Differentiating cyclopropane fatty acids to support milk authenticity through GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: Cyclopropane fatty acids (CPFAs), are emerging markers for food authentication in premium dairy products like Parmigiano Reggiano and Haymilk, where silage feeding is prohibited. This study focuses on two CPFAs-dihydrosterculic acid (DHSA) and lactobacillic acid (LBA)-in milk from cows fed diets with or without silage. Using both NMR spectroscopy and a refined GC-MS method, we quantified CPFAs and assessed their potential as dietary markers. NMR enabled rapid, non-destructive screening via cis-methylene proton signals, whereas GC-MS provided accurate quantification and separation of DHSA and LBA. DHSA levels were ∼ 3-fold higher in maize-silage-fed cows compared to non-silage-fed cows, making DHSA, or the DHSA/LBA ratio, robust markers of feeding regime. In contrast, L

SUBMITTER: Riccio GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12483655 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature