Zlata Kralik

Divlja svinja (Sus scrofa) stanovnik je većine lovišta u Republici Hrvatskoj. Mužjak divlje svinje naziva se vepar. Divlje svinje predstavljaju vrstu divljači s visokim potencijalom proizvodnje nutritivno kvalitetnoga mesa. Cilj istraživanja bio je analizirati profil masnih kiselina u mesu buta (m. biceps femoris) divljega vepra te izračunati kvalitativne i nutritivne indekse. Veprovi su odstrijeljeni u lovnoj sezoni ujesen 2024. na području zajedničkoga lovišta XIV/128 kojim gospodari Lovačko društvo Jarebica, Antunovac. Analiza profila masnih kiselina obavljena je na uzorku butnoga mišića 15 odstrijeljenih veprova. Iz rezultata analize profila masnih kiselina utvrđen je sadržaj ukupnih SFA, koji je iznosio 30,27 %, MUFA 25,74 %, ∑n-6 PUFA 42,13 % i ∑n-3 PUFA 1,86 %. Kvalitativni indeksi lipida izračunani iz profila masnih kiselina prikazuju omjer ∑PUFA/∑SFA, koji je iznosio 1,39, a ukazuje na smanjen rizik od kardiovaskularnih bolesti. Suprotno tome, omjer ∑n-6 PUFA/∑n-3 PUFA je vrlo visok, nepovoljan, i iznosi 22,40. Nutritivni indeksi u mesu buta divljega vepra su sljedeći: INV = 2,04; AI = 0,24; TI = 0,76 i HHI = 3,92. Iako je utvrđen vrlo širok, nepovoljan, omjer ∑n-6/∑n-3 PUFA u mesu buta divljega vepra, ostali nutritivni indeksi imaju dobre vrijednosti, te se stoga ovo meso može preporučiti kao korisna povremena alternativa mesu domaćih životinja. Prednost konzumacije mesa divljega vepra jest i specifična aroma, kao i neprisutnost aditiva.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different selenium sources on hematological parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in weaned piglets. Two hundred crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets were divided into four groups (n = 50) supplemented with different forms of selenium: control group (K; standard diet without selenium supplementation), organic selenium (P1), selenium from biofortified feeds (P2), and nano-selenium (P3). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 22, and 45 post-weaning. A significant effect of selenium supplementation was found for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.029) and platelet count (p = 0.049). Selenium source affected glutathione peroxidase in plasma (p = 0.003) and erythrocytes (p = 0.001), as well as carbonyl proteins (p = 0.001). At the same time, treatment × sampling time interactions were significant for glutathione peroxidase in plasma (p = 0.001) and carbonyl proteins (p = 0.001). Nano-selenium showed relatively consistent antioxidant enzyme activity over time. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values in different muscles increased significantly after 7 days in all analyzed muscles. A treatment effect was observed only in m. triceps femoris (p = 0.048), while a significant treatment × storage interaction was detected in m. intercostales sternales (p = 0.022). Although the time after weaning had a strong influence on the hematological parameters, selenium supplementation mainly modulated antioxidant parameters, while its effect on lipid oxidation was muscle-dependent.

Hrvatsko peradarstvo ima dugu tradiciju i dobru podlogu za daljnji razvoj, a obuhvaća gotovo sve oblike peradarske proizvodnje. Među njima su najvažniji proizvodnja pilećeg i purećeg mesa te konzumnih kokošjih jaja, koje prate moderne klaonice, prerada mesa te sortirnice jaja. Tu su i uzgoj i držanje roditeljskih jata, valionice, uzgoj pilenki te tvornice stočne hrane. Uzgoj ostalih vrsta peradi orijentiran je na sezonsku potrošnju i većim se dijelom provodi na obiteljskim poljoprivrednim gospodarstvima za vlastite potrebe. Zbog visoke nutritivne vrijednosti peradski su proizvodi značajni u prehrani stanovništva. Odlikuju se visokim sadržajem hranjivih tvari. Pogodni su za prehranu svih kategorija stanovništva. U proteklih se trideset godina hrvatsko peradarstvo susretalo s brojnim iskušenjima vezanima uz brojnost peradi i proizvodnju mesa i jaja. Nedostatak peradskih proizvoda redovito je kompenziran uvozom u svrhu optimalne opskrbe domaćeg tržišta. Zbog niske samodostatnosti u proizvodnji mesa i jaja za očekivati je značajniji razvoj peradarske proizvodnje u Republici Hrvatskoj.

