Aflatoxins are the most widespread mycotoxins primarиly produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus, infecting grains during storage, spices, nuts, milk and animal feed. Even in low concentrations, they are highly toxic. Major forms of aflatoxins include B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1. Mammals that ingest AFB1 contaminated food eliminate amounts of the main hepatic metabolite known as milk toxin or aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) via milk. The incidence of contamination of aflatoxin in maize, feed mixtures, milk and cheese samples collected from Serbian producers was investigated by using the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. In this study, a total of 22 samples of maize, 25 samples of feed mixtures, 284 samples of raw, pasteurised and UHT milk and 20 samples of cheese were examined in 2021. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was quantified in 3 samples (13.6%) of maize, at levels ranging from 2.45μg/kg to 48.31μg/kg and 12 samples (48%) of feed mixtures at levels ranging from 2.04 μg/kg to 21.48 μg/kg. On the other hand, AFM1 was quantified in 51 samples (17.90%) of milk at levels ranging 0.02 μg/kg to 0.26 μg/kg and 15 samples (75%) of cheese at levels ranging from 0.15 μg/kg to 0.46 μg/kg. In the Republic of Serbia, maximum limit of AFB1 in maize used for livestock is 30 μg/kg and for feed mixtures for dairy cows is 5 μg/kg. On the other hand, maximum limit of AFM1 in milk is 0.25 μg/kg. Maximum limit of AFM1 in cheese is not set. These results suggest the obvious presence of AFB1 in maize and the fact that number of feed mixture, milk and cheese samples contaminated with aflatoxins is not negligible. The occurence of aflatoxins in raw milk and comercially available milk is one of the most serious problems, as milk is a key source of nutrients for infants and young children. There­fore, continuous monitoring over milk is necessary as well as further research and risk analysis on AFM1 presence in cheese.

Listeria monocytogenes je oportunistički patogen sa sposobnošću da preživi i raste u ekstremnim uslovima okruženja. Iako se listerioza retko javlja, infekcije izazvane ovim patogenom povezuju se sa visokom smrtnošću, posebno kod imunokompromitovanih grupa stanovništva. Ključne karakteristike L. monocytogenes su otpornost na niske temperature, sposobnost formiranja biofilma i razvijena antimikrobna rezistencija. U ovom radu analiziraju se mehanizmi adaptacije i otpornosti, biosinteza i uloga biofilma, kao i globalna prevalenca rezistentnih sojeva, uz akcenat na njihove posledice po bezbednost hrane i javno zdravlje.

The most significant parasites of honey bees and bee brood that may threaten colony health and honey production in Europe are the causative agents of tropilaelaps infestation, varroosis, and aethinosis. Special attention has been drawn to the change in the epidemiological situation during 2024, namely the emergence of tropilaelaps infestation. The genus Tropilaelaps spp. (particularly T. mercedesae and T. clareae) are ectoparasites of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), originating from South and Southeast Asia. Historically, Europe was long considered free of these parasites, while most of the attention was directed toward Varroa destructor. However, in the past decade, the range of Tropilaelaps spp. has expanded towards the Black Sea basin and the European part of Russia, prompting enhanced epizootiological surveillance and risk assessment for the European Union (EU). The earliest confirmed findings in Europe are linked to Tropilaelaps mercedesae in the Krasnodar and Rostov regions of the Russian Federation, where populations have been documented at least since 2021, representing the closest confirmed hotspot to the borders of EU member states and Eastern Europe (www.anses.fr). In Crimea, during the period 2021-2023, the European Reference Laboratory for Bee Diseases reported a "suspected" presence of Tropilaelaps spp., without official WOAH notification or peer-reviewed publications, while similar unconfirmed reports were noted in Belarus, where this parasite is considered a risk but not yet confirmed (www.anses.fr). In Georgia, in the Samegrelo- Upper Svaneti region, T. mercedesae was detected in 2023 with official confirmation in 2024, which epidemiologically connects this area to the European part of Russia and increases the pressure on the eastern borders of European beekeeping (sitesv2.anses.fr). On the other hand, no EU member state has reported the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. up to 2025, and the EU is still considered free of these parasites, although national and European institutions maintain enhanced surveillance due to the proximity of confirmed foci (apiculture.com; AGES; National Bee Unit). Tropilaelaps spp. (T. mercedesae) are ectoparasites developing inside sealed brood cells, where they infest honey bee larvae and pupae, feeding on their hemolymph. After emerging, females quickly move to new brood cells, enabling rapid and intensive parasite proliferation within the colony. Infestation leads to deformities, weakened brood development, and potential colony collapse. Aethina tumida (small hive beetle, SHB) is a beetle whose larvae feed on honey, pollen, and bee brood, causing comb destruction, honey fermentation, and endangering the entire colony. Adult females lay eggs inside the hive, and larvae, after completing development, leave the hive to pupate in the soil. Although not a direct parasite of bees, A. tumida causes severe secondary damage and can lead to colony collapse. The occurrence of A. tumida was first officially confirmed on September 5, 2014, in the Calabria region of Italy - in a single apiary near a seaport. Later the same year, the parasite was also confirmed in Sicily (Chauzat et al., 2017). In Calabria, A. tumida became endemic, whereas in Sicily outbreaks were brought under control through eradication measures (Cepero et al., 2014). Additionally, in July 2022, A. tumida was detected on Réunion Island (French overseas territory), in an apiary located in the southern part of the island. The European Reference Laboratory for Bee Diseases issued guidelines in 2015 for SHB surveillance in EU member states, noting that outbreaks in Calabria and Sicily were under control, and describing eradication protocols and colony destruction practices to prevent further spread. Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite of honey bees that feeds on the hemolymph of larvae, pupae, and adult bees. It reproduces in sealed brood cells, and adult females survive on bees, facilitating parasite transmission between colonies and apiaries. This species is widespread across Europe and represents one of the main causes of colony weakening and losses, as it provides entry points for numerous honey bee viruses. In order to prevent the occurrence and spread of parasitic bee and brood diseases, it is necessary to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and implement timely control measures in the Republic of Serbia, particularly in relation to the spread of Tropilaelaps spp.

