Kvaliteta vode za napajanje na farmama sjeverozapadne Hrvatske

This study shows the results of research on the chemical and microbiological quality of drinking water samples from farms in the area of northwest Croatia. A total of 120 samples of water from different farms (65 chicken broiler and laying hen farms, 45 cattle farms, and 10 swine farms) that were collected throughout 2016 and spring 2017 were analyzed. A basic microbiological analysis was performed using the following parameters: total coliforms, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, colony count at 36 °C and 22 °C, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A physicochemical analysis was conducted using the following parameters: taste, odor, color, pH, hardness, free chlorine, chlorides, sulfates, nitrites, nitrates, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and consumption of KMnO4. Of the 120 analyzed samples, 40.0% were microbiologically unsuitable and 37.5% were chemically unsuitable under Croatian water quality regulations (Official Gazette (OG) 125/2013, 141/2013, 128/2015). The analysis of the water supply on farms in northwest Croatia reveals a high percentage (58.3%) of chemically and/or microbiologically unsuitable water samples. Alloftheunsuitablesamplescamefromwells, and it may be concluded that it is necessary to conduct more water quality controls, appropriate surveillance and disinfection on a regular basis.U ovom radu ispitivana je kvaliteta vode koja se koristi za napajanje životinja na farmama sjeverozapadne Hrvatske. Ukupno je pretraženo 120 uzoraka s različitih farma (65 kokoši nesilica i brojlera, 45 goveda, 10 svinja) sakupljenih tijekom 2016. g. i proljeća 2017. g. Analizirani su sljedeći mikrobiološki parametri: ukupni koliformi, Escherichia coli, crijevni enterokoki, broj kolonija mikroorganizama na 36 °C i 22 °C, Clostridium perfringens i Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Od fizikalno-kemijskih parametara analizirani su: boja, okus, miris, pH, kloridi, sulfati, nitriti, nitrati, natrij, amonijak, kalij, kalcij, magnezij, slobodni klor, željezo i utrošak KMnO4. Od 120 pretražena uzorka, prema Pravilniku o parametrima sukladnosti i metodama analize vode za ljudsku potrošnju (NN 125/2013, 141/2013, 128/2015) mikrobiološki nije bilo sukladno 40,0%, kemijski 37,5% uzoraka, odnosno ukupno 58,3% uzoraka. S obzirom da su svi nesukladni uzorci podrijetlom bunarske vode, potrebne su češće kontrole kvalitete tih voda, odgovarajući nadzor i dezinfekcija

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in neck skins and fresh chicken meat as a leading cause of bacterial food poisoning

Jedan od vodećih mikroorganizama koji uzrokuje bakterijsko trovanje hranom su bakterije roda Campylobacter koje prouzroče kampilobakteriozu, zoonozu koja je od 2005. godine najčešće prijavljivana bolest uzrokovana hranom u Europskoj Uniji te kao takva predstavlja javno-zdravstveni problem. Najprisutnijim izvorom ovog patogena smatra se pileće meso s obzirom da su kampilobakteri uobičajeni komenzali u probavnom sustavu peradi. S obzirom da se nalaze u crijevima peradi, osim prilikom procesa klanja i obrade mesa, velika mogućnost kontaminacije javlja se u kasnijim fazama proizvodnje kao što su: čupanje perja, evisceracija, pranje, pohranjivanje i hlađenje te kontaminacija putem ruku radnika, opreme ili same okoline, a pretpostavlja se da upravo koža peradi predstavlja glavni izvor ovog patogena. U ovom je radu određivan broj bakterija Campylobacter spp. u uzorcima kože vratova tovnih pilića, pilećih prsa bez kože, pilećih krilaca i pilećih bataka ‒ zabataka. Za određivanje broja kolonija korištena je standardna metoda za određivanje broja Campylobacter spp. prema ISO normiranoj metodi HRN EN ISO 10272 – 2:2017.One of the leading microorganisms causing bacterial food poisoning are the Campylobacter bacteria that cause campylobacteriosis, a zoonosis that has the most important source of this pathogen, given that campylobacters are common commensals in the digestive system of poultry. They are found in the intestines of poultry, and in addition to the slaughtering and meat processing stages, a high possibility of contamination occurs in the later stages of production, such as plucking feathers, evisceration, washing, storing and cooling, and contamination through the hands of workers, equipment, or the environment itself, and it is believed that the skin of poultry is been the most frequently reported food-borne disease in the European Union since 2005, making it a public health concern. Chicken meat is considered the main source of this pathogen. In this paper, the number of Campylobacter spp. bacteria was determined in samples of the neck skins of broiler chickens, skinless chicken breasts, chicken wings and chicken drumsticks. To determine the number of colonies, the standard method for determining the number of Campylobacter spp. according to the ISO standard method HRN EN ISO 10272 – 2:2017 was used

