Different Regions Of Serbia Research Articles

The study of populations of hazelnut c. Avelana L. and Turkish hazelnut C. Colurna L. and their selection

Properties of populations of hazelnut C. avelana L. and Turkish hazelnut C. colurna L. in different regions of Serbia were studied over 1998 - 2005. Round-fruit selections suitable for candy industry were concurrently singled out. Populations of hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut are characterized by small or medium large fruits with round shape index and kernel index ranging from 0.77 - 0.89 and 0.78 - 0.84 respectively. Singled out selections of hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut have averagely medium large fruits and kernel. Round shape index of fruits and kernel of hazelnut amount to 0.98 (1.01 - 0.91) and 0.99 (1.00 - 0.96) respectively, whereas the same parameter in Turkish hazelnut amounts to 0.99 (0.99 - 0.97) and 0.98 (0.98 - 0.97). Average fruit weight of the singled out selections is 1.79 g (hazelnut) and 1.74 g (Turkish hazelnut). Average kernel mass is 0.75 - 0.70 g. i.e. kernel ratio in hazelnut and Turkish hazelnut amounts to 41% and 40.2% respectively. The mineral matter content in the kernel of the selections amounted to 2.4% and 2.3% respectively. Raw proteins content ranged from 13.8% - 12.4% respectively, and oil content ranged from 47.7 - 50.2% respectively. The majority of indicators under in situ conditions suggest that all selections singled out from the population deserve attention with objective of more intensified propagation and wider introduction into commercial production. It particularly refers to the round shaped kernel which is the most suitable for the candy industry. .

Multivariate data visualization methods based on elemental analysis of wines by atomic absorption spectrometry

The contents of five metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Pb) in several red and white wines originating from different regions of Serbia were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The data were processed using chemometric techniques. Principal component and factor analysis were applied in order to highlight the relations between the elements and, after data reduction, three main factors controlling variability were identified. Application of hierarchical cluster analysis to the studied wines indicated differentiation of the samples belonging to different origins. No discrimination between red and white wines was found.

Assessment of gamma dose rates from terrestrial exposure in Serbia and Montenegro

The gamma dose rates due to naturally occuring terrestrial radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) were calculated based on their activities in soil samples, determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. A total of 140 soil samples from 21 different regions of Serbia and Montenegro were collected. The gamma dose rates ranged from 7.40 to 29.7 nGy h(-1) for (226)Ra, from 12.9 to 46.5 nGy h(-1) for (232)Th and from 12.5 to 37.1 nGy h(-1) for (40)K. The total absorbed gamma dose rate due to these radionuclides varied from 34.5 to 97.6 nGy h(-1) with mean of 66.8 nGy h(-1). Assuming a 20% occupancy factor, the corresponding annual effective dose varied from 4.23 x 10(-5) to 11.9 x 10(-5) Sv with mean of 8.19 x 10(-5) Sv, i.e. the dose was lower than world wide average value. According to the values of external hazard index (mean: 0.39) obtained in this study, the radiation hazard was found to be insignificant for population living in the investigated area.

Cross-sectional survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep and pigs in Serbia: Seroprevalence and risk factors

Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with a clinical impact in the unborn fetus and in the immunosuppressed individual. In Serbia, studies of risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans have shown that the relatively high prevalence is associated mainly with consumption of undercooked meat and/or meat products. However, data on T. gondii infection in domestic animals mostly used for human consumption are scarce. We thus conducted a cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in a representative sample of cattle, sheep and pigs from different regions of Serbia between June 2002 and June 2003, and analyzed the main risk factors associated with the infection. Sera from 611 cattle (yearlings and adults of both sexes), 511 ewes, and 605 pigs (market-weight and sows), were examined for T. gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test. The seroprevalences determined were 76.3% in cattle, 84.5% in sheep and 28.9% in pigs. The antibody levels ranged from 1:25 to 1:400 in cattle, and up to 1:25,600 in sheep and to 1:12,800 in pigs. Among the seropositive, the proportion of high antibody levels (≥1:1600), suggestive of acute infection, was 10% in sheep, and 4% in pigs. Possible association of the infection with biologically plausible risk factors including gender, age, herd size/farm type, type of housing, feeding practices and region, was analyzed by univariate analysis, and variables significant at P ≤ 0.1 were included in multivariate logistic regression models. The results showed that risk factors for cattle were small herd size (odds ratio, OR = 2.19, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.28–3.75, P = 0.004) and farm location in Western Serbia (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.10–3.79, P = 0.024), while housing in stables with access to outside pens was protective (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.21–0.67, P = 0.001). In sheep, an increased risk of infection was found in ewes from state-owned flocks (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = 2.18–8.00, P < 0.001) vs. private flocks, and, interestingly, also in those from Western Serbia (OR = 4.66, 95% CI = 1.18–18.32, P = 0.028). In pigs, the risk of infection was highly increased in adult animals (OR = 3.87, 95% CI = 2.6–5.76, P < 0.001), as well as in those from finishing type farms (OR = 3.96, 95% CI = 1.97–7.94, P < 0.001). In addition to providing data on the current T. gondii seroprevalence in meat animals in Serbia, the results of this study show the main risk factors associated with infection, thereby pointing to the type of preventive measures to reduce T. gondii infection.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and synergism between propolis and antimicrobial drugs

The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial properties of ethanolic extract of 13 propolis (EEP) samples from different regions of Serbia against 39 microorganisms (14 resistant or multiresistant to antibiotics), and to determine synergistic activity between antimicrobials and propolis. Antimicrobial activity of propolis samples was evaluated by agar diffusion and agar dilution method. The synergistic action of propolis with antimicrobial drugs was assayed by the disc diffusion method on agar containing subinhibitory concentrations of propolis. Obtained results indicate that EEP, irrespectively of microbial resistance to antibiotics, showed significant antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC 0.078%-1.25% of EEP) and yeasts (0.16%-1.25%), while Gram-negative bacteria were less susceptible (1.25%-->5%). Enterococcus faecalis was the most resistant Gram-positive bacterium, Salmonella spp. the most resistant Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans the most resistant yeast. EEP showed synergism with selected antibiotics, and displayed ability to enhance the activities of antifungals. The shown antimicrobial potential of propolis alone or in combination with certain antibiotics and antifungals is of potential medical interest.