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Food 17.04.25

The influence of horn status and the genetic variant of the (A1/A2) β-Casein milk protein on milk quality and digestion is the subject of much debate. This study shows that the milk of cows with a genetic difference in β-Casein is digested slightly differently in the human stomach, but that horn status has no effect in this regard.

Agroscope, FiBL, Qualitas AG, 6300 Zug

Food 12.02.25

The results of the 2023 beef quality survey have been released. They show that the quality of Swiss meat overall is highly satisfactory, in terms of nutrition as well as technological and sensorial aspects.

Agroscope, Proviande

Food 07.11.24

The microbial composition of the sourdough culture defines the character of the bread baked from it. A sourdough can increase the health-promoting characteristics of bread when combined with specific types of flour and suitable processing parameters.

Environment 21.10.24

Large quantities of potatoes are rejected due to visual defects. For this reason, Agroscope researchers investigated how consumers can be motivated to purchase visually suboptimal potatoes.

Animal production 26.09.24

A current overview of paratuberculosis describes this chronic disease of cattle, shows how it is being controlled internationally and in Switzerland, and explains why this is important.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), University of Bern

Food 10.09.24

Climate change is compelling producers to find alternatives to the usual fodders. Sorghum is one alternative. When used in dairy-cattle feed, how does it affect the quality of hard cheeses?

Agroscope, Grangeneuve

Food 21.05.24

The study examines the discourse in the media on plant-based alternatives in Switzerland to gain insights into current trends. Instead of questioning consumers directly, the researchers analysed the media discourse which shapes and reflects consumer perceptions.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, ZHAW

Food 29.04.24

The range of plant-based alternatives to milk continues to rise. Agroscope and the SMP (Swiss Milk Producers) conducted an online survey to find out what products are being consumed and how they are perceived.

Agroscope, Swiss Milk Producers SMP

Food 26.03.24

Balmer M.E., Schaller U., Krauss J., Geiser H.C., Poiger T.

Plant protection products contain active substances and co-formulants. Agroscope studied the residues of co-formulants on treated plants for the first time, thereby furnishing the basis for assessing risks posed to consumers.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)

Food 20.02.24

von Ah U., Freimoser F.

Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a naturally occurring yeast with applications in agriculture, the food industry and biotechnology. Agroscope is investigating this yeast in particular with regard to biocontrol applications in plant protection.

Food 28.09.23

Burton-Pimentel K. J., Walther B.

Soya-, cereal-, seed- or nut-based plant drinks are consumed increasingly frequently as milk substitutes. Agroscope researchers have studied the macro- and micronutrients in these drinks and have identified major differences between the plant drinks themselves as well as in comparison with milk.

Food 20.09.23

Fröhlich-Wyder M.-T., Bachmann H.-P., Schmidt R.

Cheese varieties from Switzerland are characterised according to various criteria. Agroscope analysed the free volatile carboxylic acids in ten cheese varieties and demonstrated that the latter are suitable for characterisation and differentiation.

Food 29.08.23

Spring J.-L., Reynard J.-S., Verdenal T., Zufferey V., Cléroux M., Dienes-Nagy Á., Bourdin G., Bieri S., Blouin A., Carlen C., Favre G.

Safeguarding the clonal diversity of Muscats in the Valais has enabled the characterisation of 42 Muscat à petits grains and 36 Moscato Giallo clones. The characteristics of the two are quite distinct, particularly their aromatic potential. The best clones will be included in the Swiss certification scheme.

Food 25.07.23

Eugster E., Götze F., Heine D.

Bread, sauerkraut, cheese, wine, beer, yoghurt, chocolate, coffee, kimchi, tempeh, soy sauce, miso, etc. – all these are fermented foods and are part of our daily diet. What exactly are fermented foods and what role do they play in a healthy and sustainable diet?

Food 13.06.23

Fröhlich-Wyder M.-T., Guggisberg D., Bisig W., Jakob E., Schmidt R.

A quarter fat Appenzeller cheese usually has significantly more holes (‘eyes’) than a full fat Appenzeller. Is this really due to the fat content? Agroscope researchers looked into this issue.

Food 24.05.23

Berger J., Bisig W., Hummerjohann J.

The consumption of raw-milk products is considered to be healthy, but is not entirely risk-free due to the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria. Agroscope and BFH-HAFL investigated the microbiological safety of raw-milk yoghurt and showed that this is protected in several respects by fermentation.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Food 20.04.23

Mann S., Loginova D.

