The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in honey samples from Kazakhstan. Analyses were carried out using a set of PCR methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria, and detection of toxin genes of C. botulinum and C. perfringens. Among 197 samples, C. botulinum was noticed in only one (0.5%). The isolated strain of this pathogen showed the presence of the bont/A and ntnh genes. C. perfringens strains were isolated from 18 (9%) samples, and mPCR (multiplex PCR) analysis led to them all being classified as toxin type A with the ability to produce α toxin. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA genes showed occurrence in 4 samples of other anaerobes related to C. botulinum, which were C. sporogenes and C. beijerinckii strains. C. botulinum prevalence in honey samples from Kazakhstan in comparison to the prevalence in samples collected from the other regions seems to be less. The highest prevalence of Clostridium sp. was noticed in the East Kazakhstan province. Our study is the first survey on BoNT-producing clostridia and C. perfringens prevalence in Kazakh honey.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of antitox and Vitamin E-selenium on meat quality and safety in rabbits after experimental 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (1,1-DMH) toxicosis. Materials and Methods: Experimental groups of rabbits weighing 1.5-2.5 kg each were kept in a vivarium under same controlled conditions (temperature 16-21°C, humidity 60-80%, 12/12 h light/dark cycle, noise level <85 dB) with free access to standard food containing 22.0% protein, 4.5% fat, and 4% fiber. The effect of a detoxifying mixture of antitox and Vitamin E-selenium on safety indicators (residual amount of 1,1-DMH) and quality indicators pre- and post-detoxification of the rabbits from 1,1-DMH was determined. Results: After detoxification, the residual 1,1-DMH level decreased in all organs and tissues to <0.1 mg/kg. The nutritional value of meat increased by improving organoleptic, physical, and chemical parameters and the amino acid composition of protein. Conclusion: The antitox+Vitamin E-selenium detoxifying mixture significantly decreases the residual 1,1-DMH level in organs and tissues of animals and increases the nutritional value of rabbit meat in subacute poisoning. The detoxifying mixture can also be used on animals grazing in territories adjacent to Proton-M launch sites for preventive and therapeutic purposes.

The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional value (content of endogenous and exogenous amino acids) and safety (content of metals and radionuclides) of the muscle tissue of fish obtained in the Shuchinsk- Burabay recreation area (Kazakhstan). Analytical methods involving mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma and liquid chromatography were used. The content of exogenous amino acids in fish protein was similar to their level in the meat of cattle, pigs, and poultry obtained in the same leisure zone. The ratio of the sum of exogenous amino acids to the sum of endogenous amino acids in fish meat protein ranged from 0.29 to 0.39. In all samples, it ranged from 45.45 to 33.33% of the norm. Samples of fish meat from some lakes diverged from the norm in the amount of exogenous and endogenous amino acids by 2.01-3%. Valine was a limiting amino acid in the meat of fish from all lakes; its amount ranged from 21.6 to 27.8%. The second most important limiting amino acid was isoleucine, which ranged from 72.1 to 77.25%. The contents of heavy metal salts were up to 0.0590 mg/kg for arsenic, 0.0050 mg/kg for cadmium, and 0.0350 mg/kg for lead, which did not exceed the norms of the maximum allowable concentration of these metals. Only the mercury content in perch muscle tissue, which was 0.0385 mg/kg, exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 28%. The level of other metals was in line with the standards. Fish from the lakes of the Shuchinsk-Burabay recreation area are slightly contaminated with heavy metal salts, but these pollutants generally do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration. The concentration of radionuclides in fish samples did not exceed the maximum permissible level.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the food safety and protein adequacy of meats from various animals in the Shuchinsk- Burabay resort zone. Materials and Methods: Samples of meat were collected from markets "Zhomart" and "Kausar." Two hundred and ninety-eight samples of meat were obtained: beef - 166, horse - 42, pork - 67, mutton - 8, and poultry - 15. From each carcass, part of the carcass, point samples were taken to form an average sample and conduct research. Analyses used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. The determination of amino acid composition was carried out following the chromatographic method for determining the amino acid composition of meat proteins. Results: The quality of meats from the resort zone was lower than recommended due to the reduced content of essential amino acids, including valine, lysine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. Concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides did not exceed maximum permissible limits, and trace concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead were detected in all meat samples, except beef. The latter meat showed increased concentrations of mercury. Conclusion: In terms of quality indicators, all types of meat met standards; however, pork protein displayed the most favorable amino acid composition, both for content of essential amino acids and the ratio of amounts of essential to non-essential amino acids. For content of heavy metals, poultry and pork meats were safest.

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