Perennial Common Basilisk (Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl.): Ecological Aspects, Forage Value, and Assessment of Its Effects on Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Raw Milk and Ricotta—A Case Study in Sicily (Italy)

This paper illustrates the results of a case study conducted in the Madonie Regional Park (Sicily, Italy) focusing on Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. This species spontaneously grows in the area and plays an important role as forage plant, contributing to the production of traditional dairy products. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted to investigate the ecological characteristics and the chemical composition of the species, and to assess its effects on chemical and microbiological properties of raw milk and ricotta from grazing animals. Indices of bioindication were used to analyse the ecological features of the study area, and a change in the landscape has been observed. Samples of P. ferulacea were collected in the wild in specific plot areas. Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the main nutritional parameters of the species. Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed on raw milk and ricotta samples to evaluate their nutritional composition and quantify the main microbial groups. Raw milk showed no significant microbial differences between samples, with low levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and some Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli (~102 CFU/mL), while pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp., as well as spoilage yeasts were undetectable. Ricotta cheese showed a high hygienic profile, with LAB around 104 CFU/g and no spoilage or pathogenic microbes detected, including STEC-negative E. coli. Additionally, SPME-GC/MS and LC/MS analyses were carried out to identify the phenolic compounds of the species with those of dairy products and showed how the contribution of P. ferulacea to ricotta was effective for the aromatic profile and negligible for the polyphenolic component.