Food modification and global challenges

Lactose intolerance

70% of adult humans deficient in intestinal lactase

Overcoming lactose intolerance

Food modification- conversion of lactose to lactic acid

Lactose supplementation

Probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotic- alter composition and metabolism of colonic microbiota

Change dietary habits- affecting gut microbiology

Galactose metabolism- Galactosaemia

Lactose = glucose + galactose

Autosomal recessive genetic inheritance that confers a deficiency in an enzyme responsible for adequate galactose degradation

Galactosaemia

Mutations in- GALT, GALK1 and GALE genes

Induces inability to produce key enzymes results in accumulation of galactose 1-phosphate, galactitol or other metabolites

Galactosaemia clinical symptoms

Brain impairments, primary ovarian insufficiency, diminished bone mineral density

Managements of Galactosaemia

Galactose-restrictive diet- plant based milk alternative

On going advances in GALT gene therapy, mRNA therapy, pharmacological chaperones

Cow milk protein allergy

Immune system identifies milk as a threat and produces an inappropriate response

Ranging from localised itching to anaphylaxis

Reactions may occur when contact with skin or through bloodstream after absorption

Reaction can be immediate or delayed

Allergy

An over reaction of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances

Food allergy significance

Increasing throughout the world

10% children food allergic - prevalence demand at on country

Rapidly emerging public health issue

• Australia 5 fold increase in anaphylaxis

Skin prick tests (SPT) and serum-specific IgE response to CMPA is used as confirmatory test

• most children outgrow CMPA

Milk protein allergies

Genetic polymorphism of milk proteins can be used in breeding and selection

A acids exchange, deletion of peptides fragments, or post translational modifications are being explored to produce allergen-free milk

Cows milk protein allergy CMPA affects from 2-6% of children due to an abnormal immunological reaction to cows milk proteins as a result of the interaction netween one or more milk proteins pr more immune mechanisms =, resulting in immediate mediated reactions

B-lactoglobin and case fractions are milk allergens

Human milk is free from BLG similar o camel milk

Milk protein allergy management

Heating, high pressure, enzyme hydrolysis and glycation

• methods to deminish BLG allergenicity

• Processes also damage the structure and function of other proteins

  • affecting nutritional quality of milk

  • Genomics offers more direct approach without affecting milk quality

This and practical implications of advances in mammalian genomics- animal welfare

Animal cruelty and research burry lines- explorers research

Health and well-being of genetically modified animals

This and practical implications of advances in mammalian genomics- environmental impact

Impact of transgenic species into ecosystems and local biodiversity

This and practical implications of advances in mammalian genomics- public perception

Acceptance of genetically modified organisms among different populations

Advocacies around fear od unplanned catastrophe- e.g emergence of virulent gene-edited organisms