Background and Aim: Escherichia coli, a commensal intestine bacterium of vertebrates, is widely distributed in the environment and indicates the microbiological quality of food products in relation to coliforms. In addition, virulent strains, particularly E. coli O157:H7, cause outbreaks of toxic infections caused by consuming dairy products. Because food safety studies regarding E. coli have not been conducted in Central Asia, this research aimed to study the characteristics of contamination, microbiological and genotypic properties, and resistance to antimicrobial agents of E. coli strains that contaminate various types of commercialized cheeses originating from Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: In retail outlets, 207 samples of three types of cheese produced by 22 industrial and eight small enterprises in the central, eastern, southern, and northern regions of Kazakhstan were selected in 2020–2023. E. coli contamination was examined using standard microbiological, mass spectrometric, and molecular genetic methods. The discodiffuse European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing method was used to test the resistance of the identified E. coli isolates (65/207; 31.4%) to 20 antibacterial drugs. The Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (VT1 and VT2) and E. coli O157:H7 (eae) genes were investigated in all E. coli isolates using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: An average of 31.4% samples of commercial Kazakhstani cheeses of various types were found to be contaminated with E. coli in almost all geographical regions of Kazakhstan, regardless of the productivity of the dairy enterprises. Soft cheeses produced by small farms (80% of samples) packaged at the retail site (100%) were the most contaminated with E. coli. The microbiological index (colony-forming unit/g) was unsatisfactory and unsuitable in 6.2% of such cheese samples. For the first time in Central Asia, the enteropathogenic strain E. coli O157:H7 was detected in 0.5% of cheese samples. E. coli isolates from cheese samples were resistant to 65% of antibacterial drugs and contained resistance genes to β-lactams, sulfonamides, and quinolones groups. At the same time, 25% of the E. coli isolates were multi-resistant to three or more antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: The high level of contamination caused by multi-antibiotic resistant E. coli strains, including pathogenic pathogens, poses a risk to public health and highlights the need for further research on the monitoring and control of coliform enteropathogens in food products. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Kazakhstan cheese, microbial contamination.

Background and Aim: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) causes a significant economic loss to cattle industries in many countries, including Kazakhstan. Although Moraxella bovis is recognized as an etiologic agent of IBK, other bacterial and viral agents have been suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate samples collected from the eyes of IBK-affected cattle in Eastern Kazakhstan at different stages of IBK for the presence of Mor. bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi, and Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (BHV-1) and to characterize Mor. bovoculi pilA gene sequence diversity from Mor. bovoculi positive samples. Materials and Methods: Individual ocular swabs (n = 168) were collected from cattle that had clinical signs of IBK during the summer of 2022 on farms in the Abay region of Kazakhstan. Eye lesion scores (1, 2, and 3) were assigned depending on the degree of ocular damage. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis-associated organisms were detected using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The Mor. bovoculi pilA gene was sequenced from Mor. bovoculi positive samples. Results: Mycoplasma bovis and BHV-1 were not detected in any of the collected samples. Mycoplasma bovoculi was identified in the majority of samples overall, usually in mixed infection with Moraxella spp. Moraxella bovoculi was detected in 76.2% of animals and predominated in animals with eye lesion scores 2 and 3. Mycoplasma bovoculi was detected only in association with Mor. bovis and/or Mor. bovoculi in animals with eye lesion scores 2 and 3. Moraxella bovis was found in 57.7% of animals and was always identified in association with another organism. Sequencing of the pilA gene in 96 samples from Mor. bovoculi positive samples identified five PilA groups. The majority belonged to PilA group A. However, three new PilA groups were identified and designated PilA groups N, O, and P. Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of Myc. bovoculi and Mor. bovoculi in eyes of cattle with IBK on livestock farms in Eastern Kazakhstan. Additional novel Mor. bovoculi PilA groups were identified. Keywords: bovine herpes virus, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi.

