A total of 3543 raw cow milk samples were collected in three regions of Croatia: western, eastern and other regions during four seasons. Samples were measured for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations ...using the enzyme immunoassay method. Elevated levels (>50 ng/kg) of AFM1 were analysed by validated liquid chromatography with triple quadruple mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the LC-MS/MS method were 7.3 and 28 ng/kg, respectively. The mean AFM1 levels measured in the three regions over four seasons were in the ranges (ng/kg): eastern Croatia 7.25–26.6; western Croatia 5.91–9.26; other regions of Croatia 7.17–13.6. The highest incidence of samples exceeding the EU MRL (50 ng/kg) of 9.32% was measured in autumn (October–December) in the eastern region. Only eight samples were found to exceed the EU MRL in winter. The highest AFM1 levels were measured in December (764.4 ng/kg) and January (383.3 ng/kg). Elevated AFM1 levels were found in summer in only four samples from the western and other regions, and two samples in the eastern region. This can be attributed to localized and random usage of contaminated feed for dairy cows in those regions. The much lower incidence of elevated AFM1 in comparison to a previous study showed that the outbreak of the crisis due to elevated AFM1 levels in 2013 resulted in a more careful approach to the control of supplementary feedstuff for lactating cows.
•AFM1 concentrations in milk were monitored during one year period in Croatia.•During autumn 9.32% samples exceeding the EU MRL in the eastern region.•In other seasons there were no differences in AFM1 levels between three regions.•Only a few samples with elevated concentrations were found during the summer.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can induce neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity (IARC group 1 Carcinogens). Scientific data suggest that ...resveratrol possesses the ability to attenuate ortho-PCB-induced toxicity. Recently, a novel ferrocene-containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol (RF) was synthesized and in this study, its potential to protect CHO-K1 cells from selected PCB congeners (75 µM) was evaluated. Cell viability/proliferation was observed by Trypan Blue (TB), Neutral Red (NR), Kenacid Blue (KB), and MTT bioassays, ROS formation by fluorescent probes, and the extent of apoptosis by flow cytometry. All applied bioassays confirmed that RF (2.5–100 μM) remarkably improves viability in PCB 153-treated cells with an increase in cell survival almost up to control levels. This effect was not determined after PCB 77 exposure, although ROS formation was decreased at RF ≥ 50 µM. Apoptosis was significant (p < 0.05) for both congeners. In PCB 77-treated cells, RF did not suppress the induction of cell death. The intended protective effect of RF was evident when cells were treated with PCB 153, and this correlates with results obtained for cell viability. Compared to resveratrol, the novel RF showed promising results in terms of improved biological activity and cell protection against PCB 153 toxicity at all concentrations tested.
In animal husbandry for food production, the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic agents, has seen an increase due to ...raised awareness of animal welfare issues. Residues of NSAIDs may be present in animal products that are intended for human consumption, and since some may pose a certain risk to human health, there is a need to monitor NSAID residues at low levels via routine and targeted surveillance. In analytical chemistry, NSAIDs are usually differentiated using their acid-base properties. Within this study, a method for simultaneous analysis of 27 NSAIDs, including both groups, in milk and muscle samples in 12.5 min is described. Sample processing consisted of enzymatic hydrolysis and acetonitrile extraction, followed by a clean-up of the extract by SPE, and measurement by UHPLC-MS/MS. The in-house validation study (alternative approach), covering trueness, precision, sensitivity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ) and matrix effect, was designed and evaluated with the help of validation software to meet the demands of regulatory compliance. The method recovery for milk and muscle matrix was in the range of 98.1% to 106.5% and 98.8% to 102.7%, whereas the CCβ as the parameter for screening analysis, ranged from 0.07 to 46.7 µg/kg and 1.19 to 69.7 µg/kg, and the CCα, as the parameter for confirmatory analysis, from 0.11 to 56.7 µg/kg and 1.12 to 518.6 µg/kg, respectively. The occurrence of NSAID residues in milk and muscle samples was assessed using the developed method within the Croatian National Residue Control Plan, revealing quantifiable residues for diclofenac, ketoprofen, and salicylic acid mostly in milk samples. The most abundant NSAID in analysed samples was salicylic acid, which may be introduced into the food chain and be present in various types of matrices due to its natural occurrence in plants as a phytohormone.