Temperature is a major determinant of egg quality loss, but data for Banat Naked Neck hens are limited. This study evaluated 240 freshly laid eggs stored for 28 days at room temperature (RT, 20-22°C) or under refrigeration (RF, 4-6°C). Egg mass, shell deformation and breaking strength, shell weight and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units (HU), yolk colour, and albumen and yolk pH were measured on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28; preliminary screening for determine the total bacterial count, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes was also performed. The egg mass remained stable. Albumen height significantly dropped by 35.18% under RF and by 57.58% at RT when compared to the first and last day of the four-week storage period, while HU declined from 80 to 62 under RF and from 81 to 46 at RT (p < 0.05). Shell breaking, shell thickness and yolk colour showed no significant variation. Albumen pH increased to 9.14 under RF and 9.37 at RT (p < 0.05), and yolk pH increased more slowly yet followed the same temperature-dependent trend (p < 0.05). No target pathogens have been detected in either treatment to date. A gradual increase in total bacterial count was observed during the storage period, with a significant difference (p < 0.05) observed on day 28. Our results show the need for the perseverance of the intact cold chain and proper storage within the recommended shelf life to preserve the optimal quality and safety of eggs.

Chicken meat is a significant source of nutrients. It contains bioactive components that affect metabolic processes in the human body and have a positive effect on health. The modern diet pays attention to the content and properties of fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), i.e., PUFA n-6 and PUFA n-3, are important in human nutrition. This paper elaborates on the importance of chicken meat in human nutrition by putting emphasis on the intake of lipid components. It also explains PUFA n-6 and PUFA n-3 metabolism and highlights supplementation of animal diet as a way to enrich meat with PUFA n-3. Some authors recommend the health lipid indices to be used in the assessment of chicken meat quality with respect to the degree of fat saturation. Qualitative indices (PUFA/SFA, PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3, LA/ALA, and EPA+DHA), nutritional indices (AI, TI, hHI), and metabolic indices (EI, THI, Δ 9 desaturase and Δ-5+Δ-6 desaturase) are used in such assessment. When calculating the indices, certain saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered.

This paper investigates the profile of fatty acids, as well as qualitative (∑PUFA/∑SFA, ∑n-6 PUFA/∑n-3 PUFA, LA/ALA, EPA+DHA), nutritional (NVI, AI, TI, SI, hHI, HPI), and metabolic (EI, THI, ∆9-desaturase, ∆5+∆6 desaturase, KAI) indices in the table eggs obtained from four different producers (A, B, C, and D). For the purpose of this research, forty L-class eggs were bought in a grocery store. The eggs were produced on four farms in Croatia. The health-lipid indices were calculated on the basis of a fattyacid profile in egg yolks. The most favorable qualitative indices were determined in the lipids of D eggs, with an exception of the EPA+DHA indices. The most nutritional indices were more favorable in the eggs of group A than in the eggs of groups B, C, and D. The metabolic indices THI and EI were more favorable in the eggs of the A and B group, respectively, while the ∆9-desaturase and the ∆5+∆6 desaturase indices were more favorable in the eggs of group D. A correlation between the selected health-lipid indices was also established. A very strong positive correlation (r = 0.97) was determined between the quantitative lipid indices of the LA/ALA and the ratio of ∑n-6 PUFA/∑n-3 PUFA, while a very strong negative correlation was determined between the quantitative indices of ∑PUFA/∑SFA, ∑n-6 PUFA/∑n-3 PUFA, and LA/ALA and the metabolic indices of the 5+6 desaturase. An egg-group ranking based on all health indices resulted in the following value order: A = 42, B and D = 38, and C = 32.

Anthropogenic activities and rapidly increasing climate change have led to a significant loss of genetic diversity in domestic animals. Genealogical data have traditionally been used to monitor genetic diversity. However, due to dependency on pedigree completeness and significant errors that can occur in genealogical records, inaccurate estimation of population parameters, such as the inbreeding coefficient or effective population size, might occur. To reduce possible errors, it is necessary to combine genealogical data with molecular data. An integrated approach using genealogical and molecular data leads to the optimization of breeding programs while controlling the inbreeding that can occur within the population of domestic animals. Molecular techniques such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), or genome-wide association studies (GWASs) enable a detailed understanding of breed-specific genetic profiles and their use in conservation programs. In addition, molecular methods such as structural variation (SV) analysis and pangenome and epigenomic profiling provide a more comprehensive insight into genetic diversity. The conservation of genetic diversity is of particular importance for an autochthonous domestic breed due to its resilience to unfavorable climatic conditions, its specific productive traits, and its disease resistance. A combined approach of genealogical and molecular data helps to maintain genetic diversity and sustainable agricultural systems under evolving environmental challenges.

