The most important parasitic zoonoses and their public health significance in European countries

Godišnje radionice Europskog referentnog laboratorija za parazite (EURLP) smještenog u Višem institutu za zdravlje (Istituto Superiore di Sanita) u Rimu, prilika su za upoznavanje s aktualnim stanjem najvažnijih parazitarnih zoonoza u Europi. Tijekom dvodnevne radionice predstavnici nacionalnih referentnih laboratorija (NRL) usmeno ili posterima izvještavali su o epidemiološkim i epizootiološkim osobitostima parazitarnih zoonoza u njihovim zemljama tijekom protekle godine. Prezentirani podatci uglavnom se odnose na: godišnje preglede registriranih slučajeva oboljelih ljudi, izvore invadiranja, načine širenja i prenošenja invazija, ispitivanja kojima se provjerava prisutnost, otpornost i preživljavanje razvojnih stadija parazita u okolišu kao i na opise neuobičajenih pojava rijetkih invazivnih zoonoza zabilježenih u europskim zemljama. Epizootiološki podatci odnose se na istraživanja, tj. nadzor nad prisutnošću pojedinih vrsta parazita i/ili njihovih razvojnih stadija u domaćim i divljim životinjama te njihovom potencijalnom značenju za zdravlje ljudi. Sumirane podatke i trendove koji se uoče obradom podataka na razini cijele EU prezentiraju predstavnici Europske agencije za sigurnost hrane (EFSA) i Opće uprave za zdravlje i zaštitu potrošača EU (DG SANCO). Osim predstavnika zemalja članica EU na radionicama su prisutni i predstavnici nečlanica EU, poput Islanda, Norveške, Švicarske, Sjeverne Makedonije i Srbije, koji su često uključeni u zajedničke projekte s članicama zemalja EU i/ili žele biti informirani o aktualnostima iz područja parazitarnih zoonoza na području EU. Posebna pozornost pridaje se predavanjima pozvanih parazitologa iz Europe i svijeta koji prezentiraju rezultate i otkrića dugogodišnjeg rada svojih timova o pojedinim parazitozama i njihovom značenju za javno zdravstvo. Cilj je ovoga rada bio informirati o ehinokokozi i trihinelozi kao najvažnijim parazitozama za javno zdravstvo EU te izvijestiti o značenju i osobitostima opistorhioze koja je opširnije prezentirana na godišnjoj radionici održanoj 2018. godine. Izvijestli smo o neočekivano velikom broju oboljelih ljudi od trihineloze u Hrvatskoj koji je registriran 2017. godine u nekoliko epidemija i sporadičnih slučajeva. Najveća epidemija dogodila se nakon konzumiranja mesnih proizvoda napravljenih od mesa divlje svinje što je i prva službena potvrda invadiranja mesom druge vrste, osim domaće svinje, na području Hrvatske. Zbog karakteristične epidemiološke situacije trihineloza u Hrvatskoj i dalje ostaje parazitoza od najvišeg javno-zdravstvenog značenja.The annual workshop of the European Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP) at the Higher Health Institute (Istituto Superiore di Sanita) in Rome, is an opportunity for participants to become better acquainted with the current state concerning the most important parasitic zoonoses in Europe. During the two-day workshop, representatives of national reference laboratories (NRL) give oral or poster presentations on the epidemiological and epizootic particularities of parasitic zoonoses in their countries over the past year. The presented data particularly relate to the annual review of registered cases of affected persons, sources of invasion, manner of spread and transmission of invasion, research to test for the presence, resistance and survival of development stages of parasites in the environment, and descriptions of unusual appearances of rare and invasive zoonoses recorded in European countries. The epizootiology data pertain to research and surveillance of the presence of individual species of parasites and their development stages in hosts and wild animals, and their potential significance for human health. The data at the EU level are processed and summarized and trends extracted by the representatives of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANCO). In addition to representatives of EU Member States, representatives of non-EU states also attend the workshops, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, North Macedonia and Serbia. These countries are often included in joint projects with EU Member States, and/or wish to be informed of the current trends in the field of parasitic zoonoses within the EU. Special attention is given to lectures by invited speakers in the field of parasitology from Europe and the world. They present their results and discoveries emerging from the work of their teams on individual parasitosis, and their significance for public health. The objective of this paper was to provide an overview of echinococcosis and trichinellosis as the most important parasitoses for public health in the EU, and to inform of the significance and particularities of opisthorchiasis, which was presented in detail at the annual workshop held in 2018. We reported on the unexpectedly large number of persons contracting trichinellosis in Croatia in 2017, with several epidemics and sporadic cases. The largest epidemic occurred following the consumption of meat products made from wild boar meat, which is the first official record of its invasion in the meat of another species, other than domesticated pig, in Croatia. Due to its epidemiological characteristics, trichinellosis remains the most significant public health parasitosis in Croatia

