High exposure to arsenic from drinking water at several localities in eastern Croatia

This study investigated the relationship between arsenic concentrations in drinking water in four towns/villages in eastern Croatia and corresponding hair arsenic concentrations of residents. The mean arsenic concentrations in community drinking water samples were 0.14, 37.88, 171.60, and 611.89 microg/l. The corresponding mean concentrations of the element in hair samples of subjects residing in each of the localities were 0.07 (n=11), 0.26 (n=17), 1.74 (n=11), and 4.31 microg/g (n=23). Chronic exposures to arsenic levels estimated in three investigated locations could present a serious health threat to around 3% of Croatian population.     

Dietary fibre intake in eastern Croatia as determined by an enzymatic-gravimetric method in duplicated portions

The aim of this study was to estimate the intake of dietary fibre (DF) in an urban adult sample in eastern Croatia. Forty five people (28 women and 17 men) took part in the investigation based on duplicate diet study. An enzymatic-gravimetric method was used to determine the content of total, as well as soluble and insoluble DF in duplicated portions. The mean total dietary fibre (TDF) intake for all subjects was 30.0 g/day, which is quite adequate with regard to recommendations and intakes reported from other countries. A relationship of DF intake with certain physical and socio-economic parameters (age, body mass index, education level, income per household member) of those taking part was examined. TDF intake was also found to be significantly influenced by season in this group of people, as the mean intake for the summer period was 21% higher than the winter period.     

Distribution of zearalenone in malted barley fractions dependent on Fusarium graminearum growing conditions

Zearalenone (ZON) distribution was measured in main fractions of malted barley, dependent on incubation time (17, 26, 34 days), water activity (0.95 and 0.98) and temperature (20 °C and 30 °C). Malted samples were sterilised and inoculated with Fusarium graminearum. ZON levels were higher (p < 0.01) in bran and germ than flour under almost all growing conditions. Incubation at 30 °C resulted in generally lower ZON levels in germ and bran, regardless of a_w and incubation time. After 34 days, ZON levels in flour from samples that were incubated at the higher temperature rose significantly. At 20 °C ZON concentration showed a bell-shaped concentration profile with increasing incubation time in bran and germ, whilst ZON levels in flour increased at a_w 0.98 and dropped at the lower a_w. The results indicate the importance of storage conditions for ZON levels in commercially relevant grain fractions of malted barley and help predict existing mycotoxin levels or manipulate storage conditions to reduce ZON content.