α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is the precursor of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in humans, which is fundamental for brain and visual function. Western diet provides low ALA and DHA, which is reflected in low DHA in maternal milk. Chia oil extracted from chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a plant native to some Latin American countries, is high in ALA (up to 60%) and thereby is an alternative to provide ALA with the aim to reduce DHA deficits. We evaluated the modification of the fatty acid profile of milk obtained from Chilean mothers who received chia oil during gestation and nursing. Forty healthy pregnant women (22–35 years old) tabulated for food consumption, were randomly separated into two groups: a control group with normal feeding (n = 21) and a chia group (n = 19), which received 16 mL chia oil daily from the third trimester of pregnancy until the first six months of nursing. The fatty acid profile of erythrocyte phospholipids, measured at six months of pregnancy, at time of delivery and at six months of nursing, and the fatty acid profile of the milk collected during the first six months of nursing were assessed by gas-chromatography. The chia group, compared to the control group, showed (i) a significant increase in ALA ingestion and a significant reduction of linoleic acid (LA) ingestion, no showing modification of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA; (ii) a significant increase of erythrocyte ALA and EPA and a reduction of LA. AA and DHA were not modified; (iii) a increased milk content of ALA during the six months of nursing, whereas LA showed a decrease. AA and EPA were not modified, however DHA increased only during the first three months of nursing. Consumption of chia oil during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first three months of nursing transiently increases the milk content of DHA.

ABSTRACT. Chilean milk processing industry is providing clear signs to milk farmers regarding the significant importance of milk solids within raw milk payment schemes. A litre of milk containing 3% of fat and 3% of protein is defined as a basic litre and, each additional kilo of fat and/or protein receives an extra payment. These are new production traits which must be researched on. In this study, 64,029 lactations, on 24 Región de Los Ríos at Southern of Chile herds, were used. Genetic parameters for milk yield and fat and protein above 3% yield were estimated. A multiple trait linear model, solved by BLUP methodology, was used. Variance components were estimated using AIREMLF90 and VCE software. Estimated heritability for milk yield, and fat and protein above 3% yield were 0.16±0.004, 0.44±0.007 and 0.42±0.006, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations were -0.285 and -0.331 between milk yield and fat and protein above 3% yield, respectively. It is concluded that there exist genetic variation for the two new traits proposed by the Chilean milk processing industry and, genetic selection for these traits should be done based on their estimated breeding values. However these two traits, plus milk yield, should be included in a selection index to account for the negative genetic correlations among them and minimise selection against milk yield.Key words: genetic improvement, milk solids. RESUMEN.En Chile la industria está dando señales claras al productor lechero al otorgar una importante ponderación al contenido de sólidos lácteos en la determinación del precio de la leche cruda. Para este efecto se definió como "litro base" a un litro de leche con contenidos de 3,0% de grasa y 3,0% de proteína. Sobre dicha base, cada kilogramo de ambos sólidos recibe una valoración adicional, constituyéndose así nuevas características composicionales que deben ser estudiadas. En este estudio se estimaron parámetros genéticos para producción de leche y producción de grasa y proteína sobre 3% de concentración en leche, a partir de 64.029 lactancias provenientes de 24 rebaños de la Región de Los Ríos en el sur de Chile. Se utilizó un modelo mixto multivariado resuelto con metodología BLUP. Los componentes de varianza fueron estimados usando los programas computacionales AIREMLF90 y VCE. Las heredabilidades estimadas para volumen de leche y producción de grasa y proteína sobre el 3,0% fueron 0,16±0,004, 0,44±0,007 y 0,42±0,006, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas entre producción de leche y producción de grasa y proteína sobre 3% fueron -0,285, -0,331, respectivamente. Se concluye que existe variabilidad genética para las dos nuevas características creadas por la industria compradora de leche y que la selección genética debería hacerse basada en valores genéticos estimados para estas.Palabras clave: mejoramiento genético, sólidos, leche.

Diversas agencias internacionales han considerado que la acrilamida puede producir efectos dañinos en la salud de la población debido a una serie de estudios toxicológicos realizados en modelos animales, en los cuales se observan efectos cancerígenos, genotóxicos, neurotóxicos, inmunológicos y en la salud reproductiva. A pesar de la creciente preocupación en diversos países sobre los potenciales efectos en salud humana, los organismos encargados de determinar límites toxicológicos no han definido aún los límites máximos de acrilamida que pueden estar presente en los diferentes tipos de alimentos para que sean inocuos para la población. El objetivo de esta actualización es revisar las regulaciones existentes sobre la acrilamida y enfatizar la necesidad de establecer límites que la industria alimentaria pueda aplicar efectivamente, además de la necesidad de contar con valores máximos diarios tolerables para prevenir los efectos nocivos para la salud de la población.

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