Mare's Milk Research Articles

Changes during lactation in the mineral element content of mare milk produced in semi-extensive rural farms

This study characterizes, for the first time, the content of individual mineral elements in mare milk from Basque Mountain Horse breed, as well as changes that occur during lactation and among semi-extensive rural farms. Individual milk samples from eighteen mares belonging to three commercial farms were collected along six months of lactation, and the contents of eleven mineral elements in milk were determined using a triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Basque Mountain Horse milk contained calcium (Ca; 958 ± 248 μg/g milk), potassium (K; 581 ± 117 μg/g milk), phosphorus (P; 454 ± 160 μg/g milk), sodium (Na; 141 ± 38 μg/g milk), magnesium (Mg; 64.1 ± 15.7 μg/g milk), zinc (Zn; 2.50 ± 0.88 μg/g milk) and copper (Cu; 0.343 ± 0.179 μg/g milk) amounts similar to those reported in other horse breeds. Conversely, low sulphur (S; 156 ± 42 μg/g milk) and chlorine (Cl; 49.3 ± 33.4 μg/g milk), and high iron (Fe; 2.43 ± 2.44 μg/g milk) contents were found. Mn was only quantifiable in 12% of the samples. The content of all macrominerals, except Na and Cl, decreased at the end of lactation, while that of trace elements (Zn, Cu and Fe) either increased or fluctuated. In addition, the content of Ca, P, S and Na differed significantly among semi-extensive rural farms, probably due to differences in feeding management. From a multivariate perspective, the mineral element composition of the milk made it possible to differentiate samples from early, mid and late lactation stage.

Оценка сбалансированности аминокислотного состава белка сухого кобыльего молока

Кобылье молоко, приближенное по своему составу к женскому молоку, и продукты его переработки (кумыс) активно используются в лечебно-профилактическом питании при бронхолегочных заболеваниях, патологиях ЖКТ, в реабилитации онкологических больных и для поддержания общего иммунитета. Биологическая ценность кобыльего молока определяется качеством белка и сбалансированностью его аминокислотного состава. В то же время производство кобыльего молока не получило широкого распространения (объемы производства составляют до 0,02 % от общего объема производства сырого молока) ввиду особенностей организации молочного коневодства, высокой себестоимости сырья, несовершенства логистических процессов, что требует изменения бизнес-процессов и перехода на производство сухого кобыльего молока, отличающегося пролонгированными сроками годности. Аминокислотный состав белка кобыльего молока сопоставим с идеальным белком, в нем не выявлена лимитирующая аминокислота, наряду с этим в сыром кобыльем молоке установлен минимальный аминокислотный скор по валину. Высокая сбалансированность аминокислотного состава позволяет улучшить синтез белка в организме человека при высоком коэффициенте утилитарности – от 0,9883 в сыром молоке до 0,9900 в сухом молоке. Аминокислоты белка сухого кобыльего молока практически полностью используются в анаболических целях, при этом показатель сопоставимой избыточности равен 0,0003, что в 14 раз меньше, чем в сыром молоке, тем самым обеспечивая более высокую усвояемость сухого молока – до 99,0–99,5 %. В условиях отсутствия регламентирующей нормативной документации по использованию сырого натурального кобыльего молока в питании человека оптимальным решением является производство сухого кобыльего молока способом сублимационной сушки на малых сельскохозяйственных предприятиях полного производственного цикла. Результаты проведенных исследований показывают более высокие характеристики сбалансированности аминокислотного состава сухого кобыльего молока. Рекомендуется проведение дальнейших исследований по углубленной оценке пищевой ценности сухого кобыльего молока. Mare's milk, which is close in composition to women's milk, and its processed products (koumiss) are actively used in therapeutic and preventive nutrition for bronchopulmonary diseases, gastrointestinal pathologies, in the rehabilitation of cancer patients and to maintain general immunity. The biological value of mare's milk is determined by the quality of protein and the balance of its amino acid composition. At the same time, the production of mare's milk has not become widespread (production volumes are up to 0.02% of the total production of raw milk) due to the peculiarities of the organization of dairy horse breeding, high cost of raw materials, imperfections in logistics processes, which requires changes in business processes and the transition to the production of dry mare's milk, characterized by prolonged shelf life. The amino acid composition of mare's milk protein is comparable to an ideal protein, there is no limiting amino acid in it, along with this, a minimum amino acid score for valine is established in raw mare's milk. The high balance of the amino acid composition makes it possible to improve protein synthesis in the human body with a high utilitarianism coefficient – from 0.9883 in raw milk to 0.9900 in powdered milk. Amino acids of mare's milk powder protein are almost completely used for anabolic purposes, while the index of comparable redundancy is 0.0003, whichis 14 times less than in raw milk, thereby providing a higher digestibility of milk powder – up to 99.0–99.5 %. In the absence of regulatory regulatory documentation on the use of raw natural mare's milk in human nutrition, the most optimal solution is the production of dry mare's milk by freeze-drying at small agricultural enterprises of the full production cycle. The results of the conducted studies show higher characteristics of the balanced amino acid composition of dry mare's milk. It is recommended to conduct further studies on the in-depth assessment of the nutritional value of dry mare's milk.

