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Beef meat has exceptional nutritional value that distinguishes it from other types of meat and makes it a highly valued food. However, the meat of cattle as well as other ruminants, is characterized by a more complex fatty acid profile compared to the meat of monogastric animals. This complexity is a consequence of the activity of the rumen microflora. In recent decades, changes in animal breeding, feeding practices, and modern slaughtering techniques imparted significant progress in improving beef's nutritional, sensory and market value. Different proportions of concentrated feed and roughages, as well as their types, affect the composition of intramuscular fat. Excluding genetic factors and production practices, nutrition emerges as the main factor influencing the fatty acid profile of beef meat. Today, numerous studies support the nutritional approach to modifying the fatty acid composition of beef meat by using selected feeding stuffs. Therefore, this review aims to collect and systematize data as a guide for implementing such a nutritional strategy in practice, with the health benefits of the final consumers in mind.

Different analytical techniques for the detection of mycotoxins have been developed in order to control the levels of mycotoxins in food and feed. Conventional analytical methods for mycotoxin determination are involving techniques such as thinlayer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Also, rapid methods for mycotoxin analysis have become increasingly important. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most common rapid methods for determination of these natural contaminants. The aim of this study was to provide a comparison between two different methods of analysis (HPLC and ELISA) for the detection of different mycotoxins using data that originate from commercial proficiency tests. Based on the statistical evaluation of the results for both methods, in three proficiency tests for various mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin and zearalenone), it could be concluded that both techniques can equally be used, although ELISA is considered to be the screening one. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 46009]

The quality of goat meat has recently become an important aspect in the marketing of goats in Serbia. The aim of this study was to compare some goat meat quality parameters of various races and to determine the differences between them. Goat breeds were Balkan goat and Serbian White goat, both female in the age of four years. Analysis of quality parameters: chemical composition (moisture, protein, total fat, ash,), pH value, fatty acids, amino acids, microelements content, tenderness, cooking loss and colour measurements were done. Statistically significant difference was found between the samples of two groups of goat meat (P

The past couple of decades have provided considerable details on fungi and the toxins that they produce, as well on the mechanism of toxin action, toxicity and effects on animal and human health. But, since they are natural contaminants, their presence is often inevitable. Fusaria are widespread in all cereal-growing territories of the world, but they are especially common in our geographic area. Therefore, special attention is paid to the prevention and control, and also to the improvement of methods for their detection. Although all collected data were critical for understanding this worldwide problem, managing the impact of these toxins on the feed and food safety is still great practical challenge. There are a number of approaches that can be taken to minimize mycotoxin contamination in this chain: prevention of fungal growth and thus mycotoxin formation, strategies to reduce or eliminate mycotoxins from contaminated feedstuffs or diverting the contaminated products to low risk uses. A control program for mycotoxins from field to table should in­volve the criteria of an HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) approach. It requires an understanding of the important aspects of the interactions of the toxigenic fungi with crop plants, the on-farm production and harvest methods for crops, the production of livestock using grains and processed feeds, including diagnostic capabilities for mycotoxicoses, and all the way to the development of processed foods for human consumption, as well as understanding the marketing and trade channels including storage and delivery of foods to the consumer’s table. A good testing protocol for mycotoxins is necessary to manage all of the control points and in order to be able to ensure a food supply free of toxic levels of mycotoxins for the consumer. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46009]

Participation in interlaboratory comparison and proficiency testing schemes is important for laboratories to control the work quality. In this study, a sample of naturally contaminated maize was analyzed for the content of ochratoxin A (OTA) in three laboratories in Serbia. Participating laboratories used enzymatic immunoaffinity method (ELISA) for the determination of OTA and selection of the ELISA kit was free. Between-laboratory precision was acceptable as evidenced by Cochran’s C test. Moreover, z-scores for all three laboratories were z < ± 2, which is considered acceptable. Used OTA confirmation methods were thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), with fluorescence detector. The results of different methods were comparable. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 031071 i br. OI 172042]

Chemical composition, pH value, fatty acids profile, cholesterol content, color and sensory analysis of pork meat from Duroc x Yorkshire (D x Y), Duroc x Yorkshire x wild boar (D x Y x WB) crossbreeds and wild boars (WB) was investigated. Samples for all tests were taken from m. longissimus dorsi. Chemical composition and pH value were tested by ISO methods. Fatty acid and cholesterol determination was performed by gas chromatography technique with external standard method. Color was determined instrumentally using the thristimulus colourimeter. The overall sensoric quality (appearance, texture and smell) of samples of raw meat was evaluated. In evaluation of results the scoring system was used. In chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein, ash) and pH values statistically significant difference was noted (p

The problem of mycotoxin presence in animal feed and the consequences that arise due to this, represent a great challenge for anyone encountering them. In the chain which includes studies from prevention to treatment, a very important place and a frequent source of confusion is the process of diagnosing diseases caused by mycotoxins. The aim of this paper is to present a long experience of the team of experts at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Serbia in Belgrade, who follows this issue in terms of clinical manifestations of mycotoxicoses in different animal species, pathomorphological and pathohistological changes that characterize them, and laboratory analysis of feed which is the source of those biological hazards and natural contaminants. Based on the findings it could be concluded that mycotoxin contamination is common. Although these levels usually do not exceed the limits laid by the legislation, considering the cumulative effects and possible chronic exposure of animals to their harmful influence, appropriate and competent approach is necessary. Namely, even when direct losses, such as animals’ mortality, are not present, indirect losses, due to a drop of animal performances and production, as well as the occurrence of secondary infections, should not be neglected.

