Given that the global shark meat market is poised to grow in future years, the aim of this study was to use DNA sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2) mitochondrial genes to examine the market of shark meat products in Italy. This made it possible to analyze patterns of species utilization and commercialization of threatened, endangered and/or prohibited species, focusing on fraudulent activities in the shark food chain in order to propose seafood safety and environmental sustainability solutions. The study shows that the labeling of shark meat products generally lacks comprehensive information, thus making it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and fails to comply with European Union (EU) legislation regarding seafood labelling. Molecular investigation reveals a high mislabeling rate (45.4%), highlighting widespread use of cheaper species either in order to replace species that are better known and more popular, or else in order to sell various threatened species. Considering that seafood mislabeling can circumvent the management of sustainable fisheries and facilitate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the routine use of genetic analysis should be encouraged among control and enforcement agencies in order to implement effective management measures. This would help to build a species-specific reporting system for all catches, and enhance control measures, in order to prevent illegal activities connected with shark catches and trade around the world.

Sixty Charolais male beef cattle of eight months of age were divided into two groups according to the slaughtering method, i.e., traditional or Kosher (religious Jewish rite). The aim of the study was to detect and compare the plasma concentrations of cortisol and catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine), by Elisa and HPLC test. These four stress indicators were evaluated during three different stages of each animal productive life: on the farm (step 1), after transportation (step 2) and during bleeding (step 3). The patterns of the parameters measured were similar and, interestingly, revealed significant changes throughout the three steps considered. The greatest variation between the two methods of slaughtering was observed in step 3, where we found a statistically significant difference with all the parameters except epinephrine. In the animals slaughtered by the religious rite, cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine were 68.70 ± 30.61 nmol/L; 868.43 ± 508.52 ng/L; 3776.20 ± 1918.44 ng/L; and 4352.20 ± 3730.15 ng/L, respectively, versus 45.08 ± 14.15 nmol/L; 513.87 ± 286.32 ng/L; 3425.57 ± 1777.39 ng/L; and 3279.97 ± 1954.53 ng/L, respectively, in the other animals. This suggests that the animals slaughtered by the Kosher rite are subjected to higher stress conditions at the exsanguination phase. The animals slaughtered by the religious Jewish rite showed lower cortisol and catecholamine levels on the farm (step 1) and after transportation to the slaughterhouse (step 2). This was likely because the animals selected at the end of step 1 by the Rabbis for the religious rite are usually the most docile and gentle.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is recognized as being the bioactive component responsible for the antibacterial activity of mānuka honey. MGO content was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), in isocratic elution, to assess the occurrence of this compound in mono- and multi-floral honey samples representative of different botanical and geographic origins in Italy. Specifically, 110 honey samples from sweet cherry tree (Prunus avium L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), almond tree (Prunus amygdalus L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), thistle (Silybum marianum L.), acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), citrus, honeydew and multifloral honey were considered. The amount of MGO found in different types of honey was ranging from 0.4 to 24.1 mg/kg. This study provides, for the first time, data on MGO levels in Italian cherry and almond honey, which showed higher concentrations of MGO compared to honeys from other botanical species.

The Ohrid trout (Salmo letnica) is an endemic species of trout found only in Lake Ohrid, in the Balkan republics of North Macedonia and Albania, where it is a species of significant economic and nutritional interest. Considering the importance of chemical risk assessment in fish for human consumption set out by European and international legislation and the risk of extinction of the Ohrid trout, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of Ohrid trout flesh for human consumption by determining the heavy metal concentration in different organs through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Heavy metal concentrations differed significantly in different organs (P < 0.001). The mean and range of Pb and Cr concentrations in muscle were lower than the permissible limits recommended for human consumption according to the European Union (EU), as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization, whereas the mean concentration and range of Cd in muscle tissue were above the critical limits for human consumption set by the EU and FAO, revealing inspection-related problems. Accordingly, S. letnica is not completely safe for human consumption. Therefore, the long-term assessment of heavy metal concentrations in Ohrid trout from Lake Ohrid is an important safety measure for fish consumers and will help assess the status of exploitation of this biological resource.