Scientific journal "Meat Technology"

Determination of macro- and microelements in mechanically separated meats from different countries of origin and used in the Serbian meat industry

Jasna Đinović-Stojanović — 2024-08-02

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), calcium (Ca) content is one of the major control parameters for mechanically separated meat (MSM), as this element is an indicator of residual bone in the product. In the current study, the levels of Ca, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in MSM from different countries (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, North Macedonia, Sweden, Denmark and Germany) were determined. Samples were gathered from different meat processing facilities in Serbia. The levels of the six elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The distribution of the elements in MSMs was examined by applying principal component analysis (PCA). The quality of the MSMs in relation to the Ca content was compared in line both with the Serbian and EU legislation. Furthermore, control of Ca in MSM as well as control of conditions during the process of machine separation meat from bones tissues or from poultry carcasses is necessary to avoid the intake of bones particles in MSM and consequently in meat products.

Levels and interactions of selected elements (Fe, Mn and Cu) in European hare tissue within different age classes from Serbian agricultural regions

Zoran Petrović — 2024-08-02

The contents of the essential elements, iron, manganese and copper, were determined in the kidney and liver of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The wild hares assayed were divided into five age classes ranging from 3 months to more than 36 months. The animals were collected during 2010/2011 from 21 different hunting terrains and originated mainly from arable and agricultural biotopes in Serbia. The mutual interactions of the met- als obtained from kidneys and livers of 157 individual hares in age groups were calculated. The mean levels of Fe, Mn and Cu (mg/kg, wet weight) registered in kidney (K) and liver (L) were: Fe (K) 103.3±42.1; Fe (L) 138.5±52.7; Mn (K) 1.75±0.66; Mn (L) 2.36±0.85; Cu (K) 3.32±0.62; Cu (L) 4.16±1.40. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the age groups with regard to the Fe, Mn and Cu contents in the kidneys and liver of brown hares (within the same organs). Statistically significant differences between levels in liver and kidney (between different organs) were registered in all age groups (in fa- vour of higher levels in the liver over the kidney) of hares, except for Fe contents in both or- gans in the age groups of 3–6 and 12 months. Correlations between the content of elements within the age groups were determined using the Pearson test for normal distributions. The correlation patterns between the essential elements in the hare liver and kidney showed both positive and negative significant correlations among some single or different elements with- in the same organ and among the elements between the two organs. Within age groups, we registered seven different statistically significant mixed associations (FeK-FeL, CuL-MnL, MnL-FeL, CuK-MnK, MnK-FeL, CuK-FeL, and CuL-FeL).

Effect of different protein sources (plant, cricket powder and microalgae) on the technological and functional properties and sensory characteristics of pork meatballs

Maria Momchilova — 2024-08-05

This study demonstrates the potential use of soy flour, spirulina powder, cricket powder, buckwheat flour and lupin flour as alternative protein sources in a minced meat product (meatballs) by comparing the reformulated meatballs with control meat-only samples. We analysed the use of the same amount of each of the selected protein sources on the technological and functional characteristics and the sensory perception of raw and cooked meatballs. Higher pH and better emulsion stability was observed in the soy flour, spirulina and cricket powder samples compared to the meat-only sample. In the texture profile, greater hardness and springiness of the samples made with buckwheat flour, soy flour and spirulina powder was found compared to the meat-only sample, but lesser values for the same parameters when cricket powder or lupin were added. The results obtained indicated that spirulina and cricket powder are promising ingredients for the innovative formulation of meat products and are suitable for application in a mixed design approach.

The influence of hunting region and deer species on the content of volatile compounds in deer meat

Marija Starčević — 2024-08-05

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of region (lowland vs. mountain region) on the content of volatile compounds of red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). A total of forty eight female carcasses of three species (16 red deer, 16 fallow deer, and 16 roe deer) were collected from lowland and a mountain region, so from each region, 8 red deer, 8 fallow deer, and 8 roe deer were col‑ lected. In our study, higher contents of the aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols responsible for off‑flavours of meat were found in our fallow deer meat than in red deer and roe deer meat. Moreover, in our study, region affected most of the content of aldehydes, heterocy‑ clic and phenolic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, and some ketones, alcohols, and esters. Higher content of volatile compounds responsible for off‑flavours was detected in mountain deer meat than in deer meat from the lowland region.

