Search

This study aims to obtain data on terrestrial radioactivity coming from naturally occurring (40K, 226Ra, 232Th, and 238U) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in surface soil (0-10 cm) of selected eighteen public-access urban areas in Kruševac city, Serbia, and to assess the corresponding health effects for citizens using those areas for recreational purposes. The specific activities of investigated radionuclides were analyzed using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean specific activity of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 238U, and 137Cs was found to be 353, 39.8, 38.9, 41.0, and 5.9, respectively, in compliance with their values in other parts of Serbia and neighboring countries reported in similar researches. To evaluate the human health risk associated with radionuclides, conservative exposure assumptions and models recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency were employed taking into account three exposure routes: ingestion, inhalation of soil, and external irradiation. The absorbed gamma dose rate in the air due to natural radionuclides in soil was calculated. The calculated indices suggested that the radiation risk arising from natural and artificial radionuclides was not significant. The total excess lifetime cancer based on the 95 % upper confidence limit of the specific activities mean was calculated to be 5.89?10–6, lower than the tolerable risk for regulatory purposes (10–4). Among investigated radiation exposure pathways, external exposure was the most contributing one for the health risk. The results obtained for the city's parks and playgrounds suggested their safe use for recreational purposes from the radioecological point of view.

The health safety of honey includes the correctness in terms of the presence of different contaminants, which also implies the antibiotic residue. The presence of antibiotics in honey is prohibited, and methods of food analysis are prescribed in order to reliably determine antibiotics in food. In this paper the application of ELISA tests for determination of selected antibiotics and sulfonamides in honey is shown. The possibility of using four ELISA tests for the analysis of tetracyclines, streptomycines, chloramphenicol and sulfonamides was examined. Each test was evaluated after application on honey samples spiked with standard solution of a particular analyte. Samples were prepared according to the instructions of the ELISA test manufacturer referring to honey. Results of investigation of all ELISA tests, except for sulphonamides, have shown satisfactory accuracy (73-111%) and precision (14-16%). Recovery for sulfametoxypyridazin was low (40%), and for low tetracycline concentration was somewhat higher than acceptable (139%). The detection limits were in accordance with the limits given by the ELISA kit manufacturer and are also satisfactory in relation to the requirements of the legislation (0.075-3 μg/kg). The test kits can be used to screen the presence of tetracycline, chloramphenicol and streptomycin in the honey, taking into account the obtained validation parameters.

A total of 14 diverse herbal teas were examined, including: yarrow, basil, St.John’s wort, peppermint, horsetail, nettle, thyme, corn silk, hibiscus, marshmallow, chamomile, rosehip, heather and wild mint. The samples were prepared using the method of microwave digestion, and measurements were performed by the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Cd, Hg, Pb, As, Sb); atomic absorption spectrometry (Mg); emission flame photometry (Ca, K, Na) and spectrophotometry (P). Intervals of variation (mg/kg) for macroelements were: Ca (2738-35399); P (1545-6264); Mg (1647-7816); Na (293-10629) and K (9683-33985), and for toxic elements: Cd (0.014-0.645); Hg (

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]

Mycotoxins, as secondary metabolic products of molds, are common contaminants of raw feed materials and compound feeds. Depending on the agro-meteorological and storage conditions, molds can contaminate grains and produce mycotoxins in the field, before and after harvest and during storage. Way of preventing animal mycotoxicoses and transfer of mycotoxins to humans through food chain is regular inspection on mycotoxicological feed safety. This paper presents the results of examination of aflatoxin, ochratoxin and zearalenone in 89 samples tested under laboratory conditions during a one year period. The analyses of types of samples, contamination, and their origin demonstrated the need for preventive control of mycotoxin content, primarily in grains. The results of testing the content of aflatoxin in milk indicate the existence of risks to human health. In order to protect humans and animals from mycotoxicological contamination, we propose the use of the system hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP), which has been proved to be an effective strategy in food safety control. The basic principles of HACCP approach in the production of feed and foodstuffs, as well as the compliance and harmonization of legislations with those in the European Union, in the field of mycotoxicological tests, are the best prevention against mycotoxin effects on health and economy. Implementation of HACCP system currently presents one of the basic preconditions for the export of our products and their placement on the European market.

