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The European Commission has established legislation for toxic metals in certain foodstuffs in order to protect public health already in 1993. After several amendments, new maximum levels for cadmium and lead in certain foods were set as per 30 and 31 August 2021 for lead and cadmium, respectively. The new Serbian Regulation on "maximum levels of certain contaminants in food" is fully harmonised with this European legislation. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) were determined in 832 samples of 39 species of fruits and processed fruits, collected during the period January 2015 to December 2017. Fruits and fruit products originated from 45 countries, including Serbia. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in fruits and fruit products were compared to these maximum levels (MLs). Overall, measurable Cd, Pb, Hg, and As were found in 377 samples (45.3%). According to the former regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for analysed fruits and fruit products were exceeded in only 10 samples (1.20%; n = 832): Cd in 6 and Pb in 4 samples, but according to the latest regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for fruits were exceeded in 196 of the samples (23.9%; n = 820): Cd in 191 and Pb in 5 samples. The increase of ML exceedances shows that attention needs to be paid for compliance of food to the recent MLs for these metals.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of computer vision system (CVS) application in fat content estimation for different types of fermented sausages. Four different types of local fermented sausages with different fat contents were studied: Njeguska, Kulen, Pirotska and tea sausage. Results obtained for CVS-estimated fat content were compared to the results of traditional chemical analysis. Relative errors of fat content estimation in Njeguska, Kulen, Pirotska and tea sausage were 1.47%, 0.46%, 20.84% and 11.19%, respectively. Results of t-test showed a significant (p

Early post-mortem, objective and non-destructive prediction of tissue distribution in the major pork cuts is a challenge for the meat industry. Mathematical models to predict pig carcass composition using total lean meat percentage and carcass weight were evaluated in this study. The data were obtained from 455 cold pig carcasses which were dissected according to the EU reference method; total lean meat percentage and carcass weight ranged from 42.45 to 69.21% and from 23.26 to 55.22 kg, respectively. Developed empirical models gave a reasonable fit to the experimental data and successfully predicted the carcass composition and tissue distribution in primal cuts. The second order polynomial models showed high coefficients of determination for prediction of experimental results (between 0.612 and 0.929), while the artificial neural network (ANN) model, based on the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno iterative algorithm, showed better prediction capabilities (overall r(2) was 0.889). The newly developed software, based on ANN model is easy, fast, cheap and with sufficient precision for application in the meat industry.

This study investigates the effects of sodium nitrite replacement by the sage essential oil (SEO), on the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory quality of dry fermented sausages (DFS) during 225 days of storage. The SEO (0.00, 0.05 and 0.10 µL/g) was added in DFS batters formulated with different levels of pork back fat (15% and 25%) and sodium nitrite (0, 75 and 150 mg/kg). The inclusion of SEO had no negative impact on pH, color (instrumental and sensory) and texture parameters. Total plate counts were lower than 6 log CFU (colony forming units)/g in all samples throughout the storage. Furthermore, the addition of SEO at concentration of 0.05 µL/g provided acceptable TBARS (2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values (&lt, 0.3 mg MDA (malondialdehyde)/kg) in the samples produced with reduced levels of sodium nitrite (0 and 75 mg/kg) without negative alternations on sensory attributes of odor and flavor. Generally, our findings confirmed that the usage of SEO could be a good solution to produce healthier DFS with reduced levels of sodium nitrite.

The aim of this study was to conduct a quantitative exposure assessment of fish-borne histamine, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in the Serbian adult population. The consumption survey of fish/fishery products was administered to 1 000 respondents during 2018. Determination of histamine content was performed on 974 fish; cadmium on 1 909, mercury on 1 911 and arsenic on 1 891 fish and seafood samples during five years (2014–2018). Monte Carlo analysis was used to estimate the intake of histamine/heavy metals from consumption of fish. The mean estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of fish-borne histamine, cadmium, mercury and arsenic by the Serbian adult population were 0.0274 mg kg−1 bw/day, 0.0347 μg kg−1 bw/day, 0.2426 μg kg−1 bw/day and 0.5576 μg kg−1 bw/day, respectively. Due to consumption of fish/seafood, 0.04% of the Serbian population are exposed to histamine, 0.05% to cadmium, 15.42% to mercury and 1.24% to arsenic levels over their respective thresholds.