Examination of the volume and value of fish and fish products imports into Serbia from 2012 to 2021

Jelena Janjić — 2024-08-05

Serbia is partially supplied with fish from its own aquaculture and fishing, both com‑ mercial and recreational, which averaged 6.70 tons for the period from 2012 to 2021. The majority of fish in the market during the same period came from imports (an average of 34,090 tons). Out of the total catch of fish and fish products on the market in Serbia, 92.80% consisted of marine fish and seafood, while only 7.14% consisted of freshwater fish. The volume of imported sea fish and fish products followed this descending order: hake > tuna > seafood > canned fish > fish fillets > herring > sardines > mackerel > other seafood. Among freshwater fish, trout was the most commonly imported, followed by other species of fish and carp. The average total value of fish imports from 2012 to 2021 was €86.030 million, and the average import price of fish was €2.50/kg. With the import of fish and fish products, and fish from domestic production and catches, the fish market in Serbia was supplied with 41,270 tons of fish during the period studied, which means that the annual per capita fish consumption in Serbia was about 7 kilograms.

Influence of modified atmosphere packaging on the shelf life and quality of chilled common carp (Cyprinus carpio) steaks

Jelena Babić-Milijašević — 2024-08-05

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP1: 80% O2 + 20% CO2 and MAP2: 90% CO2 + 10% N2) on selected chemical and sensory attributes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) steaks stored at
3 ± 0.5 °C, and to establish the shelf life of the products. Samples were assessed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17. Carp steaks stored in a CO2‑enriched atmosphere exhibited lower pH values throughout the entire storage period than steaks in the other atmospheres. The increase in TVB‑N values followed this order: MAP2 < control < MAP1. From day 9 of storage, FFA contents were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in MAP2 fish compared to control and MAP1 fish. The presence of oxygen (in MAP1 and control fish) led to an elevation in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‑N) compared to fish packaged in the absence of oxygen. Based pri‑ marily on sensory, but also chemical parameters, it was determined that carp steaks packaged in modified atmosphere with 80% O2 + 20% CO2 remained acceptable for up to 15 days of storage, whereas carp steaks packaged under 90% CO2 + 10% N2, as well as carp steaks stored on flaked ice in air, remained unchanged until the end of the study (17 days) .

Use of attribute agreement analysis (AAA) in the validation of sensory evaluation methods: Case study for the visual determination of parasites in fish

Zoran Petrović — 2024-08-06

Validation of sensory evaluation employs a process similar to any other method vali‑ dation procedure in analytical chemistry. However, the parameters often measured in sensory testing are different, because the human sensory apparatus and brain are the instruments being calibrated. A total of 10 fish samples were examined by an expert 5‑member evaluation panel for the visual presence of parasites in frozen fish. From each frozen hake sample, a group of six slices of fish muscle was formed by longitu‑ dinal sectioning. The total of 60 sliced samples were divided into 10 plates with six samples each. The first plate contained six slices, each of which contained parasites. The attribute agreement analysis showed strong agreement in the overall ratings. It was found that at least 75% of all tests achieved the highest level of agreement. The results of the tests were presented in the form of tables and graphs summarizing the subjective test results using Fleiss’ Kappa and Cohen’s Kappa statistics.

Trend analysis of heavy metal contamination and arsenic levels in complete feed for fish and other complete animal feeds

Biljana Pećanac — 2024-08-06

The aim of this research was to analyse the levels of toxic heavy metals (Mercury, Lead and Cadmium) and a toxic metalloid (Arsenic) in fish feed and animal feed from Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period from 2013 to 2018. Data from the National Veterinary Inspection Sector were provided for this study (n=438). The mean levels of As, Hg, Pb and Cd in all fish feed samples were 0.90±0.50 mg/kg, 0.02±0.05 mg/kg, 0.42±0.70 mg/kg and 0.16±0.11 mg/kg, respectively. During 2013–2018, the mean levels of As, Hg, Pb and Cd in animal feed (other complete feed) were 0.42±1.22 mg/kg, 0.01±0.02 mg/kg, 0.75±2.18 mg/kg and 0.10±0.12 mg/kg, respectively. In animal feeds sampled between 2013–2018, mean annual Pb levels increased the most among the four elements studied. In contrast, mean annual As, Hg and Cd levels in animal feeds continuously decreased during the study period. The mean annual Pb level in fish feed decreased, but continuous increases were observed in mean annual Hg and Cd levels during the study. The results show that the levels of toxic elements in fish feed and animal feed require attention and deserve a high priority monitoring program, as most feeds complied with the regulated maximum allowed concentrations of As, Hg, Pb and Cd in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the European Union, but some did not.