This study presents a comparative analysis of the physicochemical, microbiological, and microstructural characteristics of feed products subjected to electron beam irradiation using the ILU-10 accelerator, as well as non-irradiated samples stored under suboptimal conditions. Feed product samples were obtained from a flour and feed manufacturing facility located in the city of Semey, Abai region. For each type of feed product, 20 samples were irradiated at doses of 3, 6, and 9 kGy, while another 20 samples served as a non-irradiated control group. All samples were stored in conditions that were unfavorable for long-term preservation. After one month, microbiological parameters, mycotoxin content, changes in acidity (pH), and microstructure were assessed using standard analytical methods. This study revealed a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms and preservation of key physicochemical properties of the feed products after one month of storage when irradiated at a dose of 9 kGy. These findings suggest that electron beam treatment can serve as an effective method for feed preservation in cases where storage conditions do not meet regulatory standards. However, further research is required to explore alternative approaches and gain a deeper understanding of the potential applications of electron beam technology in compound feed storage systems.

This article presents the results of a study the effectiveness of radiation treatment using the ILU-10 electron accelerator in order to extend the shelf life of food products by controlling bacterial contamination (sulfite-reducing clostridium – Clostridium spp.). The ILU-10 device is designed for sterilization and disinfection of products without the use of chemicals. Clostridia spp. are an important indicator of microbiological control in the food industry. They are the cause of food spoilage, and some types of clostridium can cause massive disease of the human digestive system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this device in reducing of Clostridium spp. with different radiation doses in the range from 3 to 9 kGr. It was found that a dose of 3 kGr is sufficient to reduce bacterial contamination of beef, fish (pike), and fish cutlets. In general, the maximum antibacterial effect was achieved at three doses.

Traditional fermented dairy products represent an important source of autochthonous microorganisms with potential applications in food biotechnology. This study aimed to isolate and characterize microorganisms from the traditional Kazakh fermented product kurt collected from different regions of the Abai area (Kazakhstan) and to evaluate their suitability for biotechnological applications in meat processing. Microbial isolation was performed using MRS medium under anaerobic conditions, followed by morphological and physiological characterization. Accurate identification was carried out using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that microbial counts ranged from 10⁶ to 10⁸ CFU/g, confirming high microbial diversity of kurt. MALDI-TOF MS analysis revealed the presence of Pichia fermentans, Enterococcus faecalis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Lactobacillus helveticus, indicating that MRS medium supports the growth of both lactic acid bacteria and accompanying microbiota. Subsequent molecular analysis confirmed Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus helveticus as the most promising strains. These isolates demonstrated tolerance to salt, acidic conditions, and mesophilic temperatures, which are essential for meat fermentation processes. In contrast, Enterococcus faecalis was excluded from further application due to potential safety concerns. Overall, the study demonstrates that kurt is a valuable source of technologically important microorganisms and that the identified strains (Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus helveticus) are promising candidates for the development of starter cultures for fermented goat meat processing.

Kazakhstan is implementing government initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on imports and developing domestic feed production. In modern realities, it is extremely important to use effective methods of feed conservation that guarantee minimal loss of nutrients, as well as optimal profitability and labor organization. Assessment of microbiological safety and toxicity of feed additives during storage is a mandatory procedure, since infection with spore – forming bacteria and mold leads to significant degradation of nutritional value and product quality. As part of this study, poultry feed was analyzed one, four, and six months after the start of storage. The increase in the number of microorganisms in feed during long-term storage is explained by the presence of spores in them. Under suitable conditions, these spores germinate, forming vegetative cells, which then actively multiply and function. In addition, there is a risk of spores formed by various microorganisms entering the product from the environment – air, dust and moisture. The research methods used in the project comply with generally accepted standards. Both experimental and experimental samples were used in the work. After packing the experimental samples in various types of containers, they were processed using an IL-10 electron accelerator. Paper bags, bag bags and vacuum-polyethylene packaging were used as packaging materials. Mycotoxin content was monitored during the entire storage period – 1, 4 and 6 months. The data obtained indicate that after six months of storage, mycotoxins were detected in feed packed in paper bags and not treated with IL-10, as well as a decrease in other quality indicators. Studies have shown that maximum microbiological protection is achieved when stored in an airtight polypropylene container, which ensures the safety of feed for six months.