Infl uenza del sistema di allevamento dei suini sulla qualità del “kulen” di Slavonia

Slavonski kulen je trajna kobasica od najkvalitetnijeg svinjskog mesa (leđa, but) i začina (sitna crvena paprika i mljeveni bijeli luk) punjenih u svinjsko slijepo crijevo (caecum). Ovaj proizvod zaštićen je u Hrvatskoj Oznakom geografskog podrijetla. Meso za kulen dobiveno je od crnih slavonskih svinja, tovljenih do 130 kg tjelesne mase, u otvorenom i poluotvorenom sustavu držanja. Od mesa svake skupine svinja proizvedeno je i analizirano 16 kulena. Sustavi držanja svinja (otvoreni i poluotvoreni) imali su značajan utjecaj na neke pokazatelje kakvoće slavonskoga kulena. Kulen od svinja iz otvorenoga, u odnosu na kulen svinja iz poluotvorenoga sustava, imao je značajno (p<0,01) nižu pH vrijednost (5,81 : 5,97), intenzivniji stupanj crvenila (CIE a* 18,74 : 17,36), i žutila (CIE b* 12,85 : 10,11) za boju, te značajno (p<0,05) manji sadržaj vode (29,84% : 32,10%), a značajno (p<0,01) veći sadržaj sir. bjelančevina (45,41% : 43,59%). Slavonski kulen od mesa svinja iz otvorenoga sustava imao je značajno (p<0,01) bolji miris i značajno (p<0,05) bolji okus.Slavonian Kulen is a type of a sausage with long shelf life, produced from the combination of the highest quality pork (back, leg) and spices (ground paprika and minced garlic) stuff ed in the appendix (cecum). This product is protected in Croatia under Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Meat for sausages was obtained from Black Slavonian Pigs fattened to 130 kg body weight , kept either in outdoor or semi-outdoor system. Meat from each group of pigs was used and 16 pieces of kulen were produced and analyzed per group. The choice of the keeping system (outdoor and semi-outdoor) had a signifi cant impact on some quality indicators of Slavonian Kulen. Compared to kulen made from pigs kept in the semi-outdoor system, kulen produced from pigs kept in the outdoor system has a signifi cantly (p<0.01) lower pH value (5.81 : 5.97), a more intense degree of redness (CIE a * 18.74 : 17, 36) , and yellowness (CIE b * 12.85 : 10.11) for color , and signifi cantly (p <0.05) lower moisture content (29.84% : 32.10%), a highly signifi cantly (p<0,01) higher content of crude protein (45.41% : 43.59%). Slavonian Kulen produced from pigs kept in the ootdoor system has a very signifi cantly (p<0.01) better odour and signifi cantly (p<0.05) better taste .Slavonski kulen ist eine Dauerwurst aus Schweinefl eisch von bester Qualität (Rücken, Schenkel) und Gewürzen (feingemahlene rote Paprika und gemahlener Knoblauch) gefüllt in Schweinedarm (caecum). Das Erzeugnis ist in Kroatien durch Angabe und Bezeichnung der geographischen Herkunft geschützt. Das Fleisch für Kulen stammt von schwarzen slawonischen Schweinen, gemastet bis 130 kg Körpermasse, im off enen und halboff enen Haltunssystem. Aus Fleisch von jeder Schweinegruppe wurden 16 Stück Kulen hergestellt und analysiert. Die Haltungssysteme (off enes und halboff enes System) hatten einen bedeutenden Einfl uss auf einige Qualitätsindikatoren von Slavonski Kulen. Kulen von Schweinen aus dem off enen System in Bezug auf Kulen aus dem halboff enen System hatte einen bedeutend (p<0,01) niedrigeren pH Wert (5,81 : 5,97), intensiveren Grad der Röte (CIE a* 18,74:17,36) und der Gelbe (CIE b* 12,85 : 10,11) für die Farbe, einen bedeutend (p<0,05) niedrigeren Wassergehalt (29,84 % : 32,10 %) und einen bedeutend (p<0,01) größeren Gehalt von rohen Eiweißstoff en (45,41 % : 43,59 %). Slavonski Kulen aus Fleisch der Schweine aus off enem System hatte einen bedeutend (p<0,01) besseren Geruch und einen bedeutend (p<0,05) besseren Geschmack.Il kulen di Slavonia è una salsiccia stagionata prodotta riempiendo con le carni più pregiate del suino (schiena e coscia) e alcune spezie (paprika rossa in polvere e aglio tritato) un budello naturale di suino (intestino cieco). In Croazia il kulen di Slavonia è un prodotto tutelato col Marchio di provenienza geografi ca. La carne impiegata per il kulen è quella dei maiali neri della Slavonia, ingrassati sino a 130 kg di massa corporea e allevati in sistemi aperti o semiaperti. Con la carne di ogni gruppo di suini sono stati prodotti e analizzati 16 kulen. I sistemi d’allevamento dei maiali (aperto o semiaperto) hanno inciso signifi cativamente su alcuni indicatori della qualità del kulen di Slavonia. Il kulen prodotto con le carni dei suini allevati in un sistema aperto, rispetto al quello prodotto con le carni dei maiali allevati in un sistema semiaperto, presentava un (p<0,01) pH molto più basso (5,81 : 5,97), dal punto di vista del colore un grado di rossore (CIE a* 18,74 : 17,36) e di giallore (CIE b* 12,85 : 10,11) più intenso, una minore percentuale di acqua (29,84% : 32,10%) e una maggiore presenza di proteine gregge (45,41% : 43,59%). Il kulen di Slavonia prodotto con le carni dei maiali allevati in un sistema aperto aveva un profumo (p<0,01) e un sapore (p<0,05) sensibilmente migliori rispetto a quelli del kulen prodotto con le carni di suini allevati in un sistema semiaperto

