Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR), the Dutch DairyProducts Organization (Nederlandse Zuivel Organisatie) and the breeding organizationHolland Genetics are working together on accumulating information about thecomposition of milk. On April 13 an agreement for this unique research projectwas signed. The project will extend over four years and will cost 1.7 millioneuro in total.
The Netherlands produces milk of superior quality. Product innovationis thus very important in order to strengthen the market position. Informationabout the composition of milk and the knowledge of ways in which to influencethem is essential for this. The composition of milk affects the structure,colour, and odour of dairy products. In addition, there are other ingredientsthat can play a role in, for example, lowering high blood pressure or milkallergies. The fat composition and the ratio of saturated to (single ormultiple) unsaturated fatty acids also impacts human health. And finally,the composition of the milk influences the ability to process milk intovarious dairy products.
Sequential Research
The composition of milk is also dependent on the hereditary potential ofthe cows. By looking for the genes that are responsible for the compositionof milk proteins and milk fats, breeding organizations will soon be ableto select animals that naturally produce the desired milk. In order toattain this, the research will be carried out in three stages. First,the genes that have a direct connection to the quality characteristicsof milk are analyzed for the presence of variants. Secondly, the scopeand significance of the genetic variation (and the genetic relationships)in the composition of the milk will be determined. And finally, the genesthat contribute to the genetic variation in quality characteristics ofmilk will be identified.
Way open for specific products
Project leader Johan van Arendonk thinks that the Netherlands is an extremelysuitable location for this research to be conducted: both breeding organizationsand the dairy sector are in a leading international position, there isa unique system in place for the registration of animals, and the knowledgeinfrastructure for breeding, dairy and genetic research is outstanding.This research project opens the way for producing milk and dairy productsin the near future that in terms of composition can meet the specifichealth and nutritional demands of the consumer. The preliminary workwhich laid a solid base for this project was co-financed by the ‘NationaalRegieorgaan Genomics’ and the province of Gelderland. At this stage,the development organization Oost Nederland NV carried out a number ofcoordinating activities.