The content of selenium in basic broiler diets was 50 ± 10, 100 ± 10, 150 ± 10 and 250 ± 10 μgkg-1. At day 14, 28 and 42 tissue samples were collected. Dynamics and selenium deposits in blood, liver, muscle and heart were estimated in relation to the level of dietary selenium and age of broilers. When broilers were fed with diet containing 250 μgkg-1 Se, at day 42 the highest concentration of Se was in liver (570.8 ± 44.1 μgkg-1), blood (430.3 ± 46.5 μgL-1) and heart (237.5 ± 42.8 μgkg-1). At day 14, increase of dietary selenium content from 50 μgkg-1 to 250 μgkg-1 was followed by decrease of selenium deposits in heart: when broilers were fed with basic diet containing 50 μgkg-1 Se measured content of Se in heart muscle was 49.8 ± 15.6 μgkg-1 (99.6%) while in broilers fed with basic diet containing 250 μgkg-1 Se measured content of Se in heart was 147.2 ± 33.4 μgkg-1 (58.9%), respectively. The point of saturation as well as maximal concentration of selenium in liver was reached in period between fourth (556.7 ± 40.6 μgkg-1) and sixth (570.8 ± 44.1 μgkg-1) week of age. Also, feeding with basic diet containing 250 μgkg-1 Se the selenium blood level reached 162.8 ± 28.9 μgL-1 already at day 14 that represent 65.1% of dietary selenium.

This study aimed to measure the total arsenic content deposited in the ovaries of three consecutive generations of mice. The animals were treated with two different concentrations to determine whether histological changes were caused in the ovaries. The control group of mice received tap water, whereas the experimental groups were given different concentrations of dissolved arsenic (III)-oxide. The arsenic content in the ovaries in both experimental groups increased with each generation. The highest content was recorded in the third generation of the second experimental group. Between the two experimental groups in each generation, significant differences in the average number of corpora lutea and ovarian follicles were identified. Arsenic caused structural changes in the ovaries in both experimental groups in all three consecutive generations.

Depending on the age and production category, cattle show different sensitivity towards certain mycotoxins. Microflora of the rumen degrades to a different degree and inactivates mycotoxins. In the work are presented the most important mycotoxicoses of cattle caused by fungal metabolites from the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Poisoning of cattle in our area is most often caused by Zearalenone, Dioxinivalenol, T-2 toxin, Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin, but in the work are also presented Fumonisin B1 and B2. The work also describes preventive possibilities and protection of animal health from the effects of mycotoxins.

Fish meat and fish products are usually considered as healthy foods, mostly because of their content of unsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on human health. On the Serbian market, fish and shellfish are commonly present as fresh, frozen and canned, but not regulating and monitoring the existence of high levels of different chemical hazards can lead to human health problems. The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the contamination of fish and their products from the Serbian market with regard to the most significant chemical hazards. The following contaminants are considered: lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, copper, iron and zinc representing heavy metals and metalloids; endrin, aldrin, dieldrin, lindane, endosulfans, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its derivatives as the most significant organochlorine pesticides and; benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene and chrysene as four priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH4). Bearing in mind that there is no food, including fish and fish products, that does not contain harmful substances and various hazards, there is a need at national and lower