Recent advances in selective allergies to mammalian milk proteins not associated with Cow's Milk Proteins Allergy.

Cow's milk proteins allergy (CMA) is an atypical immune system response to cow's milk and dairy products. It's one of the most common food allergies in children affecting 8% of the total pediatric population pediatric population. This comprehensive review examines recent studies in CMA, especially regarding mammalian milk allergies such as goat's, sheep's, buffalo's, camel's, mare's and donkey's milk allergies in order to increase awareness of these selective allergies and to reduce allergy risks for those who have them. The consumption of other mammalian milk types is not recommended because of the significant homology between milk proteins from cow, sheep, goat and buffalo resulting in clinical cross-reactivity. However, camel's, mare's or donkey's milk may be tolerated by some allergic patients. Selective mammalian milk allergies are unusual and rare disorders characterized by severe symptoms including angio-oedema, urticaria, respiratory manifestations and anaphylaxis. Based on the reported allergic cases, cheese products including Ricotta, Romano, Pecorino and Mozzarella, are considered as the most common source of allergens especially in goat's, sheep's and buffalo's milk allergies, while the major allergens in donkey's and mare's milk seems to be whey proteins including lysozyme, α-lactalbumin and β-lactogloblin due to the low casein/whey proteins ratio in equine's milk.

Analysis of Shelf Life and Antibacterial Actvity of Sumbawa Wild Horse Milk against Escherecia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria

Sumbawa wild horse mik is pure milk produced by a mare which is bred in sumbawa and is a healthy drink that has antibacterial activity and longer shelf life duration without using preservatives. This study aims to analyze the shelf life and antibacterial activity of Sumbawa wild horse milk (SWHM) against Escherecia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, with test parameters including water content, fat content, protein content, pH, and testing was carried out on the 15th day and 30th day after milking and storage at room temperature. The results showed that SWHM did not decay or changes in levels that were far different during the storage period of 15-30 days at room temperature, with the results of fat content of 86.182% and 1.6650%, protein content of 2.1624% and 2.2961%, 86.1821% water content and pH 5.21 and 4.00. Antibacterial activity plays more role in inhibiting Escherichia coli bacteria compared to Staphylococcus aureus with a concentration of 50%, 75%, and 100% with a maximum inhibition of 12.77 mm.

Milk Exosomes: Next-Generation Agents for Delivery of Anticancer Drugs and Therapeutic Nucleic Acids.

