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Introduction: People with mental disorders are at high risk of developing obesity (1, 2). In addition to high values of body mass index (BMI), studies of body composition showed an increased percentage of fat tissue and a decrease in muscle mass (2). Several factors such as socioeconomic factors, use of tobacco, unhealthy eating habits, and low physical activity may contribute to this (1-3). This study aimed to assess the nutritional status in organized living beneficiaries with mental disorders. Methods: To determine nutritional status two methods have been used: body mass index and body composition measured by bioelectric impedance. Height, weight, and body composition were collected with a portable stadiometer (Seca, Germany) and an Omron BF500 analyzer (Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd., Japan). Body mass index (kg/m2) was categorised according to WHO standards (4). In addition, a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics was completed. Results: 46 participants (57% female) from Osijek, Croatia, ages 19 to 69, participated in the study. Most of the participants were single or never married, had a high school education, and smoked. 90% of male participants smoked, as opposed to 58% of female participants. 80% of participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia. All participants were beneficiaries of organized living and assigned to one of three levels of daily care. Short-term care (2.5 h/day), intensive care (16 h/day), and comprehensive care (24 h/day) were represented by 20, 54, and 26%, respectively. The mean body mass index was 31± 6.2, with 50% of participants with BMI categorised as obesity. Body composition analysis showed a higher mean body fat percentage in female participants (46.1±7) than in males (26.4±7.9). Between genders, a significant difference has been shown for height, BMI, body fat, and muscle mass percentage, but not for visceral fat rating and weight. Conclusion: The obtained results are in accordance with previous findings but additionally emphasize the need for specific monitoring of high-risk groups when it comes to obesity. These results can be used as baseline for further studies and development of tools that will be aimed to prevent obesity in people with mental disorders.

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DMT1) and thyroid disease are the two most common endocrine disorders which often coexist in the same patient. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), characterized with hypothyroidism and Graves' disease (GD), characterized by hypertiroidism are especially interesting due to the fact that they can interchange. Etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease is very complex and still not fully understood, therefore it is not surprising that we still do not have official nutrition recommendations. Aim: To assess dietary characteristics of DMT1 patients diagnosed with HT (DMT1+HT, N=23, age 27.5 ± 10.1) in comparison to control (only DMT1, N=31, age 24.5 ± 8.0). Subjects and Methods: An observational study among patients diagnosed with DMT1 was conducted by using the study-specific questionnaire. Recruitment was conducted through closed-type DMT1 groups on social media. Results: In both groups, patients have been diagnosed with DMT1 for an average of 10 years. In the autoimmune throid disease group, only one patient had GD and 22 HT, of which 95.6 % were females. Obesity was detected only among DMT1+HT patients (10.5 %) which indicates potential role of slowed metabolism in hypothyroidism. No significant difference was found in dietary intake of six main food groups. However, DMT1+HT patients more often excluded milk and/or gluten from their diet as a result of self- education on the Internet. DMT1+HT patients eat more vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables which are important sources of goitrogens. They also tend to add salt to their food even before tying it (17.4 % in comparison to 16.1 % ; p=0.008), and kitchen salt is important source of iodine (due to mandatory fortification). Conclusion: Professional education on dietary sources of iodine and goitrogens for people with thyroid disease is much needed in order to avoid search for alternative and often unverified information.

Diet plays crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC), from incidence to progression. It is the second cause of death due to carcinoma in Croatia, with significant regional differences. The aim of this observational study was to determine dietary habits of CRC patients, and whether their diet differs by region. A total of 60 patients with non-metastatic CRC, 30 from Slavonia and 30 from Dalmatia participated in the study. Two thirds of patients from both regions changed their diet for better after CRC diagnosis. However, one third of patients do not get any physical activity. Patients do not differ in their energy intake or intake of vitamins or minerals. Still, high contribution of fats (>40%) and low contribution of carbohydrates in the total daily energy intake was found. Contribution of proteins is higher in Slavonia (p=0.040). More patients from Dalmatia have intake of calcium

