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Postupci uzorkovanja za mikrobiološku analizu hrane mogu utjecati na krajnji rezultat mikrobiološke pretrage. Uzorkovanje trebaju provoditi educirane i stručne osobe; pribor i oprema za uzorkovanje moraju biti sterilni; uzorak koji se uzorkuje mora biti reprezentativan, što znači da mora predstavljati jednu seriju ili lot proizvoda iz koje je uzet. Vrlo je važno uzorkovati dostatnu količinu uzorka koja je dovoljna za mikrobiološku analizu. Transport uzoraka do laboratorija i početak pretrage mora se provesti u što kraćem vremenu uz poštivanje temperaturnog režima. Sa svim se uzorcima treba postupati tako da bi se izbjeglo bilo kakvo oštećenje ambalaže. Uzorci moraju biti propisno upakirani te pravilno označeni. Osoba u poslovanju s hranom sam određuje učestalost uzorkovanja hrane, vode i površina koje dolaze u dodir s hranom koja je definirana planom samokontrole, a nadležna tijela kontroliraju provedbu propisanih planova. Osim uzorkovanja tijekom samokontrole koje provode osobe u poslovanju s hranom u Republici Hrvatskoj postoje i službene kontrole koje su propisane od nadležnih tijela u Republici Hrvatskoj, a to je Uprava za veterinarstvo i sigurnost hrane Ministarstva poljoprivrede.

Kvasci su česti zagađivači mliječnih proizvoda, međutim, koriste se i kao starter kulture za poboljšavanje svojstava finalnog proizvoda. Njihova prisutnost u povećanom broju može prouzročiti nepoželjne promjene mliječnih proizvoda, kao što su neugodan miris, okus i izgled. Klasična identifikacija kvasaca na temelju morfoloških i biokemijskih svojstava spora je i nepouzdana. Cilj rada bio je identificirati kvasce iz 30 uzoraka mlijeka i svježeg sira te ustvrditi pripadaju li izolirani kvasci u poželjne ili nepoželjne vrste, odnosno predstavljaju li potencijalni rizik po zdravlje ljudi. Izolirani kvasci identificirani su sekvenciranjem D1/D2 regije gena 28 S rRNK. Dobivenim sekvencama ustvrđeno je da izolirani kvasci pripadaju vrstama: Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon coremiiforme, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Trichosporon ovoides, Pichia kudriavzevii, Issatchenkia orientalis, koje se smatraju kvascima zagađenja te Debaryomyces hansenii vrsti koja se može koristiti i kao starter kultura. S obzirom da kvasci nisu termorezistentni mikroorganizmi, trebali bi biti uklonjeni tijekom pasterizacije, no u tradicionalnom načinu proizvodnje sira mlijeko se termički ne obrađuje, stoga je povećan rizik od pojavnosti kvasaca u finalnom proizvodu. Izolirane se vrste vrlo često nalaze i u okolišu i/ili na ljudima, odnosno životinjama. Stoga se nameće zaključak kako se glavnina kontaminacije kvascima događa kao posljedica neadekvatne higijenske prakse.

