Background and Aim: Monitoring food quality and safety remain a pressing issue. The intermediate results of the study on the residual amounts of heavy and toxic elements in food products are presented herein. The aim of this study was the determination of heavy metals in milk and fermented milk products from basic farms in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 raw milk samples and 80 cottage cheese samples were analyzed. The milk and cottage cheese samples were subjected to mineralization during the analysis to remove organic impurities and determine the heavy metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The contents of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in all raw materials and food products did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. Conclusion: The dairy samples showed low contents of cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic that did not exceed the allowable concentrations for basic farms in the Almaty region.

Background and Aim: Dairy cattle breeding plays a significant role in providing the population with high-quality, reasonably priced goods. The development of this industry and its effectiveness depends on the proper use of available feed products. Feed additives (FAs), as a rule, should compensate for missing elements in the diet. This study aimed to determine the effect of the FA Vermikom on blood parameters, as well as milk physicochemical and mineral composition and yield in lactating dairy cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Holstein cows, with an average weight of 650±5 kg, were randomly divided into three groups of 10. Over a period of 5 months, each group was fed one of three diets: Mixed main diet without supplements (control), main diet supplemented with 2% Vermikom, and main diet supplemented with 4% Vermikom. Results: Hematological parameters, productivity, and physicochemical and mineral composition of milk from animals provided the FA Vermikom were higher than those of the control group. In the Vermikom groups, the hemoglobin content was higher by 5.75%, calcium by an average of 10.8%, and total protein by 2.5%. The average daily milk yield was also higher by 8.4% than the control group. Regarding the mineral composition of the milk, the content of calcium, phosphorus, and iron exceeded that of the control on average by 2.9%, 3.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. Conclusion: We propose introducing 4% Vermikom into the diet of dairy cows based on the study results. Future research will expand our knowledge regarding cows' needs for all recommended nutrients, thereby improving animal productivity and milk quality. The results obtained contribute to further expanding the food base of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Aim: This study aimed to analyze biological and microbiological parameters of Clarias gariepinus bred at Chundzha natural hot spring in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, a new feed additive, namely, the prebiotic "Ceobalyk." Materials and Methods: Two groups (50 heads each) of fish of the same age were established and kept in specialized rectangular pools of AsylTasEngineering LLP. The experiment lasted 61 days. We used the feed additive "Ceobalyk", developed based on natural minerals. Feed additive was added to the feed of the experimental group of fish in an amount of 10% per 1 kg of the main diet. Laboratory studies were conducted at the laboratories of the Kazakhstan-Japan Innovation Center. The quality of the fish was studied in accordance with the standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan and interstate standards. Results: In biological and microbiological studies of all samples of African sharptooth catfish, which received a new type of feed additive "Ceobalyk", the pH values of fish meat in the experimental groups were normal and varied in the range from 6.5 to 6.7. When setting up the reaction with copper sulfate, the reaction was positive. During bacterioscopy, there was a noticeable decrease in the number of microbes (2-3 bacteria less) in comparison with the control. An increase in the indices of the absolute body length and body width was observed by the end of the study. The body length in the experimental group was significantly greater (by 2.12% on average) than that in the control group. In the experimental variant, the average weight of fish was 21.8% higher. As a result of organoleptic studies, it was revealed that the musculature of the fish of the experimental groups was dense and elastic; when pressed on the skin with a finger, a fossa did not remain; the smell was specific, fresh. When tested by cooking, the broth was transparent and aromatic. Conclusion: This feed additive "Ceobalyk" does not cause deviations in the physiological status of fish and can be used as part of the main diet.

Background and Aim: Feed additives composed of natural minerals and probiotics are increasingly explored in aquaculture to improve fish health and meat quality while reducing antibiotic dependency. Zeolite and vermiculite, due to their adsorptive and ion-exchange properties, enhance mineral bioavailability, whereas probiotics, such as Escherichia coli 39-SN improve digestive function and nutrient assimilation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of zeolite or vermiculite in combination with E. coli 39-SN on the chemical, mineral, and amino acid composition of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Materials and Methods: A total of 150 catfish were divided into three groups: A control group fed a standard diet, and two experimental groups receiving diets supplemented with either 5% zeolite or 5% vermiculite, each combined with 0.1% E. coli 39-SN. The trial lasted 87 days under controlled aquaculture conditions. Post-trial, muscle tissues were analyzed for moisture, fat, protein, ash content, energy value, mineral content (e.g., iron, zinc, and magnesium), and amino acid profiles using standardized laboratory methods. Results: Fish in the experimental groups exhibited improved nutritional profiles compared to the control. Notably, the zeolite + probiotic group showed the highest total amino acid content (34.63%) and significant increases in essential amino acids, such as leucine and phenylalanine. Vermiculite + probiotic supplementation yielded the highest fat content (0.69 g/100 g) and increased concentrations of iron and zinc. Both experimental groups demonstrated improved energy values, elevated mineral levels, and enhanced biological value of the muscle tissue. No signs of stress or cannibalism were observed, indicating good tolerance to the diets. Conclusion: The synergistic use of natural minerals and E. coli 39-SN significantly enhanced the chemical and nutritional quality of C. gariepinus muscle tissue. These findings suggest that such dietary strategies offer a promising alternative to antibiotics and can enhance the commercial value of aquaculture products. Future studies should explore dose optimization, long-term health effects, and the immunomodulatory potential of E. coli 39-SN in fish. Keywords: amino acid profile, aquaculture, Clarias gariepinus, Escherichia coli 39-SN, feed additives, nutritional enhancement, vermiculite, zeolite.

The most widely used probiotics that benefit human and animal health are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from milk and dairy products. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the probiotic properties of LAB strains isolated from Kazakhstan mare's milk and koumiss (fermented mare’s milk) samples. A total of 24 LAB strains were isolated to test their probiotic properties. Based on analysis of probiotic properties, the strains 3K, 7K, 9K, 10K and 11K were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. According to PCR analysis, three strains (3K, 7K, 9K) were assigned to the species Limosilactobacillus fermentum and the remaining two strains (10K and 11K) were assigned to the species Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. In summary, the high biological potential of the strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 10K was identified as having probiotic property, which suggests its possible use as a promising candidate.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating 3.0% powdered water–ethanol extract from dried sea buckthorn pomace on the quality and safety of the traditional Kazakh chunked delicacy Jaya. The optimal extraction conditions were established as 70% ethanol at an ethanol-to-dry sea buckthorn pomace ratio of 1:5, yielding the highest sensory-evaluated consumer preference. A two-way ANOVA was employed to assess the influence of extract supplementation and refrigerated storage for 30 days at 0–4 °C on instrumental colour, pH, acid and peroxide values, TBARS, texture profile, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and microbiological status of the finished products. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in total phenolic content (18.6%), radical scavenging activity against DPPH (9.6%), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (14.9%) was observed. The addition of 3.0% sea buckthorn extract exerted a moderate effect in reducing oxidative processes in Jaya. However, decreases in pH (from 6.10 to 5.93), discolouration of the cut surface, and changes in the texture profile were noted. The incorporation of dried sea buckthorn extract may thus be effectively applied in the production of the traditional Kazakh chunked delicacy Jaya, contributing to enhanced oxidative stability, although it may not improve pH, colour, or texture characteristics. Due to limitations of the present study related to the addition of only one extract and a limited methodological panel, the need to conduct an additional series of studies in the future is justified, in order to establish the effect of adding lower levels (<3%) of the inclusion of the powdered extract of dried sea buckthorn pomace on the quality and stability of the product.