Drought is the most widespread abiotic stressor which restricts water availability for living organisms and endangers their survival through the destruction of their natural habitats. In plants, drought causes osmotic stress that usually results in growth reduction and agricultural productivity decline. In the present study, the impact of two drought treatments (10 and 20% PEG) in five wheat genotypes was explored by monitoring the germination, growth, endogenous putrescine (PUT), and spermidine (SPD) content after six days. Seedling water content (SWC), germination index (GI), shoot, and root length decreased with increasing the drought intensity while PUT and SPD content did not provide a unique response. Variations in drought response among genotypes were recorded. In Darija genotype mild drought stress (10% PEG) promoted the production of SPD, SWC values, and shoot growth but decreased PUT content. In Opsesija, both drought treatments caused increased SWC and PUT values. This genotype also showed a tissue-specific response. Namely, under 10% PEG, Opsesija had the highest GI and shoot growth but increased root length under severe drought (20% PEG). Under severe drought intensity, Anica showed the highest GI, shoot length, and increased SPD synthesis. The most sensitive genotype was Mandica with low GI, growth, and PUT accumulation. The results revealed that drought tolerance is a complex trait that relays on genetic properties. Moreover, the role of PUT and SPD in providing drought tolerance is still controversial.

The consumption of royal jelly is increasing due to its unique chemical composition and high nutritional value. With the discovery of the main bioactive compounds, royal jelly takes a significant role in the food and pharmaceutical industry. One of the most important ingredients of royal jelly is 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10- HDA), which is specific only to royal jelly. Due to the season and geographical origin, there are differences in the quality of royal jelly. In this paper, ten samples of royal jelly were analyzed, which were collected from the area of northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to 10-hydroxy- 2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), physicochemical parameters were analyzed: pH value, total acidity, protein content, and antioxidant activity of royal jelly. The obtained results show that samples of royal jelly from the area of northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina meet international standards for the specification of royal jelly with regard to the content of 10-HDA (from 2.19 to 3.65%) and other parameters for fresh and authentic samples. The examination of the antioxidant activity of royal jelly was performed by the DPPH and FRAP methods. The DPPH radical inhibition potential for the 10% solution ranged from 36.63 to 41.69%. Considering the established quality and very high antioxidant activity of the analyzed samples, they represent a significant potential for use in the development of functional products with pronounced nutritional and biological capacity. It is important to point out that this is the first study of royal jelly, as well as its physico- chemical characteristics, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and represents the beginning of further research, assessment and establishment of royal jelly quality criteria in this area.

The aim of this study was to determine performance characteristics of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with photo-diode array detector (RP-HPLC-PDA) for melittin content determination, and to evaluate the melittin content in honey bee venom during 6 months of storage at room temperature and in the freezer. Based on the obtained results of the method performance characteristics(linearity, precision, trueness, LOD and LOQ), the used RP-HPLC-PDA method is fit for purpose. Linearity was confirmed with correlation coefficient of 0.999 while relative standard deviation (RSD) of sample preparation repeatability was 2.45 %. Limits of detection and quantification were 0.62 μg/mL and 1.88 μg/mL, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the storage temperature had no effect on the melittin content during 6 months of storage. The results of this study can be of great interest to the beekeepers because it show that venom quality is maintained with reduced cost for storing and manipulation.

The composition and amount of fatty acids in diet are important for both, the bees community and humans. Considering that the chemical composition of bee pollen is strongly related to botanical origin, and that the vegetation is specific to a particular geographical area, the aim of this study was to collect samples of unifloral bee pollen from different locations in Croatia and examine specifics of fatty acids composition, and the influence botanical origin on bee pollen fatty acid composition. Bee pollen samples were collected in the period from April 1 to June 15, 2019. After sorting pollen load by colour and qualitative melissopalynological analysis, seven monofloral samples were selected. A total of 25 fatty acids (from C12 to C24) were identified with a significant difference in their proportions in the samples. n-3 fatty acids are most prevalent in Aesculus hipposcantum bee pollen (49.11 %) and least present in Quercus pubescens (13.12 %). The proportion of n-6 fatty acids in the samples ranged between 14.40 % in A. hipposcantum bee pollen to 38.28 % in Salix spp. bee pollen. Palmitic acid was dominant saturated fatty acid in most analysed samples, ranged from 14.78 % in Salix spp. pollen to 32.70 % in Q. pubescens pollen. Exception is Taraxacum officinale pollen where pentadecanoic acid (19.75 %) was dominant while its content in other bee pollen samples was below 5 %. Odd-chain fatty acids, pentadecanoic (C15:0) i heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), are present in small amounts in dairy fat, some fish and plants and have been associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, adiposity, type 2 diabetes and many other diseases. Therefore, their finding in some species of bee pollen is a strong motivation for further research.