Blood sausages

U radu je prikazana proizvodnja krvavica, tradicionalnih kobasičarskih proizvoda u Hrvatskoj te uspoređena s industrijskom proizvodnjom. Recepture za proizvodnju krvavica u domaćinstvu se razlikuju, ovisno o kraju u kojem se proizvode. Krvavice proizvedene u domaćinstvima veoma često se kao višak proizvoda stavljaju na tržište. Kako su to proizvodi najčešće proizvedeni bez nadzora postavlja se pitanje njihove sigurnosti i rizika za zdravlje potrošača.The paper presents the production of blood sausages, a traditional sausage product in Croatia, and compares it with the industrial production. Recipes for the blood sausage production in households differ, depending on the region of production. Household produced blood sausages are often put on the market as the product surplus. Since blood sausages are usually produced without any supervision, the question of their safety and risk to consumer’s health often arises

The Influence of Keeping Pheasants in Captivity vs. Nature on the Biological Value of Meat and its Use in Human Nutrition

The life of game birds (pheasants) in nature is coupled with a number of difficulties in all seasons of the year. This refers to finding food, breeding, laying eggs, raising the young, fleeing from their natural enemies and lack of protection from unfavorable climatic conditions. The pheasants that live in captivity – aviaries for pheasants – do not have such difficulties – they are fed regularly by quality feed for pheasants, they are protected from bad weather and natural enemies. Our research was aimed at determining the biological value of meat of pheasants grown in the two different settings – in captivity and in nature. The highest weight achieved wild pheasant males (1232.4 ± 147.36 g). The differences between tested pheasant groups were statistically very high significant (P<0.001). The differences between groups related to breast weight and tights with drumsticks weight were statistically very high significant (P<0.001). Between breast parts (%) and legs parts (%) were notified very high (P<0.001) i.e. high (P = 0.002) differences. The highest weight breast muscles and tights with drumsticks had wild pheasants (282.6 ± 63.53 g i.e. 206.2 ± 37.88g). Wilde pheasants had lower part (%) and lighter (g) skin with subcutaneous fatty tissue on breasts. Female pheasants cultivated on both ways had higher skin part (%) and subcutaneous fatty tissue in tights with drumsticks. Related to chemical composition of breast muscles is established statistically significant differences (P<0.001 i.s. P= 0.040)) in part of Ca (%) and P (%). In wild pheasant tights with drumsticks muscles established statistically very significant (P<0.001) higher part of moisture, protein and Ca, i.e. statistically very high significant (P<0.001) lower part of fat and energetic value. Research results indicate that the quality of meat of pheasants grown in nature has higher biological value than the meat of pheasants kept in aviaries, which means it has advantages in human nutrition

Produttività e qualità della carne suina di razza grassa (mangalica o mangalitsa), semigrassa (maiale nero di Slavonia) e carnosa (landrace)