In this study, we evaluated the cumulative effects of arsenic (III) oxide on the number of mouse offspring over three consecutive generations and monitored changes in levels of the reproductive hormones, oestradiol and progesterone in female mice during the dioestrus phase of the cycle. The control group received water from the mains. In two experimental groups, mice were given drinking water containing dissolved arsenic (III) oxide at concentrations of 10.6 mg L−1 and 106 mg L−1, respectively. These concentrations represent the values converted from a human model to an animal model (mice) thus correspond to the arsenic content of the groundwater in the southern part of the Pannonian Basin, in the province of Vojvodina, in the Banat region, in particular in the town of Zrenjanin. The average number of newborn mice in both experimental groups decreased for three consecutive generations. The total arsenic content of day-old mice did not show significant differences between the experimental groups. Arsenic (III) oxide affected the reproductive hormone levels of female mice at both concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of purified slaughterhouse wastewater in carp ponds, and the use of wastewater from the pond for the irrigation of agricultural fields, was the basis for the construction of an integrated system of agricultural production as a sustainable solution for the food and fish production industries. The negative side of such integrated production systems is the concern related to the safety of fish meat produced in such a system. The aim of this research was to determine the concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in the wastewater from the slaughterhouse, in the pond water and sediment, in the carp tissue and in the water leaving the pond, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated system and the safety of the produced fish. Sampling was carried out in spring and autumn. The mean concentrations in all water samples (µg/L) were: As (12–125), Cd (0.12–4.2), Hg (1.14–14.21), Pb (<0.1–17.2), Cu (<0.1–44.6), Fe (17.02–425.2) and Zn (2.91–186.2), with the highest numbers in the wastewater, where it was above the prescribed limit values for the wastewater discharged from the slaughterhouses into natural recipients in both samplings. The efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant for heavy metals and metalloids was very high, in the range of 87% to 98%. The water from the pond corresponded to class 3 in terms of the concentration of heavy metals and metalloids both in spring and autumn, and can be used freely for breeding cyprinid fish species. The water from the irrigation canal corresponded to class 2/3 and can be used for irrigation. The mean concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in the sediments (mg/kg) were: As (3.00–4.88), Cd (0.16–0.96), Hg (0.21–1.47), Pb (0.77–2.29), Cu (49.60–60.90), Fe (3.94–5.32) and Zn (92.8–115.20). The content of heavy metals in different organs of carp differed significantly depending on the season. The trend of heavy metal accumulation in common carp muscles in spring was: Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Hg > Cd > As, and in autumn: Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > As > Cd > Hg. Metal concentrations in the examined fish samples were far below the WHO guidelines. It can be concluded that carp produced in a pond supplied with purified wastewater from the slaughterhouse industry, in terms of the concentration of residues of the tested heavy metals and metalloids, is safe for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast, simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with refractive index detection (RID) was optimized and validated for the quantification of lactose in milk and dairy products. The method showed good linearity with determination coefficient 0.9975. The limit of detection was 0.04 mg/mL, and the limit of quantification 0.12 mg/mL. The relative standard deviations for repeatability were 4.00 and for reproducibility 4.98 in reference material, while in different tested matrix the relative standard deviations for repeatability were in range 2.58‒6.51. Average efficiency value was 97%. The applicability of the method was confirmed by its application in different samples. The presence of this sugar was not detected (lower than 0.1%) in the samples of milk and yogurt labelled as lactose-free, as well as in parmesan, cheddar, gouda and trappist cheese samples. In various dairy products the measured lactose content had values from 0.493±0.026% in home-made rolled cheese to 4.42±0.180% in cooking sour cream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb were determined in fifteen sunflower honey samples collected from 9 locations in the Republic of Serbia during 2019. The elements were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean levels of elements (mg kg-1) in all sunflower honey samples were as follows: 0.004 for As, 0.003 for Cd, 0.077 for Ni and 0.051 for Pb. The mercury content in all honey samples was below the detection limit of the applied method (< 0.001 mg Hg kg-1 honey). The lead level in all the examined honey samples was below maximum permissible value (0.10 mg kg-1). The highest values of elements (mg kg-1) were: 0.096 for Pb (in Kanjiža), 0.025 for As (Kikinda sample), 0.008 for Cd (Senta) and 0.125 for Ni in the honey originating from Svrljig. None of the 5 toxic elements analysed exceeded the maximum permissible level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)