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Quality of meat products in Republic of Srpska is defined by the Regulations of minced, semi-finished and finished meat products ("Official Gazette of BiH" No. 82/2013). The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of the chicken and liver pate, and to determine the frequency of the content deviations which components values are specified in the Regulations. The average protein content in 13 respondents, samples of chicken pate was 11,72% (10,40%-12,43%) and in 10 samples tested liver pate was 11,13% (9,80%-12,8%). The average fat content observed in samples of chicken pate was 24,89% (20,94%-27,92%) and in liver pates 22,81% (13,66%-26,99%). The average salt content observed in samples of chicken pate was 1,73% (1,25%-2,06%) and in liver pate 1,81% (1,63%-2,07%). The average water content in the samples of chicken meat paste was 60,25% (57,32%-62,61%), and in samples of liver pates 62,59% (60,27%-67,23%). The tested samples fulfilled the requirements prescribed in the Regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging prolong meat shelf life, prevent contamination and delay spoilage. Beside number of microorganisms, indicators of spoilage can be the content of total volatile nitrogen and sensory evaluation of odour. The aim of this study was to investigate the content of total volatile nitrogen and sensory evaluation of odour of minced meat. Mixed pork and beef, in ratio 50:50 percent, was packaged in vacuum, modified atmosphere with 20% O2/50% CO2/ 30% N2 and modified atmosphere with 20% O2/30% CO2/ 50% N2, refrigerated at 3±1 °C and examined on zero, 3th, 7th, 10th and 13th day of storage. In all groups of samples of minced meat total volatile nitrogen content was above recommended value (25 mg N / 100 g) on the tenth day of storage, and the most significant increase was found on the seventh day of storage. Higher content of total volatile nitrogen was found in vacuum packaged minced meat samples than in both groups of meat samples packaged in a modified atmosphere, but without statistical significance. Sensory evaluation of odour acceptability reached lower value than recommended in all minced meat group of samples on the thirteenth day of storage. Odour acceptability value of minced meat samples packaged in modified atmosphere was higher than odour acceptability value of vacuum packaged minced meat samples, but without statistical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of toxic elements (lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic) were measured in water, sediment, and four commercial fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Silurus glanis, and Esox lucius) and their tissues (muscle, liver, and kidney) from Saničani Lake, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The concentration of toxic elements was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Toxic element concentrations were significantly affected by the fish species and tissues sampled. The lead was the most heavily deposited element in lake sediments and waters. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd were in the kidney in all four fish species. Concentrations of Hg and As were higher in the muscle than in the kidney and liver in all four fish species. The toxic element concentrations in all examined tissues were significantly higher in Silurus glanis and Esox lucius than in the other fish species examined. Concentrations of all tested elements were present in the fish muscle at different levels, but these levels were under the maximum levels allowed by the European Union and FAO/WHO. Accordingly, fish meat from this lake is acceptable for human consumption.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, zinc, iron, and manganese) in terrestrial gastropods, Helix pomatia, collected in four different environment locations in Pančevo city, Serbia. Metal concentrations in the foot and in the digestive gland were measured. Heavy metals cadmium, copper, zinc, iron, and manganese were measured in triplicate by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Also, this study investigated correlations between the trace element content in the soft tissues and different seasons (summer and fall). The results showed that heavy metal concentrations of the measured elements in both snail tissues were significantly higher in polluted sites when compared to the background levels in the city. In digestive gland tissues, the concentration of heavy metals was higher compared with that in foot tissues. The bioaccumulation (heavy metal concentrations in soft tissues) of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in snails, Helix pomatia, has been assessed and related to seasons and sites. Heavy metal accumulation in the soft tissues of snails could provide a powerful monitoring tool for the assessment of environmental heavy metal pollution.