Istraživan je prinos i kvaliteta mesa svinja mangulice (masni tip), crne slavonske (polumasni tip) i landrasa (mesni tip), približno istih tjelesnih masa (105 kg) i iz istih uvjeta tova. Mangulica i crna slavonska svinja imale su manju mesnatost polovica (37,50 % odnosno 45,50 %) nego li landras (56,49 %). Meso mangulice i crne slavonske svinje imalo je normalne vrijednosti pH24 (5,70 i 5,81), kao i meso landrasa (5,86), ali bolju sposobnost vezanja vode (4,00 cm2 i 4,34 cm2), intenzivniju crvenu boju a* (12,00 i 17,30), veći sadržaj masti (8,00 % i 6,97 %), te manje vode (70,64 % i 67,78 %) nego li meso landrasa (6,99 cm2 , a* = 10,50, 1,71 %, 73,10 %). Meso crne slavonske svinje i meso landrasa imalo je značajno veći sadržaj proteina od mesa mangulice (24,18 % : 24.09 % : 20,36 %). Bolja senzorna svojstva (boja, mramoriranost, čvrstoća, sočnost, miris i okus) također je imalo meso mangulice i crne slavonske svinje u odnosu na meso landrasa.The yield and meat quality of pigs Mangalitsa (fat type), Black Slavonian Pig (semi-fat type) and landrace (meat type), approximately of the same body weight (105 kg) and from the same fattening conditions, were investigated. Mangalitsa and Black Slavonian Pigs had less meatiness of halves (37.50 % and 45.50 %, respectively) if compared to Landrace (56.49 %). The meat of Mangalitsa and Black Slavonian Pig had normal values of pH24 (5.70 and 5.81), as well as the meat of Landrace (5.86), but a better ability to bind water (4.00 cm2 and 4.34 cm2 ), more intense red color a* (12.00 and 17.30), higher fat content (8.00% and 6.97 %), and less water (70.64 % and 67.78 %) than Landrace meat (6.99 cm2 , a* = 10.50, 1.71 %, 73.10 %). Black Slavonian pig meat and landrace meat had a significantly higher protein content than mangulica meat (24.18 % : 24.09 %: 20.36 %). Mangalitsa and Black Slavonian Pig meat also had better sensory properties (color, marbling, firmness, juiciness, odour and taste) if compared to Landrace meatEs wurden die Ausbeute und Fleischqualität von Schweinen der Rasse Mangalitsa (Fetttyp), Schwarzes slawonisches Schwein (Halbfetttyp) und Landrasse (Fleischtyp), mit annähernd gleichem Körpergewicht (105 kg) und aus gleichen Mastbedingungen, untersucht. Die Rassen Mangalitsa und Schwarzes slawonisches Schwein hatten weniger Fleischgehalt in den Schweinehälften (37,5 % bzw. 45,5 %) im Vergleich zur Landrasse (56,49 %). Das Fleisch der Rassen Mangalitsa und Schwarzes slawonisches Schwein hatte normale pH24-Werte (5,70 und 5,81), ebenso wie das Fleisch der Landrasse (5,86), aber eine bessere Fähigkeit, Wasser zu binden (4,00 cm2 und 4,34 cm2 ), eine intensivere rote Farbe a* (12,00 und 17,30), einen höheren Fettgehalt (8,00 % und 6,97%) und weniger Wasser (70,64 % und 67,78 %) als das Fleisch der Landrasse (6,99 cm2 , a* = 10,50, 1,71 %, 73,10 %). Das Fleisch vom Schwarzen slawonischen Schwein hatte einen signifikant höheren Proteingehalt als das Fleisch der