•12 elements in 6 different honey types collected in Croatia were analysed.•Significant differences in element content were observed between honey types.•Chestnut honey exhibited the highest ...concentrations of Ca, K, Mg and Hg.•Lime honey showed the highest content of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb.•Black locust honey obtained the lowest levels of Fe, K, Mg and Hg.
Different honey types were collected in Croatia during 2010 and 2011: 7 multifloral orchard honeys, 7 multifloral meadow honeys, 19 black locust, 9 chestnut, 11 lime and 6 sage honeys. Elements were measured using graphite (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Se) and flame atomic absorption spectrometer (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn) and by mercury analyser (Hg). Significant differences in Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Zn, As and Hg levels were observed between honey types. In chestnut honey were determined (K, Ca, Mg: mgkg−1; Hg, Ad, Cd: μgkg−1): the highest concentrations of K 2824.4, Ca 486.7, Mg 59.1 and Hg 2.52; the lowest of As 24.1 and Cd 2.52. Lime honey has been shown the highest content of Cu (20.6mgkg−1), Zn (6.78mgkg−1), Cd (2.14μgkg−1) and Pb (810.3μgkg−1). The lowest levels of following elements were determined in black locust honey (Fe, K, Mg: mgkg−1; Hg: μgkg−1): Fe 2.77, K 304.7, Mg 8.02 and Hg 0.82. Sage honey had the lowest Ca and Na content (173.9 and 31.8mgkg−1). Among the multifloral honeys, the following was determined (Fe, Na, Cu: mgkg−1; As, Pb: μgkg−1): orchard honey – highest of Fe 5.17 and As 276.1, lowest Pb 301; meadow honey – highest Na 36.1, lowest Cu 4.38. The average Ca, Cu and Pb levels found in multifloral honey types were much higher than those reported in other European countries. Calcium levels in lime, chestnut and black locust were higher than those from other countries.
The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of essential, trace, and toxic elements in beef and pork meat cuts available at markets and retail chains in the Croatian capital. ...Significant differences in the concentrations of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb, and Zn were found between bovine cuts (
< 0.01, all) and also between pork cuts (
< 0.01, all). A risk assessment using the estimated intakes based on the lowest and highest mean values of Al, Cr, Ni, and Pb in beef and pork showed low contributions to tolerable toxicological limits. However, consumers whose diets consist of large amounts of beef and pork kidneys may be at risk because the estimated intakes for Cd and Se exceeded the toxicological limits. Consumers of large quantities of beef mixed meat may be at risk due to higher values of estimated As intakes compared to health-based guidance values. Estimation based on the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake values for Cu, Fe, and Zn showed that beef and pork cuts can be considered safe for consumption. A comparison with data from other studies shows that the concentrations of the analyzed elements in beef and pork cuts vary considerably.
•Laying hens received sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) and trimethoprim (TMP) in two doses.•The distribution of SMM and TMP in egg yolk and white was measured.•SMM and TMP residues was measurable for 30days ...after drug administration.•SMM is detectable for a longer period in egg white (>30days) than in yolk.•TMP is measured in period of 37day in egg yolk but not in white.
The distribution of sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) and trimethoprim (TMP) in egg yolk and white was measured during and after administration of a SMM/TMP combination in laying hens in doses of 8gl−1 and 12gl−1 in drinking water for 7days. The SMM concentration reached maximal levels on day 2 of the post-treatment period for both doses (μgkg−1): 5920 and 9453 in yolk; 4831 and 6050 in white, in doses 1 and 2, respectively. Significant differences in the SMM and TMP concentrations between yolk and white in post treatment period were found. SMM dropped below the LOD (1.9μgkg−1) in yolk after day 16 and 19 for doses 1 and 2. TMP reached maximal levels on day 3 after drug administration for doses 1 and 2 (μgkg−1): 6521 and 7329 in yolk, 1370 and 1539 in white. TMP residues were measured above LOD (0.3μgkg−1) in yolk for both doses on day 37 post-treatment.
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations were determined in raw and UHT cow milk samples collected in different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia during the autumn months of 2014. The mean AFM1 ...levels in the raw milk samples were (ng/kg): 6.22 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5.65 in Croatia. In all except one milk sample, AMF1 levels were below the LOQ value of 34.2 ng/kg (ELISA method). In four milk samples, AFM1 concentrations exceeded the EU MRL of 50 ng/kg. Samples were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis which confirmed elevated values determined by ELISA. Elevated levels were in the range 56.6–132.6 ng/kg. Two positive milk samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina originated from Una Sana Canton, two from Croatia from eastern Croatia. The highest AFM1 levels of 132.6 ng/kg was measured in milk from eastern Croatia. In 214 samples of processed UHT milk from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, AFM1 ranged from 2.29 ng/kg to 21.4 ng/kg, all below the LOQ value. AFM1 exceeded the EU MRL value in only 0.62% of milk samples, indicating the sporadic use of contaminated feedstuff at farms in both countries.
