, 2016

After a first phase of development in the ex-Soviet Union in the 1940s, camel mechanical milking ... more After a first phase of development in the ex-Soviet Union in the 1940s, camel mechanical milking is now developing again in the Arabic peninsula, North and East Africa, Asia, Australia and even in the USA and Europe in a lesser extent, because of the great demand and important health value of camel milk. Nevertheless, such a development remains empirical and uses trial and error methodology, which is generally more time-consuming and more expensive and could create a deadlock in the situation. Nevertheless, developing mechanical milking of camels could be done throughout a step by step well-designed approach rather than this empirical approach. It is the only way to understand the animal/machine interaction and to give us the means to adapt machine milking to the different situations encountered in the world and to animal specificities. After describing the different essential and ancillary steps of this development (knowledge of animal physiology, udder and teat shapes, teat functional characteristics, first functional data of milking including teat reaction, milk emission kinetic, efficiency of milk extraction, weaning procedure, milking procedure, milking behavior of animals, adaptation of material and set-tings…), we aim to relate, as example, the first results obtained in Tunisian dromedary camels in the last 4 years as basis for more adapted or even specific materials and setting evolution.

Tropical Animal Health and Production, Apr 29, 2016

This study aims to determine the relationship between internal and external udder and teat measur... more This study aims to determine the relationship between internal and external udder and teat measurements and evaluate their correlation with milk yield and milk partitioning in the udder of dromedary camels. Six Maghrebi camels reared under intensive conditions were monitored at early, middle, and late lactation. Udder measurements included udder depth, udder horizontal circumference, fore and rear teat length and diameter. Besides, scans of the left fore and rear quarters were taken in duplicate before morning milking (16 h) using an oxytocin receptor blocking agent (Atosiban) to determine teat and gland distension before milk ejection. Cisternal and alveolar milk volumes were then evaluated. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the performed udder external and ultrasonographical measurements and cisternal and daily milk production on the measurement day. Significant effect of lactation stage was observed in all measured traits. All internal and external measurements decreased significantly at late lactation as well as cisternal and total milk yield. The quarter cisternal area averaged 16.3 ± 2.2 cm 2 and decreased about three times at late lactation compared to early and middle lactation. All external and internal measurements were positively and highly correlated (P < 0.001). The knowledge of the relationship between udder internal and external morphological traits would permit to predict udder cisternal storage capacity and can ultimately be adopted to improve milk storage capacity of dromedary camels.

Journal of Dairy Research, Sep 19, 2014

We studied the effects of changes in the milking routine (lack or presence of 30-s prestimulation... more We studied the effects of changes in the milking routine (lack or presence of 30-s prestimulation, 0 or 1, 2 or 4-min delay between preparation and cluster attachment) and environmental perturbation (unusual loud sounds capable of frightening animals just after stall entry or during the course of milking) on milk removal and milking-related behaviour in dairy dromedary camels. A 30-s prestimulation decreased incidence of bimodal milk flow curves and increased occurrence of the best milk ejection patterns with higher milk flow but had limited effect on milk production in our welltrained animals within a good machine milking setting. However, unusual sounds heard from the beginning of milking or even after milk ejection caused inhibition or disruption of milk removal and modification of camels' behaviour. Milk ejection was significantly delayed (1•58 ± 0•17 min), residual milk increased over 40% of total milk yield and average and peak milk flow rates were significantly lowered when unusual noises were heard from the beginning of milking. These environmental perturbations increased signs of vigilance and the number of attempts to escape the milking parlour. Delaying cluster attachment for over 1 min after the end of udder preparation caused serious milk losses. Up to 62% of total milk was withheld in the udder when the delay reached 4 min. Average and peak milk flow rates also decreased significantly with delayed milking. Signs of vigilance and attempts to escape from the milking parlour appeared when camels waited for over 2 min. After a 4-min delay, camels showed signs of acute stress. Defaecation prior to milk ejection (solid faeces) and rumination during milking can be used to assess camels' milk ejection during milking. Animal welfare and milking efficiency can be ensured when camels are pre-stimulated, milked in calm conditions and with cluster attachment within a maximum of a 1-min delay after stimulation

