MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL FERMENTED DAIRY PRODUCTS: SPECIES CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PROSPECTS FOR LAMB FERMENTATION

Abstract

The use of starter cultures with active metabolic activity during fermentation represents an effective biotechnological method for processing meat products, ensuring their safety, enhancing microbiological stability, and extending shelf life. A particularly promising approach involves the application of strains isolated from traditional fermented dairy products, which contribute to preserving authentic flavor and improving the organoleptic characteristics of fermented lamb. The development of domestic starter cultures based on such strains is of practical importance for expanding the range of national meat products, reducing dependence on imported cultures, and aligning with the requirements of the modern food industry and the concept of functional nutrition.The aim of this study is to con