Salmoneloza je jedna od najučestalijijh zoonoza koja se prenosi hranom, a najčešći izvor zaraze za ljude je kontaminirano meso i prerađevine od mesa peradi. Tijekom petogodišnjeg razdoblja od 2016. do 2020. godine provedeno je istraživanje tijekom kojeg je na Salmonellu spp., pretraženo 2457 uzoraka pilećeg mesa koje je uzorkovano u klaonicama i mesnicama na području Međimurske, Varaždinske, Koprivničko- križevačke, Bjelovarsko-bilogorske i Zagrebačke županije. Salmonella spp. je izdvojena iz 136 (5,5 %) obrađenih uzoraka. Godine 2016. ustvrđena je u 5 (6 %) pretraženih uzoraka, 2017. godine u 41 (4,7 %) uzorku, 2018. godine u 33 (6,1 %) uzorka, 2019. godine u 26 (6,6 %) uzoraka i u 2020. godini u 31 (5,4 %) uzoraka. Serološkom tipizacijom S. Infantis je identificirana u 86 (63,2 %) izdvojenih izolata; S. Typhimurium u 8 (5,9 %) izolata; a S. Enteritidis je tipizirana u 3 (2,2 %) izdvojena izolata. Tipizirani su i slijedeći serovarovi salmonela: S. Corvallis - 5 izolata (3,7 %), S. Isaszeg - 5 izolata (3,7 %), S. Derby- 3 izolata (2,2 %), S. Give - 2 izolata (2,2 %), S. Indiana - 2 izolata (2,2 %), i po 1 izolat 7 (5,1 %) serovara (S. Schwarzengrund, S. Goldcoast, S. Chester, S. Bredeney, S. Mbandaka, S.Newport, S. Saintpaul). U 15 (11 %) izolata tipizacija nije izvršena. S. Infantis je tijekom svih godina bila najčešće potvrđeni serovar. Salmoneloza predstavlja znatan gospodarski problem zbog šteta u intenzivnoj proizvodnji, ali i kao zoonoza koja se mesom i mesnim prouzvodima od mesa peradi širi na ljude. Provedbom odgovarajućih higijenskih mjera i dobre higijenske prakse od peradarskih farmi i klaonica do prodajnih mjesta moglo bi se doprinijeti manjoj kontaminaciji pilećeg mesa različitim serovarovima Salmonella spp., Salmonellosis is one of the most important food-borne zoonoses, and the main sources of infection for humans are contaminated meat and poultry meat products. During the five- year period from 2016 to 2020, 2457 samples of poultry meat were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. Samples were obtained from slaughterhouses and butcher shops in five counties: Međimurje, Varaždin, Koprivnica- Križevci, Bjelovar-Bilogora and Zagreb. Salmonella spp. was isolated from 136 (5.5%) pro- cessed samples during the study. In 2016, it was isolated in 5 (6%) of the tested samples, in 2017 in 41 (4.7%) samples, in 2018 in 33 (6.1%) samples, in 2019 in 26 (6.6%) samples, and in 2020 in 31 (5.4%) samples. The most common identified serovar was S. Infantis in 86 (63.2%) isolates, followed by S. Typhimurium in 8 (5.9%) isolates, and S. Enteritidis in 3 (2.2%) isolates. The following salmonella serovars were also identified: S. Corvallis - 5 isolates (3.7%), S. Isaszeg - 5 isolates (3.7%), S. Derby 3 isolates (2.2%), S. Give - 2 isolates (2.2%), S. Indiana - 2 isolates (2.2%), and 1 isolate each of 7 (5.1%) serovars (S. Schwarzengrud, S. Goldcoast, S. Chester, S. Bredeney, S. Mbandaka, S. Newport, S. Saintpaul). No identification was confirmed in 15 (11%) isolates. S. Infantis was the most common serovar during the study period. Salmonellosis is a significant economic problem due to damages in intensive produc- tion, but also as a zoonosis that can spread to humans through meat and poultry meat prod- ucts. In identified isolates of Salmonella spp., the serovar S. Infantis dominated in chicken meat, which has been confirmed in earlierresearch in Croatia and other EU countries. Implementing appropriate hygiene measures and good hygiene practices from poultry farms and slaughterhouses to shops could contribute to lower contamination of chicken meat with different serovars of Salmonella spp.

