:Ragusano donkey
{{Short description|Breed of donkey}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{use list-defined references|date=September 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{ infobox donkey
| name = Ragusano
| image = Fieracavalli 2014 - Asinara, Ragusano.jpg
| image_caption = A large dark-coloured Ragusano behind a much smaller Asinara Donkey at Fieracavalli in Verona
| image_alt =
| features =
| altname =
| country = Italy
| distribution = Province of Ragusa
| use = {{unbulleted list|transport|agricultural work|siring mules|milk}}
| maleheight = 138 cm
| femaleheight = 130 cm
| group1 = MIPAAF
| std1 = [http://www.aia.it/CMSContent/NORME%20TECNICHE%20RA_nuovo.pdf Breed standard]
| status = FAO: endangered
| note =
}}
The Ragusano is a breed of donkey from the Mediterranean island of Sicily. It is associated particularly with the comuni of Modica, Ragusa, Santa Croce Camerina and Scicli, all in the Province of Ragusa in southern Sicily. It is one of the eight autochthonous donkey breeds of limited distribution recognised by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture and forestry. The Ragusano was listed as "endangered" by the FAO in 2007.
Uses
The milk of the Ragusano donkey has demonstrated remarkable antiviral properties and some scientists believe it could be useful in preventing viral human gastrointestinal infections.{{Cite journal |last=Brumini |first=Diana |last2=Furlund |first2=Camilla Bø |last3=Comi |first3=Irene |last4=Devold |first4=Tove Gulbrandsen |last5=Marletta |first5=Donata |last6=Vegarud |first6=Gerd E. |last7=Jonassen |first7=Christine Monceyron |date=2013-02-01 |title=Antiviral activity of donkey milk protein fractions on echovirus type 5 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958694612001938 |journal=International Dairy Journal |language=en |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=109–111 |doi=10.1016/j.idairyj.2012.08.010 |issn=0958-6946}}
References
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{{Donkey breeds of Italy}}
Category:Donkey breeds originating in Italy
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