Sarcocystis spp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) are globally distributed protozoan parasites with an obligatory two-host prey-predator life cycle involving intermediate (IHs) and definitive hosts (DHs). Canids, including the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), often serve as DHs for species infecting various ungulates. This study identified Sarcocystis species in red foxes from Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal. Between 2021 and 2024, 164 faecal samples (80 from Croatia, 50 from Portugal, and 34 from Lithuania) were analysed using nested PCR targeting the cox1 gene. Twelve Sarcocystis species were detected: S. arieticanis, S. capracanis, S. capreolicanis, S. cruzi, S. gracilis, S. hjorti, S. iberica, S. linearis, S. miescheriana, S. morae, S. rossii, and S. tenella. The overall prevalence was highest in Croatia (78%) and Lithuania (62%) and lowest in Portugal (30%). Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses revealed high homogeneity and absence of geographic structuring. These results confirm the red fox as a key DH for multiple Sarcocystis species infecting European ungulates and underscore its epidemiological importance in parasite transmission across diverse ecosystems.
The aim of this study was to measure per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) levels in eggs collected in Croatia and to identify differences between commercially produced eggs (cage, barn, and organic) and home-produced eggs (HPE). Thirty PFAS compounds were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. In HPE, the highest detection frequencies above the limit of quantification were observed for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) at 67.6%, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) at 43.2%, perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFDA) at 43.2%, and perfluoro-n-dodecanoic acid (PFDoDA) at 35.8%. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected only in HPE. Furthermore, HPE exhibited significantly higher mean lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB) levels for all measured compounds, as well as for the sum of the four main PFAS (∑4PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS]), with values of 0.263 and 0.44 µg/kg, respectively. Cage eggs showed the lowest LB and UB levels. The dietary contribution of ∑4PFAS to the established tolerable weekly intake (TWI) limit of 4.4 ng/kg bw indicated that children up to nine years old are the most vulnerable to exposure, particularly infants and toddlers consuming HPE. Significantly lower exposure was observed with cage eggs; therefore, consumers are advised to prefer these eggs.
This study investigated the effects of ultraviolet-A (UV-A), ultrasound (US), and combined UV-A/US treatments on bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and free radical generation in tomato pulp. Individual bioactive compounds responded differently to UV-A, US, and combined UV-A/US treatments, depending on treatment conditions and number of cycles. The highest total polyphenol content (TPC) was obtained under UV-A irradiation at 50 mW in the third treatment cycle (224.71 mg/L GAE), while lycopene and beta-carotene reached their maximum concentrations under UV-A at 100 mW (1.287 & micro;g/mL and 0.286 & micro;g/mL, respectively). The highest reduction of the EPR-DPPH signal was observed under combined UV-A/US treatment (31.49 %), whereas the US treated sample (60 % of amplitude) showed the lowest reduction (15.12 %). CMH spin trapping measurements showed that CP equivalents increased with treatment intensity and number of cycles, with the highest CP value (73.72 & micro;mol/L) obtained under ultrasound treatment at 90 % amplitude after three cycles. UV-A treatment alone resulted in lower CP values, which increased gradually with higher irradiation power and additional cycles.
Pharmaceuticals, classified as emerging pollutants, are extensively applied in both human and veterinary medicine to treat various diseases. Their widespread application has led to their occurrence in water, soil, sediments, and living organisms. Even at trace levels (ng·L−1–μg·L−1), pharmaceuticals can significantly impact ecosystems and present threats to the environment and public health. Reliable analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), are crucial for detecting and monitoring these compounds, including new or unknown substances. Removing pharmaceuticals from water remains challenging, as no single technique can completely eliminate all compounds and their toxic transformation products. Therefore, combining different treatment approaches, including membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and adsorption, into hybrid systems is necessary to improve removal efficiency and mitigate impacts on ecosystems and public health. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, their monitoring in food and water, and wastewater treatment is provided, highlighting current challenges and the need for further research.