Enterobacteriaceae in food safety with an emphasis on raw milk and meat

There has been a growing interest in traditional dairy (such as raw milk cheeses) and meat products, in recent years. However, these products are suitable and nutrient medium and may be easily contaminated by microorganisms such as Enterobacteriaceae. Enterobacteriaceae are considered to be the indicator bacteria for microbiological quality of food and hygiene status of a production process. Additionally, the food contaminated by Enterobacteriaceae poses a microbiological risk for consumers. In fact, the contamination of raw milk and meat by Enterobacteriaceae amid manufacturing may easily occur from various environmental sources, and this group of bacteria is frequently detected in dairy and meat products. Therefore, monitoring the microbiological quality of the used raw material and maintaining high standards of hygiene in the production process are mandatory for a high quality of traditional products and the safety of the potential consumers. The goal of this review is to present the most recent survey on Enterobacteriaceae growth, number, and distribution in raw milk cheeses and meat, as well as to discuss the sources of contamination and methods of control.Accepted for publishin

Kvaliteta vode za napajanje na farmama sjeverozapadne Hrvatske

This study shows the results of research on the chemical and microbiological quality of drinking water samples from farms in the area of northwest Croatia. A total of 120 samples of water from different farms (65 chicken broiler and laying hen farms, 45 cattle farms, and 10 swine farms) that were collected throughout 2016 and spring 2017 were analyzed. A basic microbiological analysis was performed using the following parameters: total coliforms, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, colony count at 36 °C and 22 °C, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A physicochemical analysis was conducted using the following parameters: taste, odor, color, pH, hardness, free chlorine, chlorides, sulfates, nitrites, nitrates, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and consumption of KMnO4. Of the 120 analyzed samples, 40.0% were microbiologically unsuitable and 37.5% were chemically unsuitable under Croatian water quality regulations (Official Gazette (OG) 125/2013, 141/2013, 128/2015). The analysis of the water supply on farms in northwest Croatia reveals a high percentage (58.3%) of chemically and/or microbiologically unsuitable water samples. Alloftheunsuitablesamplescamefromwells, and it may be concluded that it is necessary to conduct more water quality controls, appropriate surveillance and disinfection on a regular basis.U ovom radu ispitivana je kvaliteta vode koja se koristi za napajanje životinja na farmama sjeverozapadne Hrvatske. Ukupno je pretraženo 120 uzoraka s različitih farma (65 kokoši nesilica i brojlera, 45 goveda, 10 svinja) sakupljenih tijekom 2016. g. i proljeća 2017. g. Analizirani su sljedeći mikrobiološki parametri: ukupni koliformi, Escherichia coli, crijevni enterokoki, broj kolonija mikroorganizama na 36 °C i 22 °C, Clostridium perfringens i Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Od fizikalno-kemijskih parametara analizirani su: boja, okus, miris, pH, kloridi, sulfati, nitriti, nitrati, natrij, amonijak, kalij, kalcij, magnezij, slobodni klor, željezo i utrošak KMnO4. Od 120 pretražena uzorka, prema Pravilniku o parametrima sukladnosti i metodama analize vode za ljudsku potrošnju (NN 125/2013, 141/2013, 128/2015) mikrobiološki nije bilo sukladno 40,0%, kemijski 37,5% uzoraka, odnosno ukupno 58,3% uzoraka. S obzirom da su svi nesukladni uzorci podrijetlom bunarske vode, potrebne su češće kontrole kvalitete tih voda, odgovarajući nadzor i dezinfekcija

