• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.10.1-10.10
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• 2016

Background: Airag, alcoholic sour-tasting beverage, has been traditionally prepared by Mongolian nomads who naturally ferment fresh mares' milk. Biochemical and microbiological compositions of airag samples collected in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and physiological characteristics of isolated lactic acid bacteria were investigated. Methods: Protein composition and biochemical composition were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria were identified based on nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA gene. Carbohydrate fermentation, acid survival, bile resistance and acid production in skim milk culture were determined. Results: Equine whey proteins were present in airag samples more than caseins. The airag samples contained 0.10-3.36 % lactose, 1.44-2.33 % ethyl alcohol, 1.08-1.62 % lactic acid and 0.12-0.22 % acetic acid. Lactobacillus (L.) helveticus were major lactic acid bacteria consisting of 9 isolates among total 18 isolates of lactic acid bacteria. L. helveticus survived strongly in PBS, pH 3.0 but did not grow in MRS broth containing 0.1 % oxgall. A couple of L. helveticus isolates lowered pH of skim milk culture to less than 4.0 and produced acid up to more than 1.0 %. Conclusion: Highly variable biochemical compositions of the airag samples indicated inconsistent quality due to natural fermentation. Airag with low lactose content should be favorable for nutrition, considering that mares' milk with high lactose content has strong laxative effect. The isolates of L. helveticus which produced acid actively in skim milk culture might have a major role in production of airag.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1536-1542
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• 2020

Dekkera anomala YAE-1 strain separated from "airag" (Mongolian fermented mare's milk) produces β-glucosidase, which can convert ginsenoside Rb₁ from Panax ginseng. Ginseng- derived bioactive components such as ginsenoside Rb₁ have various immunological and anticancer activities. Airag was collected from five different mare milk farms located near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. YAE-1 strains were isolated from airag to examine the hydrolytic activities of β-glucosidase on Korean Panax ginseng using an API ZYM kit. Supernatants of selected cultures having β-glucosidase activity were examined for hydrolysis of the major ginsenoside Rb₁ at 40℃, pH 5.0. The YAE-1 strain was found to be nearly identical at 99.9% homology with Dekkera anomala DB-7B, and was thus named Dekkera anomala YAE-1. This strain exerted higher β-glucosidase activity than other enzymes. Reaction mixtures from Dekkera anomala YAE-1 showed great capacity for converting ginsenoside Rb₁ to ginsenoside Rd. The β-glucosidase produced by Dekkera anomala YAE-1 was able to hydrolyze ginsenoside Rb₁ and convert it to Rd during fermentation of the ginseng. The amount of ginsenoside Rd was highly increased from 0 to 1.404 mg/ml in fermented 20% ginseng root at 7 days.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.347-358
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• 2004

In Mongolia which consists of nomadic populations, horse has been loved by nomads and considered most important transportation means. Horses have been used when they were making long journey looking for new plain ground for grazing. Therefore, horse is closely connected with Mongolian nomadic culture. In Korea, too, horses had been considered one of most important means for transportation and military. The symbolism of horse that is represented in both Mongolia and Korea is Heavenly Horse which communicates with the God and it was sanctified as a Sacrificing Horse which was sent to God for sacrifice, and it was even worshiped as Divine Horse, the diety. As is the case of two of Mongolian customs associated with Mongolian language are 'the ceremony of horse's giving birth her young' and 'the ceremony of letting the mare go where it was before', all the cases are related with cattle's milk. The ceremony of 'horse's giving birth her young' is the ceremony where people hope that they would see the young can grow well which were born in early summer thus increasing the numbers of horse. To go with this, they perform a ceremony of Chachal in which they sprinkle the best quality white milk which is the symbol of good luck and hope they would produce plentiful of dairy products. The ceremony of 'letting the mare go where it was before' is also the ceremony where people hope to have many new born young horses thus produce more dairy products and Airag for the next year as milking is no more available for that you. Since the unified Silla Era, Koreans have performed a sacrifice rituals to horse in auspicious day. It's purpose is to see their horses get no disease and bear as many youngs as possible. The Back Ins Je, one of well blown festivals in Jeju Island, was originated from people's wish to prosper in stock farming. It can be said that the custom of Korea and Mongolia related with horse's giving birth was originated from the wishes to god for fertility and fecundity. On top of that, while Mongolians sprinkled horse's milk both on the ground and to the air hoping they would have increased houses and, thus, secure many dairy products, Koreans wish that they would see the increased number of horses and their healthy conditions through heavenly rituals.