Sažetak rada Meso divlje svinje se zbog svog niskog sadržaja ukupne masti i holesterola, ali i poželjnog odnosa zasićenih i nezasićenih masnih kiselina smatra namirnicom poželjne nutritivne vrednosti. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se utvrdi promena hemijskog i masnokiselinskog profila mesa divlje svinje, tokom perioda čuvanja od 6 meseci pri temperaturi od -18°C. Isptivanja su vršena od 0-og do 180-og dana, na svakih 30 dana u jednakim vremenskim intervalima. AOAC (2021) je korišćen za utvrđivanje sadržaja vlage, masti, proteina i pepela u mesu, kao i suve materije u mesnom soku otpuštenom pri odmrzavanju. Determinacija masnih kiselina izvršena je na gasnom hromatografu (GC6890N, Agilent Tech., USA). Sadržaj sirovih proteina, nije se značajno menjao (od 22,3% do 18,97%), kao ni ukupan sadržaj intramuskularne masti. Smatra se da je idealan sadržaj ukupne masti svežeg mesa između 2 i 3%, koji je u ovde ispitivanim uzorcima bio niži (~1,8%). Usled zahteva potrošača za "nemasnim" mesom ova karaktersitika se može oceniti kao poželjna, najre po pitanju uticaja na zdravlje ljudi, čija procena je zasnovana je na sadržaju pojedinačnih masnih kiselina. U ispitivanim uzorcima ukupne zasićene i hiperholesterolemične masne kiseline rastu tokom perioda skladištenja, dok sadržaj nezasićenih masnih kislina i hipoholesterolemičnih opada. Najveći porast koncentracije, zabeležen je kod stearinske kiseline (P<0.05), koja se smatra neutralnom, ali i miristinske kiseline, kojoj se pripisuje najveći potencijalni štetni efekat na kardiovaskularni sistem, usled porasta nivoa holesterola u krvnoj plazmi. Najzastupljenija od svih utvrđenih masnih kiselina bila oleinska kisleina (41,8% i 38,3%, 0-og i 180-og dana istim redom), čija koncentracija opada tokom perioda čuvanja (P<0.05). Promene zastupljenosti pojedinačnih masnih kiselina i njihovih grupa mogu ukazivati na smanjenje nutritivne vrednosti proizvoda sa dužinom čuvanja, ali se one ne mogu smatrati znatnim sa aspekta lipidnog statusa mesa.

Anisakid nematodes are important foodborne hazards in marine fish, but molecular data from imported seafood examined within the Serbian official control system remain scarce. This study characterized anisakid and related ascaridoid molecular profiles in parasite material recovered during official examination of imported marine fish and fishery products. Seventy-four selected molecular test records were analysed by multiplex PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. Specific amplification was obtained in 55 records (74.3%). The predominant result was an Anisakis simplex sensu lato/A. pegreffii hybrid-like multiplex-PCR banding profile (39 records), followed by A. pegreffii (8), Contracaecum osculatum (6), and Anisakis typica (2); Anisakis taxa accounted for 89.1% of positive records. Hake (Merluccius spp.) predominated among records with known fish identity, although record-level positivity was similar in hake and mackerel (Scomber spp.). Spain accounted for most records with a known origin, while positivity and profile distributions were descriptively comparable with other known origins. Multiplex-PCR banding profiles provide a useful complement to routine parasitological examination and baseline descriptive information for surveillance of anisakid-related hazards in imported seafood in Serbia; however, the assay alone cannot confirm hybrid genotypes or parasite viability. The findings describe selected laboratory molecular-test records and do not constitute estimates of anisakid prevalence in imported fish.

Bee-collected pollen (BCP), due to its valuable nutrient content, is considered a natural food suitable for human consumption. On the other hand, it should be noted that the rich nutritional value of BCP is also relevant in the context of potential contamination with fungal secondary metabolites, such as mycotoxins. In this study, a total of 26 pollen samples were collected from different locations in order to investigate the potential presence of mycotoxins. All BCP samples were obtained from beekeepers who produce pollen for further commercialization. The analyzed mycotoxins included ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisins (FUMs), which were measured by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The obtained results indicated the presence of at least three toxins in all samples. AFB1, OTA, and ZEN were detected above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in all samples, whereas T-2 and HT-2 were below the LOQ in five samples and DON in four samples. FUMs were below LOQ in all samples. Due to the significant content of AFB1 determined in all samples, there is a potential risk for future consumers, demanding constant monitoring as well as improvement of BCP production.