The effect of Juniperus communis L. essential oil (JEO) addition at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.10 &micro, L/g on pH, instrumental parameters of color, lipid oxidation (2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)), microbial growth, texture and sensory attributes of dry fermented sausages produced with different levels of fat (15 and 25%) and sodium nitrite (0, 75 and 150 mg/kg) was assessed. Reduced level of sodium nitrite (75 mg/kg) in combination with all three concentrations of JEO (0.01&ndash, 0.10 &micro, L/g) resulted in satisfying physico-chemical (color and texture) properties and improved oxidative stability (TBARS &lt, 0.3 mg MDA/kg) of dry fermented sausages produced with 25% of fat. However, sausages produced with 0.10 &micro, L/g of JEO had untypical flavor. No foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and sulfite-reducing clostridia) were detected in any sample throughout the storage period (225 days). The results of this study revealed significant antioxidative activity of JEO and consequently its high potential as effective partial replacement for sodium nitrite in dry fermented sausages.

The aims of this study were to obtain percentages of meat and fat cover for SEUROP classification system reference images using a computer vision system (CVS) and to calculate classification intervals which could be used in the future for construction of cheap and easy to use classification devices for small slaughterhouses. Lowest percentages of fat cover were found for the first class marked as “low” (the lowest fat content) and they gradually increased to the last class marked as “very high” (the highest fat content). Based on the obtained results, decision making intervals were proposed. In the present study, classification only refers to classification of adult bovine animals based on fat cover.

Eastern European consumers are traditional meat eaters who are still not looking forward in order to substitute their traditional meat-based dishes with meat analogues or their substitutes. In general, vegetarianism is in its infancy if we do not take into account Lenten fasting, the period of the year when in Orthodox countries of Eastern Europe one can find food not containing meat, dairy and eggs, widely available. Chicken meat is the most frequently consumed type of meat, and it is preferred because it is easy to prepare. Eastern European meat consumers believe that meat from castrated pigs is of better quality, and one third of them is indifferent towards animal welfare issues. The highest proportion of Eastern European consumers (42.9%) believes that game meat has many health benefits, is rich in proteins and is more organic than other types of meat. However, two thirds of Eastern European consumers eat game meat less than once a year. Differences in attitudes and beliefs of Eastern European meat consumers compared to their Western European equivalents are evident.

Freezing rate significantly affects the quality of frozen meat and its biochemical changes. The loss of water from the cellular structure, which, under normal conditions, acts as a mechanical barrier between protein chains, causes spontaneous interactions of proteins that result in their denaturation. In order to determine the content of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins in meat samples, the samples were frozen at rates of 0.40, 0.90, and 1.25 cm/h for a storage period of 15 days. Protein content was analyzed by capillary gel electrophoresis and high-pressure liquid chromatography. During the freezing process, the protein chains were found to be shortened so that myofibrillar proteins were between 20 and 50 kDa, whereas sarcoplasmic proteins were between 20 and 100 kDa at all the freezing rates mentioned. The results of the analysis also show that the total number of sarcoplasmic proteins (freezing rate 0.90 cm/h; 20 proteins) was lower than the total number of myofibrillar proteins (freezing rate 0.90 cm/h; 35 proteins), and the molecular weight for both types of protens was lower 50 kDa. Further research should be directed towards extending storage time. Keywords: meat, myofibrillar proteins, sarcoplasmic proteins, freezing rate.

The effect of supercritical fluid extract of tomato pomace (TP) and essential oil of organic peppermint (PM) on pH, color, residual nitrite content, lipid oxidation (TBARS value) and total plate count (TPC) of cooked pork sausages produced with 50 mg/kg of sodium nitrite was investigated. Five batches were produced: T1: 100 mg/kg of sodium nitrite; T2: 50 mg of sodium nitrite; T3: 50 mg of sodium nitrite and 0.150 µL/g TP; T4: 50 mg of sodium nitrite, 0.075 µL/g TP and 0.075 µL/g PM; T5: 50 mg of sodium nitrite and 0.150 µL/g PM. The lowest residual nitrite content and TBARS value were observed in treatment T4. The inclusion of TP increased redness of cooked pork sausages. TPC was the lowest in treatment T5. The results of this study showed that the addition of TP and PM enhanced quality of cooked sausages produced with reduced level of sodium nitrite.

