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Aspergillus flavus is the main producer of aflatoxin B1, one of the most toxic contaminants of food and feed. With global warming, climate conditions have become favourable for aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products in several European countries, including Serbia. The infection of maize with A. flavus, and aflatoxin synthesis can be controlled and reduced by application of a biocontrol product based on non-toxigenic strains of A. flavus. Biological control relies on competition between atoxigenic and toxigenic strains. This is the most commonly used biological control mechanism of aflatoxin contamination in maize in countries where aflatoxins pose a significant threat. Mytoolbox Af01, a native atoxigenic A. flavus strain, was obtained from maize grown in Serbia and used to produce a biocontrol product that was applied in irrigated and non-irrigated Serbian fields during 2016 and 2017. The application of this biocontrol product reduced aflatoxin levels in maize kernels (51&ndash 83%). The biocontrol treatment had a highly significant effect of reducing total aflatoxin contamination by 73%. This study showed that aflatoxin contamination control in Serbian maize can be achieved through biological control methods using atoxigenic A. flavus strains.

Agricultural production is a Serbian main economic sector, presenting a base for the food industry. By analysing the public available data of the agriculture sector, applying a newly developed business model it is possible to assess the current situation and to realize the relation between variables, which can also be used for prediction of future trends in agricultural production and food industry. Within this paper an attempt was made to develop a novel artificial neural network model for better understanding the relation between the observed parameters and to estimate the efficiency in sustainability achievement and sector potential the well-known Cobb-Douglas production model was compared to the newly developed model. The presented models could be used to achieve the transformation towards a circular bioeconomy, by developing the national strategies for sustainable agricultural production, with the aim of better utilization of resources and reduction of wastes.

Agricultural production is a Serbian main economic sector, presenting a base for the food industry. By analysing the public available data of the agriculture sector, applying a newly developed business model it is possible to assess the current situation and to realize the relation between variables, which can also be used for prediction of future trends in agricultural production and food industry. Within this paper an attempt was made to develop a novel artificial neural network model for better understanding the relation between the observed parameters and to estimate the efficiency in sustainability achievement and sector potential the well-known Cobb-Douglas production model was compared to the newly developed model. The presented models could be used to achieve the transformation towards a circular bioeconomy, by developing the national strategies for sustainable agricultural production, with the aim of better utilization of resources and reduction of wastes.

Alternaria toxins are mycotoxins produced by various Alternaria species which, besides the Fusarium species, represent the principal contaminants of wheat worldwide. As currently, only limited information on the behaviour of Alternaria toxins during processing of cereals is available, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the dry milling process of wheat on Alternaria toxins distribution. Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) content were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in all milling fractions of untreated (control), fungicide-treated, Alternaria tenuissima inoculated and commercial wheat sample. After dry milling process, in last break and milling flows and by-products, increased concentration of examined Alternaria toxins was detected. TeA was quantified in almost all milling fractions in all tested wheat samples, while AOH and AME were detectable mostly in last break and milling flows and by-products. In respect to the contamination with Alternaria toxins, white flour can be considered as relatively safe product. Since Alternaria toxins are concentrated mainly in the peripheral parts of the kernel, a special attention should be given to their content in low-grade flours and milling by-products.

The purpose of this research is to define the effects of the structure of management and employees to the guest’s satisfaction in terms of quality of restaurant products and services. The methodology used for this research has been the polling of 600 guests in 30 restaurants in Belgrade during 2015. The process of measuring satisfaction was performed by monitoring the attitudes and perceptions of users in terms of quality of products and services, which marks food quality, service quality, and ambience quality and price/quality ratio. The research of educational and age structure, as well as the number of supporting staff and other workers, has been conducted. Correlation and regression analysis were performed with the aim of defining the effect of the educational structure of employees to guest’s satisfaction. The results show that restaurant managers should pay special attention to educational levels of employees through regular and permanent education, as they influence the guest’s satisfaction.

As a mechanical, thermal, diffusion and chemical operation, extrusion causes changes in the properties of raw materials mainly due to the characteristics of the extruder and extrusion conditions (temperature, pressure and shear stress). As extruded products based on cereals occupy an important place in modern nutrition, they are suitable carriers of functional components. In every technological process, it is very important to correctly define the parameters of production in order to achieve a good and uniform quality of products with as little as possible losses of the nutritional and functional properties of raw materials. On the basis of the experimental results on the physical, chemical and antioxidant properties of corn flakes, as well as the use of Standard Score analysis, it can be concluded that the optimal drying temperature for corn flakes is 84 °C.

One of the most prominent words today definitely is digital. It is all around us. From products that are digital to a highest possible degree, to the digital management practices in operating different businesses, down to discussions on benefits and shortcomings of the digital society. At the same time, the world is becoming increasingly global, which is boosting digitization to a large extent. Related to different aspects of globalization, the paper is focused on researching possibilities that digitization is bringing within itself, which can be productive in a process of making (and empowering) global brands. Sharply increasing the amount of information that is available to global consumers today through digital touchpoints (Facebook, Twitter, or product-evaluation platforms), gives great opportunities for products/services to become globally branded. At the same time, for globally oriented companies it poses a threat of a free interpretation of intended information value about their brands.

As extruded cereal products occupy an important place in modern nutrition, they also serve as suitable carriers of functional components. Functional components enhance the nutritional composition of extruded product, which may be useful in relieving certain health disorders. Raising consumer awareness about the importance of the nutritional composition of food products for health care has prompted various innovations in the food industry. Nowadays, the food industry is increasingly focused on improving the quality and safety of health products. Food should provide nutrients while preventing certain diseases and improving the physical and mental well-being of consumers. For the purpose of this paper, consumers' opinions were obtained from a total of 57 inexperienced tasters.