Microbial and Physico-Chemical Characterization of Cold Smoked Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a New Product of Fishery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial and physico-chemical characteristics of cold smoked sea bass (CSSB), a novel italian fish product. The microbiological analyses showed the presence of bacterial contamination from the raw material, the environment, and the production process. The microbial spoilage population was dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with Gram-negative fermenting bacteria, including Photobacterium phosphoreum and psychrotrophic Enterobacteriaceae. Brochotrix thermospacta and Aeromonas spp. were also present; in contrast, mould and yeast were not detected (<2 CFU/g). High levels (6-7 log CFU/g) of LAB and total bacteria count (TBC) were observed from day 45 of storage; however, their presence does not seem to have influenced the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), which always remained below 35 mg N/100 g. Consequently, the product is acceptable until day 60 of storage, considering that the malonaldehyde index (TBARS) was lower than 6.5 nmol/g. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Currently, there is a growing demand for seafood due to its high quality and nutritional value. Cold smoked sea bass offers a source of macro- and micronutrients essential for the proper functioning of the human body. It is also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The WHO and FAO evaluated the benefits and risks and concluded that there is convincing evidence of health benefits from fish consumption, such as a reduction in the risk of heart failure and improved neurodevelopment in infants and young children when fish is consumed by the mother before and during pregnancy. The CSSB analysed in this study demonstrated to have health benefits due to long-chain omega-3 PUFAs and other nutrients, such as proteins, minerals, and vitamin D, which are sometimes difficult to obtain from other sources. The results show that CSSB has a high nutritional value and excellent microbial quality.

Profiling of Croatian Consumers Based on Their Intention to Consume Farmed Fish.

Today's increased demand and consumption of fish would be impossible to ensure without aquaculture. Farmed fish, however, is often considered inferior among consumers in comparison to its wild counterparts. The aim of this study was to profile Croatian fishery consumers based on their intention to consume farmed fish. The participants in this study were a nationally representative sample of people responsible for food purchasing within the household (n = 977), whose responses were collected by the CAWI (computer-aided web interviewing) method. Four clusters were identified and described: farmed fish enthusiasts (21.1%), farmed fish supporters (17.4%), indifferents (44.7%), and farmed fish sceptics (16.8%). Results showed that consumer segments differed significantly with respect to age, income, employment status, living region, and physical activity. Furthermore, intention to consume farmed fish is related to fish consumption in general (those with higher intention are more frequent fish consumers). Interestingly, prejudices against farmed fish are present in all clusters; however, these prejudices are more pronounced among those with the weakest intention to consume farmed fish. Differences between clusters were observed also in respect to product information and preferences, knowledge about fish, places of usual purchase, and source of information about fishery products. The obtained results could be used in designing marketing strategies to promote farmed fish consumption.

Fish Consumption: Influence of Knowledge, Product Information, and Satisfaction with Product Attributes.

Due to its numerous health benefits, fish consumption should be strongly encouraged. Fish consumption, however, is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors. The aim of this research is to examine the influence of knowledge, product information, and satisfaction with product attributes on fish consumption in a nationally representative sample of people responsible for food purchasing within households in Croatia (n = 977) and Italy (n = 967). Fish consumption was well predicted (R2 = 15%) by the proposed structural model, using the partial least squares structural equation modelling method (PLS-SEM). The obtained results confirm that subjective knowledge (ß = 0.277, p < 0.001) and satisfaction with product attributes (ß = 0.197, p < 0.001) are predictors of fish consumption. Subjective knowledge was influenced by product information (ß = 0.161, p < 0.001), as well as by satisfaction with product attributes (ß = 0.282, p < 0.001), while objective knowledge had an influence on product information (ß = 0.194, p < 0.001). Although satisfaction with product attributes was the strongest predictor of subjective knowledge in both countries (ßCRO = 0.244, ßIT = 0.398), it had a greater effect among Italians (p = 0.001), while the impact of product information (ßCRO = 0.210, ßIT = 0.086) was more pronounced among Croatians (p = 0.010). Since the mediating role of subjective knowledge in all models was confirmed, action focused on enhancing subjective knowledge should be taken to increase fish consumption.

The association between the Mediterranean diet and high physical activity among the working population in Croatia.

