Biogenic amines (BAs) are considered a potential microbiological toxicological hazard in aged cheese. Risk mitigation strategies include good hygiene practice measures, thermal treatment of milk and the use of competitive dairy cultures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of BAs—tryptamine, β-phenylethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine and spermine—in the core and rind of cheeses ripened by bacteria (n = 61) and by mold cultures (n = 8). The microbial communities were counted, and the dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were identified, corresponding to the BA concentrations. The total BA content was highest in the core of semi-hard cheeses (353.98 mg/kg), followed by mold cheeses (248.99 mg/kg) and lowest in hard cheeses (157.38 mg/kg). The highest amount of BAs was present in the rind of cheeses with mold (240.52 mg/kg), followed by semi-hard (174.99 mg/kg) and hard cheeses (107.21 mg/kg). Tyramine was the most abundant BA, represented by 75.4% in mold cheeses, 41.3% in hard cheese and 35% of total BAs in semi-hard cheeses. Histamine was present above the defined European maximum level (ML) of 100 mg/kg in only two semi-hard and three hard cheeses. High amount of BAs (above 600 mg/kg) in cheeses, mainly tyramine, were associated with the presence of Enterococcus durans, while negligible BA concentrations were found in cheeses ripened with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis or Lacticaseibacillus paracasei cultures. This study has shown that retailed cheese varieties produced with commercial bacterial or mold cultures have acceptable levels of biogenic amines with respect to consumers.

Determining the levels of biogenic amines in cheese except that it has significance for determining the nutritional value and hygienic accuracy, cheese as food can be used as a parameter to evaluate the conditions of production and/or...

We investigated the effects ofFascioloides magnainfection on the serum biochemistry values of the naturally infected red deer population in eastern Croatia. The investigation was performed on 47 red deer withF. magnainfection confirmed patho-anatomically in 27 animals (57.4%). Fibrous capsules and migratory lesions were found in 14 deer while only fibrous capsules without migratory lesions were found in 13 deer. In 13 deer both immature and mature flukes were found, in 5 deer only immature flukes were found and in 9 deer only mature flukes were found.Fascioloides magnainfected deer with fibrous capsules and migratory lesions had significantly higher values for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose compared to uninfected deer.Fascioloides magnainfected deer with fibrous capsules without the presence of migratory lesions had higher values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and globulin, and lower values for albumin/globulin ratio and glucose, than the uninfected deer. The number of immature flukes was positively correlated with values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), LDH, GLDH, urea and triglycerides. The number of migratory lesions was positively correlated with GGT, GLDH, globulin and urea values. The creatinine value was positively correlated with the number of mature flukes. The trial showed thatF. magnainfection causes significant changes in serum biochemistry. Moreover, these changes do not completely resemble changes followingF. hepaticainfection. Further investigation of changes in liver enzymes and other serum metabolites in controlled, experimentally induced fascioloidosis in red deer is needed to better understand the pathogenesis ofF. magna.

Background/Objectives: The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a protected species for which physiological and molecular health indicators remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to monitor and analyze plasma proteome profiles and biochemical parameters in captive adult Indian star tortoises and to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers. Methods: Plasma samples from nine clinically healthy adult Indian star tortoises (four males and five females) maintained in captivity were subjected to biochemical profiling and proteomic analysis. Sex-related differences in biochemical parameters were evaluated, and differentially expressed proteins were mapped to Homo sapiens Reactome pathways to identify significantly enriched biological processes. Results: Plasma biochemical profiling established baseline reference values, indicating stable hepatic and metabolic function in captive tortoises. Creatinine and urea concentrations were significantly higher in females than in males (p < 0.05), suggesting sex-related differences in protein metabolism or renal function. No significant sex-related differences were observed in hepatic enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST, and GGT), muscle-associated enzymes (CK and LDH), glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, or electrolyte concentrations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, P, and Fe). Proteomic analysis identified 12 differentially expressed proteins, including nine upregulated and three downregulated proteins. Functional pathway analysis revealed 90 significantly enriched Reactome pathways (FDR < 0.05). Upregulated proteins were primarily associated with cytoskeletal organization (KRT75, KRT5, and KRT17), lipid transport and remodeling (APOB), coagulation (F10), extracellular transport (TTR), immune response (WFDC3), transmembrane signaling (KCP), and gamete interaction (ZAN). Downregulated proteins (C7, SERPING1, and PZP) were linked to complement activation and acute-phase response pathways. Conclusions: Captive Indian star tortoises exhibited increased cytoskeletal remodeling and coagulation activity together with reduced complement activation. These findings provide novel insights into the plasma proteome of this species and identify candidate biomarkers that may support future health assessment, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic applications in Indian star tortoises.