Journal of Dairying, Foods & Home Sciences, Nov 18, 2022

Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate... more Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. The present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from kiwi juice. Methods: The optimum characteristics of extract were determined (pH, temperature and CaCl2 concentration), a fresh cheese was manufactured and the physicochemical and organoleptic qualities were determined. Result: Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield as 63.97%±5.22. The optimum coagulation conditions were: pH=6.6, temperature= 40C and a volume of used enzymatic extract as 1.5 ml. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. The kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Italian Journal of Animal Science, Mar 29, 2023

Animals, Jul 6, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Chemistry, Mar 5, 2021

e transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of se... more e transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. e present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from pineapple, kiwi, and ginger. Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield that varies according to the type of extract (pineapple: 75.28% ± 4.59, kiwi: 63.97% ± 5.22, and ginger: 28.64% ± 1.47). e optimum coagulation conditions of the 3 types of extract were as follows: for pineapple: pH � 5 and temperature � 45°C; for kiwifruit: pH � 6.6 and temperature � 40°C; and for ginger: pH � 6.6 and temperature � 45°C. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. e kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Journal of Dairy Science, Apr 1, 2009

Effects of 4 different milking intervals (8, 12, 16, and 24 h) on milk yield and milk composition... more Effects of 4 different milking intervals (8, 12, 16, and 24 h) on milk yield and milk composition were studied in Tunisian Maghrebi dairy dromedaries (n = 6) at late lactation [240 ± 14 days in milk (DIM), 5.84 ± 1.62 L/d]. Camel-cows suckled their calves for 2 mo, were hand milked while suckling until mo 4 of lactation (calf weaning) and machine milked thereafter. Intravenous injection of oxytocin was administered before machine milking at each experimental milking to induce complete milk ejection and to avoid carryover effects of milking intervals. Cisternal and alveolar milk were measured at 380 ± 16 DIM for a 24-h milking interval. Milk accumulated logarithmically (R 2 = 0.95) in the udder from 8-to 24-h milking interval without reaching a plateau. Consequently, milk secretion rate decreased exponentially (R 2 = 0.93) according to milking interval. Compared with 12-h milking interval (6.1 L/d), estimated daily milk yield was 113, 87, and 70% for 8-, 16-, and 24-h intervals, respectively. Total milk solids, milk fat content, and milk pH decreased with increasing milking interval, showing the greatest value at 8-h intervals (14.1 ± 0.4%, 4.6 ± 0.5%, and 6.66 ± 0.05, respectively) and the lowest at 24-h intervals (12.3 ± 0.9%, 2.9 ± 0.6%, and 6.54 ± 0.02, respectively). Milk protein (3.9 ± 0.1%), lactose (4.5 ± 0.2%), ash (0.84 ± 0.01%) and density (1.028 ± 0.01) remained constant for all milking intervals. Milk K, Ca, and Mg contents increased as milking interval increased, but Na content did not change (0.06 ± 0.01%, on average). Milk Na:K ratio tended to decrease from 0.35 (1:2.9) to 0.22 (1:4.5) for the extreme milking intervals. Plasma lactose concentration steadied from 8-to 16-h (67 ± 32 μmol) but increased dramatically at 24-h intervals (338 ± 118 μmol), indicating that mammary tight junctions became permeable after 24 h of milk accumulation. Camel udders showed small cisterns (19.3% of total milk in the udder at 24 h) when compared with other dairy animals; we recommend the use of prestimulation for machine milking and selection for larger udder cisterns. Alveolar milk contained more fat (5.16 vs. 1.75%; SEM, 0.39%) and protein (3.23 vs. 2.73%; SEM, 0.15%) than cisternal milk. Despite the increase of plasma lactose during tight junction leakiness, the tendency for the Na:K ratio to decrease may be indicative of a camel's specific regulatory mechanism for controlling Na and K concentrations in milk and delaying the inhibitory effect of milk stasis on milk secretion rate. In conclusion, this short-term study proved the low storage capacity of the Tunisian Maghrebi camel udder but also showed their moderate ability to adapt to extended milking intervals at late lactation.

