BACKGROUND: Honey legislation has been addressed to establish the minimum marketing level of the product and the need for consumer protection through correct denominations. Research oriented toward assessment of floral origin and physicochemical properties may increase the commercial value of these products. The characteristics of 23 unifloral honeys of Erica sp., from Portugal, were studied. Pollen features and some physicochemical parameters (moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, apparent sucrose, reducing sugars and diastase activity) were determined.

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The object of this work was to study the effects of crossbreeding on meat quality and fatty acid profile of Holstein calves. Samples were taken from Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of 36 calves of three different groups (Holstein crossed with Rubia Gallega (HF×RG), Holstein crossed with Limousine (HF×LI) and Holstein crossed with Belgian Blue (HF×BB)). Significant differences were observed in carcass weight and killing out percentage (P < 0.001) among, groups reaching the highest values in the HF×BB group (228 kg and 59.4%, respectively), while the cross with Limousine presented the lowest values for carcass weight (191 kg) and the cross with Rubia Gallega showed the lowest killing out percentages (54.9%). Meat from HF×RG animals was redder (a* 13.31) and lightest (L* 39.55) than meat from HF×LI and HF×BB groups. With regard to fatty acid profile, the saturated fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acid, followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the three groups. Crossbreeding did not affect the proportion of fatty acid. Finally, live weight, cold carcass weight, killing out, shear force, L* from LT, b*from LT, a* from fat, b* from fat, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:3n-6, MUFA and price-to-sales ratio were the selected variables from discriminant analysis to classify the types of crossbreeding.

Holstein-Frisia. Índice de temperatura humedad. Frecuencia respiratoria. Temperatura rectal. Producción de leche. resUMenLas vacas lecheras son animales muy sensibles a los cambios ambientales y requieren alojamientos cada vez más sofisticados para prevenir la aparición de estrés térmico en épocas calurosas que eviten importantes pérdidas económicas por la disminución de producción. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en la valoración en explotación de indicadores ambientales y de indicadores fisiológicos de estrés de las vacas y su influencia sobre la producción de leche. Se monitorizaron la temperatura y la humedad relativa del aire a intervalos de una hora, a través de sondas digitales colocadas en 4 explotaciones durante 365 días. Paralelamente se recogieron indicadores fisiológicos (temperatura rectal y frecuencia respiratoria) en los animales, en invierno y en verano. Los resultados mostraron temperaturas superiores a 25° C durante 48 días del año, siendo los períodos más críticos primavera y verano. La humedad relativa tuvo una variación de 10 % entre invierno y verano. El índice temperatura humedad (ITH) superó el valor de 72 en 51 días anualmente y el período más crítico de la jornada fue entre las 12:00 y las 16:00 horas (P4), con un ITH medio de 68,0. El paso del ITH de 72 por encima de 78 significó un incremento de 1,3 °C y 37,3 respiraciones por minuto en las vacas lecheras. Se encontró una correlación alta entre la frecuencia respiratoria, temperatura rectal y ambas con el ITH, por lo que estos indicadores fisiológicos resultan ser excelentes predictores de estrés térmico. Los animales expuestos a ITH superior de 78 sufrieron una pérdida de producción de leche de 1,8 kg/vaca/día. Dairy cows have become very sensitive animals to environmental changes, requiring increasingly sophisticated accommodations to prevent the stress that would lead to major production and economic losses. The aim of this study was to assess environmental and physiological indicators of stress in cows and their influence on milk production. The temperature and relative humidity was monitored at intervals of one hour through digital probes placed in four farms for 365 days. Alongside two animal physiological indicators (rectal temperature and respiratory rate) were collected, in winter and summer. The results showed the presence of 48 days in a year with temperatures above 25 °C, with the most critical periods occurring in spring and summer. The relative humidity ranged from just 10 % between winter and summer. The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) exceeded the value of 72 on 51 days per year. The most critical period of the day recorded was between 12:00 to 16:00 p.m. (P4) where the average of THI was 68.0. From THI value below 72 to above 78, a rise of 1.3 °C and 37.3 breaths/minute was observed in the monitored dairy cows. We found a high correlation between respiratory rate and rectal temperature and of both with the THI, highlighting these physiological indicators as excellent predictors of heat stress. The animals ...