One of the proven therapeutic properties of honey is its antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to examine the antimicrobial activity of chestnut honey against Helicobacter pylori and to evaluate a relationship between the content of phenols, antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of honey was determined by the agar well diffusion method, and the inhibitory effect of different honey concentrations (20%, 50% and 75%) was evaluated. The phenolic content was determined by the Folin- Ciocalteu method while the total antioxidant capacity was determined by the FRAP assay. Water activity and hydrogen peroxide content were also determined. The results showed that the zones of inhibition of H. pylori ranged from eight to 21 mm depending on the sample and the concentration of honey, where the concentration of honey of 20% did not have inhibitory effect. The phenolic content ranged from 204.94 to 233.82 mg of GA/kg while FRAP values were between 392.71 and 441.53 μM Fe (II). The honey sample that showed the highest antimicrobial activity against H. pylori also had the highest total antioxidant capacity. However, the same correlation was not observed in the other analysed samples. Further research is needed to determine the contribution of individual components of honey to its antimicrobial activity.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of dietary supplementation with propolis on the technological properties of skinless chicken breasts evaluated through breast muscle pH value measured 45 minutes (pH1) and 24 hours post mortem (pH2), water- holding capacity of breast muscle, consistency of breast muscle and its color (L*, a*, b*) and to determine its macronutrient content (protein and fat content). The study was conducted on 180 Ross 308 chickens equally distributed by sex and divided into three groups: the control group of chickens (C) fed with a basal diet and two experimental groups of chickens (E) fed with the same diet supplemented with propolis (E1 2g/kg and E2 4g/kg). There was no statistically significant difference between C and E considering pH1 (p=0.260) but there was statistically significant difference between them considering pH2 (p=0.037). There was statistically significant difference in L* breast muscle color (p=0.039) between C and E while there were no statistically significant differences in a* and b* breast muscle color between them (p=0.167 and p=0.637, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the C and E considering water-holding capacity (p=0.767) and consistency (p=0.505) of breast muscle. There were no statistically significant differences in protein and fat content between C and E (p=0.368 and p=0.244, respectively). The obtained results confirm the benefits of the tested supplementation.

Bee products are considered to be a good resource of bioactive substances such as flavonoids, phenolic acids or terpenoids. Bee pollen is collected and transported by the bees as granules or pollen-loads and reserved as nutrient resource for honeycomb. Because of its nutritional value and healthful properties, bee pollen is valuable product that can increase the beekeepers’ income. In this work botanical origin and antioxidant capacity of bee pollen collected in eastern Croatia in April and May 2018 were examined. Botanical origin determined by palynological analysis showed that eight out of twelve analysed samples had > 45 % of the pollen grains coming from one family while in one sample Amorpha fruticosa pollen grains dominated by 99 %. Total phenolic content, total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Total phenolic content varied between 7.08 – 15.27 mg GAE/g, total flavonoids were from 1.34 to 4.25 mg QE/g while FRAP content was 51.97 – 83.56 µmol Fe2+/g. The highest antioxidant capacity was determined in Amorpha fructicosa and Salix sp. unifloral bee pollen samples.

Fruits, vegetables and products are the most important source of vitamin C in human diet. Due to the low energy value and presence of many essential food constituents, the consumption of vegetable juices, as well as pallet of products at the market is increasing. Vitamin C encompasses the group of compounds that possess biological activity equivalent to the L-ascorbic acid, and is one of the most important antioxidant in human body. Furthermore, L-ascorbic acid is often added to food products as antioxidant food additive. Vitamin C content was determined in commercial tomato, carrot, beetroot and sour cabbage juices by high performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) with photo-diode array detector (PDA). Determined values ranged from below limit of quantification up to 36.19 mg/100 mL with lowest values in tomato juice and the highest in carrot juice. Although these values seems to be low, the consumption of only one serving of juice per day (250 mL/day) could substantially contribute to estimated average requirements while some of them contribute to daily requirements completely.