•Raw and UHT milk were collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.•During autumn 2014 only 0.62% raw milk exceeded the maximum EU limit for AFM1.•Two samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina and two from Croatia exceeded EU limit.•Four elevated AFM1 concentrations were confirmed by LC-MS/MS.•In all UHT milk samples AFM1 levels were below LOQ of the ELISA method.
The Croatian part of the Danube River extends over 188 km and comprises 58 % of the country’s overall area used for commercial freshwater fishing. To date, the heavy metal contamination of fish in ...the Croatian part of the Danube has not been studied. The main purpose of this study was to determine heavy metal levels in muscle tissue of sampled fish species and to analyze the measured values according to feeding habits of particular groups. Lead ranged from 0.015 μg
−1
dry weight in planktivorous to 0.039 μg
−1
dry weight in herbivorous fish, cadmium from 0.013 μg
−1
dry weight in herbivorous to 0.018 μg
−1
dry weight in piscivorous fish, mercury from 0.191 μg
−1
dry weight in omnivorous to 0.441 μg
−1
dry weight in planktivorous fish and arsenic from 0.018 μg
−1
dry weight in planktivorous to 0.039 μg
−1
dry weight in omnivorous fish. Among the analyzed metals in muscle tissue of sampled fish, only mercury exceeded the maximal level (0.5 mg kg
−1
) permitted according to the national and EU regulations determining maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs, indicating a hazard for consumers of fish from the Danube River.
Aflatoxin M1 contamination was examined in raw milk (3716) and UHT milk (706) samples collected from farms of eastern Croatia and markets of central Croatia from February to July 2013. A maximal mean ...AFM1 of 1135.0 ng/L was measured in raw milk in March. The AFM1 levels exceeded the European Union maximum residue permitted amount (EU MRL) in 45.9% raw and 36.2% UHT milk samples in February. In total, AFM1 levels exceeded the EU MRL values in 27.8% of raw and 9.64% of UHT milk samples. A slight decrease in the number of samples exceeding the EU MRLs was recorded in the period March to June. The results showed significant statistical differences between the mean AFM1 concentrations of raw and UHT milk samples collected during February, March, May and June (P < 0.05, all). Also, statistical differences in AFM1 concentrations were found between months for raw and UHT milk (P < 0.001, both). In conclusion, the frequency of control of feed and milk samples should increase and should strive to educate breeders and those involved in milk production about the harmful effect of aflatoxins to animal feed.
•The seasonal variation of AFM1 in raw and UHT milk was determined from Croatia.•Total 27.8% raw and 9.64% UHT milk samples were found above the EU limit for AFM1.•The contamination levels of AFM1 are higher in February, March and April.•There exist statistical differences in the mean level of AFM1 of raw and UHT milk samples.
•Zinc was determined in meat and products, fish and products and shellfish.•The lowest mean zinc concentration was found in fish.•The highest levels of zinc found in the oyster.•Significant ...differences between meat, fish and shellfish species were found.•Oyster is good alternative source of zinc in diet instead meat.
Zinc concentrations were determined in a total of 121 samples of meat and meat products, fish and fish products and shellfish collected and marketed in Croatia. The concentrations were determined in the following ranges (mg/kg): meat 4.65–64.9, meat products 4.55–51.8, fish 3.12–19.5, fish products 12.3–31.2, mussels 21.1–30.9, oysters 129–431. The highest and lowest mean zinc levels determined were 222mg/kg in oysters and 6.15mg/kg in fish. Average zinc recovery of the method used was 100.4% with precision expressed as RSD of 1.5%. Significant differences were found among the tested food items. The estimated mean daily intake (EDI) of zinc in different types of food contributing to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for women and men were (%): meat 0.13–1.29 and 0.09–0.94; oysters 0.93 and 0.67, meat products<0.5, both; fish, fish products and mussels<0.15, both. The ranges of the average daily intake of zinc of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intakes (PMTDI) were (%): meat and oysters 1.05–10.3; meat products<5; fish, fish products and mussels<1. The results found in tested foods items were similar to results from other countries used for comparison.
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