The Journal of Agricultural Science, Nov 1, 2018

The current research paper addresses the hypothesis that management system (grazing vs. stabling)... more The current research paper addresses the hypothesis that management system (grazing vs. stabling) and/or stage of lactation (early- to late-lactation) can influence the lactation performance and milk fatty acid (MFA) profile in dromedary camels. The results obtained revealed that milk and protein yields of stabled camels were higher, while milk fat content was lower compared to grazing camels. In addition, stabled camels produced milk richer in short- and medium-chains fatty acids but lower in long-chain fatty acids and fatty acids linked with possible health benefits such as oleic acid, vaccenic acid (VA) and rumenic acid (RA), when compared to grazing camels. Moreover, atherogenicity index was higher, while overall Δ9-desaturase and health-promoting indices were lower in stabled camels. In a similar way, results demonstrated an increase in milk fat and protein contents as lactation advanced. In fact, camels at mid-lactation produced milk richer in short- and medium-chain fatty acids as well as total saturated fatty acids but poorer in oleic acid, VA, RA, long-chain fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids, when compared to milk samples collected at early stage of lactation. Moreover, compared to early- and late-lactations, atherogenicity index was higher while overall-Δ9-desaturase and health promoting indexes were lower at mid-lactation. In conclusion, the intensive stabling system and mid-lactation stage can alter lactation performance and MFA profile in dairy dromedary camels.

Animal

Currently, a trend toward the commercialization of dromedary milk associated with recent intensiv... more Currently, a trend toward the commercialization of dromedary milk associated with recent intensive rearing systems has starting worldwide which impose constraints on animals affecting their behavioral repertoires and welfare status. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dam parity and calf sex on parturition, neonatal, and maternal behaviors in stabled Maghrebi dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius). Thirty-six (primiparas N = 10; multiparas N = 26) periparturient females were kept under video surveillance using a digital IR camera and 24-h sessions were chosen to assess calving, maternal, and neonatal behaviors in calving pens. Duration of restlessness, process of giving birth, and expulsion of fetal membranes were assessed. After first suckling, dams and their calves were moved into an individual enclosure to assess maternal behavior at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7d postpartum. Behavior was assessed using a camcorder for 30 min after 1 h of young separation in an adjacent enclosure. Results showed an effect of parity on the duration of the birth process which was longer for primiparous than multiparous camels (P = 0.034). During this stage, primiparous females tended to raise their tails more often (P = 0.054) and spent more time standing (P = 0.001) than multiparous camels. Neonatal behavior was affected by calf sex. Female newborns took less time to raise their heads (P = 0.041) and to stand up (P = 0.048) for the first time and were the earliest to suckle their dams (P = 0.032). Multiparous dams stood up sooner (P = 0.019) after calving and suckled their calves earlier (P = 0.043) than primiparous dams. They emitted more bleats and exhibited more sniffing during the first week postpartum than primiparas. During the first postpartum week, both primiparas and multiparas showed a decrease in the total number of bleats (P < 0.001), low-pitch bleats (P < 0.001), and high-pitch bleats (P < 0.001), in sniffing frequency (P < 0.001) and sniffing duration (P < 0.001). This is the first study to describe in detail the calving, maternal, and neonatal behaviors of dromedary camels and to show the influence of parity and calf sex. Maternal care toward the newborn calf exhibited by a high level of bleating and sniffing activities in the first 2 days suggest that they play an important role in the establishment of mother-young relationship.

Journal of Dairying, Foods & Home Sciences, Nov 18, 2022

Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate... more Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. The present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from kiwi juice. Methods: The optimum characteristics of extract were determined (pH, temperature and CaCl2 concentration), a fresh cheese was manufactured and the physicochemical and organoleptic qualities were determined. Result: Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield as 63.97%±5.22. The optimum coagulation conditions were: pH=6.6, temperature= 40C and a volume of used enzymatic extract as 1.5 ml. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. The kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Milk Protein - New Research Approaches [Working Title], 2022

The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microb... more The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microbiological, physicochemical parameters, and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of camel milk. Samples were collected from four camels in semi-intensive system and four camels in intensive system. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, to study the effect of lactation stage, samples were collected from three camels and followed during a period of 10 months of lactation from parturition. LAB were isolated from this sample and identified by biochemical methods. The difference between the physico-chemical characteristic basis of camel farming system are not statistically different except fat. The microbiological analysis showed a significant difference in total mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds and total coliform between intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive system. The difference between physicochemical and microbiological characteristics ...

