A UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics approach for the evaluation of fermented mare's milk to koumiss

The fermentation of mare's milk into koumiss produces many beneficial functional compounds depending on the metabolism of the initial microbial flora. In this study, metabolites found in mare's milk and resulting koumiss were identified. Major metabolic pathways in the fermentation were also identified using an UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics method. In total, 354 metabolites were identified: 61 were up-regulated and 105 were down-regulated. Metabolic pathway analyses revealed that c-5-branched dibasic acid metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, vascular smooth muscle contraction, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and ß-alanine metabolism showed significant increases. A hierarchical cluster analysis of metabolites indicated a clear grouping pattern in which the relative concentrations of p-pyruvate, 20-HETE, 4-aminobutanoate, uracil, acetoacetate, and γ-linolenic acid differed significantly between milk and koumiss. This study provides reference values for metabolic isolates and bioactive compounds purification in mare's milk and koumiss.