Exosomes are nanovesicles 40-120 nm in diameter secreted by almost all cell types and providing humoral intercellular interactions. Given the natural origin and high biocompatibility, the potential for loading various anticancer molecules and therapeutic nucleic acids inside, and the surface modification possibility for targeted delivery, exosomes are considered to be a promising means of delivery to cell cultures and experimental animal organisms. Milk is a unique natural source of exosomes available in semi-preparative and preparative quantities. Milk exosomes are highly resistant to the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. In vitro studies have demonstrated that milk exosomes have an affinity to epithelial cells, are digested by cells by endocytosis mechanism, and can be used for oral delivery. With milk exosome membranes containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, exosomes can be loaded with hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. This review covers a number of scalable protocols for isolating and purifying exosomes from human, cow, and horse milk. Additionally, it considers passive and active methods for drug loading into exosomes, as well as methods for modifying and functionalizing the surface of milk exosomes with specific molecules for more efficient and specific delivery to target cells. In addition, the review considers various approaches to visualize exosomes and determine cellular localization and bio-distribution of loaded drug molecules in tissues. In conclusion, we outline new challenges for studying milk exosomes, a new generation of targeted delivery agents.

Characterization of the Glycans of Equine κ-Casein.

To study the protein-bound glycans of equine κ-casein, equine sodium caseinate was first obtained from raw mare's milk by acid precipitation and then fractionated by cation-exchange chromatography. The oligosaccharides of the obtained equine κ-casein were analyzed by RP-HPLC-UV-HRMS after β-elimination with simultaneous derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). In addition to the acidic tetrasaccharide derivative Neu5Ac-Gal-[Neu5Ac]-GalNAc-2PMP known from bovine κ-casein, the acidic pentasaccharide derivative Neu5Ac-Gal-[Gal-GlcNAc]-GalNAc-2PMP was identified as the most abundant glycan. The glycosylated amino acid residues were identified using a peptide sequencing approach after digestion with trypsin by HRMS. The threonine T109 was experimentally confirmed for the first time as a glycosylation site in equine κ-casein. Therefore, equine κ-casein seems to be more highly glycosylated than previously thought.

Foaming and Other Functional Properties of Freeze-Dried Mare's Milk.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the freeze-drying process on the preservation of mare's milk. This was achieved through the characterization of the functional properties of reconstituted freeze-dried mare's milk. The chemical composition, bulk density, foam capacity, and ability to form emulsions of the atherogenic, thrombogenic, and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid index were investigated. The freeze-drying process did not change the proportion of the milk components in the dry matter. The moisture content of the freeze-dried mare's milk was 10.3 g/kg and the bulk was below 0.1 g/mL. The foaming capacity was 111.3%; hence, the foaming capacity of the milk was very poor. The oil binding capacity was 2.19 g/g of protein. The freeze-drying process improves the binding degree and retention of oil by milk proteins, but produced foam was unstable, short-lived, and lacked the ability to retain air fractions. The atherogenic index and thrombogenic index values calculated for reconstituted milk were 1.02 and 0.53, respectively. The hypercholesterolemia fatty acid index was 25.01.

Concentration of mineral and heavy metals in raw mare (horse) milk consumed in Yazd, Iran: A risk assessment study.

In recent years, the mare's milk has been introduced as a rich source of nutrients with hypoallergic characteristics which is widely used for Iranian infants. The present study aimed to investigate the heavy metal concentration of mare's milk and its consumption risk assessment. About 88 mare's milk was collected from Yazd, the centre of Iran, during the summer of 2020. The raw mare's milk was digested and analysed for mineral and heavy metal content (As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn) by ICP-OES. To estimate the health hazard for consumers the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) of heavy metals were determined. The Ca ranged from 260.52 to 201.43mg/L, which was the highest mineral in mare's milk followed by P and Mg. By increasing the age, P and Ca content was increased. The obtained ranges of Cu, Co, Fe, Mn and Zn were 72.12-75.11, 1.12-9.3, 180.69-230.21, 31.24-47.13 and 1060-1200μg/L, respectively. The Cd and Arsenic content of mares' 8-11 years of age had higher concentrations. The highest Pb content was reported in mares 4-7 years old (10μg/L). Although, Pb, Cd and As content of the mare's milk was evaluated lower than the permissible limit. Also, the HQ value was As > Cd > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cu for infants, toddlers and adults. The HI of mare's milk was 0.16, 0.15 and 0.022 for infants, toddlers and adults, respectively. Mare's milk could be an effective nutrition source for infants and children suffering from milk protein allergies.