There has been a growing interest in traditional dairy (such as raw milk cheeses) and meat products, in recent years. However, these products are suitable and nutrient medium and may be easily contaminated by microorganisms such as Enterobacteriaceae. Enterobacteriaceae are considered to be the indicator bacteria for microbiological quality of food and hygiene status of a production process. Additionally, the food contaminated by Enterobacteriaceae poses a microbiological risk for consumers. In fact, the contamination of raw milk and meat by Enterobacteriaceae amid manufacturing may easily occur from various environmental sources, and this group of bacteria is frequently detected in dairy and meat products. Therefore, monitoring the microbiological quality of the used raw material and maintaining high standards of hygiene in the production process are mandatory for a high quality of traditional products and the safety of the potential consumers. The goal of this review is to present the most recent survey on Enterobacteriaceae growth, number, and distribution in raw milk cheeses and meat, as well as to discuss the sources of contamination and methods of control. • Enterobacteriaceae: role and importance in milk and meat products, EU legal regulations • Dynamics, distribution, and survival of Enterobacteriaceae in milk and meat • Mechanisms of control of Enterobacteriaceae in dairy products

Kampilobakterioza je zoonoza koja se na ljude prenosi sa životinja i proizvoda životinjskog podrijetla, a prouzroči ju bakterija iz roda Campylobacter. Kampilobakteri su sveprisutni mikroorganizmi te ih možemo naći u svim vrstama mesa i proizvodima od mesa, sirovom mlijeku i mliječnim prerađevinama, rjeđe u jajima te u kontaminiranoj vodi. Kampilobakterioza je učestalija ljeti jer više temperature pogoduju rastu uzročnika ove bolesti. Tijekom ljetnog razdoblja (lipanj, srpanj, kolovoz) 2020. godine u tri klaonice sakupljeno je 60 uzoraka kože vratova tovnih pilića koji su pretraživani na bakterije iz roda Campylobacter. Od ukupnog broja pretraženih uzoraka, 28 (46,67 %) uzoraka bilo je iznad granične vrijednosti (1000 cfu/g) prema Uredbi (EU) 2017/1495, u 21,67 % određen je broj Campylobacter spp., ispod granične vrijednosti, a u 19 uzoraka je rezultat bio, Campylobacteriosis is a zoonosis transmitted to man from animals and products of animal origin, caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. Campylobacters are ubiquitous microorganisms that can be found in all types of meat and meat products, raw milk and dairy products, less frequently in eggs, and in contaminated water. Campylobacteriosis is more frequent in summer since the higher temperatures stimulate the growth of the causative agent of this disease. During summer 2020 (June, July, August), 60 samples of the skins of broiler necks were collected in three slaughterhouses and tested for Campylobacter bacteria. Of the total number of samples tested, 28 (46.67%) were inconsistent (> 1000 CFU/g), Campylobacter spp. was proven in 21.67% of samples, though at lower concentrations < 1000 CFU/g, and 19 samples did not contain Campylobacter spp. All samples were processed according to the standard method for detecting the presence and determining the number of Campylobacter spp. Considering the pathogenicity of bacteria belonging to the genus Campylobacter, thermal treatment of food, water disinfection, prevention of cross contamination, and hygiene of food preparation areas are of paramount importance to ensure food safety. Implementation of biosecurity measures and monitoring for the prevalence of campylobacters are necessary in slaughter houses to reduce the frequency of occurrence of this zoonosis.

Različite zarazne bolesti tijekom povijesti imale su dubok utjecaj na čovječan- stvo. Njihova pojava uništila je i devastirala cijela područja, uzrokovala broj žrtava koji je osjetno nadrastao i one u ratovima, a nakon pojave takvih bolesti mijenjao se i tijek povijesti. Najvažnije zarazne bolesti poznate su i zapisane u najranijim poznatim zapisima, od postanka svijeta bile su pratitelj ljudskoga roda, velik je njihov utjecaj na razvoj, patnju i smrt koju su tijekom stoljesa uzrokovale u ljudi. Boginje spadaju u najsmrtonosnije i najstrašnije virusne bolesti s kojima se su- očilo čovječanstvo. Pandemija španjolske gripe iz 1918. godine je najvesi globalni demografski po- tres koji je svijet ikada doživio. Jedna od najvažnijih transmisivnih (vektorskih) bolesti koje prenose komarci, a uzročnik su protozoe, jeste malarija. Uši prenose uzročnika pjegavog tifusa, rovovske groznice i rekurentne (povratne) groznice. Kugu u prirodnim žarištima prenosi štakorska buha i je- dna je od najopasnijih bakterijskih bolesti. Stalni pratilac stradanja, nesrese i patnje ljudi tijekom ratovanja bio je pjegavi tifus. Mnoge ljudske sudbine bile su povezane s tuberkulozom, ona je odu- vijek bila neizostavni dio života zajednice. Lepra je jedna od najstarijih i najstrašnijih bolesti. Bila je sinonim za stigmatizaciju i diskriminaciju zbog velikih deformacija na tijelu. Sifilis je stalni i neželjeni suputnik čovječanstva ves više od 400 godina. Od prve pojave, sifilis je bila stigmatizirana, sramotna bolest. Suvremena povijest kolere započela je 1817. godine. Kolera uzrokuje tešku klini- čku bolest uz ljudsku patnju i paniku, a narušava društvenu i gospodarsku strukturu te razvoj zajed- nice gdje god se pojavi. Vidljivo je da su kroz čitavu povijest zarazne bolesti imale znatan utjecaj na razvoj i prosperitet čovječanstva. Povijest ljudskog roda zabilježila je mnoge važne ratove i bitke, ali možda su se najvese bitke vodile, a mnoge se još vode, upravo protiv zaraznih bolesti.