Lutein is one of the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of our organism. The majority of research focuses on the impact of lutein on eye health and its role as an antioxidant. Although fruits and vegetables are the most important sources of lutein, chicken eggs are considered an excellent and widely used source, necessitating the determination of lutein concentration in food. One of the methods for extracting lutein from various food samples is solvent extraction. Although it is one of the older methods and has disadvantages compared to instrumental methods, it is still widely used. In this investigation, the adapted AOAC method developed by Leeson et al. (used here as a standard method), was modified by adjusting the composition of the extraction solvent mixture in order to reduce the amount of toxic solvents used. The mixture of hexane:acetone:ethanol:toluene (10:7:6:7, v/v/v/v) was replaced with a mixture of methanol:acetone (1:1, v/v). The concentration of lutein extracted from the hens’ feed mixture was 52% higher compared to the method developed by Leeson et al. The suitability of the modified method was tested on two parallel samples, and the obtained recovery values were 95.68% and 98.38%, respectively. The influence of ultrasound on lutein extraction was examined, but the obtained concentration of lutein was 8.66% lower than the concentration determined by the modified standard method. The modified standard method was then used to determine lutein concentration in six hens’ feed mixture samples and eight food samples. The results obtained were in accordance with the data from the literature.

This paper investigates the influence of vegetable oils (sunflower oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO), and linseed oil (LO)) supplemented into broiler diets on the fatty acids profile and quality of lipids in breasts and thighs, expressed through qualitative, nutritional, and metabolic indices. Broilers of the Ross 308 hybrid were divided into three groups and fattened over 6 weeks. During the last three weeks of fattening, broilers were fed a finisher diet that differed in types of supplemented oil. Diets were balanced at the level of 19.80% crude protein and 13.5 MJ ME/kg of feed. Feed and water were offered to broilers ad libitum. Fatty acid profiles were determined in samples of broiler breasts and thighs, based on which lipids health indices were calculated. Quantitative indices (polyunsaturated fatty acids-∑PUFA/saturated fatty acids-∑SFA, ∑PUFA n-6/∑PUFA n-3, linoleic acid-LA/α-linolenic acid-ALA, and eicosapentaenoic acid-EPA+ docosahexaenoic acid-DHA) were influenced by the type of oil (p < 0.001), whereas the type of meat was only important for the index of ∑PUFA/∑SFA (p < 0.001). Nutritional indices (nutritional value index-NVI, atherogenicity index-AI, thrombogenicity index-TI, hypo/hypercholesterolemic index-hHI, health-promoting index-HPI) depended on both factors (p < 0.001). The metabolic indices (elongase index-EI, thioesterase index-THI, ∆9-desaturase, ∆5 + ∆6-desaturase, kinetic activity index-KHI) were significantly affected by the type of meat (p < 0.001), as well as by the feeding treatments (p < 0.05), except for the EI index. This research confirmed that oils supplemented into broiler feed influence the fatty acid profiles in broiler meat. It has also been confirmed that the fatty acid profile affects the lipid quality in meat, which may be beneficial for consumers’ health.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered important risk contributors for various diseases. Over the last few decades, increasing attention has been focused on the role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in human health and disease. We aimed to evaluate the effect of n-3 PUFA-enriched chicken meat consumption (~1500 mg of n-3 PUFAs intake per day) for three weeks on oxidative status and antioxidative capacity in young healthy individuals. This was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, in which thirty-nine young healthy people were randomly allocated to eating 500 g/day of regular chicken meat (Control group) or n-3 PUFA-enriched chicken meat (n-3 PUFAs group) over 3 weeks. Subjects’ biochemical parameters, including serum lipids level, liver enzymes, serum activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), serum oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric-reducing ability (FRAP)), as well as intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were assessed before and after completing the three-week dietary protocol. N-3-enriched chicken meat consumption significantly reduced high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) serum level and increased the level of the antioxidant defense marker, FRAP. Furthermore, GPx and SOD enzyme activities significantly increased in the n-3 PUFAs group compared to baseline, which was accompanied by significantly decreased ROS production. In healthy young individuals, the 3-week dietary intake of n-3 PUFA-enriched chicken meat significantly increased the serum total antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, indicating that n-3 PUFAs may be protective in resting health condition without inflammatory processes.