Milk Protein - New Research Approaches, 2022

The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microb... more The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microbiological, physicochemical parameters, and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of camel milk. Samples were collected from four camels in semi-intensive system and four camels in intensive system. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, to study the effect of lactation stage, samples were collected from three camels and followed during a period of 10 months of lactation from parturition. LAB were isolated from this sample and identified by biochemical methods. The difference between the physico-chemical characteristic basis of camel farming system are not statistically different except fat. The microbiological analysis showed a significant difference in total mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds and total coliform between intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive system. The difference between physicochemical and microbiological characteristics ...

Animals, Mar 29, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Journal of Camel Practice and Research

IntechOpen eBooks, Feb 2, 2022

Artificial insemination (AI) plays a key role in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Althoug... more Artificial insemination (AI) plays a key role in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Although it is widely used for cattle in the Maghreb region, it is scarcely applied in sheep at farm level. This is not only due to low fertility and irregular results that range between 30 to less than 76% for both cervical AI with fresh semen and laparoscopic insemination with frozen semen in most of studied breeds and also because of low results related to conditioning of fresh, chilled and frozen rams′ semen. An appropriately literature analysis was conducted to highlight the importance of sheep breeding in the Maghreb region particularly in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and to assess the efficiency of AI for Magrebin ovine breeds, the results related to different semen conditioning techniques and different AI procedures. The main factors affecting AI results are also presented. Finally, this chapter presents different strategies to improve AI efficiency at farm level in the future and the challenges to extrapolate experimental AI techniques to field conditions at a large scale.

Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 2010

Journal of Camel Practice and Research

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 29, 2011

This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three p... more This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three pulsation rates (60, 90, and 120 cpm) on milk production and milk flow characteristics. Six multiparous Maghrebi camels in late lactation and once daily milked were used. The best combination of setting for camel's milking was high vacuum and low pulsation rate (48 kPa/60 cpm). Milk yield and average and peak milk flow rate were the highest, while milking time was the shortest using this combination of setting (3.05±0.30 kg, 1.52±0.21 kg/min, 2.52±0.21 kg/min, and 3.32±0.31 min, respectively). Lower vacuum level lengthened milking time by more than 100 % and was not sufficient to extract milk correctly (1.69 to 2.48 times less milk yield harvested), suggesting a negative interaction with the stimulatory effect of pulsation. Higher pulsation rates did not better stimulate the camels and induced more bimodality and lower milk flow rates. Animal characteristics and liner/claw design affect machine milking and further investigations must be carried out to verify their effects and to study long-term effect of high vacuum level on udder health and teat condition.

Tropical Animal Health and Production, Mar 2, 2016

After a first phase of development in the ex-Soviet Union in the 1940s, camel mechanical milking ... more After a first phase of development in the ex-Soviet Union in the 1940s, camel mechanical milking is now developing again in the Arabic peninsula, North and East Africa, Asia, Australia and even in the USA and Europe in a lesser extent, because of the great demand and important health value of camel milk. Nevertheless, such a development remains empirical and uses trial and error methodology, which is generally more time-consuming and more expensive and could create a deadlock in the situation. Nevertheless, developing mechanical milking of camels could be done throughout a step by step well-designed approach rather than this empirical approach. It is the only way to understand the animal/machine interaction and to give us the means to adapt machine milking to the different situations encountered in the world and to animal specificities. After describing the different essential and ancillary steps of this development (knowledge of animal physiology, udder and teat shapes, teat functional characteristics, first functional data of milking including teat reaction, milk emission kinetic, efficiency of milk extraction, weaning procedure, milking procedure, milking behavior of animals, adaptation of material and set-tings…), we aim to relate, as example, the first results obtained in Tunisian dromedary camels in the last 4 years as basis for more adapted or even specific materials and setting evolution.