Goats, the earliest ruminant to be domesticated, are traditional sources of meat, milk, fibre, leather, related products of animal origin and as draught and pack animals. Meat is the major product of the goat. Meat quality is the sum of all sensory, nutritive, technological and hygienic-toxicological factors of meat. The aims of this study were to investigate the chromium content of four different muscles (M. psoas major, M. longissimus dorsi, M. semimembranosus and M. triceps brachii) of Saanen goat male kids and to determine whether the chromium contents differed between the muscles. Chromium content was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after dry ashing mineralisation. The studied muscles did not significantly differ (P >0.05) with respect to chromium content. The chromium content ranged from 0.012 to 0.067 mg/100 g, with an average of 0.026 mg/100 g.

Effects of endpoint temperatures of 51, 61, 71, 81 and 91C on mineral contents (mg/100 g WW, wet weight) of pork loin (longissimus thoracis et lumborum, n = 12) were investigated. Pork was cooked in water bath set to 100C. In both raw and cooked samples, phosphorus was determined by the standard spectrophotometric method while metals (potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese) were determined by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry after mineralization by dry ashing. All cooking treatments led to significantly increased mineral contents, except for potassium and sodium, compared to raw meat. As endpoint temperature was increased, mineral contents increased, reaching numerically or significantly highest contents at: 61C for sodium and magnesium; 71C for phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese; and 81C for iron, after which mineral contents decreased. Practical Applications During cooking, the meat undergoes changes in its physical properties and chemical composition. Cooking temperature and especially endpoint internal temperature affect mineral contents of cooked pork. Thus, it is important to know the extent of mineral losses occurring during different boiling treatments. Data in the most food composition tables are based on mineral contents of raw meat. The results provide update and improve regularly nutrient compositional data of meat.

During the tests in this paper, meat processing was carried out at different temperatures between the range of 51°C to 100°C. The meat was processed by dry heat (roasting) and wet heat treatments (cooking) in water at atmospheric pressure. After heat treatment, myofibrillar proteins were extracted from solutions at constant ionic strength. Quantitative and qualitative determinations of protein´s fractions were performed by capillary electrophoresis. Myofibrillar proteins were also analized for fresh pork meat sample. Results obtained in fresh meat were compared with those recorded after roasting and cooking. In the fresh and thermally processed pork the following proteins were identified: myosin, light chain 3; myosin, light chain 2; troponin - C; troponin - I; myosin, light chain 1; tropomyosin; troponin - T; actin; desmin; α - actinin; C - protein; M - protein (Mβ); M - protein (Mα); heavy meromyosin - HMM. For both methods of thermal processing, with increasing heat treatment temperature, concentration of soluble protein in the extract decreases rapidly after 51°C. Cooking treatment had a more intense effect on the proteins change and denaturation than roasting. [Projekat Ministartsva nauke Republike Srbije: Effect of heat treatment temperature on protein structure and properties of pork meat]

Korištenje voda za rekreaciju ili liječenje je veoma značajno u održavanju zdravlja iradne sposobnosti stanovništva. Značajan broj ljudi, povremeno ili stalno, koristi u tesvrhe bazene. Zbog toga se danas u razvijenim državama, velika pažnja posvećujekvalitetu voda za rekreaciju. Cilj ovog rada jeste upravljanje bazenima sa aspektaupravljanja hemijskim i mikrobiološkim kvalitetom vode. Razmatranje problema upravljanjahemijskim i mikrobiološkim kvalitetom vode u bazenima bazira se na odgovarajućimPreporukama Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije. Retrospektivno-deskriptivna metoda jekorištena da analiziraju rezultati laboratorijskih ispitivanja bazenskih voda na teritorijigrada Banja Luka za 2013. i 2014. godinu. Rezultati sprovedenih analiza pokazali su da sefizička i hemijska neispravnost vode uglavnom odnosi na povećan sadržaj hlorida u vodi,dok mikrobiološka neispravnost uzrokovana je povećanim brojem koliformnih bakterija.