Agroscope researchers analysed the dietary trends of the different generations in Switzerland. The findings help with the preparation of more-accurate dietary forecasts.

Food 22.03.23

Kopf-Bolanz K.A., Villarreal Cruz M.C., Walther B., Denkel C., Guggisberg D.

The number of plant-based beverages on supermarket shelves is constantly increasing. The physicochemical properties of these beverages, such as their colour or foamability, vary according to the plant they are made from, and determine their use as an alternative to milk.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Food 09.03.23

von Ah U., Arias-Roth E.

Selected microorganisms extend the shelf-life of foods, thereby contributing to a reduction in food waste. In a study of the literature, Agroscope highlighted the important role of protective cultures and fermentation.

Food 21.02.23

Ammann J., Arbenz A., Mack G., Nemecek T., El Benni N.

It’s not easy to change eating habits. In a study of the literature, Agroscope investigated which policy measures favour a sustainable diet. Market-oriented tools and bans prove effective, but are fairly unpopular.

Food 26.10.22

Bachmann H.P. and Wampfler B.

Plants and microorganisms can perceive and respond to sound waves. In a review of the literature, Agroscope analysed various publications on this topic. The studies show that sound can lead to positive effects on physiology in the form of improved growth, development and disease resistance.

Agroscope, Käsehaus K3

Food 13.10.22

Müller A., Pfeifer C., Stolze M., Schader C., Oehen B. und Sanders J.

The war in Ukraine, dry spells and droughts followed by heavy rainfall and flooding are major challenges for our food systems. But the problems that they bring to light are nothing new – and solutions are already to hand.

Food 03.10.22

Irmler S., Haldemann J., Arias-Roth E.

Biogenic amines in foods represent a health risk. Researchers from Agroscope and INRAE investigated the formation of these undesirable substances in raclette cheeses by the bacterium Morganella morganii.

Food 20.09.22

Bachmann H.P., Beutler E., Fleuti C., Lüscher Bertocco M. and Guggenbühl B.

At the new Centre of Excellence for Raw-Milk Products, Agroscope and Grangeneuve interviewed test subjects about the popularity of Vacherin Fribourgeois PDO cheeses made from raw and thermised milk. The study showed that the market potential of raw-milk cheeses has not yet been exhausted.

Agroscope, Grangeneuve

Food 29.04.22

Spring J.-L., Zufferey V., Verdenal T., Reynard J.-S., Lorenzini F., Bourdin G., Carlen C.

Divico, Agroscope’s new disease-resistant grape variety, is noted for the quality of its wines. Blending trials with the Pinot Noir variety have shown that Divico is also highly suitable for correcting colour intensity in the latter.

Food 09.12.21

H. Stoffers, M. Peter, H.-P. Bachmann, L. Egger, S. Dubois and B. Guggenbühl

As part of the trend towards vegetarian and vegan products, Agroscope looked into the production of plant-based alternatives to soft cheese based on Swiss raw materials.

Food 17.05.21

Ingenhoff J.-E., Mühlemann M., Ackermann-Gäumann R., Moor D. and Berger T.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) pathogens can be transmitted to humans by the consumption of raw milk and raw-milk products from infected goats. The risk is judged to be low, and is most likely to come from on-farm consumption of the (unpasteurised) products.

Agroscope, Spiez Laboratory, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)

Food 06.05.21

Wechsler D., Walther B., Dudler V., Aubert R. and Haldimann M.

Sections of the Swiss population are deficient in iodine. Agroscope and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) examined how the use of iodised salt affects the iodine content of cheese.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)

Food 15.04.21

Wechsler D., Fehér N., Haldemann J., Meola M., Guggisberg D., Fuchsmann P., Guggenbühl B., Dreier M., Shani N., Badertscher R., Egger C., Portmann R., Arias E. and Schmidt R.

Agroscope has comprehensively characterised the cheese variety Raclette du Valais PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). With the reference values obtained, cheese-dairy advisory services will be able to identify cheese defects more easily in future.

Food 08.04.21

B. Walther and R. Schmidt

Vitamin K2 plays a key role in blood clotting as well as having a positive influence on bone and cardiovascular health. Cheese is an important dietary source of this microbially produced vitamin.