Mangalitsa (24,18 %: 20,3 %). Die Rassen Mangalitsa und Schwarzes slawonisches Schweinefleisch hatten auch bessere sensorische Eigenschaften (Farbe, Marmorierung, Festigkeit, Saftigkeit, Geruch und Geschmack) im Vergleich zum Landrassenfleisch.Fue investigado el rendimiento y la calidad de la carne de cerdos de la raza Mangalitsa (cerdo graso), de cerdo negro de Eslavonia (cerdo semigraso) y de la raza Landrace (cerdo carnoso), aproximadamente del mismo peso corporal (105 kg) y de las mismas condiciones de engorde. Los cerdos de raza Mangalitsa y el cerdo negro de Eslavonia tenían menos carnosidad de los canales (37,5 % y 45,5 %, respectivamente) que la raza Landrace (56,49 %). La carne de cerdo Mangalitsa y del cerdo negro de Eslavonia tenía valores normales de pH24 (5,70 y 5,81), así como la carne de la raza Landrace (5,86), pero mejor capacidad de retención de agua (4,00 cm2 y 4,34 cm2 ), color rojo más intenso a * (12,00 y 17,30), mayor contenido de grasa (8,00 % y 6,97 %) y menos agua (70,64 % y 67,78 %) que la carne de la raza Landrace (6,99 cm2 , a * = 10,50, 1,71 %, 73,10 %). La carne de cerdo negro de Eslavonia tenía un contenido de proteína significativamente más alto que la carne de la raza Mangalitsa (24,18 %: 20,36 %). La carne de cerdo Mangalitsa y de cerdo negro de Eslavonia también tenían mejores propiedades sensoriales (el color, el veteado, la firmeza, la jugosidad, el olor y el sabor) en comparación con la carne de la raza Landrace.Lo studio ha riguardato la produttività e la qualità delle carni del maiale di razza mangalica (tipo grasso), del maiale nero di Slavonia (tipo semigrasso) e del maiale di razza landrace (tipo carnoso), a parità di massa corporea (105 kg) e condizioni d’allevamento. Le mezzene del maiale di razza mangalica e del maiale nero di Slavonia sono risultate meno carnose (rispettivamente con il 37,5 ed il 45,5 %) delle mezzene del maiale di razza landrace (col 56,49 %). La carne del maiale di razza mangalica e del maiale nero di Slavonia ha evidenziato un pH24 nella norma (5,70 e 5,81), un po’ come la carne del maiale landrace (5,86), ma una miglior capacità di legare l’acqua (4,00 cm2 e 4,34 cm2 ), un colore rosso più intenso a* (12,00 e 17,30), una maggior percentuale di grassi (8,00 % e 6,97 %) e una minor percentuale d’acqua (70,64 % e 67,78 %) rispetto alla carne del maiale di razza landrace (6,99 cm2 , a* = 10,50, 1,71 %, 73,10 %). La carne del maiale nero di Slavonia ha evidenziato una percentuale di proteine di gran lunga superiore rispetto alla carne del maiale di razza mangalica (24,18 % : 20,36 %). La carne del maiale di razza mangalica e la carne del maiale nero di Slavonia hanno evidenziato migliori proprietà sensoriali (colore, marezzatura, tenerezza, succosità, odore e sapore) della carne del maiale di razza landrace

Tipizacija izolata Brucella melitensis izdvojenih u Republici Hrvatskoj analizom broja uzastopnih ponavljanja na više lokusa (MLVA).