Tropical Animal Health and Production, Apr 29, 2016

This study aims to determine the relationship between internal and external udder and teat measur... more This study aims to determine the relationship between internal and external udder and teat measurements and evaluate their correlation with milk yield and milk partitioning in the udder of dromedary camels. Six Maghrebi camels reared under intensive conditions were monitored at early, middle, and late lactation. Udder measurements included udder depth, udder horizontal circumference, fore and rear teat length and diameter. Besides, scans of the left fore and rear quarters were taken in duplicate before morning milking (16 h) using an oxytocin receptor blocking agent (Atosiban) to determine teat and gland distension before milk ejection. Cisternal and alveolar milk volumes were then evaluated. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the performed udder external and ultrasonographical measurements and cisternal and daily milk production on the measurement day. Significant effect of lactation stage was observed in all measured traits. All internal and external measurements decreased significantly at late lactation as well as cisternal and total milk yield. The quarter cisternal area averaged 16.3 ± 2.2 cm 2 and decreased about three times at late lactation compared to early and middle lactation. All external and internal measurements were positively and highly correlated (P < 0.001). The knowledge of the relationship between udder internal and external morphological traits would permit to predict udder cisternal storage capacity and can ultimately be adopted to improve milk storage capacity of dromedary camels.

Journal of Dairy Research, Sep 19, 2014

We studied the effects of changes in the milking routine (lack or presence of 30-s prestimulation... more We studied the effects of changes in the milking routine (lack or presence of 30-s prestimulation, 0 or 1, 2 or 4-min delay between preparation and cluster attachment) and environmental perturbation (unusual loud sounds capable of frightening animals just after stall entry or during the course of milking) on milk removal and milking-related behaviour in dairy dromedary camels. A 30-s prestimulation decreased incidence of bimodal milk flow curves and increased occurrence of the best milk ejection patterns with higher milk flow but had limited effect on milk production in our welltrained animals within a good machine milking setting. However, unusual sounds heard from the beginning of milking or even after milk ejection caused inhibition or disruption of milk removal and modification of camels' behaviour. Milk ejection was significantly delayed (1•58 ± 0•17 min), residual milk increased over 40% of total milk yield and average and peak milk flow rates were significantly lowered when unusual noises were heard from the beginning of milking. These environmental perturbations increased signs of vigilance and the number of attempts to escape the milking parlour. Delaying cluster attachment for over 1 min after the end of udder preparation caused serious milk losses. Up to 62% of total milk was withheld in the udder when the delay reached 4 min. Average and peak milk flow rates also decreased significantly with delayed milking. Signs of vigilance and attempts to escape from the milking parlour appeared when camels waited for over 2 min. After a 4-min delay, camels showed signs of acute stress. Defaecation prior to milk ejection (solid faeces) and rumination during milking can be used to assess camels' milk ejection during milking. Animal welfare and milking efficiency can be ensured when camels are pre-stimulated, milked in calm conditions and with cluster attachment within a maximum of a 1-min delay after stimulation

Journal of Dairying, Foods & Home Sciences, Nov 18, 2022

Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate... more Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. The present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from kiwi juice. Methods: The optimum characteristics of extract were determined (pH, temperature and CaCl2 concentration), a fresh cheese was manufactured and the physicochemical and organoleptic qualities were determined. Result: Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield as 63.97%±5.22. The optimum coagulation conditions were: pH=6.6, temperature= 40C and a volume of used enzymatic extract as 1.5 ml. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. The kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Italian Journal of Animal Science, Mar 29, 2023

Animals, Jul 6, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Chemistry, Mar 5, 2021

e transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of se... more e transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. e present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from pineapple, kiwi, and ginger. Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield that varies according to the type of extract (pineapple: 75.28% ± 4.59, kiwi: 63.97% ± 5.22, and ginger: 28.64% ± 1.47). e optimum coagulation conditions of the 3 types of extract were as follows: for pineapple: pH � 5 and temperature � 45°C; for kiwifruit: pH � 6.6 and temperature � 40°C; and for ginger: pH � 6.6 and temperature � 45°C. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. e kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Journal of Dairy Science, Apr 1, 2009

