Aflatoxin contamination in cereals poses a significant food safety and public health issue worldwide. Cereals, including rice, are a staple food in the diet of the Armenian population. This study aimed to assess the potential health risks associated with the exposure to aflatoxin B1 mycotoxin through rice consumption among the population of Yerevan. The daily intake of aflatoxin B1 through the rice consumption was estimated for the adult population across all administrative regions. The margin of exposure (MOE) method was used to evaluate the health risks associated with aflatoxin B1 exposure, with values less than 10000 considered a public health concern. The results indicated that the MOE for aflatoxin B1 exposure through rice consumption among the Yerevan population was less than 10000, which indicates the public health concern. Even the amounts of aflatoxin B1 within permissible levels were found to be potentially risky for the health of the population. Moreover, the MOE method used in this study can be a useful tool for assessing the risks associated with other food contaminants and guiding the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of aflatoxin levels in cereals, to ensure the safety of the food supply and protect public health.

Throughout 121 days of winter pasture period, the animals aged 9.0­12.9 months old were grazed on without supplemental feeding. The study was carried out in the winter pasture of Yeghegnut community, Armavir region of RA. 10 heads from Holstein and Flekvi heifers each, kept in stalls were selected for the research. During 121 days of winter grazing, female calves from 9.0 to 12.9 month­old were in the pasture from 12:00 to 17:00 and during the remaining 19 hours in the cattle shed, without additional feeding. Absolute, average daily, relative weight gain and growth factors were determined on the basis of weighing and body part measurements at the beginning and end of winter grazing. According to the weight growth data, the absolute weight gain of a 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein calf was 71.4 kg, the average daily weight gain was 610 g, the relative weight gain was 30.6 %, the growth factor was 1.4 times, compensation for 1 kg weight gainer – 5.4 energy feed units, and for the Flekvi breed – 62.6 kg, 535 g, 27 %,1.3 times, and 6.2 energy feed units, respectively. According to the data of linear growth, the height of the body parts of the 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein breed in­ creased by 3.0­3.7, width by 3.0­3.3, length by 0.9­4.3, chest depth – 3.1, breast width – 3.6, forearm width – 0.7 cm, and Flekvi – 2.3­3.2, 0.7­2.6, 0.7­6.1, 1.7, 5.5 and 1.4 cm, respectively. Body composition indices also prove that the body structure of the 12.9­month­old female Holstein and Flekvi breeds has also developed proportionally. Therefore, we suggest to graze 6­month­old calves and older animals of different gender and age groups in the Armavir region of RA in winter pastures.

To study the adaptive and acclimatization capabilities of imported apple cultivars to expand the geographical boundaries of their use in the specific lowland conditions of the Ararat Valley as well as to understand their genetic resources in new growing conditions, production experiments were set up. The following encouraging data were obtained Based on a two-year study of five new novel cultivars of apple trees in three different areas. Five apple tree cultivars were investigated: Granny Smith, Jonagold Decosta, Fuji, Mutsu, and Gala. During observation and study, they showed a high yield productivity. As a result, all five imported cultivars of apple trees are recommended for growing in intensive orchards and under similar agro-climatic conditions.

Brucellosis is a common bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp., which are facultative intracellular gram-negative cocco-bacilli, causing disease in cattle, small ruminants, and humans. The occurrence of brucellosis is widespread across a wide geographical area as well as endemic throughout the Caucasus region. The Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia has adopted a diagnostic algorithm consisting of screening samples with the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by confirmation with the complement fixation test (CFT). This study determined the feasibility of the algorithm and diagnostics in Armenia. Sampling and testing were conducted in two marzes of Armenia with disparate brucellosis prevalence. The screening was performed in 2020 at regional laboratories, followed by retesting at the reference laboratory with RBT and confirmation by CFT. Results indicated that RBT testing was reproducible between laboratories, although positive rates in CFT testing were slightly higher. Brucellosis incidence in cattle was not geographically dependent, while sheep incidence was affected by location. The addition of CFT to the diagnostic algorithm improves the results.

The data of the study indicate that the service period of the cows of the 4th-5th lactation is 5-58 days higher than the norm in the “Vamaks” LLC cattle farm of the Syunik region of the RA, and the coefficient of reproductive ability varies in the range of 86.3-98.6 %. Due to sterility, the loss of lactations in the 5th lactation is 16 and the loss of milk quantity is 126 tons. We propose to identify and inseminate (mate) animals with sexual desire in a timely manner, as well as to establish strict veterinary control to monitor and regulate the service period of 4-5 calving cows.

In recent years, the successful development of dog breeding in Armenia has been hindered by various diseases, the most common of which is demodicosis. The spread of the demodicosis invasion in Yerevan is mainly due to the uncontrolled breeding of dogs, violation of sanitary and hygiene rules for dog rearing, and unauthorized sale and purchase of dogs. Lack of information about the disease among the dog owner and breeders is another important reason for the spread of the disease. Demodicosis in dogs proceeds with certain variations. The extent of invasion in autumn was 51.7 %, in spring – 34 %, in winter – (32.2 %), and in summer it was 18.5 %. The relatively low temperature of the external environment and the high relative humidity of the air are probably favorable conditions for the reproduction, growth, and development of causative agents of demodicosis in dogs. Studies have shown that the highest degree of demodicosis was observed among maternal livestock, and animals older than three months. The lowest degree of disease damage was observed in puppies up to three months old.

The research was carried out in the Ashtarak and Avan communities of the Aragatsotn region of the Republic of Armenia. During the research enterobacteria were found in the samples brought from the Ashtarak community. Salmonella, Escherichia coli, or Proteus diseases were suspected. API 20 E microbial identification test-system was used for identification. As a result of research carried out in 2022, using the above method, Escherichia coli was confirmed in bees in the Ashtarak community of the Aragatsotn region. The susceptibility of the pathogen to antibiotics was also checked and it was found out that the most effective antibiotics are Gentamicyn, Levofloxacin, Streptomycin, and Amoxicillin.

A nation’s health and mental strength depend on its food consumption which is one of the main conditions for the full functioning of the human body. In modern times, the demand for sour milk products has increased significantly due to their dietary and medicinal features. The research object was pure cow’s milk, almond milk, almond flour, and samples of sour milk products. During the work, a study of the physicochemical and sensory indicators of the raw materials added almond milk, and the finished product was performed. Based on the sensory and physicochemical indicators of the product, the optimal dosages are as 70 % of cow’s milk, 30 % of almond milk, and 1.5 % of almond flour were determined. Based on the above, it is recommended to introduce the developed technology of lactic acid products in production, which will complement the assortment of sour milk products, enrich the chemical composition of the product, and increase the body’s resistance and digestibility.

The second part of the article series is about the study of the influence of yeast and autolyzed yeast derivative on red wines’ qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Wine samples in which the preparation process was explained in the first part of the article were investigated. Wine coloring and phenolic compounds were measured. Organoleptic properties of the wines are presented as spider graphs with tasting notes.

The influence of secondary raw materials in primary winemaking on the organoleptic and physico chemical parameters of butter cookies made of wheat and oat flour has been studied. It was revealed that cookies with this additive have appropriate consumer properties and physicochemical parameters that meet accepted standards. It was shown that the processed product was enriched with the elements necessary for the body. These elements include Na, C, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, and Cu, and the powerful antioxidant resveratrol. Obtaining food additives by processing grape pomace and their use in confectionery products will contribute to primary winemaking with minimal waste.