The aim of this study was to determine total phenolic (TP) content in breast meat of chickens fed with feed mixtures enriched with various amounts of propolis and/or bee pollen. This study was conducted on 200 Ross 308 chickens divided into five groups (control group i.e. group C fed with feed mixture and four experimental groups i.e. groups E1-E4 fed with feed mixtures supplemented with propolis and/or bee pollen, each supplement separately or in combination in a certain proportion). In breast meat samples the TP content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Mean values of TP content (mg GE/g) in all groups were: 78.52±13.73 (C) ; 95.32±10.55 (E1) ; 87.42±16.84 (E2) ; 92.94±14.67 (E3) ; 88.56±9.82 (E4). The study showed statistically significant differences between group C and group E1 (p=0.007) and between group C and group E3 (p=0.020). It was concluded that addition of combination of propolis and bee pollen as well as addition of high concentration of propolis to feed mixtures enabled the largest incorporation of phenolic compounds in chicken breast meat. Such innovative technological solution in broilers feeding enables the production of healthier meat that can be considered functional food.

Spirit drinks produced by distillation of fermented fruits, often aromatised with various additives, like herbs, spices, fruits or nuts are traditional food products of South East Europe. Besides ethanol, spirit drinks contain a number of volatile congeners whose concentration and composition varies based on the fruit used for fermentation as well as on fermentation type, distillation and storage conditions. Characterisation of volatile compounds in spirit drinks is important for determination of spirit type but also for quality evaluation. Volatile profile of 17 spirit drinks from Herzegovina area was determined using gas chromatography with flame-ionisation detector (GC-FID). Following volatile components were analysed: ethanol, methanol, propan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol and ethyl acetate. Identification of separated compounds was performed based on the retention time and quantification using internal calibration method. 7 samples had ethanol concentration, expressed as alcoholic strength by volume, below 37.5 %, therefore were not in compliance with regulations. All analysed samples had methanol concentration in line with prescribed value ; pear spirit samples had significantly higher methanol concentrations (793.50 and 815.82 g/hL a.a., respectively) compared to the other analysed spirits (4.42 – 361.36 g/hL a.a.). From other analysed volatile compounds, highest average concentration of 3-methylbutan-1-ol was obtained. Having in mind that more than a half of the analysed samples were from domestic production and not intended for sale but personal use, as well as the fact that consumers preferences dictate final characteristics of spirit drink, results obtained in this study indicate production of spirit drink with low alcoholic strength by volume in Hercegovina area.

Introduction and objective: Milk and dairy products are an important source of many nutrients that are known to have many beneficial effects on human health. On the other hand, milk and dairy products can cause allergies and intolerances. Allergy is caused by milk proteins that lead to immune reactions, while intolerance is caused by the milk sugar, lactose, due to reduced activity of enzyme lactase which digests it. To avoid the unpleasant symptoms, lactose intolerant persons can consume fermented milk products that are known to have reduced lactose content. The aim of this study was to determine the content of lactose in commercially available fermented dairy beverages by HPLC method and to assess their adequacy in diet of lactose intolerant persons. Methods: Altogether 21commercially available type of fermented milk products was analysed of which 13 were plain yogurts, while remaining 8 belonged to the group of functional products. Lactose content was determined by HPLC method. Lactose detection was achieved by refraction index detector and its quantification by external standard method. Results: Lactose content of analysed products ranged from 2.65 g/100 g up to 4.05 g/100 g in plain yogurts, and from 2.61 g/100 g up to 4.63 g/100 g in functional products. Conclusions: Based on determined lactose content and a presumption that most of lactose intolerant persons can digest up to 6 g of lactose on a daily basis without obvious symptoms it is assessed that daily acceptable amount of the analysed products ranges from 130 to 230 g.

Estimation of honey freshness and storage conditions usually includes determination of 5- (hydroxymethyl)furan-2-carbaldehyde (HMF) content. Maximal HMF content in honey is prescribed by the regulations dealing with honey quality. Therefore, it is important to use proper methods for its determination. The aim of this study was to compare two official methods prescribed by International Honey Commission for determination of HMF content in honey (chromatographic (HPLC) method and spectrophotometric method after White). Method performances were estimated through linearity, precision and accuracy. Later, comparison of methods was performed on 13 honey samples (5 black locust and 8 chestnut honey samples). The results showed that both methods are fit for purpose and comparable within the evaluated range.

