This study investigated the effects of lactation period, foaling month and number, mare age, and regional factors on the quality parameters, amino acid composition, fatty acid profile, and nutritional indices of Kazakh mare’s milk under pasture conditions. A total of 240 milk samples were collected from Almaty and Zhambyl regions during the summer and autumn lactation periods. Standard physicochemical analyses determined fat, protein, casein, TS, and SNF contents, while amino acids were quantified via HPLC and fatty acids by GC. Significant seasonal differences were observed: summer milk contained higher PUFA (18.29%) and n-3 (5.71%) levels and exhibited lower SFA and AI values, indicating superior nutritional quality. Milk from younger mares (4 to 6 years) showed elevated essential amino acids and better lipid health indices compared to older mares. Zhambyl region samples had higher unsaturated fatty acids and SNF, while Almaty milk exhibited higher SFA and casein content. Amino acid profiling revealed that summer milk was enriched in glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, and histidine, whereas autumn milk contained more valine, leucine, methionine, and cysteine. PCA revealed distinct clustering based on season, mare age, and foaling period, confirming their substantial roles in shaping milk composition. These findings highlight that mare age, lactation period, and foaling timing significantly affect the nutritional quality of the mare’s milk. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing milk production and kumys fermentation strategies under traditional pasture-based systems.

Limited studies have examined the effects of geography, climate, and lactation on mare's milk in Kazakhstan. The study aimed to assess the protein components and quality of mare's milk and koumiss from 24 mares in southern Kazakhstan. Milk samples were collected monthly between July and December 2023. The soluble protein fraction was analysed via SDS-PAGE. Casein fractions were examined using SDS-PAGE polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The results indicated the presence of α-, β-, and κ-caseins, along with whey proteins such as α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in the milk and fermented products. The milk contained 9.02% total solids, 1.62% protein and 1.22% casein on average. The mare milk fat content was 0.71% in Almaty, and in the Zhambyl region, it was significantly higher - 1.24%. The fermented koumiss products had a fat content of 1.22% in Almaty, while in Zhambyl, it was significantly higher at 1.94%. Similarly, the casein content in the Zhambyl region was 1.38%, compared to 0.81% in Almaty. The results indicate that different zones significantly affect mare's milk's fat and protein composition.

The presence of radionuclides such as caesium-137 and strontium-90 in the food chain remains a critical environmental and public health concern, particularly when humans ingest these substances. Kazakhstan, with its history of nuclear testing, particularly at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, has experienced significant residual contamination from past nuclear explosions. This legacy continues to contribute to the presence of caesium-137 and strontium-90 in the environment, posing potential risks to ecology and human health. The study, conducted in Kazakhstan and involving sampling of soil, plants, water and animal products, is a key step towards understanding the extent of radionuclide contamination in the region. One of the novel aspects of this study is its holistic approach, which goes beyond the traditional focus on direct food contamination. The study uniquely examines the environmental pathways that facilitate the transfer of radionuclides from soil and plants to animals, thereby providing a deeper understanding of how contamination can spread through the food chain. This multi-level analysis integrates different environmental matrices, making it one of the first to examine the interconnected dynamics of radionuclide migration through soil, plants, water, and animal products in Kazakhstan. A particularly encouraging finding of this study was the lack of excess activity in milk and meat samples, suggesting that contamination in these specific regions may be within acceptable limits. However, the study's novelty lies not only in its results, but also in its emphasis on the importance of ongoing monitoring. Despite the lack of immediate health threats from these specific samples, the study highlights the need for ongoing surveillance to ensure that radionuclide levels remain within safe limits.

Kumys, a traditional fermented dairy product derived from mare’s milk, possesses unique nutritional properties with significant potential in the functional food market. This study presents a comparative evaluation the chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles of kumys obtained from Kazakh mare’s milk across two key regions in southern Kazakhstan (Almaty and Zhambyl) over five months of lactation (July to November). A total of 240 kumys samples were analyzed using MilkoScan FT1 for standard milk parameters and gas chromatography GC Shimadzu GC-2010 Plus for fatty acid profiling. Principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA, and correlation analysis were applied to explore regional and seasonal variation. The results revealed significant differences in the composition between regions and across lactation months. Kumys from the Almaty region exhibited higher levels of protein (1.59% vs. 1.41%), lactose (5.68% vs. 5.12%), and solids-not-fat, while Zhambyl samples showed higher fat content (1.86% vs. 1.52%) and more favorable thrombogenic index (TI) values. Notably, linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) content increased by 28% from July (0.46 g/100g fat) to November (0.59 g/100g fat), and alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3c) increased by 21% over the same period.. The n-6/n-3 ratio improved significantly in autumn months, particularly in Zhambyl, suggesting enhanced health-promoting qualities. PCA distinguished samples based on both geographic and seasonal factors, with lactation stage having a more substantial impact on kumys composition than region. These findings underscore the importance of lactation month and regional pasture characteristics in shaping the nutritional value of kumys and provide a scientific basis for optimizing their production and valorization in the dairy sector.