Different contagious diseases had huge impact on the society during the history. Their appearance destroyed and devastated whole teritories, caused number of victims which drastically surpassed the ones in wars, and after the appearance of such disease the whole path of the history changed. The most important contagious diseases are known and written in the earliest known records, from the beginning of the world they were humans` companion, their impact on the development, suffer and death is huge during hundreds of years. Smallpox belong to the most deadly and the scariest viral diseases faced by humanity. Pandemic of Spanish flu from 1918 is the biggest global demographic earthquake that the world has ever experienced. One of the most important transmisive (vector) mosquito-borne diseases, caused by protozoa, is malaria. Lice transmit the causer of typhus fever, trench fever and recurrent fever. Plague in natural habitats transmits rat flea and it is one of the most dangerous bacterial diseases. Typhus fever was a constant companion of the distress, accidents and suffering of the people during wars. Many faiths of people were connected with tuberculosis, it was always an unavoidable part of living community. Leprosy is one of the oldest and scariest diseases. It was a synonym for stigmatization and discrimination because of big deformations on the body. Styphilis is constant and unwanted companion of humanity for more than 400 years. Since its first occurance, styphilis was stigmatisized, disgraceful disease. Contemporary past of cholera began in 1817. Cholera causes difficult clinical diseases followed by humans pain and panic, and disrupts social and economic structure and develompent of the society wherever it occurs. It is visible that throughout the whole history, contagious diseases had huge impact on development and prosperity of the humanity. Throughtout the history, humans had many important wars and battles, but perhaps the biggest ones were fought, and many of them are still fighting, against the contagious diseases.

Kvasci su česti zagađivači mliječnih proizvoda, međutim, koriste se i kao starter kulture za poboljšavanje svojstava finalnog proizvoda. Njihova prisutnost u povećanom broju može prouzročiti nepoželjne promjene mliječnih proizvoda, kao što su neugodan miris, okus i izgled. Klasična identifikacija kvasaca na temelju morfoloških i biokemijskih svojstava spora je i nepouzdana. Cilj rada bio je identificirati kvasce iz 30 uzoraka mlijeka i svježeg sira te ustvrditi pripadaju li izolirani kvasci u poželjne ili nepoželjne vrste, odnosno predstavljaju li potencijalni rizik po zdravlje ljudi. Izolirani kvasci identificirani su sekvenciranjem D1/D2 regije gena 28 S rRNK. Dobivenim sekvencama ustvrđeno je da izolirani kvasci pripadaju vrstama: Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon coremiiforme, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Trichosporon ovoides, Pichia kudriavzevii, Issatchenkia orientalis, koje se smatraju kvascima zagađenja te Debaryomyces hansenii vrsti koja se može koristiti i kao starter kultura. S obzirom da kvasci nisu termorezistentni mikroorganizmi, trebali bi biti uklonjeni tijekom pasterizacije, no u tradicionalnom načinu proizvodnje sira mlijeko se termički ne obrađuje, stoga je povećan rizik od pojavnosti kvasaca u finalnom proizvodu. Izolirane se vrste vrlo često nalaze i u okolišu i/ili na ljudima, odnosno životinjama. Stoga se nameće zaključak kako se glavnina kontaminacije kvascima događa kao posljedica neadekvatne higijenske prakse., Yeasts are a common contaminant of dairy products, but they can also be used as a starter culture to improve the characteristics of the final product. Their presence in an increased number causes undesirable changes in dairy products, such as an unpleasant appearance, acrid