Health-promoting properties of royal jelly are known for many years and the scientific evidences are increasing every day. Many of them are attributed to the presence of (2E)-10-hydroxydec-2-enoic acid (10-HDA) in royal jelly. The content of this fatty acid, present only in royal jelly is considered as royal jelly freshness and adulteration indicator. A few years ago, guidelines for royal jelly quality specifications are proposed but till today, there is neither international standard for royal jelly quality nor harmonised method for 10-HDA content determination. Chromatographic (HPLC) method with photo-diode array (PDA) detection was validated and used for determination of 10-HDA content in royal jelly samples. 10-HDA identification was performed based on the retention time and comparison of 10-HDA absorbance spectrum of royal jelly samples with spectrum of standard, while internal standard method was used for quantification. Method validation was assessed through linearity, precision and accuracy and found to be fit for purpose. 10-HDA content determined in five fresh royal jelly samples ranged from 1.56 % to 3.78 %. The guidelines for royal jelly quality specifications proposed a lower limit of 10-HDA to 1.0% and based on the obtained results, the samples used in this study can be considered fresh and genuine.

Uvod: Mlijeko i mliječni proizvodi su važan izvor mnogobrojnih hranjivih tvari koje imaju različite pozitivne utjecaje na zdravlje ljudi. Istovremeno, mlijeko i mliječni proizvodi mogu izvazvati nepoželjne reakcije, a najzastupljenije među njima su alergije i intolerancije. Alergijska reakcija na mlijeko i mliječne proizvode uzrokovana je proteinima mlijeka koji izazivaju imunološku reakciju, dok je intolerancija uzrokovana mliječnim šećerom, laktozom, koji oboljeli uslijed nedostatka enzima laktaze ne mogu probaviti. Kako bi izbjegli neugodne simptome intolerancije na laktozu, a bez isključivanja mlijeka i mliječnih proizvoda iz prehrane, osobe s intolerancijom na laktozu mogu konzumirati manje količine mliječnih proizvoda za koje je poznato da imaju smanjeni sadržaj laktoze. Cilj: Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je odrediti udio laktoze u komercijalnim fermentiranim mliječnim napitcima te procijeniti u kojoj mjeri su ovi proizvodi prikladni za prehranu osoba s intolerancijom na laktozu. Metode: Analiziran je ukupno 21 tip komercijalno dostupnih fermentiranih mliječnih napitaka od kojih su 13 bili obični jogurti dok je ostalih 8 pripadalo u skupinu funkcionalnih napitaka. Udjel laktoze određen je primjenom HPLC metode. Detekcija laktoze provedena je primjenom detektora indeksa loma, a kvantifikacija primjenom metode vanjskog standarda. Rezultati: Udio laktoze u analiziranim uzorcima običnog jogurta kretao se od 2, 65 g/100 g do 4, 05 g/100 g, dok je u funkcionalnim proizvodima raspon bio 2, 61 - 4, 63 g/100 g. Zaključak: Temeljem utvrđene količine laktoze u analiziranim uzorcima i pretpostavke da većina osoba s intolerancijom na laktozu može dnevno unijeti do 6 g laktoze bez poteškoća procjenjeno je da osoba intolerantna na laktozu bez nepoželjnih posljedica može konzumirati 130 - 230 g fermentiranih mliječnih proizvoda.

HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde) is primarily used as honey quality parameter indicating processing and storage conditions of honey. HMF is cyclic aldehyde which is formed in honey during the acid-catalysed degradation of hexoses (fructose or glucose) and/or degradation of 3-deoxyhexulose by the Maillard reactions. It is practically absent in fresh honey, but its concentration tends to rise after heating and storage of honey. The aim of this study was to compare two official methods prescribed by International Honey Commission for determination of HMF content in honey (chromatographic (HPLC) method and spectrophotometric method after White). Linearity range was confirmed for both methods up to 10 mg/L. HPLC method was more accurate (recovery 99-103% compared with 90-91% for spectrophotometric method) while spectrophotometric method showed better precision regarding repeatability of sample preparation (RSD 3.45% compared with 5.52% for HPLC method). Measurement repeatability obtained by repeated measurements of same solution was comparable for both methods. Comparison of methods was performed on 13 honey samples (8 chestnut and 5 black locust honey samples), and the results showed that methods are comparable within the evaluated range.