Significance of accreditation in laboratory operations

Akreditacija laboratorija formalni je dokaz osposobljenosti za obavljanje poslova iz područja ispitivanja, prema međunarodno priznatim standardima. Unatoč povećanim početnim financijskim ulaganjima, stečena akreditacija laboratorija daje povjerenje u rezultate pretraživanja, povećava konkurentnost laboratorija na tržištu, a ujedno je i jedan od uvjeta za dobivanje statusa Službenih laboratorija u Republici Hrvatskoj. Najobjektivniji pokazatelji kvalitete rada su rezultati provedenih međulaboratorijskih ispitivanja. Važan pokazatelj su i povratne informacije koje laboratoriji dobivaju od svojih kupaca. Podizanjem razine tehničke osposobljenosti laboratorija obzirom na opremu i uvjete okoline, a posebno na edukaciju osoblja, dosegnuti su standardi suvremene laboratorijske dijagnostike i analitike.Laboratory accreditation is formal proof of competence for testing laboratories and compliance with internationally recognized standards. Despite the increased initial financial investment in the laboratory, accreditation gives confidence in its results and increases its competitiveness on the market. It is also one of the criteria required for obtaining the status of an official laboratory in Croatia. The most objective quality indicators are the results of interlaboratory trials. Another important indicator is customer satisfaction. By raising the level of technical competence of the laboratory in terms of equipment and environmental conditions, and staff training in particular, standards of modern laboratory diagnostics and analytical standards have been met