Effects of 4 different milking intervals (8, 12, 16, and 24 h) on milk yield and milk composition... more Effects of 4 different milking intervals (8, 12, 16, and 24 h) on milk yield and milk composition were studied in Tunisian Maghrebi dairy dromedaries (n = 6) at late lactation [240 ± 14 days in milk (DIM), 5.84 ± 1.62 L/d]. Camel-cows suckled their calves for 2 mo, were hand milked while suckling until mo 4 of lactation (calf weaning) and machine milked thereafter. Intravenous injection of oxytocin was administered before machine milking at each experimental milking to induce complete milk ejection and to avoid carryover effects of milking intervals. Cisternal and alveolar milk were measured at 380 ± 16 DIM for a 24-h milking interval. Milk accumulated logarithmically (R 2 = 0.95) in the udder from 8-to 24-h milking interval without reaching a plateau. Consequently, milk secretion rate decreased exponentially (R 2 = 0.93) according to milking interval. Compared with 12-h milking interval (6.1 L/d), estimated daily milk yield was 113, 87, and 70% for 8-, 16-, and 24-h intervals, respectively. Total milk solids, milk fat content, and milk pH decreased with increasing milking interval, showing the greatest value at 8-h intervals (14.1 ± 0.4%, 4.6 ± 0.5%, and 6.66 ± 0.05, respectively) and the lowest at 24-h intervals (12.3 ± 0.9%, 2.9 ± 0.6%, and 6.54 ± 0.02, respectively). Milk protein (3.9 ± 0.1%), lactose (4.5 ± 0.2%), ash (0.84 ± 0.01%) and density (1.028 ± 0.01) remained constant for all milking intervals. Milk K, Ca, and Mg contents increased as milking interval increased, but Na content did not change (0.06 ± 0.01%, on average). Milk Na:K ratio tended to decrease from 0.35 (1:2.9) to 0.22 (1:4.5) for the extreme milking intervals. Plasma lactose concentration steadied from 8-to 16-h (67 ± 32 μmol) but increased dramatically at 24-h intervals (338 ± 118 μmol), indicating that mammary tight junctions became permeable after 24 h of milk accumulation. Camel udders showed small cisterns (19.3% of total milk in the udder at 24 h) when compared with other dairy animals; we recommend the use of prestimulation for machine milking and selection for larger udder cisterns. Alveolar milk contained more fat (5.16 vs. 1.75%; SEM, 0.39%) and protein (3.23 vs. 2.73%; SEM, 0.15%) than cisternal milk. Despite the increase of plasma lactose during tight junction leakiness, the tendency for the Na:K ratio to decrease may be indicative of a camel's specific regulatory mechanism for controlling Na and K concentrations in milk and delaying the inhibitory effect of milk stasis on milk secretion rate. In conclusion, this short-term study proved the low storage capacity of the Tunisian Maghrebi camel udder but also showed their moderate ability to adapt to extended milking intervals at late lactation.

The Journal of Agricultural Science, Nov 1, 2018

The current research paper addresses the hypothesis that management system (grazing vs. stabling)... more The current research paper addresses the hypothesis that management system (grazing vs. stabling) and/or stage of lactation (early- to late-lactation) can influence the lactation performance and milk fatty acid (MFA) profile in dromedary camels. The results obtained revealed that milk and protein yields of stabled camels were higher, while milk fat content was lower compared to grazing camels. In addition, stabled camels produced milk richer in short- and medium-chains fatty acids but lower in long-chain fatty acids and fatty acids linked with possible health benefits such as oleic acid, vaccenic acid (VA) and rumenic acid (RA), when compared to grazing camels. Moreover, atherogenicity index was higher, while overall Δ9-desaturase and health-promoting indices were lower in stabled camels. In a similar way, results demonstrated an increase in milk fat and protein contents as lactation advanced. In fact, camels at mid-lactation produced milk richer in short- and medium-chain fatty acids as well as total saturated fatty acids but poorer in oleic acid, VA, RA, long-chain fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids, when compared to milk samples collected at early stage of lactation. Moreover, compared to early- and late-lactations, atherogenicity index was higher while overall-Δ9-desaturase and health promoting indexes were lower at mid-lactation. In conclusion, the intensive stabling system and mid-lactation stage can alter lactation performance and MFA profile in dairy dromedary camels.

