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Wheat is one of the world's most commonly consumed cereal grains. It originates from a type of grass (Triticum) that is grown in countless varieties worldwide. Bread wheat or common wheat is a primary species. Several other closely related species include durum, spelt, emmer, einkorn, and Khorasan wheat. In addition to being a major source of starch and energy, wheat also provides substantial amounts of a number of components which are essential or beneficial for health, notably proteins, vitamins (notably B vitamins), dietary fibres, and phytochemicals. Wheat is a basic food product of Macedonian population. This study is mainly focused on measuring the concentration of radioactivity due to natural radioactive nuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) in wheat grain samples, as well as on determining the quality of wheat used in daily diet. In addition, in this study we calculated radiation hazard indices (radium equivalent activity and internal hazard index) in the wheat sample. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the wheat samples were 0.57±0.14; 0.39±0.11; 96.55±0.86 (Bq·kg-1 ), respectively. The radiation hazard indices were calculated for all samples in this study where mean values did not exceed safety limits, pointing out to negligible radiation hazard arising from terrestrial radionuclides that are naturally present in wheat. In terms of quality, we confirmed that all tested samples meet the requirements regarding quality in accordance with the laws in our country.

In the Republic of North Macedonia, the production of wine is very well known, but in the markets, there is also a variety of imported wines. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine the basic parameters which determine the quality of the wine. A total of 106 domestic and imported wines were included in this research. The basic chemical parameters for each of the samples were examined by using standard OIV methods. Verification of the methods was done by determining its accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility using standard reference material and proficiency testing. Depending on the sugar content, wines were divided into 4 groups: dry, semi dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines. The highest alcohol content was observed in dry wines originating from all countries that were subject of this research (up to 13.54 vol %) and the lowest was observed in wines originating from Italy which are mostly used as dessert wines (5.07 vol %). The semi-dry wines originating from France showed the slightest value (min.12.18 mg/L free SO2 and min.60.20 mg/L total SO2), which corresponds to their high quality and price on the market. This research is of great interest for the needs of the market and the price of the wine, due to the wine quality standards under the law of Republic of North Macedonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]