1. Stable isotope and multi-element analysis coupled with DD-SIMCA for verification of Slovenian pork origin and Krškopolje pig authenticityKatja Babič, Lidija Strojnik, Doris Potočnik, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Darja Mazej, Luana Bontempo, Andrej Kastelic, Nives Ogrinc, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Pig farming in Slovenia has a long tradition and is known for producing high-quality pork; however, almost two-thirds is imported, raising concerns about mislabelling. In addition to modern Slovenian breeds (MB), the Krškopolje pig (KP), the only preserved autochthonous pig breed in Slovenia, is highly valued for its high-quality, marbled meat, which is sold at a premium price. This study presents the first Slovenian pork database on stable isotope (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) and elemental composition, comprising 148 samples: 107 authentic Slovenian pork samples (MB and KP), 22 foreign samples, and 19 samples labelled as Slovenian collected from supermarkets. We investigated the geographical origin of modern-breed pork and the breed authenticity of Krškopolje pig pork using DD-SIMCA class modelling. The established DD-SIMCA models showed high sensitivity (97 % and 96 %) and specificity (100 % and 89 %), respectively. When applied to commercial pork products labelled as Slovenian, 79 % of the samples exhibited isotopic and elemental profiles that differed from the authentic Slovenian reference class established in this study. These findings demonstrate the potential of combined isotope–elemental profiling coupled with DD-SIMCA modelling as a complementary tool for pork origin authentication and traceability verification. However, classification results indicate consistency with the reference class rather than legal origin status and should therefore be interpreted accordingly.
Keywords: pork meat, Modern breeds, Krškopolje pigs, stable isotopes
Published in DiRROS: 03.08.2026; Views: 77; Downloads: 49
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2. Human biomonitoring in support of the Minamata Convention : a case of phasing out dental amalgamVanja Usenik, Adna Alilović Osolin, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Darja Mazej, David Kocman, Davor Kontić, Milena Horvat, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study analysed urinary mercury (U-Hg) concentrations in 1412 Slovenian children across four human biomonitoring campaigns conducted between 2007 and 2024. Median U-Hg levels declined from 0.76 ng mL−1 (0.72 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2007 PHIME cohort to 0.22 ng mL−1 (0.21 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2018–2024 SLO-HBM-II cohort, paralleling a decrease in the prevalence (from 65 to 3%) and the average number of dental amalgam fillings in children. Multilevel mixed-effects models showed a consistent temporal decline in U-Hg that persisted after adjustment for demographic and environmental covariates. In contrast, the inclusion of the amalgam number substantially attenuated the time trend, indicating that reduced amalgam use likely contributed to the observed decrease. As amalgam prevalence fell, other sources of exposure, such as fish consumption, became relatively more prominent predictors of U-Hg, while children living in historically Hg-contaminated areas showed persistently higher levels. Although Slovenia had already phased down dental amalgam in children before ratifying the Minamata Convention, these long-term biomonitoring data illustrate how changes in exposure sources are reflected in internal Hg levels. The study demonstrates the value of repeated national HBM programmes for identifying dominant exposure pathways, investigating their evolution over time, and providing evidence relevant to effectiveness-evaluation frameworks under Article 22 of the Minamata Convention.
Keywords: concentrations in blood
Published in DiRROS: 10.02.2026; Views: 663; Downloads: 307
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3. Optimisation of a sample preparation method for the determination of multi-elemental compositions in human hair by triple quadrupole ICP-MS analysisAgneta Annika Runkel, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Igor Živković, Polona Klemenčič, Darja Mazej, Milena Horvat, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Monitoring toxic elements has a long tradition in Slovenia due to historical mining. More recently, attention has shifted to essential elements, since both deficiencies and excesses can harm health. Regular monitoring of (non-)essential elements supports risk assessment and policymaking. While urine and blood are common biomonitoring matrices, hair offers a non-invasive alternative that reflects exposure over several months, though standardised methodologies for hair analysis remain limited. This study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive and robust analytical method for the determination of 29 elements in human hair, addressing key challenges in sample preparation and contamination control. We developed a sensitive and robust method for the determination of 29 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, U, V, and Zn) in 3 cm segments of human hair that involves a washing procedure with acetone and Milli-Q water, microwave digestion with 65% HNO3, and analysis with Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Evaluation of preparation steps revealed stainless-steel scissors as a major contamination source. Glass digestion vessels were unsuitable for several elements due to high detection limits and relative standard deviations. The optimised method reduced analytical variability and improved sensitivity compared to published protocols. This validated method enables reproducible multi-elemental analysis in hair, highlights overlooked contamination risks, and is now applied in human biomonitoring studies to strengthen exposure assessment and standardisation efforts.
Keywords: determination of elements, optimization, human biomonitoring
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 487; Downloads: 348
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4. Human hair certified reference material for total mercury, methylmercury, and trace element analysesAkane Yamakawa, Kimiyo Nagano, Kaoru Onishi, Miyuki Ukachi, Milena Horvat, Adna Alilović Osolin, Polona Klemenčič, Ermira Begu, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Keisuke Uchida, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) developed the NIES CRM No. 13-a, a new certified reference material for human hair, using scalp hair from Asian females. This CRM represents a significant advancement in support of global mercury exposure assessments and offers unparalleled reliability and scope compared with existing materials. We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the preparation, certification, and application of NIES CRM No. 13-a. In total, 806 bottles (3 g each) were produced, with thorough homogenization ensured through sieving and blending. Certified values for total mercury (1.06 ± 0.07 mg/kg), methylmercury (0.858 ± 0.075 mg/kg), and key trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, selenium, and zinc) were determined through extensive collaborative analyses involving 20 laboratories. Additional reference values were provided for calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, antimony, barium, copper, iron, and manganese. Rigorous stability and homogeneity assessments demonstrated the stability of the CRM for over 10 years and consistency across sample units, even for challenging elements such as selenium. The CRM also includes information values of stable mercury isotope ratios, reflecting their growing importance as exposure tracers. This enhancement in accuracy and traceability facilitates accurate mercury and trace element assessments in human hair, enabling improved biomonitoring of mercury exposure, dietary studies, toxicological evaluations, human health risk evaluations, and regulatory compliance.
Keywords: metilirano živo srebro, methylmercury, certified reference material
Published in DiRROS: 05.09.2025; Views: 899; Downloads: 397
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