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity constitute an emerging public health problem. The working population is of special interest for public health monitoring and evaluation because workers' unhealthy lifestyles may lead to reduced work ability. The aim of this study was to determine diet quality and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), according to the level of physical activity, and to detect variables associated with the working population's being highly physically active. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At the Institute for Occupational Medicine 400 full-time workers were examined for obesity factors, filled in the short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short) and a validated food frequency questionnaire for adherence to the Mediterranean diet using Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). The workers were divided into low, moderate and high physical activity groups according to the IPAQ-short scoring protocol. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to determine the variables associated with being highly active. RESULTS: One-third of the participants were highly physically active and their diet adhered to the MD (MeMDS = 7). Significant variables associated with a high level of physical activity were gender (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p < 0.001), sitting level (p = 0.044) and occupational type (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the participants displaying a high level of physical activity had a better quality diet that adhered to the Mediterranean diet but not to a significant degree. The variables associated with a high level of physical activity were male gender, younger age, normal WHR, non-sedentary occupation and reduced sitting time. The study findings could serve the purpose of improving future public health promotion of physical activity and the Mediterranean diet. Med Pr. 2019;70(2):169-76.

Extraction of bioactive compounds and essential oils from mediterranean herbs by conventional and green innovative techniques: A review.

Market interest in aromatic plants from the Mediterranean is continuously growing mainly due to their medicinal and bioactive compounds (BACs) with other valuable constituents from essential oils (EOs). From ancient times, these plants have been important condiments for traditional Mediterranean cuisine and remedies in folk medicine. Nowadays, they are considered as important factors for food quality and safety, due to prevention of various deteriorative factors like oxidations and microbial spoilage. EOs have different therapeutic benefits (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal), while BACs mostly affect nutritive, chemical, microbiological, and sensory quality of foods. Currently, many plant extracts are used for functional (healthy) foods, which additionally fuels consumer and industrial interest in sustainable and non-toxic routes for their production. EO yields from dried plants are below 5%. Their extraction is strongly dependent on the hydrophobic or lipophilic character of target molecules, hence the common use of organic solvents. Similarly, BACs encompass a wide range of substances with varying structures as reflected by their different physical/chemical qualities. Thus, there is a need to identify optimal non-toxic extraction method(s) for isolation/separation of EO/BCs from plants. Various innovative non-thermal extractions (e.g. ultrasound-, high-pressure-, pulsed electric fields assisted extraction, etc.) have been proposed to overcome the above mentioned limitations. These techniques are "green" in concept, as they are shorter, avoid toxic chemicals, and are able to improve extract yields and quality with reduced consumption of energy and solvents. This research provides an overview of such extractions of both BAC and EOs from Mediterranean herbs, sustained by innovative and non-conventional energy sources.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Dietary Supplements among a Student Population in Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of usage and the knowledge and attitudes towards dietary supplements among medical sciences and nonmedical sciences students from Croatia. The study was conducted based on a questionnaire about dietary supplement usage, knowledge and attitudes. The prevalence of dietary supplement use, among 910 university students was 30.5%. The most-used dietary supplements were vitamins (18.0% in medical sciences students and 9.8% in non-medical sciences students). For all students, the internet (66.1%) was the most common source of information, followed by healthcare professionals (33.2%). The most common reason for taking dietary supplements was to maintain good health (26.4%). Use of the internet rather than health professionals as a trusted information source should be revised among this young population. Supplement intake was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.016) and physical activity (p = 0.050). Students with normal BMI (61.5%) and the most physically active students (37.7%) took significantly more dietary supplements. Results of this study could help medicine faculties to improve their curriculum and support the development of public health messages aimed at wise and safe use of dietary supplements.

Changes in dietary intake and body weight in lactating and non-lactating women: prospective study in northern coastal Croatia.

Postpartum weight retention is a risk factor for the development of midlife obesity. Since dietary intake and breastfeeding practice could be promoters of weight loss during postpartum, the objective of this study was to investigate their influence on weight retention during six months postpartum. The study sample consisted of 83 lactating and 76 non-lactating Croatian women who were examined at three measurement waves: at 1 month +/- 1 week, 3 months +/- 1 week and 6 months +/- 1 week postpartum. At each measurement wave, two consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were collected, and body weight measurements were made. Both groups had a daily energy intake lower by about 25% than recommended. Although both groups continuously decreased energy and macronutrient intake, lactating women had energy intake higher by 205 kcal (p = 0.048) and 370 kcal (p < 0.001) after one and three months, respectively. At six months postpartum lactating women had a higher intake of fat (p = 0.036) but a lower intake of protein (p = 0.009) compared with non-lactating mothers. After six months, lactating women retained 101.9% of pre-pregnancy weight, which was significantly less than the percentage of weight retained among non-lactating women (p = 0.014). Multiple regression analysis showed that weight retention were predicted by: type of feeding (beta = -0.281; p <0.001), and time since parturition (beta = -0.151; p < 0.001), while gestational weight gain (P = 0.491; p < 0.001), energy intake (b = 0.157; p < 0.001) and energy derived from fat (beta = 0.122; p = 0.035) were positive predictors. We concluded that the dietary intake of Croatian women and breastfeeding practice over six months significantly influence their weight loss.