In the period from 2009 to 2013, bacteriological testing was conducted on 336 sheep, goat and cattle samples. Using classical bacteriological and molecular procedures, B. melitensis was confirmed in 14 (4.2 %) samples. Brucella was isolated in the Karlovac, Lika-Senj and Split-Dalmatia Counties. Brucella isolates were genotyped using the MLVA method and compared with isolates from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). A total of 14 isolates (strains) originating from Croatia and 25 from BH were analysed. Complete matches between Croatian and BH isolates were found in two genotype groups. Overall, the MLVA analysis indicated that the Croatian and BH genotypes of B. melitensis from animals were highly homogenous. The Hunter Gaston diversity index (HGDI) showed that diversity was found among the 16 tested loci for 5 loci of panel 2B (Bruce 04, 07, 09, 16, 30). The discriminating loci are optimal for the use in epidemiological investigation of B. melitensis infections in these two countries.U razdoblju od 2009. do 2013. u Hrvatskoj je izvršena bakteriološka pretraga uzoraka ukupno 336 ovaca, koza i goveda. Klasičnim bakteriološkim i molekularnim postupcima B. melitensis je potvrđena u 14 (4,2%) izolata. Brucele su izdvojene u Karlovačkoj, Ličko-senjskoj i Splitsko-dalmatinskoj županiji. Analiza broja uzastopnih ponavljanja na više lokusa (engl. multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis, MLVA) primijenjena je radi genotipizacije i usporedbe s izolatima iz susjedne Bosne i Hercegovine. Ukupno je analizirano 14 izolata podrijetlom iz Hrvatske i 25 iz susjedne Bosne i Hercegovine. U dva slučaja genotipovi izolata iz Hrvatske u potpunosti su se poklapali s genotipovima u Bosni i Hercegovini. Korištenjem metode MLVA utvrđen je visok stupanj homogenosti izolata u ove dvije zemlje. Od korištenih 16 MLVA lokusa raznolikost je utvrđena samo na 5 lokusa panela 2B (Bruce 04, 07, 09, 16, 30) što je potvrđeno računanjem HGDI indeksa. Korištenje ovih 5 razlikovnih lokusa optimalno je za provođenje epidemioloških istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i Bosni i Hercegovini

Pojavnost ergot-sklerocija i ergot-alkaloida u pšenici i raži hrvatskih proizvođača

