Our mission

The MetaBó-Bainne project describes the factors affecting and affected by the milk metabolome with the objective of understanding the interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic factors that have an impact on the milk metabolome. By understanding these relationships, strategies can be developed to enhance authenticity and traceability while improving processing efficiency and techno-functional properties. Key factors include primary production practices, like diet, environmental conditions, breeding selection, milking practices, and animal welfare. Additionally, this project examines the potential for milk metabolites to be utilised as biomarkers to improve the efficiency, processability, and sustainability of milk and dairy products. As a result of this project, “The pasture-based milk metabolome database” has been developed, an open access database with metabolites found in Irish milks, their concentrations and the factors that affect their composition. This database will serve as an important point of reference for future research, troubleshooting on farm or in process issues, and for authenticity of milk and dairy products.