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Wheat is one of the world's most commonly consumed cereal grains. It originates from a type of grass (Triticum) that is grown in countless varieties worldwide. Bread wheat or common wheat is a primary species. Several other closely related species include durum, spelt, emmer, einkorn, and Khorasan wheat. In addition to being a major source of starch and energy, wheat also provides substantial amounts of a number of components which are essential or beneficial for health, notably proteins, vitamins (notably B vitamins), dietary fibres, and phytochemicals. Wheat is a basic food product of Macedonian population. This study is mainly focused on measuring the concentration of radioactivity due to natural radioactive nuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) in wheat grain samples, as well as on determining the quality of wheat used in daily diet. In addition, in this study we calculated radiation hazard indices (radium equivalent activity and internal hazard index) in the wheat sample. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the wheat samples were 0.57±0.14; 0.39±0.11; 96.55±0.86 (Bq·kg-1 ), respectively. The radiation hazard indices were calculated for all samples in this study where mean values did not exceed safety limits, pointing out to negligible radiation hazard arising from terrestrial radionuclides that are naturally present in wheat. In terms of quality, we confirmed that all tested samples meet the requirements regarding quality in accordance with the laws in our country.

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Plant Sciences is the property of Goce Delcev University - Stip, Faculty of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Republic of North Macedonia, the production of grapes and wine has been known since ancient times. Many grape varieties are grown in this region, but one of the most important and largest regions for wine production is the Tikveš region. The aim of the research was to determine the presence of natural radionuclides, as well as total and free SO2 that are added as additives in wine during its production. The analyses were performed by gamma spectrometry and the obtained spectra were analyzed by the GENIE 2000 programme. The sulfites were determined using OIV accredited methods after prior validation and verification. The results show that 40K is present in all wine brands with a larger size than the other radionuclides observed. 40K levels ranged from low 24.15 ± 2.30 to 38.22 ± 1.50 Bq/L for white wines and 16.28 ± 3.20 to 22.80 ± 3.50 Bq/L for red. As for sulfites, differences can be noticed in terms of the content of total and free SO2 in all examined wines. Regarding red wines, the lowest value for the content of both total and free SO2 is observed in Merlot wine (free SO2 = 10.20 ± 0.54mg/L and total SO2 = 51.79 ± 0.55mg/L) and in terms of white wines, the lowest content of total and free SO2 is observed in Muscat Ottonel wine (free SO2 = 6.84 ± 0.36mg/L and total SO2 = 40.24 ± 0.43mg/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Plant Sciences is the property of Goce Delcev University - Stip, Faculty of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the Republic of North Macedonia, the production of wine is very well known, but in the markets, there is also a variety of imported wines. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine the basic parameters which determine the quality of the wine. A total of 106 domestic and imported wines were included in this research. The basic chemical parameters for each of the samples were examined by using standard OIV methods. Verification of the methods was done by determining its accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility using standard reference material and proficiency testing. Depending on the sugar content, wines were divided into 4 groups: dry, semi dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines. The highest alcohol content was observed in dry wines originating from all countries that were subject of this research (up to 13.54 vol %) and the lowest was observed in wines originating from Italy which are mostly used as dessert wines (5.07 vol %). The semi-dry wines originating from France showed the slightest value (min.12.18 mg/L free SO2 and min.60.20 mg/L total SO2), which corresponds to their high quality and price on the market. This research is of great interest for the needs of the market and the price of the wine, due to the wine quality standards under the law of Republic of North Macedonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]