Comparison of Horse and Cow Milk on the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: A Cross-Over Clinical Trial Study

Numerous researchers have examined the effect of diet on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study is to compare the symptoms of ADHD in children fed horse milk versus conventionally fed cow's milk. Thirty patients aged 6 to 14 with ADHD were randomly selected and divided into two groups in this randomized double-blind crossover study. All patients completed a 45-day period of consuming 250 mL horse or cow milk, as well as continued Ritalin (1 mg/kg) treatment. The wash out period was considered one week. Symptoms are recorded using the Conners rating scale (CS). The CS of the parents decreased significantly (P value≤0.001) in the group that first received horse milk, but increased (P value=0.007) after consuming cow's milk. After consumption of horse milk, the parent's CS was significantly different from that of cow milk (P value= 0.001). Teachers' CS decreased significantly following horse milk consumption (P=0.001) and increased significantly following cow milk consumption (P=0.028) in this group. The average teacher's CS after cow milk differed significantly from that after horse milk (P value= 0.024). The CS of the parents did not change significantly (P value=0.913) in the group that first consumed cow's milk. However, it was significantly decreased (P value=0.004) after receiving horse milk. The CS of the teachers in this group did not change after the cow's milk (P value=0.282). However, following the administration of horse milk, the mean of CS decreased significantly (P=0.003). The average of the teacher's CS after consuming cow milk differed significantly from that of horse milk (P value= 0.010). In both groups, there was no significant difference in the mean of parents and teachers CS before and after the washout period (P>0.05). According to the study, horse milk consumption was significantly more effective than cow milk at lowering scores.

Chemical composition, whey protein profile, and fatty acid profile of milk from Sokólski horses in relation to Polish Halfbred horses

Abstract The study was carried out on milk from cold-blooded Sokólski mares and warm-blooded Polish Halfbred mares. Milk samples were analysed for content of solids, protein, fat, lactose, and ash; density; energy value; percentage of α-lactalbumin (α-La), β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), serum albumin (SA), immunoglobulin (Ig), lactoferrin (Lf) and lysozyme (Lz) in the total protein; and fatty acid profile. Milk from cold-blooded mares was found to be similar in protein and fat content to that of warm-blooded mares, but had higher content of solids, including lactose and ash. It also had significantly (P≤0.01) higher content of α-La, SA and Lz, and lower content of β-Lg, Ig and Lf in comparison to milk from warm-blooded mares. Milk from Sokólski horses had a significantly (P≤0.01) higher proportion of SFA, including C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0 (P≤0.01) and C18:0 (P≤0.05), while the milk of warm-blooded mares had a significantly (P≤0.01) higher proportion of MUFA, including C16:1n-9 and C18:n-9, and PUFA, including C18:2n-6 and C18:3n3. The share of n-6 and n-3 PUFA was significantly (P≤0.01) higher in milk from warm-blooded horses, but their ratio (n-6/n-3) was lower (more favourable) in milk from cold-blooded mares. In addition, milk from warm-blooded horses had a lower (P≤0.01) share of HSFA and a higher proportion of DFA compared to cold-blooded horses, as well as lower values for AI and TI. Despite these minor differences in comparison with warmblooded mares (Polish Halfbred), milk from cold-blooded Sokólski mares was shown to be a food product of high nutritional value, which is one argument in favour of the use of this horse breed for dairy purposes.

