Importance of medium chain fatty acids in animal nutrition

Fats in animal and human nutrition are a common subject of research. These studies most often pay attention to particular fat groups (saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated fats or fats grouped by the length of their fatty acid chains into short, medium or long chain fatty acids). Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) have two main sources: milk and coconut oil. To date, research has shown these acids have positive effects on health, production, feed digestibility and lower body and muscle fats in broilers and swine. MCFAs possess antibacterial, anticoccidial and antiviral effects. Also, it has been proven that these acids act synergistically if they are used together with organic acids, essential oils, or probiotics. Nowadays, commercial MCFA products are available for use in animal nutrition as feed additives

Element contents in muscle tissue of Prussian carp from different lakes in an urban area

The aim of this study was to determine the content of some elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, Fe, Cu, Zn, As) in muscle tissue of Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) from seven different lakes in the Belgrade region, Serbia. Concentrations of Pb, Hg and As in fish muscle tissues from all examined lakes were under the maximum residual levels prescribed by the European Union (EU) and the maximum allowed concentrations (MAC) for Serbia. In all investigated fish, levels of Cd exceeded maximum allowed concentrations (0.05 mg kg-1). Data on the finding of elements in fish speak concurrently about the safety of fish as food and are good indicators of environmental pollution

Anisakis infection and allergy in humans

Compared with other well-studied parasitic diseases, fish-borne parasitic zoonoses do not get enough attention, especially because these zoonoses have been limited for the most part to populations living in low- and middle-income countries in Europe. Human fishery product-borne parasitic diseases caused by nematodes are the results of infection following ingestion of viable parasites, or as allergic reactions against parasite antigens. With the globalization of the seafood industry, the risk of humans acquiring anisakiasis in developed countries appears to be underestimated. For allergy, the only implicated parasite in fishery products is the nematode Anisakis simplex

Ispitivanje koncentracije teških metala u tkivima tri različite vrste riba iz Dunava sa područja Beograda koje se koriste u ishrani ljudi

The aim of this study was the investigation of water, sediments and fish tissues contamination with heavy metals. All samples were taken from the Danube River in Belgrade region, a location upstream from Batajnica. Concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb in water samples were not detected, while concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu and As were in the range of 0.004 - 0.330 mg L-1. Iron was the most deposited metal in sediment samples in contrast to water samples where all investigated metals were detected. For the purpose of heavy metals determination in fresh fish tissue, fifteen samples of three different fish species, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and wels catfish (Silurus glanis) were collected. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, As and Hg were determined in the digestive tract, liver and muscle by absorption spectroscopy. The highest concentration of Pb was in the digestive tract in all three fish species, ranging from 0.036 to 1.518 μg g-1, while Cd was mostly deposited in the liver. Concentrations of As were in the range of 0.36 - 0.73 μg g-1 in Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, 0.013 - 0.18 μg g-1 in Cyprinus carpio and 0.003 - 0.005 μg g-1 in Silurus glanis tissues, while the content of Hg was equal in all tested tissues of carp. Concentrations of all metals were found to be present in the fish samples at different levels, but these values are under the maximum residual levels prescribed by the European Union (EU) and the maximum allowed concentrations (MAC) for Serbia, so the fish meat is acceptable for the human consumption.Cilj ovog rada je ispitivanje kontaminacije teškim metalima vode, sedimenta kao i tri različite vrste sveže ribe. Svi uzorci su uzeti iz Dunava u regionu Beograda, tačnije uzvodno od Batajnice. Koncentracije Cd, Hg i Pb u uzorcima vode su približne graničnim vrednostima detekcije, dok su koncentracije Zn, Fe, Cu i As u opsegu 0.004 - 0.330 mg L-1. Gvožđe je najprisutniji metal u uzorcima sedimenata za razliku od uzoraka vode gde su svi ispitivani metali podjednako zastupljeni. U cilju ispitivanja teških metala u tkivima riba sakupljeno je po petnaest uzoraka tri različite vrste riba, tolstolobika (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), šarana (Cyprinus carpio) i soma (Silurus glanis). Koncentracije Pb, Cd, As i Hg određene su u digestivnom traktu, jetri i mišićnom tkivu sveže dunavske ribe metodom absorpcione spektroskopije. Najveća koncentracija Pb zabeležena je u digestivnom traktu kod svih ispitivanih vrsta riba i to u opsegu 0.036 - 1.518 μg g-1, dok je Cd uglavnom deponovan u jetri. Koncentracija As bila je u opsegu 0.36 - 0.73 μg g-1 u tkivu Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, 0.013 - 0.18 μg g-1 u tkivu Cyprinus carpio i 0.003 - 0.005 μg g-1 u tkivu Silurus glanis, dok je sadržaj Hg bio izjednačen u svim ispitivanim tkivima šarana. Koncentracije svih metala u tkivima riba su različite i ispod maksimalno dozvoljenih koncentracija predvidjenih pravilnikom Evropske Unije i maksimalno dozvoljenih koncentracije (MDK) u Srbiji, a riba može da se koristi za ishranu ljudi