This review examines the recent trends, current technology and future challenges in applications of biopolymers as food packaging materials, together with potential solutions, as well as discussing the major safety concerns regarding food packaging materials produced from sustainable and renewable resources. As food contact materials, biopolymers are increasingly being utilized as alternatives to conventional plastics obtained from oil derivatives. This review covers most of the available polymers, focusing on the general principles of their production, properties, and analysis of the possibilities for potential use in food packaging. The use of biopolymers brings new opportunities, not only from the point of replacing conventional polymers and other materials that are widely used in food packaging (glass, paper, metals, etc.), but also in the way it opens up a whole new level of properties and characteristics. Bio-based resources are the base source for production of biopolymers in food application, while in practice, bioresource content may be different. Biopolymers can be produced by microorganisms through fermentative processes of different bioresources [e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)] and biomass may be produced directly from different kind of plant (starch, cellulose, etc.). In the context of growing environmental and safety concerns, biopolymers have gained increased attention, related to concerns about conventional plastics traditionally produced from fossil fuel.

New technologies had been developed to prolong postharves sustainability of horticultural crops. Technologies as hot air treatment or iridation with UV-C spectral emissions are among them. Al of them have positive and negative effects on quality of horticultural crops. Increasingly under research for decontamination of foods is cold plasma technology, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Possibility of creating cold plasma under atmosferic presures (ACP) offers new preservation tool to reduce microbial infections of vegetable crops. Effects of atmosferic cold plasma on food quality, however, remains under researched.. In this study, tomato is treated with air ACP generated with an dielectric barrier discharge reactor (DBD). Changes in textural and color characteristics of two tomato fruit varieties after cold plasma treatment were analysed by performing TPA test and color measurements. The effect of air ACP on tomato texture and color was insignificant.

Meso je veoma bitna namirnica u ishrani ljudi zbog svojih nutritivno vrijednih sastojaka. Gotovo svi proizvodi od mesa se na neki način toplotno obrađuju kako bi se postigle željene senzorne i nutritivne osobine, kao i zadovoljili kriterijumi po pitanju mikrobiološke stabilnosti i bezbijednosti proizvoda. Najčešća su dva tipa toplotne obrade u industrijskim uslovima, a to su toplotna obrada kuvanjem na atmosferskom pritisku ili vakumu i suva toplotna obrada pečenjem. Stoga ovaj rad ima za cilj dati kratak pregled najnovijih dostignuća u pogledu uticaja tehnoloških parametara tokom toplotne obrade u prvom planu visine temperature u centru uzorka i razlučitih postupaka toplotne obrade (kuvanjem i pečenjem) na promjene na proteinima, boji mesa, reološkim osobinama mesa, pH mesa, sposobnosti vezivanja vode, hemijskim osobinama i senzornim osobinama mesa., Meat is a very important food in the diet of people, due to its valuable nutritional ingredients. Almost all of the meat products are somehow heat treated to achieve the desired sensory and nutritional properties, as well as meet the criteria in terms of microbial stability and safety of the product. The most common are the two types of heat treatment in industrial conditions, such as heat treatment by cooking at atmospheric pressure or vacuum and dry heat treatment by roasting. Therefore, goal of this paper is to give a brief overview of the latest developments, regarding the influence of technological parameters during thermal processing of meat. Temperature level in the center of the sample and different thermal treatment procedures (cooking and roasting) were monitored in terms of impact on the protein’s structure changes, meat color, rheological properties of meat, meat pH, water holding capacity, chemical properties and organoleptic characteristics of meat.