Animal

Currently, a trend toward the commercialization of dromedary milk associated with recent intensiv... more Currently, a trend toward the commercialization of dromedary milk associated with recent intensive rearing systems has starting worldwide which impose constraints on animals affecting their behavioral repertoires and welfare status. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dam parity and calf sex on parturition, neonatal, and maternal behaviors in stabled Maghrebi dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius). Thirty-six (primiparas N = 10; multiparas N = 26) periparturient females were kept under video surveillance using a digital IR camera and 24-h sessions were chosen to assess calving, maternal, and neonatal behaviors in calving pens. Duration of restlessness, process of giving birth, and expulsion of fetal membranes were assessed. After first suckling, dams and their calves were moved into an individual enclosure to assess maternal behavior at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7d postpartum. Behavior was assessed using a camcorder for 30 min after 1 h of young separation in an adjacent enclosure. Results showed an effect of parity on the duration of the birth process which was longer for primiparous than multiparous camels (P = 0.034). During this stage, primiparous females tended to raise their tails more often (P = 0.054) and spent more time standing (P = 0.001) than multiparous camels. Neonatal behavior was affected by calf sex. Female newborns took less time to raise their heads (P = 0.041) and to stand up (P = 0.048) for the first time and were the earliest to suckle their dams (P = 0.032). Multiparous dams stood up sooner (P = 0.019) after calving and suckled their calves earlier (P = 0.043) than primiparous dams. They emitted more bleats and exhibited more sniffing during the first week postpartum than primiparas. During the first postpartum week, both primiparas and multiparas showed a decrease in the total number of bleats (P < 0.001), low-pitch bleats (P < 0.001), and high-pitch bleats (P < 0.001), in sniffing frequency (P < 0.001) and sniffing duration (P < 0.001). This is the first study to describe in detail the calving, maternal, and neonatal behaviors of dromedary camels and to show the influence of parity and calf sex. Maternal care toward the newborn calf exhibited by a high level of bleating and sniffing activities in the first 2 days suggest that they play an important role in the establishment of mother-young relationship.

Journal of Dairying, Foods & Home Sciences, Nov 18, 2022

Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate... more Background: The transformation of camel milk into cheese is an operation considered very delicate because of several difficulties encountered in achieving coagulation. The present study aims to improve coagulation abilities of camel milk using enzyme extracts from kiwi juice. Methods: The optimum characteristics of extract were determined (pH, temperature and CaCl2 concentration), a fresh cheese was manufactured and the physicochemical and organoleptic qualities were determined. Result: Our results concerning the characterization of the enzymatic extract showed an extraction yield as 63.97%±5.22. The optimum coagulation conditions were: pH=6.6, temperature= 40C and a volume of used enzymatic extract as 1.5 ml. A fresh cheese was made from camel milk with a particular nutritional quality and consistency. The kiwi proteases displayed chymosin-like properties and thus hold the best potential for use as a milk coagulant in cheese production.

Milk Protein - New Research Approaches [Working Title], 2022

The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microb... more The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microbiological, physicochemical parameters, and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of camel milk. Samples were collected from four camels in semi-intensive system and four camels in intensive system. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, to study the effect of lactation stage, samples were collected from three camels and followed during a period of 10 months of lactation from parturition. LAB were isolated from this sample and identified by biochemical methods. The difference between the physico-chemical characteristic basis of camel farming system are not statistically different except fat. The microbiological analysis showed a significant difference in total mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds and total coliform between intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive system. The difference between physicochemical and microbiological characteristics ...

Milk Protein - New Research Approaches, 2022

The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microb... more The aim of this work is to study the effect of lactation stage and camel farming system on microbiological, physicochemical parameters, and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of camel milk. Samples were collected from four camels in semi-intensive system and four camels in intensive system. Microbiological and physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, to study the effect of lactation stage, samples were collected from three camels and followed during a period of 10 months of lactation from parturition. LAB were isolated from this sample and identified by biochemical methods. The difference between the physico-chemical characteristic basis of camel farming system are not statistically different except fat. The microbiological analysis showed a significant difference in total mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds and total coliform between intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive system. The difference between physicochemical and microbiological characteristics ...