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) are mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi of the genus Claviceps, among which Claviceps purpurea is the most widespread in Europe. This species has been found in many economically important cereal grains, such as rye, wheat, triticale, barley, millet and oats. The distribution of EA contamination has a sporadic incidence, with many factors involved in its occurrence, greatly varying between fungal strains, geographic regions, host plants and regional/local weather conditions. Cool, damp weather favours ergot by enhancing the germination of sclerotia. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ergot sclerotia and EAs in wheat and rye grain samples (n = 64) collected during 2021 from Croatian cereal producers in central and eastern Croatia. In two rye samples, the presence of ergot sclerotia was detected in the amount of 259 mg/kg and 536 mg/kg, whereas no wheat samples tested positive for ergot sclerotia. A higher contamination with EAs was determined in the rye samples (18% contaminated; max 167.4 μg/kg), while a lower frequency of contamination was determined in wheat, with only one positive sample (1.9%; 68.5 μg/kg). The results indicate low-level EA contamination of wheat and rye cultivated by Croatian producers during the study period. However, despite the low incidence of positive rye samples with EAs, the contents of ergot sclerotia in two samples were higher than permitted by the legislation for foodstuffs. Since the levels of these mycotoxins and ergot sclerotia content can vary depending on a number of factors, further research is required over a longer period of time and under different cereal cultivation and processing conditions.Ergot-alkaloidi (EA) su mikotoksini koje proizvodi nekoliko vrsta gljivica iz roda Claviceps, među kojima je i Claviceps purpurea najraširenija gljivica u Europi. Ova vrsta je pronađena u ekonomski važnim žitaricama, kao što su: raž, pšenica, tritikal, ječam, proso i zob. Distribucija kontaminacije EA ima sporadičnu pojavu s mnogo čimbenika koji su uključeni u njihovu pojavu, uvelike varirajući između sojeva gljivica, geografskih regija, biljaka domaćina i regionalnog vremena, što ukazuje da hladno i vlažno vrijeme pogoduje ergotu tako što potiče klijanje sklerocija. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio istražiti pojavu ergot- sklerocija i EA u uzorcima pšenice i raži (n=64) uzorkovanih tijekom 2021. godine od hrvatskih proizvođača žitarica u središnjoj i istočnoj Hrvatskoj. U dva uzorka raži utvrđena je prisutnost ergot-sklerocija u količini od 259 mg/kg i 536 mg/kg. Niti u jednom uzorku pšenice nije pronađen ergot-sklerocij. Veća kontaminacija s EA utvrđena je u uzorcima raži (18 % kontaminirano, max 167,4 μg/kg), dok je manja učestalost kontaminacije, sa samo jednim pozitivnim uzorkom (1,9 %), utvrđena u pšenici (68,5 μg/kg). Rezultati su ukazali na nisku razinu kontaminacije s EA pšenice i raži koje su uzgojili hrvatski proizvođači tijekom cijelog istraživanog razdoblja. Međutim, iako je utvrđen nizak postotak pozitivno testiranih uzoraka raži na EA, sadržaj ergot-sklerocija u dva uzorka bio je veći nego što je to za hranu zakonodavstvom dopušteno. Budući da razine tih mikotoksina i ergot-sklerocija mogu varirati ovisno o brojnim čimbenicima, potrebno je njihovo daljnje istraživanje tijekom dužeg vremenskog razdoblja i pod različitim uvjetima uzgoja i obrade žitarica

Physicochemical and sensory properties of the Slavonian ham

Slavonska šunka je trajni suhomesnati proizvod, dobiven posebnim obrađivanjem i soljenjem svinjskoga buta, te njegovim dimljenjem i zrenjem kroz određeno vrijeme u specičnim mikroklimatskim uvjetima. Istražena je kvaliteta 22 slavonske šunke s 4. „Nacionalne šunkijade“ u Starim Mikanovcima. Šunke su bile stare oko 16 mjeseci, prosječne mase 7,50 kg ± 1,60. Kvaliteta slavonskih šunki bila je prilično neujednačena (nestandardizirana), na što ukazuje veličina varijabilnosti njihovih zikalno-kemijskih i senzornih svojstava. Prosječna pH vrijednost slavonskih šunki (m. semimembranaceus) bila je 5,63 ± 0,19, „L“ i „a“ vrijednosti za boju 39,35 ± 2,13 odnosno 17,32 ± 2,16, sadržaj vode 54,03% ± 3,82, sadržaj sirovih proteina 29,95% ± 2,20 i sadržaj sirovih masti 7,20% ± 2,41. Utvrđena je visoka vrijednost NaCl (8,37% ± 2,06), što je iznad optimalnih vrijednosti, te odgovarajuća aw vrijednost (0,86 ± 0,04). Ocjene za pojedina senzorna svojstva bile su prilično varijabilne. Najveći varijabilitet (20,22%) utvrđen je za vanjski izgled, a najmanji (5,04%) za okus. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na priličnu varijabilnost kvalitete slavonske šunke i potrebu njene standardizacije.Slavonian ham falls within the long-life smoked and cured meat category, produced by means of a special treatment of fresh pork ham, which is rubbed in salt, smoked and matured throughout a certain period in specic microclimatic conditions. The quality of 22 Slavonian hams from the 4th National ham festival in Stari Mikanovci was examined. Hams were of about 16 months old and of average mass of 7.50 kilo ± 1.60. The quality of the Slavonian hams was pretty uneven (unstandardized), which can be observed from the value of variability of their physicochemical and sensory properties. The average pH value of the Slavonian hams (m. semimem- branaceus) was 5.63 ± 0.19 , „L“ and „a“ values for color were 39.35 ± 2.13 and 17.32 ± 2.16 respectively, water content was 54.03% ± 3.82, crude protein content 29.95% ± 2.20 and crude fat content 7.20% ± 2.41. A high level of NaCl was found (8.37% ± 2.06), which is above optimum values, and the corresponding aw value (0.86 ± 0.04). Grades for particular sensory properties were pretty much variable. The highest variability (20.22%) was determined for appearance, and the lowest (5.04%) for taste. Research results point to a considerable variability in the quality of the Slavonian ham and the need to provide standardization of its quality

