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Radiative pyrolysis of thermally thick beech wood has been investigated through a comparison between dry and moist [11% dry basis (db)] particles, for heat fluxes in the range 27.5-80 kW/ m 2 . The initial moisture content has also been varied from 0 to 50% (db) for two radiative fluxes, 27.5 and 49 kW/m 2 , corresponding to slow and fast external heat-transfer rates, as steady surface temperatures are about 625 and 800 K, respectively. For very slow heating, moisture evaporation precedes wood pyrolysis. As the external heating conditions are made more severe and/or the initial moisture content is increased, the two processes take place simultaneously, associated with the propagation of separate fronts along the particle radius. Spatial gradients also increase, while apparent weight loss kinetics from a single-peak rate turn into a two-peak rate. The conversion times increase almost linearly with the initial moisture content, but differences in primary product (char, gas, and liquids) yields and gas composition are negligible.

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General hygienic parameters and selected foodborne pathogens in raw milk cheeses at the retail level were evaluated. A total of 245 raw milk cheese samples were analysed for total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and staphylococcal enterotoxin. Results showed only 3 samples that were not compliant with European rules on staphylococcal enterotoxin, but coagulase-positive Staphylococci were evidenced in all samples tested. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were never detected whereas E. coli was evidenced in 20 samples. Results suggest a need for improvement of good manufacturing practice and milking operation.

Mastitis is the most frequent and costly disease of lactating animals and is associated with a significant reduction in milk yield, increased cost and culling. Early and specific antibiotic based treatment reduces the severity of the disease. Over the years the extensive use of antimicrobials has led to increase antimicrobial resistance. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms responsible for mastitis and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. A total of 282 milk samples were collected from different animal species (sheep, cows and goats) with clinical mastitis. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated for Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. In cow samples Streptococcus spp. represented the most frequently isolated genus (33.84%), while Staphylococcus spp. was the most prevalent genus in sheep and goat samples (44.4 and 73.86%, respectively). Gentamicin and chloramphenicol were found to be the most effective drugs against the tested isolates, while the highest resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.