Quality control of honey from the Croatian market in the period 2019-2021

U ovom istraživanju provedeno je ispitivanje kakvoće medova na hrvatskom tržištu, uzorkovanih u razdoblju od 2019. do 2021. godine, kako bi se procijenila njihova kvaliteta i sukladnost prema zakonskoj regulativi. Analiza svih medova uključivala je fizikalno-kemijske pokazatelje: vodu, električnu vodljivost, hidroksimetilfurfural, aktivnost dijastaze, slobodne kiseline, reducirajuće šećere, saharozu te melisopalinološku analizu. Rezultati su interpretirani u odnosu na kriterije propisane Pravilnikom o medu i Pravilnikom o kakvoći uniflornog meda. Ukupno je analizirano 84 uzoraka meda, različitog botaničkog podrijetla (cvjetni, bagremov, kestenov, lipov, kaduljin, repičin, medljikovac) čijom je peludnom analizom utvrđeno da od 84 uzoraka njih 9 ne odgovara deklaraciji. Od fizikalno-kemijskih pokazatelja, hidroksimetilfurfural je bio najčešći uzrok nesukladnosti uzorka, jer je kod 13 medova koncentracija bila previsoka (>40 mg/kg). Osim što upućuje na pretjerano zagrijavanje i/ili neprikladno skladištenje meda, u nekoliko navrata izmjerena koncentracija hidroksimetilfurfurala je bila čak preko 100 mg/kg, što može ukazivati na patvorenje. U dva meda dobivena aktivnost dijastaze iznosila je 6, što je ispod propisane vrijednosti (8). Previsok udio saharoze zabilježen je kod jednog cvjetnog (6,99 g/100 g) i jednog repičinog meda (7,57 g/100 g), dok je kod dva kestenova meda i jednog kaduljinog razlog nesukladnog rezultata bila električna vodljivost. Sadržaj vode, reducirajućih šećera i slobodnih kiselina u svim pretraženim uzorcima bio je u skladu s propisanim. Najviše je uzorkovano cvjetnih (30) i bagremovih medova (30) pa je shodno tome i najviše nesukladnih medova pripadalo upravo tim vrstama, 8 odnosno, 9. Ukupno je zabilježeno 29 nesukladnih rezultata, što je rezultiralo s 22 uzorka meda koji nisu odgovarali kriterijima iz Pravilnika, odnosno 26 % svih pretraženih uzoraka.In this study, honey samples collected throughout Croatia in the period 2019-2021 were subjected to quality control to assess whether they meet the legally stipulated quality requirements. Analysis of all honey samples included physico-chemical parameters moisture, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, free acidity, reducing sugars, sucrose and melissopalynology analysis. The obtained results were compared with the criteria of honey composition in two pieces of legislation: Ordinance on honey and the Regulation on the quality of unifloral honey. Pollen analysis performed on 84 honey samples of different botanical origin (floral, acacia, chestnut, lime tree, sage, rapeseed, honeydew), and nine samples were found to be incompliant with the data listed on the label. Among the physico-chemical parameters, hydroxymethylfurfural proved to be the most common cause of sample incompliance, with excessive concentrations (>40 mg/kg) in 13 samples. Although this indicates excessive heating and improper storage of honey, several samples had hydroxymethylfurfural concentrations in excess of 100 mg/kg, which may indicate honey adulteration. In two honeys, the obtained diastase activity was 6, which is below the prescribed value (of 8). Excessive sucrose content was recorded in one flower honey (6.99 g/100 g) and one rapeseed honey (7.57 g/100 g), while in two samples of chestnut honey and one sage honey electrical conductivity was the reason for non-compliance. All samples met the criteria for moisture content, reducing sugars and free acidity. Most of the collected samples were floral (30) and acacia honeys (30), and accordingly, most non-compliant samples belonged to these two plant species, eight and nine samples respectively. In total, there were 29 non-compliant results which resulted in 22 honey samples (26% of the total) failing to meet the Regulation criteria

Razlike u mikoflori na ovitcima trajnih fermentiranih kobasica prije i šest mjeseci nakon skladištenja u hladnjaku

During the curing period of dry-fermented sausages, the surface mycoflora changes according to the environmental conditions and intrinsic factors, such as nutrient content, water activity, pH value and the presence of antimicrobial substances (starter cultures). In this study, 25 samples of dry-fermented sausages from Croatian family small holdings were examined, the casings peeled off and examined for mycobiota before and after six months of refrigerated storage in plastic bags, at +4 °C in darkness, at a low humidity and evaporation rate. For mycobiota identification, traditional (macroscopic and microscopic) and molecular (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) methods were combined. At the beginning of the study (after sausage curing), the prevalent isolated species were from the genera Penicillium (74%), Aspergillus 14% and Mucor (12%). After the six month period, a different mould structure was observed, with the dominant isolation of Aspergillus genus (64%), followed by the genera Penicillium (34%) and Mucor (2%). In comparison with the literature data, it can be concluded that the casing mycoflora on dry-fermented sausages stored in the refrigerator changed in the same way as if they not been refrigerated, though the process of mycoflora change was slower with refrigeration.Tijekom razdoblja zrenja trajnih fermentiranih kobasica mikoflora koja obrasta i prekriva njihovu površinu mijenja se u ovisnosti o uvjetima okoliša i “unutarnjim čimbenicima”, koji uključuju sadržaj hranjivih sastojaka, aktivitet vode, pH vrijednost i prisutnost antimikrobnih tvari (starter kulture). U ovom je istraživanju uzorkovano dvadeset i pet parova trajnih fermentiranih kobasica s malih hrvatskih obiteljskih poljoprivrednih gospodarstava, odljušten je njihov ovitak te je ispitivana mikoflora prije i nakon skladištenja u hladnjaku tijekom šest mjeseci, u plastičnim vrećicama, na +4 °C, u tami, pri maloj vlažnosti i brzini isparavanja. Za identifikaciju plijesni kombinirane su tradicionalne (makroskopske i mikroskopske) i molekularne (lančana reakcija polimeraze, PCR) metode. Na početku istraživanja (nakon sazrijevanja i uzimanja uzoraka kobasica) prevladavale su izolirane vrste iz roda Penicillium (74 %), Aspergillus 14 % i Mucor (12 %). Nakon razdoblja od šest mjeseci uočena je drugačija struktura plijesni, pri čemu je pretežno izoliran rod Aspergillus (64 %), a zatim Penicillium (34 %) i Mucor (2 %). Sagledavajući literaturne podatke može se zaključiti da se mikoflora na ovitcima trajnih fermentiranih kobasica pohranjenih u hladnjaku mijenjala na isti način kao što bi se i mijenjala bez pohranjene u hladnjaku, jedino što bi proces promjena mikoflore vremenski trajao kraće