Correlation between age and levels of heavy metals in mares mammary gland secretions

The content of heavy metals in the secretions of the mare's mammary gland should be tested not only because of the possibility of human consumption of mare's milk but also because of the influence of these elements on the development of suckling in the neonatal period and later in adolescence. The aim of the research was to assess the dependence of heavy metals concentration in the secretions of the mammary gland on the mare. Studies were carried out on 16 English Thoroughbred mares. Mares aged 4 to 19 years were divided into 2 research groups: Group Y - young mares 10 years of age (n = 8) Group O - mares older then10 years of age (n = 8) The experimental material, colostrum were collected before 12 hours after delivery and milk were collected on the 3rd day after foaling. The concentration of metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd) was determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS apparatus Unicam 929 spectrometer). All elements (Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd) analysed in colostrum showed higher concentration in young mares. For Ni and Zn differences were significantly higher in young mares while for Mn and Cd those differences were highly significant. In analysed samples of milk Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cd content were higher in young mares, while Cu content were higher in older mares. We reported highly statistical differences for Ni, Mn, and Fe.

Permafrost preservation reveals proteomic evidence for yak milk consumption in the 13th century

Domesticated yaks endure as iconic symbols of high-altitude frozen landscapes, where herding communities depend on their high-fat milk, transport, dung, and natural fibers. While there is established proteomic evidence for ancient consumption of ruminant and horse milk in the mountains and steppes of northern Eurasia, yak dairy products have yet to be detected. Yak domestication and the species’ dispersal from Tibet into the mountainous zones to the north are also poorly resolved due to a paucity of zooarchaeological data. To examine the potential of paleoproteomics to shed light on domesticated yak in Mongolia, we analyzed human dental calculus from Mongol era elite individuals recovered from permafrost burials in Khovsgol province, where people continue to herd yak to this day. We report the first evidence for yak dairy consumption, linked to local resource control. In addition, we confirm a large diversity of recovered whey, curd, tissue, and blood proteins, likely reflecting the excellent preservation conditions found at permafrost sites.

The relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization and milk composition in the postnatal period in Kyrgyz mares and foals.

Immune compatibility between mare and foal is one of the important topics of reproductive immunology. At this point, although there are many studies on antibodies, there are not many publications on the relationship between the cytokine levels of mare, foal and milk and the effects of milk composition on this relationship. Here we investigate the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and milk composition in Kyrgyz mares and foals. Samples were taken soon after the foal was born and on days 5, 10 and 20 after birth. Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) cytokine levels in blood samples were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Dry matter, fat, protein and non-fat dry matter ratios were determined in the mare's milk and colostrum. We detected no Th1/Th2 polarization in the mare's milk on the day of the foal's birth (day 0) and day 10, but there was Th1 polarization on day 5 and Th2 cytokine polarization on day 20. There was no polarization in the blood sera of the mares on days 0, 5, and 10, and Th1 cytokine polarization was also detected on day 20. We detected no Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization in the blood sera of the foals on any of the days. Dry matter (19.66 ± 0.39%), protein (16.56 ± 0.18%), fat (2.13 ± 0.17), and non-fat dry matter (17.59 ± 0.44%) were higher in colostrum than the other days. When the correlations between cytokine levels in milk samples and milk composition were examined, there was a positive correlation between IL-5 level and protein ratio on day 10. We detected a positive correlation between IL-2 level and the fat rate on day 20. There was a positive correlation between the IL-2 level and the non-fat dry matter ratio on day 20. Further studies are now needed to determine the relationship between the changes in the composition of mare's milk in the postnatal period and Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization in mares and foals at the time of birth and in the postnatal period. Our finding that protein and fat ratios in mare's milk in the postnatal period are positively correlated with IL-2 levels should be considered in terms of foal and human nutrition.

