Search

In the history of medicine, scurvy is associated mainly with great overseas discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is estimated that about 2 million sailors died of scurvy during this period of discovery. The occurrence of scurvy in the past is therefore well mapped in coastal countries, but insufficient attention has as yet been paid to its distribution among the civilian population inland. The presented communication summarizes the available information on this disease, obtained both from literary sources and from the study of direct evidence on skeletal remains from various dated archaeological sites in the Czech Lands (Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia), located in Central Europe. The study also seeks to capture the living conditions of individuals with scurvy, with a special focus on the nutrition of the studied population. It confirms the occurrence of this disease from prehistory to modern times. The endangered group is always children between 2 and 5 years of age, which corresponds to the period when breastfeeding ends and there is a transition to a solid diet. In modern times, scurvy is recorded mainly in social institutions (orphanages, foundling homes), prisons and in armies in times of war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the fruit of the Cornus mas L. in the food industry has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. Although these fruits currently belong to marginal species, there is an increasing interest in cultivating this crop. The main goal of the present study was to determine pomological properties of 6 varieties and 4 ecotypes of Cornus mas L. fruit grown in the Czech Republic and to find out whether it is possible to differentiate these varieties and ecotypes from one another by means of analysis of variance of the obtained data. To exclude the impact of climatic conditions, fruits harvested in three seasons (2010–2012) were analysed. The results showed that the chemical composition of Cornus mas L. varieties or ecotypes originating in the Czech Republic ('Ruzynsky', 'Tisnovsky', 'Olomoucky'), Ukraine ('Elegantni', 'Vydubecky', 'Vysegrodsky', 'Lukjanovsky'), Austria ('Fruchtal', 'Jolico') and Slovakia ('Sokolnicky') is significantly different. Varieties or ecotypes of Cornus mas L. originating in the Czech Republic contained high amount of ascorbic acid (avg. 315 mg kg−1 f.w.). Varieties of Cornus mas originating in Austria were rich in polyphenols (avg. 1728 mg kg−1 f.w.). Slovakian ecotype of Cornus mas 'Sokolnicky' contained the highest amount of citric acid (avg. 0.53 g kg−1 f.w.). Ukrainian varieties were characterized by a higher content of trace elements (avg. 2.41 mg kg−1 Cu and 3.37 mg kg−1 Zn f.w.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the quality of kiwiberries produced in the territory of the Czech Republic in 2018 and 2019. Actinidia arguta is a very hardy and flexible species which can produce fully ripe fruits even in the setting of moderate climatic zones unlike commercially available A. chinensis as a variety which needs a longer season with higher temperatures to become fully ripe. Once harvested, the fruit was studied for soluble solids content, titratable acidity, antioxidant activity and the content of malic, citric and ascorbic acids. Unlike commercially available kiwifruits, kiwiberries lack hair and can be consumed unpeeled. The results of the present study confirmed the notable potential of kiwiberries consisting namely in the levels of antioxidants present in the skin of the fruit. Kiwiberry fruits feature a higher level of acidity than is common in conventional commercial varieties of A. chinensis as citric acid is the type of acid prevailing in the fruit at all times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to evaluate the yield parameters (number of fruits per plant, total yield per plant and average fruit weight), level of ascorbic acid, and pungency (SHU units) of different genotypes of chilli pepper in protected cultivation in the Czech Republic in order to identify a suitable and prospective chilli cultivar which could be recommended to the Central European growers. The experiment took place in two years (2016 and 2018) in a plastic greenhouse with 17 genotypes of the species Capsicum chinense Jacq., C. annuum L., C. baccatum L. and C. pubescens Ruiz. & Pav. From the viewpoint of yield parameters and stability of yield, 'Habanero Red', 'Jamaican Yellow', 'Jwala' and 'Rocoto Orange' can be recommended for Czech conditions. The majority of the tested cultivars were a good source of vitamin C (mostly reaching a value of at least 800 mg kg−1). From the perspective of pungency, the following cultivars can be recommended: low pungency – Fish, Jalapeño, Jwala, Pimiento de Padrón and Rocoto Orange; medium pungency – Cayenne Gold, NuMex Piñata and Scotch Bonnet Orange; and high pungency – Aji Lemon Drop, Cayenne Purple, TMSR and Tricolor Variegata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to make an analysis of significant parameters in wine grape from Czech Republic. It was evaluated pH, content of sugar, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, total phenolic content and texture properties. For analyzes 5 samples of wine grape were used, harvested during the three periods. The results show that during the ripening of wine grapes there were changes of selected qualitative parameters, particularly of total polyphenols, sugar and some varieties of wine grape also ascorbic acid (significantly in the variety ’Grüner Veltliner’, ’Chardonnay’, ’Pinot Blanc’). Pronounced changes qualitative parameters were among wine grapes harvested the 1st and 2nd seasons. Changes in textural properties also occurred during the harvest and for most varieties between 2nd and 3rd period of harvest. The PCA grouped chemical parameters of wine grape in independent sets and can be used as assessment tool of wine cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry matter, organic acids, ascorbic acid, minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium) and polyphenolic profile of a number of non-traditional fruit species and their genotypes, namely blue honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), black mulberry (Morus nigra), Tomentosa cherry (Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) and jostaberry (Ribes nigrum x Grossularia uva-crispa) were investigated. The results showed that Lonicera genotypes displayed high levels of ascorbic acid and they were rich in minerals, with the cultivar 'Amfora' achieving the leading position in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content among all lesser known fruit species. Amelanchier cultivars represented a valuable source of ascorbic acid and calcium, 'Tišňovský' and 'Smoky' together with Morus nigra 'Jugoslavska' accumulated the highest level of examined polyphenolic compounds. Regular consumption of studied less common fruit species can bring health benefits so they can represent a high potential value for fruit growers and in addition they can be utilised as functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrots are the most popular and wide-spread of all root vegetables, and are the principal source of carotenoids in human diet. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between cultivars and the effect of storage regarding the carotenoid and vitamin C content in carrots. Six carrot cultivars were used in this study, ranging from early to late ones. Observed carotersoid content ranged flora 60 mg kg-1 to 134 mg kg-1. Significantly higher levels of carotenoids were found in late and moderately late cultivars in comparison to early ones. Vitamin C content in these cultivars ranged from 54 mg kg-1 to 132 mg kg-1. Significantly higher contents of viramin C were also found in the late cultivars. 30-day storage resulted in a significant reduction in vitamin C content, on average of 47%. There was also a reduction in the carotenoids content, but to a lesser extent, on average of 11%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]