Prevalence and control of Listeria monocytogenes in food production

Zbog svoje široke rasprostranjenosti i otpornosti na različite nepovoljne uvjete rasta i razvoja, bakterija L. monocytogenes smatrasejednimodnajznačajnijihpatogena prenosivih hranom. Tijekom naših istraživanja bakteriološkom pretragom L. monocytogenes dokazana je u 28 (2,48 %) od 1129 pretraženih uzoraka hrane i okoliša proizvodnih pogona. Izdvojena je iz 8 (3,48 %) uzoraka mesa i mesnih prerađevina, iz 4 (9,30 %) mlijeka i mliječnih prerađevina, iz 2 (9,52 %) uzorka povrća, voća i proizvoda od voća i povrća i iz 14 (1,68 %) uzoraka okoliša proizvodnih pogona. Svi izdvojeni izolati (28 izolata) i 14 bakterijskih kultura dostavljenih na potvrdu, nakon provedene identifikacije poraslih kolonija primarnim identifikacijskim testovima, potvrđeni su VITEK2 sustavom i real-time PCR metodom. U rutinskoj mikrobiološkoj analizi hrane za određivanje prisutnosti patogena koriste se priznati standardizirani protokoli uz propisane hranjive podloge. Prednosti primjene brzih metoda za identifikaciju L. monocytogenes kao što je real-time PCR metoda su dobivanje brzih i pouzdanih rezultata koji omogućuju subjektima u poslovanju s hranom brzu i učinkovitu reakciju u slučaju onečišćenja. Dobiveni rezultati našeg istraživanja pokazuju kako se molekularne metode poput real-time PCR-a mogu primjenjivati u analizi patogena iz različitih vrsta uzoraka.Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread bacterial species resistant to a wide range of unfavourable growth conditions, and therefore is considered to be one of the most important food-borne pathogens transmitted to humans. In this study, L. monocytogenes was detected in 28 (2.48%) of 1129 analysed food and environmental samples: 8 (3.48%) samples of meat and meat products, 4 (9.30%) samples of milk and dairy products, 2 (9.52%) samples of fruits, vegetables or fruit- or vegetable-based products, and in 14 (1.68%) environmental samples from food processing facilities. After conducting identification of growth colonies using primary identification tests, all isolates (28 samples) and 14 samples of bacterial cultures delivered for confirmation were confirmed for the presence of L. monocytogenes using the VITEK2 system and real-time PCR method. During routine microbiological analysis of food, pathogen detection is tested using the accepted standard protocols with the prescribed culture media. Fast methods for the detection of L. monocytogenes, such as real-time PCR, provide quick and reliable results, allowing food business operators to make a quick and efficient reaction in the case where contamination is detected during self- monitoring. The study results indicate that molecular methods, such as real-time PCR, are applicable for pathogen detection in different types of samples