## 3 Results and Discussion
### Detection of DNA of Species in Beef Sausages

Table 3: DNA detection and declaration status in declared beef sausage samples (n = 68). The sampling strategy was designed to provide a preliminary overview of meat species usage and potential adulteration in sausages available in the Kosovar market. Although the sample size is relatively modest, it reflects the local availability and accessibility of sausage products. The higher proportion of industrial sausages in the sample (43 vs. 25) corresponds to their wider market presence and availability across the region rather than an intentional sampling bias. We acknowledge that this imbalance, along with the limited geographic scope confined to Kosovo, may reduce the statistical power for generalizing findings to broader regional or global contexts. Additionally, the lower number of traditional sausages may under-represent the variability inherent in artisanal production practices. Therefore, the study should be interpreted as an exploratory assessment of local practices rather than a comprehensive evaluation of international meat adulteration trends. Future studies with larger and more geographically diverse samples are recommended to validate and expand upon these findings. It is worth noting that the addition of meat from other species to industrial sausages was perhaps expected, but such findings in 32% of homemade sausages are somewhat of a surprise, considering that traditional recipes for homemade sausage-making in Kosovo consist of 100% beef only. Consumer acceptance is crucial, as the inclusion of other meat species in beef sausages, despite economic benefits, may face resistance without sensory studies on the impact of added poultry. In addition, traditional food authenticity is highly valued in Kosovo, making undisclosed additions potentially controversial. The LCD Array has proven to be a reliable and sensitive method for detecting species' DNA, with this study confirming its high accuracy in food testing. Other authors also found that PCR was associated with a commercial DNA macro-array on pure meat samples, spiked samples, proficiency test samples, and processed samples, and showed high specificity on the targeted species, with sensitivity down to 1% (\(w/w\)) [30]. In addition, the Meat 5.0 LCD-Array kit is highly specific and allows easy identification of animal species, is sufficiently sensitive, and provides repeatable results.These methods of analysis are recommended for comprehensively monitoring the presence of animal species in food samples, regardless of the degree of heat treatment or mechanical processing, as an effective tool for detecting food adulteration [31]. However, the high sensitivity of the LCD Array may result in the detection of trace DNA from cross-contamination sources, such as animal-derived casings, processing equipment, or environmental exposure. This introduces a limitation, as the assay cannot definitively differentiate between low-level incidental contamination and deliberate adulteration. Therefore, when species are detected at or near the threshold of detection, caution is warranted in interpreting the results, especially in the absence of quantitative DNA measurement.