Massey Dairy Researcher Honored at World Dairy Summit for Groundbreaking Study on Milk Processing
Source: DairyNews.today
Natalie Ahlborn, a dairy researcher and farmer from New Zealand, earned second place in the prestigious International Dairy Federation (IDF) Early Career Science Award at the 2024 World Dairy Summit in Paris. Her award-winning research, part of the New Zealand Milk Means More (NZ3M) project at the Riddet Institute, Massey University, examines how various milk processing treatments impact digestion and nutrient absorption.
Ahlborn’s study focused on the structural differences in milk resulting from different processing methods and how these changes affect nutrient release in the stomach. “I found that milk processed in different ways behaved uniquely in the stomach, influencing the release of proteins and fats,” she explained. “This is significant for understanding protein digestion, absorption, and the intake of essential amino acids necessary for optimal nutrition.”
Her findings reveal that even with similar nutritional compositions, milk processed in different ways is not nutritionally equivalent post-consumption. These distinctions at the stomach level affect the entire digestive process, with potential implications for targeted nutrition, such as developing milk products tailored for specific dietary needs, including those of the elderly.
“The NZ3M project is already utilizing these insights to produce high-value milk-based products,” Ahlborn noted. “However, this research is just a piece of a broader initiative to integrate practical, scientific, technical, and regulatory aspects of dairy. It’s crucial that we continue advancing these efforts to ensure milk can sustainably feed global populations into the future.”
The IDF Early Career Science Award, established three years ago in memory of Professor Pavel Jalen, celebrates young scientists who have made significant contributions to dairy science. This year, Ireland’s Maria Frizzarin took first place for her research on the use of mid-infrared spectral data from individual cow milk samples to assess environmental footprints, providing insights on sustainability in dairy production.
Due to the high caliber of entries, the judges awarded a shared third place to two researchers: Mark Timlin from Ireland and Riccardo Cocuzzi from Switzerland. Timlin’s work explores the nutritional differences between milk from pasture-fed and mixed-ration-fed dairy cows. His findings indicate that while mixed-ration feeding produces greater milk yield and solids, pasture-fed cows have lower somatic cell counts and healthier fatty acid profiles, including 83% more omega-3s, known for their cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits.
Cocuzzi’s research delves into lactate metabolism by microorganisms critical to Swiss cheese production, shedding light on the microbiological processes that give these cheeses their distinct characteristics.
The recognition of these young scientists at the World Dairy Summit underscores the IDF’s commitment to fostering innovation in dairy research. By bridging science and practical application, researchers like Ahlborn, Frizzarin, Timlin, and Cocuzzi are paving the way for a sustainable and nutritious future in the dairy industry.
Her findings reveal that even with similar nutritional compositions, milk processed in different ways is not nutritionally equivalent post-consumption. These distinctions at the stomach level affect the entire digestive process, with potential implications for targeted nutrition, such as developing milk products tailored for specific dietary needs, including those of the elderly.
“The NZ3M project is already utilizing these insights to produce high-value milk-based products,” Ahlborn noted. “However, this research is just a piece of a broader initiative to integrate practical, scientific, technical, and regulatory aspects of dairy. It’s crucial that we continue advancing these efforts to ensure milk can sustainably feed global populations into the future.”
The IDF Early Career Science Award, established three years ago in memory of Professor Pavel Jalen, celebrates young scientists who have made significant contributions to dairy science. This year, Ireland’s Maria Frizzarin took first place for her research on the use of mid-infrared spectral data from individual cow milk samples to assess environmental footprints, providing insights on sustainability in dairy production.
Due to the high caliber of entries, the judges awarded a shared third place to two researchers: Mark Timlin from Ireland and Riccardo Cocuzzi from Switzerland. Timlin’s work explores the nutritional differences between milk from pasture-fed and mixed-ration-fed dairy cows. His findings indicate that while mixed-ration feeding produces greater milk yield and solids, pasture-fed cows have lower somatic cell counts and healthier fatty acid profiles, including 83% more omega-3s, known for their cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits.
Cocuzzi’s research delves into lactate metabolism by microorganisms critical to Swiss cheese production, shedding light on the microbiological processes that give these cheeses their distinct characteristics.
The recognition of these young scientists at the World Dairy Summit underscores the IDF’s commitment to fostering innovation in dairy research. By bridging science and practical application, researchers like Ahlborn, Frizzarin, Timlin, and Cocuzzi are paving the way for a sustainable and nutritious future in the dairy industry.