Investigation of Technological Features and Microbiological Composition of Bioyogurt Made from Mare's Milk

Investigation of Technological Features and Microbiological Composition of Bioyogurt Made from Mare's Milk

The Influence of Selected Factors on the Nutritional Value of the Milk of Cold-Blooded Mares: The Example of the Sokólski Breed

This study assessed the effect of access to pasture, lactation number, and foals' sex on the nutritional value of milk (79 samples) from nine mares. The following were analysed: content of dry matter, protein, fat, lactose, and ash; percentages of α-lactalbumin (α-La), β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), serum albumin (SA), immunoglobulins (Ig), lactoferrin (Lf), and lysozyme (Lz) in the total protein; and the fatty acid profile. Mares without access to pastures were shown to produce milk with a higher dry matter content, including fat, lactose, and ash; higher percentages of β-Lg, α-La, Ig, and Lf; and a better fatty acid profile. The milk from mares with access to pasture contained more protein, including higher percentages of SA and Lz. Milk from mares in lactations 4-6 had the highest fat and protein concentrations and the lowest lactose concentration. The α-La level was highest in lactation 1, Lf in lactations 2-3, and Lz in lactations 4-6. Milk from mares in lactations 4-6 had the best fatty acid profile (the lowest concentration of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and the highest concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)). Milk from mothers of female offspring had higher dry matter, fat, and protein concentrations, a higher share of lysozyme, and a better fatty acid profile.

Secrets behind Protein Sequences: Unveiling the Potential Reasons for Varying Allergenicity Caused by Caseins from Cows, Goats, Camels, and Mares Based on Bioinformatics Analyses.

This study systematically investigated the differences in allergenicity of casein in cow milk (CM), goat milk (GM), camel milk (CAM), and mare milk (MM) from protein structures using bioinformatics. Primary structure sequence analysis reveals high sequence similarity between the α-casein of CM and GM, while all allergenic subtypes are likely to have good hydrophilicity and thermal stability. By analyzing linear B-cell epitope, T-cell epitope, and allergenic peptides, the strongest casein allergenicity is observed for CM, followed by GM, and the casein of MM has the weakest allergenicity. Meanwhile, 7, 9, and 16 similar or identical amino acid fragments in linear B-cell epitopes, T-cell epitopes, and allergenic peptides, respectively, were observed in different milks. Among these, the same T-cell epitope FLGAEVQNQ was shared by κ-CN in all four different species' milk. Epitope results may provide targets of allergenic fragments for reducing milk allergenicity through physical or/and chemical methods. This study explained the underlying secrets for the high allergenicity of CM to some extent from the perspective of casein and provided new insights for the dairy industry to reduce milk allergy. Furthermore, it provides a new idea and method for comparing the allergenicity of homologous proteins from different species.

Growth Kinetics of Kazachstania unispora and Its Interaction with Lactic Acid Bacteria during Qymyz Production

Qymyz is a traditional acidic and ethanolic beverage in central Asian countries made from mare milk fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. Modeling the growth of microorganisms during fermentation is one of the methods used to control the quality of fermented products. The objective of the study was, firstly, to model the growth kinetics of Kazachstania unispora found in qymyz, and, secondly, to understand their interaction with Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lactobacillus kefiri during the fermentation of mare milk. The K. unispora optimum values of pH and temperature were 4.81 ± 0.22 and 30.16 ± 0.53 °C, respectively, with an optimal growth rate (µopt) of 0.56 ± 0.02 h−1. K. unispora had an ethanol production rate of 6.1 × 10−8 mg·CFU−1. Growth, in terms of limiting substrates showed a lower Ks value for galactose at 0.13 ± 0.04 mg·mL−1 with µopt of 0.45 ± 0.01 h−1, while, for glucose, the Ks was 0.24 ± 0.03 mg·mL−1 with the same µopt. Cocultures of K. unispora were conducted with L. casei and L. kefiri in a synthetic medium and mare milk. The results showed that K. unispora growth was limited and, thus, its ethanol production capacity was inhibited. VOC analysis of mare milk fermented with the studied strains and their cocultures resulted in 37 major volatile compounds. Statistical analysis of the VOC profiles showed that K. unispora modulates the aroma production in coculture with LAB.

