ADVANCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF RESEARCH ON BUFFALO MILK AND MOZZARELLA CHEESE PRODUCTION
Main Article Content
Keywords
Buffalo milk, mozzarella cheese, research, review
Abstract
Objective: bibliographic review of the inventory and distribution of the buffalo herd, main dairy breeds, as well as mapping the main topics investigated in dairy buffaloes, emphasizing feeding methods and their effects on milk and mozzarella cheese quality.
Methodology: Analysis of the main research topics on milk buffalo, through a wide review in specialized journals.
Results: The production and transformation of buffalo milk has gained relevance in the last years in different latitudes, thanks to its nutritional qualities and international valorization of products such as mozzarella cheese. The main researches are carried out in Asia, Italy and Brazil, emphasizing that diets are a determining factor in yield and quality of milk and its derivatives, but that genetics, environment and animal management end up modelling these characteristics.
Implications: To deepen research work on milk buffalo, especially in Mexico, where it has important development options.
Conclusions: The bibliographic work presents practical restrictions, advances are recognized and the need to further investigate topics such as reproduction and animal welfare, management and valorization of buffalo milk and its derivatives, with the opportunity to explore the organic way.