Zearalenon u stočnoj hrani, urinu i mesu s tri svinjogojske farme u Hrvatskoj

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin of the genus Fusarium which belongs to the group of macrocyclic lactones. ZEN contamination occurs during cereal harvest or in the early phase of storage if drying was insufficient. The aim of this study was to determine the level of ZEN in feed mixtures given to pigs during the fattening period at three different farms in the Republic of Croatia, as also to determine ZEN levels in urine and meat taken from the same animals. The study also examined correlation between ZEN concentrations in urine and meat with the estimation of ZEN intake in the human body through meat consumption, expressed as a percentage of the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI). In total, 9 feed mixtures (3 samples per farm), 45 urine and 45 meat samples (from 15 animals per farm) were taken during 2021 from three pig farms located in eastern and central Croatia. ZEN concentrations were determined by the competitive enzyme ELISA method. All values in feed from all three farms were within maximum recommended limit (MRL) given in EU Recommendation, i.e., 250 μg/kg, though at one far, the levels recorded were just under the MRL. Monitoring of ZEN levels in urine can be used as an indicator for the detection of feed contamination with this mycotoxin. Although pigs were fed with feed with near the MRL level of contamination, a negligible percentage of TDI value was obtained for this mycotoxin for humans through meat consumption. However, since meat is just one component of the human diet, and in view of the fact that ZEN can be present in a number of foodstuffs, especially cereals, its total intake could be significantly higher than estimated herein.Zearalenon (ZEN) je mikotoksin iz roda Fusarium koji pripada skupini makrocikličkih laktona. Kontaminacija ZEN-om javlja se tijekom žetve žitarica ili ukoliko nije provedeno dostatno sušenje u ranoj fazi skladištenja. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio utvrditi razinu ZEN-a u krmnim smjesama koje su davane svinjama tijekom tova na tri različite farme u Republici Hrvatskoj i utvrditi njegovu razinu u urinu i mesu tovljenih životinja. Istraživanjem je ispitana i korelacija koncentracija ZEN-a u urinu i mesu svinja i napravljena je procjena njegovog unosa u organizam konzumacijom mesa, izražena kao postotak podnošljivog dnevnog unosa (TDI). Ukupno je, tijekom 2021. godine, s tri farme svinja u istočnom i središnjem dijelu Hrvatske uzorkovano 9 krmnih smjesa (3 uzorka po farmi), 45 uzoraka urina i 45 uzoraka mesa (od 15 životinja po farmi). Koncentracije ZEN-a određene su kompetitivnom enzimatskom ELISA metodom. Sve vrijednosti u hrani za svinje s tri farme bile su unutar najveće preporučene količine (MRL) definirane u Preporuci EU, koja za hranu za svinje iznosi 250 μg/kg, a razina ZEN-a na jednoj farmi bila je gotovo jednaka MRL. Praćenje razine ZEN-a u urinu može se koristiti kao pokazatelj za detekciju kontaminacije hrane tim mikotoksinom. Iako je svinjama tijekom hranidbe davana hrana koja je sadržavala razinu kontaminacije ZEN-a oko MRL, konzumacija mesa rezultirala je zanemarivim postotkom vrijednosti TDI-a za ovaj mikotoksin u ljudi. Međutim, budući da je meso samo jedna komponenta ljudske prehrane i budući da ZEN može biti prisutan u različitim namirnicama, posebice u žitaricama, njegov ukupni unos mogao bi biti znatno veći od procijenjenog u ovom istraživanju