LC-MS/MS Based Metabolomics Reveal Candidate Biomarkers and Metabolic Changes in Different Buffalo Species

Abstract

Consumers have shown more and more interest in high-quality and healthy dairy products and buffalo milk is commercially more viable than other milks in producing superior dairy products due to its higher contents of fat, crude protein, and total solids. Metabolomics is one of the most powerful strategies in molecular mechanism research however, little study has been focused on the milk metabolites in different buffalo species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of the fatty synthesis and candidate biomarkers by analyzing the metabolomic profiles. Milk of three groups of buffaloes, including 10 Mediterranean, 12 Murrah, and 10 crossbred buffaloes (Murrah × local swamp buffalo), were collected and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used to obtain the metabolomic profiles. Results showed that milk fatty acid in Mediterranean buffalo was significantly higher than Murrah buffalo and crossbred buffalo. A total of 1837/726 metabolites was identified in both positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI±) mode, including 19 significantly different metabolites between Mediterranean and Murrah buffalo, and 18 different metabolites between Mediterranean and crossbred buffalo. We found 11 of the different metabolites were both significantly different between Mediterranean vs. Murrah group and Mediterranean vs crossbred group, indicating that they can be used as candidate biomarkers of Mediterranean buffalo milk. Further analysis found that the different metabolites were mainly enriched in fat synthesis related pathways such as fatty acid biosynthesis, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and linoleic acid metabolism, indicating that the priority of different pathways affected the milk fat content in different buffalo species. These specific metabolites may be used as biomarkers in the identification of milk quality and molecular breeding of high milk fat buffalo.

Changes in the lipidome of water buffalo milk during intramammary infection by non-aureus Staphylococci

“…Interestingly, we found no acylcarnitine molecule in water buffalo milk. This result contradicts other results where acylcarnitines were detected in Mediterranean water buffalo milk 33 , although the higher concentration was found in milk samples from non-pregnant water buffaloes and in a lesser amount in pregnant cows. It can be hypothesized that acylcarnitine levels during mid-lactation were below the detection limit of the technique and the DIM condition of the water buffaloes involved in the study.…”

“…Remarkably, the presence of very long-chain fatty acids, namely FA 42:5 and FA 40:5, in milk, is reported here for the first time. On the contrary, the amount of C18:1 (oleic acid), previously identified as one of the main FA in water buffalo milk 26 , 32 , 33 , was not as abundant as others. Fatty acid 14:0 (myristic acid) was also not as abundant as previously reported 29 , 32 .…”

“…The metabolome of water buffalo milk was recently studied using an OMICS approach (LC–MS/MS). However, the lipid subset identified in this study represented only a small portion of the total lipids 33 .…”

“…After comparing with the closest comparable data set, the bovine milk lipidome 36 , we found that the most abundant bovine milk TAG are also present in water buffalo milk. The two primary fatty acids isolated from water buffalo milk are C16:0 (palmitic acid) and C18:0 (stearic acid), as described 26 , 32 , 33 . Remarkably, the presence of very long-chain fatty acids, namely FA 42:5 and FA 40:5, in milk, is reported here for the first time.…”

Comparative Genomic Characterization of Buffalo Fibronectin Type III Domain Proteins: Exploring the Novel Role of FNDC5/Irisin as a Ligand of Gonadal Receptors

“…Buffalo milk is relished owing to its peculiar taste with a higher protein, fat, and solid content [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Mainly, buffalo in the Mediterranean and South-Eastern region of Asia serves as an important economic component in the agriculture sector [ 1 , 7 , 8 ]. Despite having excellent production potential, the productivity of the buffalo is jeopardized due to its poor reproductive efficiency.…”