smell and foul taste. The classical identification of yeasts based on morphological and biochemical properties is slow and unreliable. The aim of this study was to identify isolated yeasts from 30 dairy products, and to determine if they belong to desired or undesirable species. Isolated yeasts were identified by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the gene 28S rRNA. The obtained sequences determined that the isolated yeasts belong to the species: Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon coremiiforme, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Trichosporon ovoides, Pichia kudriavzevii, Issatchenkia orientalis, which are considered contaminants, and Debaryomyces hansenii, a species that can be used as a starter culture. Since yeasts are not thermoresistant microorganisms, they should be removed during pasteurization. However, milk is not heat-treated in traditional cheese-making production, thus increasing the risk of yeast in the final product. These isolated species are very often found in the environment and/or on humans and animals therefore, it can be concluded that the majority of yeast contamination occurs as a result of inadequate hygiene.

U sjeverozapadnoj Hrvatskoj meki svježi sir se tradicionalno proizvodi po nepisanoj recepturi od sirovog kravljeg mlijeka. Mlijeko predstavlja idealan supstrat za rast i razmnožavanje brojnih mikroorganizama, mnogih uzročnika zoonoza pa tako i vrste Y. enterocolitica. Tijekom naših istraživanja pretraženo je 159 uzoraka, od toga 109 uzoraka sirovog kravljeg mlijeka i 50 uzoraka svježeg kravljeg sira i vrhnja. Y. enterocolitica izdvojena je iz 2 (1,8 %) uzorka sirovog mlijeka. Od 50 uzoraka mliječnih proizvoda (sir i vrhnje) u 16 (32 %) njih je dokazana E. coli, u 12 (24 %) uzoraka S. aureus te u 1 (2 %) uzoraka L. innocua. Osim njih u 15 (13,8 %) uzoraka sirovog mlijeka i 24 (48 %) uzoraka svježeg sira i vrhnja izdvojene su enterobakterije, a biokemijski su identificirane vrste: S. marcescens, S. liquefaciens, M. morganii, C. freundii i C. braakii. Bakterije iz roda Salmonella i L. u istraživanim uzorcima nisu dokazane. Nakon provedene biokemijske identifikacije, dva soja identificirana kao vrsta Y. enterocolitica pretraženi su na molekularnoj razini, molekularnom pretragom potvrdni rezultat dobiven je rezultat samo kod jednog uzorka, što je usporedivo s rezultatima drugim istraživanja. Zbog zahtjevne identifikacije bakterijske vrste Y. enterocolitica, kombiniranom primjenom uzgojnih i molekularnih metoda dobivaju se pouzdaniji i brži rezultati identifikacije. Sirovo mlijeko i vrhnje od sirovog mlijeka izvor su patogenih mikroorganizama (E. coli i S. aureus) i drugih enterobakterija, a našim istraživanjem dokazali smo i patogenu bakterijsku vrstu Y. enterocolitica koja predstavlja potencijalni rizik za zdravlje potrošača i u Republici Hrvatskoj. Y. enterocolitica je znatno otporna na procese u proizvodnji hrane (dezinfekcija, niski pH, salinitet, preživljavanje u hladnijim uvjetima) te u budućnosti zahtijeva veću pažnju i nadzor u proizvodnji hrane., In northwestern Croatia, soft fresh cheese is produced using traditional, unwritten recipes of raw cow milk. Milk is an ideal substrate for the growth and reproduction of numerous microorganisms, many zoonotic agents and the species Y. enterocolitica. In this study, 159 samples were tested: 109 samples of raw cow milk and 50 samples of fresh cow cheese and cream. Y. enterocolitica was detected in 2 (1.8%) samples of raw milk. E. coli was detected in 16 (32%) of 50 samples of dairy products (cheese and cream). S. aureus was detected in 12 (24%) samples and L. innocua in 1 (2%) sample. Additionally, 15 (13.8%) samples of raw milk and 24 (48%) samples of fresh cheese and cream also harboured enterobacteria, identified biochemically as: S. marcescens, S. liquefaciens, M. morganii, C. freundii and C. braakii. Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were detected in any of the samples. After the biochemical identification, two strains identified as Y. enterocolitica were examined at the molecular level, and the molecular test confirmed the result in only one sample, which is comparable to the results of other studies. Due to the demanding identification of the bacterial species Y. enterocolitica, the combined application of breeding and molecular methods produces more reliable and faster identification results. Raw milk and crude milk cream are a source of pathogenic microorganisms (E. coli and S. aureus) and other enterobacteria, while this study also found the presence of the pathogenic bacterial species Y. enterocolitica, presenting a potential consumer health risk in the Republic of Croatia. Y. enterocolitica is considerably resistant to food production processes (disinfection, low pH, salinity, survival in cold conditions) and deserves greater attention and supervision in food production in the future.

Zbog svoje široke rasprostranjenosti i otpornosti na različite nepovoljne uvjete rasta i razvoja, bakterija L. monocytogenes smatrasejednimodnajznačajnijihpatogena prenosivih hranom. Tijekom naših istraživanja bakteriološkom pretragom L. monocytogenes dokazana je u 28 (2,48 %) od 1129 pretraženih uzoraka hrane i okoliša proizvodnih pogona. Izdvojena je iz 8 (3,48 %) uzoraka mesa i mesnih prerađevina, iz 4 (9,30 %) mlijeka i mliječnih prerađevina, iz 2 (9,52 %) uzorka povrća, voća i proizvoda od voća i povrća i iz 14 (1,68 %) uzoraka okoliša proizvodnih pogona. Svi izdvojeni izolati (28 izolata) i 14 bakterijskih kultura dostavljenih na potvrdu, nakon provedene identifikacije poraslih kolonija primarnim identifikacijskim testovima, potvrđeni su VITEK2 sustavom i real-time PCR metodom. U rutinskoj mikrobiološkoj analizi hrane za određivanje prisutnosti patogena koriste se priznati standardizirani protokoli uz propisane hranjive podloge. Prednosti primjene brzih metoda za identifikaciju L. monocytogenes kao što je real-time PCR metoda su dobivanje brzih i pouzdanih rezultata koji omogućuju subjektima u poslovanju s hranom brzu i učinkovitu reakciju u slučaju onečišćenja. Dobiveni rezultati našeg istraživanja pokazuju kako se molekularne metode poput real-time PCR-a mogu primjenjivati u analizi patogena iz različitih vrsta uzoraka., Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread bacterial species resistant to a wide range of unfavourable growth conditions, and therefore is considered to be one of the most important food-borne pathogens transmitted to humans. In this study, L. monocytogenes was detected in 28 (2.48%) of 1129 analysed food and environmental samples: 8 (3.48%) samples of meat and meat products, 4 (9.30%) samples of milk and dairy products, 2 (9.52%) samples of fruits, vegetables or fruit- or vegetable-based products, and in 14 (1.68%) environmental samples from food processing facilities. After conducting identification of growth colonies using primary identification tests, all isolates (28 samples) and 14 samples of bacterial cultures delivered for confirmation were confirmed for the presence of L. monocytogenes using the VITEK2 system and real-time PCR method. During routine microbiological analysis of food, pathogen detection is tested using the accepted standard protocols with the prescribed culture media. Fast methods for the detection of L. monocytogenes, such as real-time PCR, provide quick and reliable results, allowing food business operators to make a quick and efficient reaction in the case where contamination is detected during self- monitoring. The study results indicate that molecular methods, such as real-time PCR, are applicable for pathogen detection in different types of samples.

