Two series of silver modified Ni-Mg materials were synthesized by precipitation-deposition on SiO₂ support derived from two silica sources: diatomite activated at 800°C (Series a; Mg/Ni = 0.1 and SiO₂/Ni = 1.07) and synthetic water glass (Series b; Mg/Ni = 0.1 and SiO₂/Ni = 1.15). The modification with silver was made at three molar Ag/Ni ratios, namely 0.0025, 0.025, and 0.1. The effects of the source of the silica support and the silver presence and content on the nickel state in the silver modified reduced-passivated NiMg/SiO₂ precursors of the vegetable oil hydrogenation catalyst were established by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The passivation procedure was applied in order to protect the metallic nickel particles from further oxidation. The crystallization of the formed nickel hydrosilicate phases depends on the source of the silica support, more expressed in the diatomite supported samples. It was shown that the silver modification of the NiMg/SiO₂ precursors enhances the reduction of the nickel hydrosilicates accompanied by formation of relatively smaller metallic nickel particles, more pronounced in the water glass supported precursors. The increase of the silver content in the water glass deposited samples is responsible for the metallic nickel dispersion increase. The higher content of the Ni⁰ particles on the surface of the diatomite deposited samples is in accordance with the higher stability of the larger metallic nickel crystallites to oxidation during the passivation step. On contrary, higher dispersed Ni⁰ particles on the surface of the water glass supported samples are more susceptible to the oxida

Horse meat is characterized by high nutritional value, but due to the specific physiology and long lifespan of horses, it represents a significant pathway for the bioaccumulation of toxic elements. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in muscle, liver and kidney samples of horses slaughtered in Serbia during 2023 and 2024. The toxic elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean concentrations of cadmium and lead were 0.19 and 0.51 mg/kg in horse muscle; 2.31 and 0.74 mg/kg in horse liver; and 7.70 and 0.68 mg/kg in horse kidneys. Statistically significant differences in mean concentrations were observed between horse tissues, seasons and different age categories (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between sexes (male and female) (p > 0.05). Cadmium levels were above the maximum permitted limits in 93.2% of liver samples, 97.7% of kidney samples, and 31.1% of muscle samples tested. The data obtained indicate the need for continuous monitoring and strict control of animal traceability, especially those raised near ecological hotspots.

The experimental study was performed to determine the efficacy of a mycotoxin detoxification agent (MS) at a concentration of 0.2% in reducing the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), alone or in combination, and to examine its effect on performance, pathohistological (PH) changes, and residues of these toxins in the tissues of broiler chicks. A total of 88 broilers were divided into eight equal groups: group C, the control group (fed a commercial diet without any additives); group MS, which received the mycotoxin detoxification agent (MS) (supplemented with 0.2%); group E I (0.2 mg AFB1/kg of diet); group E II (0.2 mg AFB1/kg of diet + MS 0.2%); group E III (1.5 mg OTA/kg of diet); group E IV (1.5 mg OTA/kg of diet + 0.2% MS); group E V (combination of 0.2 mg AFB1/kg, 1.5 mg OTA/kg of diet); and group E VI (combination of 0.2 mg AFB1/kg, 1.5 mg OTA toxin + 0.2% MS). Results show that feed containing AFB1 and OTA, individually or in combination, negatively affects health, production results, and PH changes in tissues, as well as the presence of mycotoxin residues in the liver and breast muscles of poultry. The addition of a new multicomponent preparation for the detoxification of MS mycotoxins in feed with AFB1 and OTA individually and in combination had a positive effect on TM (BW), growth (BWG), consumption and FCR conversion coefficient, and microscopic lesions in organs. The concentration of OTA residues in the liver and chest muscles was significantly lower in chickens fed a diet with the addition of 0.2% MS of the mycotoxin detoxification preparation.