Nikolina Kelava

Genetic structure of three Croatian horse breeds: implications for their conservation strategy

Abstract The genetic variability for a sample of 107 animals from three autochthonous Croatian horse breeds was estimated using 20 microsatellites. The average number of alleles per locus (6.3) and proportion of heterozygosity (0.732) indicated a moderate variability. The expected heterozygosity was similar among all breeds and ranged between 0.724 in the Posavina horse, and 0.737 in the Croatian Coldblood and Murinsulaner horse. The inbreeding coefficient Fis was low and non-significant over the three populations. The genetic differentiation among the three populations was low (Fst=0.026), suggesting that only 2.6% of the total genetic variability was due to differences between the breeds, and 97% to individual differences. The results of pairwise genetic differentiation suggest that the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood were the most closely related populations (Fst=0.016). These results are confirmed by Nei’s genetic distances with the highest value observed between the Posavina horse and the Murinsulaner (0.082) and the lowest between the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood (0.044). An assignment test correctly assigned 82% of individuals to the correct breed. Strategies for preserving the original native genes in the Croatian native horse breeds should be considered in order to prevent these breeds from becoming extinct and include them in the future breeding programmes.

Consumer attitudes to quality animal food products in Croatia

During the last two decades, significant changes in primary animal production and animal product markets have occurred. The transition of animal production in Croatia followed from the introduction of market economics that has imposed competitiveness as the primary criterion of future development. Transition changes resulted in specialization and intensification of production, enlargement of production units, introduction of a food control system throughout the entire production chain, ensuring traceability and other relevant information about the products. Liberalization of the food product market increased the demand for competitiveness and distinctiveness of national animal production. In the last decade, adjustments of legal norms concerned security, traceability and food labeling, so that consumers have complete information when making purchasing decisions. In addition, consumers’ attitudes have changed significantly during the last two decades, and today, the hygienic safety, traceability and origin of the product have become essential criteria when purchasing food products. Research has shown that consumers in Croatia prefer food products produced within national agricultural production systems, and show a certain reserve towards imported food, especially from overseas countries. During the last decade, some animal producers tried to raise their competitiveness by creating recognizable trademarks, according to the designation of origin characteristics, traditionalism or geographical origin. Apart from strengthening competitiveness of primary production, this also enriched the supply of animal products, preserved the traditional heritage and genetic resources, and strengthened the capacity of rural areas. Consumers react positively to an improvement in the quality of animal products, preferring the products they have more reliable and complete information on. In Croatia, producers that share a common interest, especially the producers of traditional food products, cooperate to increase their market competitiveness.

Veal fatty acid composition of different breeds

Abstract Veal fatty acid composition in M. Longissimus thoracis was investigated in different calf breeds (Simmental, Holstein, Simmental x Holstein). Calves were reared on the same farm under identical feeding and handling conditions. Simmental calves had higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) but lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) values than Holstein and crossbreed calves (P<0,05). The PUFA/SFA ratio was the highest in Simmental calves and the lowest in Holstein calves. Simmental calves also had the highest n-6/n-3 ratio while the crossbreed calves had the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio.

Sensory profiling of Dalmatian dry-cured ham under different temperature conditions

Abstract To investigate the influence of the Dalmatian ham processing conditions on weight loss and sensory characteristics, 20 hams were processed following different temperature conditions during salting and ripening. For that purpose, hams were evaluated using quantitative descriptive analysis. The weight loss was higher and all sensory traits except presence of tyrosine and phenylalanine crystals were higher rated for hams processed at higher temperatures. The most significant (P<0.0001) influence of temperature was established on subcutaneous fat color, muscle color and presence of tyrosine and phenylalanine, whereas no influence was established on appearance, marbling, flavor and melting. This concludes that there is overall significant effect of higher temperature on sensory characteristics most likely due to the more intense proteolysis and lipolysis.

Effect of genotype, sex and slaughter weight on veal Longissimus muscle area measured by ultrasound and planimeter

Abstract The aim of this research was to determine effect of genotype (Holstein, Simmental and their crossbreeds), sex and slaughter weight groups (SW1=150-160kg and SW2=190-200kg) on veal Longissimus muscle area (LMA). Between the12th and the13th rib, two ultrasound LMA (ULMA) images were taken from each animal and carcass LMA (CLMA) traced on transparent foil was measured by planimeter. For both measures, Simmental calves had larger LMA than Holstein (P<0.001) and crossbreeds (P<0.05). Male and female calves did not differ significantly in ULMA and CLMA. Calves of SW2 group had larger LMA (P<0.0001) than SW1 group. High correlation coefficient between ULMA and CLMA was determined in this research. Veal LMA was significantly affected by genotype and slaughter weight. According to high correlation coefficients, ultrasound can be useful in estimating carcass traits of cattle at early age.