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases nutrition knowledge and dietary intake of medical students.

The aims of this study were to determine medical students' knowledge regarding the association between dietary factors and the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases and to investigate if this knowledge has an impact on their dietary intakes. Three hundred and ninety medical students (males and females) were included in a study and grouped according to their daily fibre and fat intakes. For diet-disease knowledge, questions from the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Adults were used and dietary assessment was done with Food Frequency Questionnaire. The obtained results showed that the students' diet-disease knowledge was generally inadequate. Higher level of diet-disease knowledge was among those with high dietary fibre intake, with slightly better scores for dietary factors and risk for cardiovascular diseases than the risk for cancer. Better diet-disease knowledge positively correlated with higher intake of fish (p = 0.027, p = 0.001) and vegetables (p = 0.019, p = 0.001) in high fibre groups of both gender, and in females additionally with fruit intake (p = 0.038, p = 0.007). A higher dietary fibre intake among studied students seems to be a factor that ensures lower obesity rates, lower intake of energy and lower consumption of coffee, sweets and alcoholic drinks. On the basis of the results of this study, it is clear that medical schools should provide in their nutrition programs the opportunity for students to learn about their own dietary and lifestyle behaviours, in order to more knowledgably and convincingly counsel their future patients.

The effect of nutrition knowledge on dietary intake among Croatian university students.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes among university students. The students (264 males and 741 females) were asked to answer a validated General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire and to fulfil a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Gender, university status (freshmen, juniors, seniors) and eating arrangements (home, restaurants, self-cooking) were used as predictors of the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. The findings indicated that women (p = 0.008), senior students (p < 0.001) and those who prepare food for themselves (p = 0.038) have higher nutrition knowledge scores. The assessment of nutrition knowledge had parallels in dietary intake, and adherence to the dietary recommendations was significantly associated with nutrition knowledge scores (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed differences in daily intakes of grains (p < 0.001), meat and beans group (p < 0.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), fruits (p = 0.002) and oils (p < 0.001) in relation to all predictors. However nutrition knowledge acted as a modifier of the influence of eating arrangements. Logistic regression has shown that students with the highest nutrition knowledge are twelve times more likely to have a diet in accordance to recommendations compared to students with the lowest level of knowledge ([OR] = 12.03, 95% [CI] = 6.64-21.79, p < 0.001). The results support the value of including nutrition knowledge in health education campaigns targeting the student population with the aim of improving their dietary intake.

Daily menus can result in suboptimal nutrient intakes, especially calcium, of adolescents living in dormitories.

The aims of this study were to evaluate daily menus in Croatian dormitories and to assess the overall intake of dairy products among resident adolescents. For this purpose, 168 daily menus were chosen for nutritional evaluation by random sampling. In addition, 227 adolescents (133 girls and 94 boys) participated in a questionnaire focused on food intake in addition to the meals supplied in dormitories with the aim to assess the amount and the type of dairy products consumed. The results showed that only 35% of the daily menus were nutritionally balanced. Most of the menus provided an excess of energy, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, phosphorus, riboflavin, and vitamin A. The levels of calcium and magnesium in the menus were suboptimal. The menus offered to adolescents provided approximately 2 servings of dairy products per day. Milk was the most often supplied dairy product (1.1 servings per day), whereas yogurt had the lowest frequency of serving (0.2 servings per day). The most preferred dairy-based snack for both sexes was milk. Dairy-based snacks provided about 1 serving per day for both sexes and contributed to about 30% of the recommended dietary allowances for calcium. Adolescents who regularly consumed dairy-based snacks meet the recommendations (3.2 servings of dairy products per day and about 98% recommended dietary allowances for calcium). We conclude that the institutional menu planning should be improved because the intake of dairy snacks will continue to be a problem for achieving a healthy diet in adolescences.