Improved methods for mare milk analysis: Extraction and quantification of mare milk carbohydrates and assessment of FTIR-based macronutrient quantification.

Accurately determining the macronutrient profile of mare milk is a precursor to studying how milk composition affects foals' growth and development. This study optimized and validated an extraction and quantification method for mare milk oligosaccharides, which make up a portion of the carbohydrate fraction of mare milk. Mare milk was extracted with chloroform and methanol, and oligosaccharides were selectively isolated from the carbohydrate fraction using porous-graphitized carbon solid-phase-extraction (SPE). Good recovery rates for milk oligosaccharides (between 70 and 100%) were achieved with the optimized method. This study also compared the use of Fourier-Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy versus wet chemistry quantification methods for protein, fat, and lactose. The FTIR method produced statistically equivalent protein contents to the wet chemistry method, along with substantial savings in both analyst time and consumable consumption. FTIR analysis slightly underestimated the fat content of mare milk relative to the official wet chemistry method, with the difference between the methods increasing at higher fat contents. FTIR also overestimated the lactose content of mare milk and appeared to generate "lactose" values that included the milk oligosaccharides and thus represented the total carbohydrate (lactose and milk oligosaccharides) content of mare milk.

Time spent on milking mares and their ethological indicators

Dairy horse breeding in Ukraine is not a traditional branch of animal husbandry, although its products most closely correspond to the physiology of human digestion and are especially indispensable in children's nutrition, since the chemical composition of mares' milk is close to that of women. To obtain mare's milk, it is necessary to take into account the technological features of keeping, feeding animals and obtaining products specific to a particular farm, which should be reflected in technological maps. The most time-consuming process in the production of milk of all types of animals is the milking process, therefore the purpose of this work was to develop standards of time consumption for the further development of technological maps in dairy breeding and to study the productive and ethological indicators of dairy mares taking into account the serial number of milking. The research was carried out at the Kumys farm, a breeding breeder for the breeding of the Novoaleksandrivsky weight-carrying breed of horses of the Dibriv Horse Stud No. 62 branch of the State Enterprise "Studying of Ukraine" using video surveillance, time measurement, biometrics, and mathematical calculations. It was established that the time spent on milking is directly dependent on the productivity of mares and increases with the serial number of milking. Ethological studies have shown that mares willingly go to milking and in the same order and sequence to the left and right milking machines. Supplementation with oat grains takes place during milking at the milking plant, the time spent there is not enough to consume the daily requirement due to concentrated feeds, and the time spent by mares in the pre-milking area exceeds the normative indicators. Standards for time spent on the milking process have been developed, taking into account the ethological features of mares and suggestions for its improvement through the organization of standardized individual feeding and the frequency of milking, which will increase the gross production of marketable milk. The practical value of the work consists in determining the time spent on milking mares, depending on their productivity, which will later be used as normative indicators during the development of technological maps

Provincializing histories of missions through food : friars and the consumption of kumiss in the Mongol empire

The article focuses on the question of the consumption of kumiss, a drink made from fermented mare's milk, among the various religious groups coexisting in the medieval Mongol empire. Inspired by Actor-Network Theory (B. Latour) and the project of provincializing Europe (D. Chakrabarthy), the article provides a comparative contextual analysis of medieval sources, including accounts of the Franciscan friars John of Plano Carpini and William of Rubruck, and other relevant sources relating to the history of the principalities of Rus', communities of Syriac and Armenian Christians, and the Mongols. It sheds light on the role of kumiss as a natural, cultural, and religious agent, which provoked diverse attitudes among the different religious groups and revealed their interdenominational and interreligious dynamics. Comparing the various, often contrasting attitudes towards kumiss consumption enables us to better understand the missionary situation of the Franciscan friars and also reveal the practical challenges and problems facing medieval Christian missions in the Mongol empire.