Different level of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in dairy products from Italy

A survey was carried out to determine the content of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in various dairy products. The only detected CLA isomer was cis-9trans-11 linoleic acid. Commercial samples of yoghurt, fermented milk and cheese were analyzed: 16 standard yoghurts, 6 organic yoghurts, 8 mountain pasture yoghurts, 5 sheep yoghurts, 8 probiotic yoghurts, 8 fermented milk samples, 6 fermented milk samples from mountain pastures, 30 cow cheeses (9 Alpine cheeses, 8 Swiss Emmental, 8 Fontina Valdostana, 5 Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano), 12 ewe cheeses (Pecorino) and 8 goat cheeses. The fatty acid composition and fat content were also assessed. Fontina Valdostana had the highest amount of CLA (8.11 mg/g fat), followed by Pecorino cheese (7.77 mg/g fat), Swiss Emmental (7.66 mg/g fat) and sheep yoghurt (6.92 mg/g fat). High levels of CLA were also found in fermented milk and yoghurt of mountain pasture and organic yoghurt (6.15, 6.06 and 6.05 mg/g fat, respectively). The animal diet, specific characteristics of the milk used in manufacturing, with special reference to the species and CLA content of the milk, processing and production methods play an important role in setting the CLA levels in dairy products.