Influence of αS1-casein and κ-casein polymorphism on the curd yield of Italian Mediterranean buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) milk.

The influence of aS1-casein (aS1-CN) and k-casein (k-CN) polymorphism on the curd yield and 12 other parameters of milk obtained from 89 Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (IMB) was evaluated. IMB milk carrying aS1-CNB and k-CNX1 variants resulted in a greater curd yield. For these variants, the greater efficiency was attributable to higher content of proteins but not to milk production. In addition, the greater efficiency in curd yield of IMB milk carrying k-CNX1 (P < 0.05) or aS1-CNB (P < 0.05) was characterised by a higher real curd yield/estimated curd yield (RCY/ECY) ratio. The IMB milk that exhibited the lowest value of RCY contained the k-CNX1X2 and aS1-CNAB heterozygotes and k-CNX2 and aS1-CNA homozygotes. IMB milk carrying k-CNX1 and aS1-CNB, which presented the highest RCY, can be translated into an economic advantage if milk remuneration was done on the actual yield.