To investigate into the T-2 and HT-2 toxin occurrence, 240 samples of unprocessed cereals (maize, wheat, barley, and oats) were sampled from different fields located in three Croatian regions during 2017–2018. In all samples, sum concentrations of T-2/HT-2 toxin were determined using the ELISA method, while the LC-MS/MS was used as a confirmatory method for both mycotoxins in positive samples (>LOD) and the establishment of T-2 over HT-2 toxin ratios. The results showed oats to be the most contaminated cereal, with T-2/HT-2 toxins detected in 70.0% of samples, followed by barley (40.9%), maize (26.8%) and wheat (19.2%), with the mean T-2/HT-2 ratio ranging from 1:2.7 in maize to 1:4.4 in oats. Sum T-2/HT-2 concentrations in two maize samples were higher than the indicative level recommended by the European Commission, necessitating subsequent investigations into the conditions under which these poorly investigated mycotoxins are produced. Statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of T-2/HT-2 toxin were determined in oats throughout study regions as compared to those found in wheat, but not maize and barley, while the concentrations of these mycotoxins were related to the regional weather in Croatia.

The aim of this study was to identify and compare surface mycobiota of traditional and industrial Croatian dry-fermented sausage Kulen, especially toxicogenic species, and to detect contamination with mycotoxins recognized as the most important for meat products. Identification of mould species was performed by sequence analysis of beta- tubulin and calmodulin gene, while the determination of mycotoxins aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA), and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) was carried out using the LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) method. The results showed a significantly higher number of mould isolates and greater species (including of those mycotoxigenic) diversity in traditional Kulen samples in comparison with the industrial ones. P. commune, as a potential CPA-producer, was the most represented in traditional Kulen (19.0%), followed by P. solitum (16.6%), which was the most represented in industrial Kulen samples (23.8%). The results also showed that 69% of the traditional sausage samples were contaminated with either CPA or OTA in concentrations of up to 13.35 µg/kg and 6.95 µg/kg, respectively, while in the industrial samples only OTA was detected (in a single sample in the concentration of 0.42 µg/kg). Mycotoxin AFB₁ and its producers were not detected in any of the analysed samples (<LOD).

Characterization of five types of traditional Croatian dry-fermented sausages produced by family farms was performed via identification of superficial mycobiota, physicochemical, sensory, instrumental color, fatty acids & fat quality indices. Detailed characterization of these sausages aimed to achieve standardization of their production and composition and to establish and/or improve their specification protocols. Traditional sausages varied significantly (p < 0.05) in all analyzed parameters except for the number of mold isolates. Sausages coming from eastern Croatia had a greater mold species diversity, with the highest number of isolated mycotoxigenic species in Slavonian domestic sausage. Sensory evaluation showed good acceptability of all sausages. According to health recommendations, Kulenova Seka showed the most representable values for most of fat quality indices. The results suggest the need for certain modifications in fat & fatty acid composition and, to a lesser extent, in salt content, however not at the expense of product safety, quality and acceptability.

Wild animals represent a constant source of Trichinella spp. infections for domestic animals and humans. To date, four species of Trichinella have been isolated in wild boar populations in Europe: T. pseudospiralis, T. spiralis, T. britovi and T. nativa, in addition to several mixed infection types and one hybrid formation between T. britovi and T. spiralis. Meanwhile, insufficiently thermally processed wild boar meat has been reported to be a source of trichinellosis in humans in several European countries. In Croatia, there have been no reported or proven cases of trichinellosis caused by wild boar meat consumption. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of Trichinella species present in Croatia and to anticipated the potential risk of infection for humans in specific Croatian regions based on information obtained over an eight-year surveillance period. A veterinary inspection of wild boar carcasses for Trichinella larvae in Croatia has been mandatory since 1989, and the artificial digestion method was introduced as a compulsory test for wild boar samples in 2008. Based on the official data submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Veterinary Services, in the period 2010–2017, 303 of 183,184 (0.17%) wild boar meat samples tested positive for Trichinella spp. Infected wild boar were found in 18 of 21 counties. Of these positive samples, 85 were submitted by the authorised veterinary inspectors to the National Reference Laboratory for further examination. The intensity of infection in muscle samples was 0.04–152.66 (mean: 23,37) larvae per gram, and Trichinella species were identified as T. spiralis, T. britovi, T. pseudospiralis and T. spiralis + T. britovi. Genetic analysis of T. pseudospiralis isolates demonstrated their belonging to the Palaearctic population.

This research aimed to investigate the effect of the addition of wet brewers’ spent grains (BSG) on the microbiological safety, and physicochemical and sensory attributes of “bijela krvavica” during seven-day storage at 4 °C. The addition of BSG to the samples of “bijela krvavica” statistically significantly (p < 0.05) affected the mass share of proteins and fat and increased the mass share of water. Increasing the mass share of BSG in “bijela krvavica” did not have a statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect on the mass share of collagen, or on the pH value and a_w. Instrumentally determined lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) showed a decrease with the increase in mass share of wet BSG. Texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters hardness and chewiness also showed a decrease with the increase in BSG share (w = 0–9%) with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The overall liking of “bijela krvavica” samples showed the highest scores for the control sample, while 3% added BSG was rated as second best with no significant difference (p < 0.05). According to the consumer-generated sensory attributes (CATA) scoring, samples with 6 and 9% addition of BSG were described with attributes considered undesirable for meat products, such as “wheaty”, “pale color”, and “poor mouthfeel”. Also, the LogCFUg⁻¹ of enterobacteria, sulfite-reducing clostridia, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes were not affected. The data obtained in this research indicate the possibility of producing safe “bijela krvavica” sausages with wet brewers’ spent grains without major changes in the physicochemical and sensory properties.

The aim of this study was to determine quality parameters of Croatian traditional meat products (TMPs) via the analysis of their sensory and nutritive parameters, including physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile, mineral content, and amino acid composition. Over 2020 and 2021, a diverse collection of 242 dry-fermented sausages and dry-cured TMPs from various rural households was assessed. Sensory evaluations highlighted their satisfactory qualities, with moderate salinity and a unique taste profile characterized by a slight bitterness, with low sweetness and sourness levels. Detailed analyses revealed significant differences (p<0.05) across samples in key parameters such as water activity, pH, moisture, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and NaCl content, as well as in the fatty acid profile and mineral content, underscoring the diversity and richness of these products. Amino acids such as alanine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, and proline were present in high amounts in all samples, largely varying in their content within the same product type. The findings underscore the high quality and distinctiveness of Croatian TMPs, attributed to varied recipes and production techniques across different regions, suggesting the potential for standardization and further quality enhancement. Despite the presence of saturated fats and salt, the nutritional value of these TMPs, marked by high protein content and essential minerals, aligns with health-conscious consumer trends, presenting an opportunity for increased global appreciation of these artisanal products. The positive results from the sensory analysis underscore the TMPs' ability to align with consumer taste preferences, thereby affirming their reputation as a national delicacy. This could represent a promising direction for future research, focusing on the refinement of production and marketing strategies to attract a global audience, especially those with a preference for health-conscious and traditional culinary options.