This paper deals with the biosynthetic capacity for ochratoxin A (OTA) production by Aspergillus ochraceus E'G isolate derived from A. ochraceus CBS 108.08 strain, during 2007. Preliminary analysis of fungal potential for the production of OTA were performed according to the modified method of Filtenborg et al. (1983). Toxin production was tested in the following liquid media: (i) glucose-peptone-yeast extract broth (GPY - pH 5.6), (ii) potato-dextrose broth (PDB - pH 6.9), (iii) yeast extract-sucrose broth (YES - pH 6.5), and (iv) YES broth supplemented with 0.23 mg/l ZnSO4 x 5 H2O (YESZn - pH 6.5) after stationary and submerged cultivation. Dynamics of OTA biosynthesis was tested after the cultivation of A. ochraceus E'G on natural solid substrates, such as wet sterilized rice, corn and wheat grain. Cultivations were performed during different time periods (ranging from four days to few weeks) at different temperatures (ranging from 21°C to 30°C). The presence of OTA was determined as follows: (i) in liquid media according to the method of Balzer et al. (1978) modified by Bočarov-Stančić et al. (2003), and (ii) in the solid substrates according to the Serbian official methods for sampling and analyzing of fodder (Official Gazette of SFRY, No. 15/87). After the cultivation of A. ochraceus E'G isolate in liquid media, the highest yield of OTA (6.4 mg/l) was obtained after submerged cultivation in PDB (4 days, 128 rpm, 21-23°C). In the case of cultivation on solid substrates, the highest amount of OTA (800.0 mg/kg of dry matter) was recorded after several week long cultivation on wheat grain at 30±1°C.

All poultry is sensitive to mycotoxins. This partly depends on the type, age and production categories of poultry, their living conditions and nutritive status and partly on the type, quantity and duration of mycotoxin ingestion. The presence of mycotoxins results in significant health disorders and a decrease in production performances. This leads to considerable economic loss for the poultry industry - either direct losses, i.e. death of the poultry or the indirect ones, i.e. the decrease in body mass, number and quality of eggs, greater food conversion, and immunosuppression. Immunosuppression results in increased sensitivity to infective agents and a bad vaccinal response. Morevover, mycotoxin residues in poultry meat, eggs and products derived from them pose a threat to human health. In order to prevent and reduce the negative implications of mycotoxins in the poultry production, it is necessary to create both global and national strategies for combatting mycotoxins, advance diagnostic techniques and procedures, intensify the control of food quality, introduce new limits on the maximum amount of mycotoxins allowed in food and poultry feed used for certain species and categories of animals, and synchronise it with the European standards.

A 21-day-long experiment was performed on 160 one-day-old 'Ross' broiler chicks. This research was done with the aim of investigating pathomorphological changes in broilers exposed to a relatively small amount of T-2 toxin (2 ppm) and the possibility of prevention and/or alleviating adverse effects of T-2 toxin using various feed additives. Pathohistological examination showed negative consequences of T-2 toxin in all examined organs as degenerative changes developed in small intestine mucosa, enterocites and hepatocites necroses, as well as lymphocites depletion in bursa of Fabricius. Disparately from inorganic (Minazel-plus, Mz) and organic (Mycosorb, Ms) adsorbents, which did not provoke protective effects, in liver, small intestine and bursa of Fabricius of broilers who were given feed with T-2 toxin and mixed adsorbent (Mycofix-plus, Mf), mostly preserved structure of these organs could be noted.

In the trial, in vitro HPTLC - High Performance Thin Layer Chomatography was used to determine the amount of 'free', i.e. unbound or non-decomposed T-2 toxin. Mean adsorption or degradation levels of T-2 toxin in examined feed aditives, in in vitro conditions, ranged from 26.06 to 34.84% and did not significantly differ among used adsorbents: inorganic (Minazel plus - Mz), organic (Mycosorb - Ms) and mixed (Micofyx - Mf). All these additives showed better adsorption ability in the acidic environment (pH3).

The problem of mycotoxin presence in animal feed and the consequences that arise due to this, represent a great challenge for anyone encountering them. In the chain which includes studies from prevention to treatment, a very important place and a frequent source of confusion is the process of diagnosing diseases caused by mycotoxins. The aim of this paper is to present a long experience of the team of experts at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Serbia in Belgrade, who follows this issue in terms of clinical manifestations of mycotoxicoses in different animal species, pathomorphological and pathohistological changes that characterize them, and laboratory analysis of feed which is the source of those biological hazards and natural contaminants. Based on the findings it could be concluded that mycotoxin contamination is common. Although these levels usually do not exceed the limits laid by the legislation, considering the cumulative effects and possible chronic exposure of animals to their harmful influence, appropriate and competent approach is necessary. Namely, even when direct losses, such as animals' mortality, are not present, indirect losses, due to a drop of animal performances and production, as well as the occurrence of secondary infections, should not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]