Cilj rada je istražiti mikrobiološku kvalitetu uzoraka meda, uzorkovanih na području sjeverozapadne Hrvatske. Tijekom 2018. godine uzorkovano je ukupno 40 uzoraka različitih vrsta meda te je provedena analiza aerobnih mezofilnih bakterija, bakterija iz porodice Enterobacteriaceae, sulfitreducirajućih klostridija te kvasaca i plijesni prema kriterijima Vodiča za mikrobiološke kriterije za hranu. Od ukupnog broja pretraženih uzoraka, prisutnost kvasaca utvrđena je u 25,0% uzoraka meda, dok je u 27,5% uzoraka utvrđena prisutnost plijesni u koncentraciji od 10 do 100 cfu/g. Na izdvojenim izolatima plijesni koji su bili nesukladni u odnosu na preporučeni kvantitativni kriterij (10 cfu/g), provedena je daljnja identifikacija, čime je u uzorcima meda utvrđena prisutnost sedam rodova plijesni: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Mucor, Acremonium, Paecylomyces i Pestalotiopsis. Iako se rodovi plijesni izdvojeni u ovom istraživanju smatraju čestim onečišćivačima pčelinjih proizvoda, njihova prisutnost upućuje na nužnost proizvodnje sukladno pravilima dobre pčelarske prakse uz sustavno provođenje mikrobiološke kontrole meda i drugih pčelinjih proizvoda., The aim of this study was to examine the microbiological quality of honey sampled in the northwest region of Croatia. During 2018, a total number of 40 honey samples were taken and analysed for the number and/or presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, sulphite- reducing clostridia, yeasts and moulds, according to Croatian National Guidelines on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. Out of the total number of analysed honey samples, the presence of yeasts was noted in 25% of the samples, whereas moulds were determined in 27.5% of the samples, ranging from 10 to 100 cfu/g. Isolated moulds that were unsuitable according to the recommended quantitative criterion (10 cfu/g) were singled out and subjected to further identification, whereby seven genera of moulds were recovered: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Mucor, Acremonium, Paecylomyces and Pestalotiopsis. Although the majority of moulds isolated in this study are common contaminants of bee products, their presence indicates the need for production according to the guidelines for good beekeeping practices with systematic microbiological controls of honey and other bee products.

In this study, quality of well water used for cattle watering on farms in the northwest Croatia was investigated. The following microbiological parameters were analysed: total coliforms, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, the number of microorganism colonies at 37 ° C and 22 ° C, Clostridium perfringens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physico-chemical analysis included following parameters: colour, taste, odour, pH, chlorides, sulphates, nitrites, nitrates, sodium, potassium, ammonium, free chlorine, iron and the consumption of KMnO4. Among 34 samples analysed, 79.4% were microbiologically, 61.8% were chemically and 94.1% of the samples were in total unsuitable according to the Croatian water quality regulations (OJ 125/2013, 141/2013, 128/2015).

Honey is an important food supplement in the human diet because of its nutritional quality. Therefore, honey should be safe for human consumption. The purpose of this research was to evaluate physicochemical and microbiological properties of 64 honey samples. The physicochemical analysis (water content, hydroxymethylfurfural, electrical conductivity and diastase activity) showed that 95.31% of samples meet Croatian and European standards. Microbiological quality of tested samples was considered good with no pathogenic bacteria detected. In 34.38% of the samples, the yeast and mold count exceeded the limit established by legislation. The presence of yeasts was noted in 17 samples varying from 18 to 1300 CFU/g, whereas mold count ranged from 18 to 182 CFU/g. The study revealed that out of six genera of molds recovered, Cladosporium was the most frequent, followed by Alternaria, Penicillium, Mucor, Aureobasidium, and Stachybotrys. Considering that the majority of molds identified in this study are commonly found in bee hive environment and in digestive tract of honey bees, it can be concluded that the mold contamination of honey in this study derives mainly from primary sources. The presence of Stachybotrys sp. is an indicator of contamination that comes from secondary sources.