Project: Distribution of artificial radioactivity during milk processing into indigenous Bosnian and Herzegovinian cheeses

The University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine successfully implemented a scientific research project entitled "Distribution of artificial radioactivity during milk processing into indigenous Bosnian and Herzegovinian cheeses", co-financed by the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton (Contract No.: 27-02-35-35137-9/22 dated 28.09.2022) in the amount of 28,000.00 BAM, while the total value of the project was 39,690.00 BAM.

The project included comprehensive physicochemical and microbiological analyses of milk samples and three types of traditional cheeses (Livanjski, Vlašić and fresh cow's cheese), with the aim of assessing the quality and microbiological status of these products. Special focus was placed on determining the activity concentration of artificial radionuclides using methods such as alpha/beta spectrometry, gamma spectrometry, and radiochemical separation and measurement of radiostrontium.

Sampling was carried out in cooperation with domestic producers, and an additional survey of the population's dietary habits was conducted to assess exposure to the consumption of contaminated products. Based on the collected data, an estimate of the annual effective radiation dose was made and a model for managing production in conditions of radioactive environmental contamination was developed.

The implementation of the project achieved strong interdisciplinary and international cooperation, including work with other faculties of the University of Sarajevo, cheese producers from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and especially with the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb, where one of the work packages was successfully completed, through which the professional associate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Nejra Karaman, MA Chem., underwent training in the new method.

The project also contributed to the development of scientific and research personnel: the project resulted in one doctoral dissertation and three final theses by students of the integrated study of the first and second cycles.

Published scientific papers

The project results were published in renowned international journals:

“International Journal of Dairy Technology” (Web of Science, Q2):

“Veterinary Station” (SCOPUS, Q3):

The project had a significant impact on strengthening the research and diagnostic capacities of the Faculty through the acquisition of modern laboratory equipment and the development of new methods. Through support for postgraduate research, the expertise of the staff in the areas of food safety and radiation hygiene was further improved.

At the societal level, the research contributed to a better understanding and monitoring of radiological and microbiological risks in the food chain, which directly improves public health, food safety and environmental protection.

The University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine hereby expresses its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton for the support and successful cooperation in the implementation of this important scientific research project.

Project leader

Prof. Dr. Enida Članjak – Kudra