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) atmospheric plasma treatment is an innovative non-thermal food processing technology. There is an abundant body of research on the effectiveness in inactivation of foodborne pathogens on fresh fruit and vegetable produce with atmospheric air DBD plasma. However, studies that disclose plasma interactions with fruit or vegetable juices are scarce in number to the knowledge of the author. Color changes of orange and carrot juice blend due to atmospheric air DBD plasma treatment have been examined to estimate the extent of juice changes after treatments at varying durations of 5 s,15 s, and 30 s. Results indicate potentiality of cloud loss reduction, while treatments can cause minor degradation of color attributes. However, browning of treated samples was not observed. The influence of this new non-thermal treatment on measured properties of orange and carrot juice blend shows promising results which need to be further confirmed and established. Practical applications The work described in this research offers an innovative treatment of orange and carrot juice blend with atmospheric air DBD plasma. This article assesses the suitability of atmospheric air DBD plasma to be used in orange and carrot juice blend, and its effects on color attributes. The results indicate the potential of treatment as a browning inhibitor in orange and carrot juice blend during processing which could be of practical industrial relevance.

Summary: In this paper, based on derived differential equation for the heat transfer and a suitable boundary condition (equation of heat exchange), the appropriate model of cooling of meat stakes in the form of a flat plate is set up. By using theory of similarity, Fourier and Biot criterion is defined, which allowed setting criterial equation of temperature field which included an unnamed temperature and geometric criterion. For solving the obtained criterial equation, existing diagrams of temperature functions were utilized, which were specified by analytical method for the core, the surface and the interior of the observed model. The proposed model is used for analytical solving of a number of practical problems in the cooling process of meat steaks in a gaseous environment. Particular focus has been on the temperature of the surface and core of steak as well as ambient temperature and cooling time. Also, it was shown that proposed model can be used to define temperatures or temperature field along the thickness of steak, depending on the distance from the central plane. Special possibility of applying the model is for the case of preventing freezing steaks, when their temperature is maintained within specified limits.

Snails are used in human nutrition daily in some regions of the world. The acceptability of snail meat affected by many different factors (habits, customs, etc.) but the most important is way of preparing. This paper describes sensory attributes of snail’s meat quality, prepared in two ways, French and Mediterranean. During meals preparation with snail’s meat, various supplements and spices can greatly enhance the sensory properties, especially smell and taste. Results of overall acceptability in this paper show that the Mediterranean way of prepared snails are statistically significant (p

Snail meat is used daily in the human diet. Snails are used in human nutrition daily in some regions of the world. According to measurable attributes of proteins and lipids quality, snails fall into the middle category of this source of nutrients. The paper describes nutritive attributes of snail’s quality from the aspect of macro and micro nutrients. In the composition of essential amino acid leucine and lysine are dominant, and tryptophan is missing. Essential fatty acids are relatively high in snails, especially linolenic and arahidonic acid, but some polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA. Out of mineral material copper, iron and magnesium take an important place. With regard to methods of diet and residence snail meat can be loaded to certain heavy metals, residues of radioactive substances and pesticides. These are reasons to control the snails before processing in order to increase safety of the obtained product.

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out in 89 operating objects with food (restaurants, fast food restaurants, distribution centers, stores, etc.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The questions that the employees have been asked (owners, managers, workers) were related to good hygiene practices, good manufacturing practices and HACCP principles, and general knowledge about the production and preparation of food. The survey covered 520 people. Displayed knowledge level requires fast actions in taking a series of measures to improve it. The best and quickest results will be achieved by organizing a series of seminars tailored to the needs of individual sectors in the field of catering services.

The real importance of meat in human nutrition has been defined during the last century. Professional and scientific publications of the twentieth century are often written about the nutritional value of meat. Thermal processing of meat is as old as civilization itself. Meat drying as a procedure for a longer shelf life, probably first appeared as a result of some accident in which the fresh meat has been exposed to heat. The first works about the problems of heat treatment of pork were published in the 1950s.The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of temperature and different methods of heat treatment on chemical properties of processed pork meat. To determine the optimal conditions for various heat treatment processes, in this paper, meat processing was performed at different temperatures, and set the temperature range from 51 ºC to 100 ºC. Therefore, the meat is processed by dry heat treatment (roasting) and cooking in water (at atmospheric pressure). Then, the change of chemical composition of processed meat was noted (moisture content, ash, fat, protein, micronutrients).