Effect of commercial starter cultures on survival of Yersinia enterocolitica and microbiological status of Sremska sausages

The aim of this study was to determine the survival of Yersinia enterocolitica (biotype 1, serotype O:8), and the microbiological status (lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae), water activity and pH values of Sremska sausage (traditional dry-fermented sausage from Northern Serbia) during ripening (18 days). Four different groups of Sremska sausage were manufactured: CI group - control without starter culture; CII group - control with starter culture; EI group - was inoculated with 108 CFU mL-1 of Y. enterocolitica ATCC 9610, without starter culture and EII group - was inoculated with 108 CFU mL-1 of Y. enterocolitica ATCC 9610 and with starter culture. During ripening, microbiological examination was conducted according to ISO methods, on days 0, 3, 7, 12 and 18. In the inoculated sausages, Y. enterocolitica did not grow after day 12 of the ripening period. The results revealed that the use of starter cultures increased the number of lactic acid bacteria, while completely reducing the Enterobacteriaceae count compared with the Sremska sausage without starter culture. Also, the sausages manufactured with starter culture had lower pH values compared to the sausages without starter culture. In conclusion, the use of starter cultures contributes to improving the microbial safety of Sremska sausage

Effect of dietary supplementation with medium chain fatty acids on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, lipid profile and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) diet supplementation on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, serum biochemistry and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. The study was performed on 180 one-day-old broilers of the same origin (Cobb 500 hybrid), over a 42-day period. They were fed diets supplemented with three treatments: control group (basal diet without supplementation); group with MCFA supplementation; and group with MCFA and coccidiostat supplementation. Broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with MCFAs had a significantly greater final bodyweight. The weights of carcass cuts (breast, drumsticks with thighs and wings) were greater in broilers receiving MCFAs than in control broilers. The addition of MCFAs to broiler diet significantly increased villus length and crypt depth in the duodenum and caecum, and significantly decreased villus width in the duodenum and ileum. Additionally, serum HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were increased significantly in broilers with MCFA dietary supplementation. The results indicated that the MCFA diet supplementation had a beneficial effect on the performance of broiler chickens, their intestinal histomorphology and microflora

Tea sausage - Safety and quality

Čajna kobasica je verovatno najzastupljenija kobasica iz grupe fermentisanih (sirovih) kobasica na tržištu republika bivše SFR Jugoslavije. S obzirom na to da se nadev ove kobasice puni u creva užeg dijametra, proizvodni proces nije dug i omogućava proizvođačima brz obrt uloženog kapitala. Kobasica je jedinstvenog, blagog ukusa, dobro i lako se narezuje i prihvatljiva je za većinu potrošača. U radu su prikazane najčešće biološke i hemijske opasnosti koje se vezuju za ovu vrstu kobasice kao i pokazatelji kvaliteta ove kobasice koji su definisani propisima.Tea sausage is probably the most common sausage from the group of fermented (raw) sausages on the market in the republics of former Yugoslavia. Since the filling of the sausage is stuffed into the casings of narrow diameter, the production process is not long and allow the manufacturers a quick turnover of invested capital. Tea sausage has a unique, mild taste, it has good cutting and slicing characteristics and it is acceptable to most consumers. The paper describes the most common biological and chemical hazards that are associated with this type of sausage and the sausage quality indicators defined by regulations

Koncentracija arsena i teških metala u tkivu puževa

The aim of this study was to determine arsenic and heavy metal concentrations (lead, mercury, copper, cadmium, zinc, iron and manganese) in snail tissues (foot and digestive gland) obtained from snail farms in Serbia (near urban areas). Snail samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A total of 730 individual snail samples were included in this study. Snails were packed into plastic bags and transported to the laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. The levels of arsenic and mercury in the examined snail tissues were below the detection limit of the analytical method. Concentrations of heavy metals were higher in digestive gland tissues than in foot tissues.Cilj ovog ispitivanja bio je utvrđivanje koncentracije arsena i teških metala (olova, žive, bakra, kadmijuma, cinka, gvožđa i mangana) u tkivima puževa (stopalo i digestivni trakt) poreklom sa odabranih farmi u Srbiji (u blizini urbanih područja). Uzorci puževa su analizirani pomoć u atomskog apsorpcionog spektrofotometra. U ovu studiju uključeno je ukupno 730 pojedinačnih uzoraka puževa. Uzorci su upakovani u plastične kese, dopremljeni u laboratoriju Veterinarskog fakulteta, Univerziteta u Beogradu. Nivo arsena i žive u ispitivanim uzorcima puževa bio su ispod granice detekcije analitičke metode. Koncentracija teških metala bila je već a u digestivnom tkivu u poređenju sa koncentracijom teških metala u stopalu puževa

Effects of phytobiotics on Cobb broiler production results, meatiness and chemical composition

In order to achieve better results for fattening broilers, various additives can be added to feed, including phytobiotics (phytogenic additives). Phytobiotics protect young broilers' health based on the principles of competitive exclusion and improved usability of nutrients, growth and feed efficiency. Due to the importance and actuality of this topic, it is scientifically justified and interesting to examine the effects of using natural growth stimulators on the performance of intensively bred broilers, as well as the suitability of these compounds for nutritional, health and economic aspects of broiler production. In this study, 120 Cobb 500 broilers were divided into two groups, one control without and one experimental with a mixture of phytobiotics in their feed. At the beginning of the study, all broilers were of equal body mass. In some phases of fattening and at the end (after 42 days), body mass and total gain of the broilers receiving phytobiotics were significantly higher in than control broilers (p lt 0.05 and p lt 0.01, respectively). Total consumption of feed for the whole fattening period was higher in the control than in the phytobiotic-recieving broilers. A better feed conversion rate was determined in the broilers receiving phytobiotics than in the control broilers (P lt 0.05). The carcass meatiness was also improved in the broilers receiving phytobiotics (p lt 0.01). There was no significant difference between control and phytobiotic-receiving broilers with regard to meat chemical composition

The safety and quality of sous vide food

The demands of contemporary health conscious consumers are increasingly focused on minimally processed, convenient and affordable food that retains its natural sensory qualities along with nutritional value. In order to fully respond to these expectations, the use of sous vide processing technology, which refers to cooking vacuum-sealed food in heat-stable plastic pouches under precisely monitored conditions, has been widely adopted. Due to the low temperatures of sous vide processing, most research on this processing method is associated with biological hazards such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium botulinum. Not only has sous vide long been accepted by the food industry, in recent years, it has also been applied in households and in restaurants which are searching for innovative ways to attract more health conscious consumers. In this review, the authors present basic techniques, benefits and disadvantages of sous vide cooking and consider the great efforts the modern food industry is undertaking to extend shelf-life, ensure microbiological safety and maintain nutritional and organoleptic quality of sous vide food products