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The High Voltage Electrical Discharge (HVED) is a physical hydropriming method which alters the physicochemical properties of water, creating the plasma activated water (PAW). The mixture of highly reactive ions and molecules can break down the seed dormancy and speed up the growing process. Previous studies presented the promotional role of HVED technology on the germination, growth and polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of HVED technology on germination ability and vitality of three types of seeds with low germination rate. Selected species included carrot (Daucus carota L.), melilot (Melilotus albus Medik.), and mallow (Malva verticillata L.). In carrot and mallow, HVED (20Hz/30s) significantly promoted germination percentage, whilst in melilot seeds, germination was unchanged. HVED treatment enhanced the growth of shoots and roots in both carrot and mallow. In melilot, shorter treatment time of exposure to high voltage (30Hz/10s) resulted in longer shoots and roots. Perspectives of HVED as a method for improvement of germination exist, especially in mellow and carrot, but it is necessary to optimize the process parameters for each type of seed separately.

The current study aimed to examine how various growers in the Czech Republic hop-growing regions approached the production of hops (Saaz variety). The work also keeps track of how different growers approach fertilization and nutrition, as well as how often plant protection chemicals containing these ingredients are used. The Saaz hop variety samples from the primary Czech hop-growing regions, gathered in 2020 and 2021, were assessed. The average spindle length (14–18 mm), average number of spindle segments (9.3–11.9 pcs/needle) and conductometric parameters (2.7–4.7% w/w) in the samples were identified.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of caraway (1%) in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens’ diet and its effect on performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, and relative organ sizes and ileum morphology in slow-growing broilers. Two separated experiments were performed. On the first day of age, the broilers were divided into 2 equal groups (Control and Caraway) with 6 replicates per treatment in both experiments. Experiment I: The total of 276 male fast-growing Ross 308 broiler chickens were used. The trial lasted from the first day to 35th day of chickens’ age. Experiment II: The total of 216 male slow-growing (Hubbard JA 57) broilers were used. The trial lasted from the first to 50th day of chickens’ age. Mean liveweight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, blood biochemical parameters, and relative organ sizes were not significantly different in these trials. The group of slow-growing broilers supplemented with 1% of caraway in the diet showed longer villi and deeper crypt in the ileum after 50 d of life. Based on our results, it can be stated that the proportion of 1% caraway in fast-growing and slow-growing broiler chickens’ diet did not influence performance parameters, blood biochemical profile and relative organ sizes. In case of the experiment with the slow-growing broilers supplemented with caraway, a significant difference in the height of the villi and the depth of the crypts was found. Caraway can be included in the broiler chickens’ diets without negative effects, but further study of the effect on the intestinal morphology is necessary.

This study investigated the possibilities of fortification of beer with various herbal extracts. The aim was to fortify beer with natural substances that have favourable effects on consumers´ health. The tested beers were enriched with ethanol extracts of medicinal herbs (ribwort plantain, small leaved linden, purple coneflower, chamomile, sage) so that the sensory characters of the supplemented herbal extract created only an accompanying perception and the malt and hop flavour of beer was preserved. In the enriched beers, the contents of the selected phenolic substances and important essential oils were determined and sensory evaluation was performed. The content of phenolic substances increased the most in beer with linden (42.46 mg/l) and plantain (37.5 mg/l) extracts, approximately four times compared to the original beer (8.11 mg/l). Beer with sage and chamomile extract achieved the best sensory assessment, with components of essential oils added in units of ng/l of beer.

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] achieved a significant increase in interest over the past few years from local and foreign pharmaceutical corporations. The silymarin complex of constituents extracted from milk thistle achenes provides compelling health benefits primarily thanks to antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects. However, consuming mycotoxin-contaminated plant material can cause immunosuppression and hepatotoxic problems. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for the determination of mycotoxin content in milk thistle. Fusarium toxins as T-2 and HT-2 toxins in grown milk thistle harvested from a breeding station in the Czech Republic during 2020–2021 were studied. The analysis of T-2 and HT-2 toxins was performed by UPLC-MS/MS after immunoaffinity columns EASI-EXTRACT® T-2 & HT-2 clean up. All analysed samples of milk thistle were contaminated with T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin. The content of T-2 toxin in the samples from 2020 was in the range of 122.7–290.2 µg/kg and HT-2 toxin 157.0–319.0 µg/kg. In 2021, the content of T-2 toxin was in the range of 28.8–69.9 µg/kg and HT-2 toxin was 24.2–75.4 µg/kg. The results show that the climatic conditions of the year of harvesting have a highly statistically significant effect on the content of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in milk thistle.

The activity of vitamin E, total content of tocols and the content of individual isomers: α-tocopherols, β-tocopherols, γ-tocopherols and δ-tocopherols was monitored in samples of hop cones of the world-important Saaz variety. Hop cone samples originated from hop-breeding area Tršice, Czech Republic. The method used for the determination of vitamin E in barley was modified and used for this quantitative analysis. The results indicate that monitored characteristics are influenced by the year of harvest (2010 or 2011) but also by the age of hop-gardens (hop bucks). High values of vitamin E activity (up to 67.79 mg.kg−1) and total content of tocols (up to 76.31 mg.kg−1) in hop cones are worth further attention from the viewpoint of alternative use of hops.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and peppermint (Mentha piperita) are aromatic herbs with medicinal and spice properties. Essential oils belong to the most important substances contained in these plants. The amount and properties of the individual substances contained in the essential oils are decisive for their utilization in food industry where they are used besides others to enhance the flavor of food. Essential oils were extracted from dried flowers of lavender and dried leaves of peppermint by steam distillation. Relative representation of components contained in isolated essential oils was determined by the technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Essential oils from plants from the field experimental station in Žabčice and from plants purchased in stores were compared. Samples of essential oils from lavender grown in the field experimental station in Žabčice contained the highest amount of linalool (56.2–66.6%) and linalyl acetate (21.5–34.8%), samples of essential oils from lavender purchased in stores contained the highest amounts of linalool (24.4 – 31,0%), camphor (25,8 – 28,1%), eucalyptol (20,3–22,3%) and linalyl acetate (11.6–16.9%). The representation of the individual components in all peppermint essential oils samples was comparable. The highest contents of menthone (34.3–53.8%) and menthol (26.9 – 42.8%) were detected.

Varietal differences in free ferulic acid contents were determined in spring barley caryopses. The highest content of free ferulic acid on two years' average (2007 and 2008) was found in the variety Sebastian (15.68 mg.kg-1) differing statistically significantly from all the other varieties under study. The highest total ferulic acid content on two years' average was recorded in the varieties Jersey (984.10 mg.kg-1) and Tolar (973.02 mg.kg-1) and differing thus statistically significantly from some of the varieties in the set. Years of growing also affected free and total ferulic acid contents significantly. In 2007 content of free ferulic acid on average of the set of varieties was statistically significantly higher (14.06 mg.kg-1) compared to 2008 (10.88 mg.kg-1). On the contrary, significantly higher level of total ferulic acid on the average of the set was determined in 2008 (972.98 mg.kg-1) versus 2007 (822.21 mg.kg-1). These findings could be due to different temperature and moisture conditions of the growing years and interactions of these conditions AND varieties. We can conclude that free and total ferulic acid contents were statistically significantly affected by varieties, weather conditions in the individual years of growing and interactions between these factors.Varietal differences in free ferulic acid contents were determined in spring barley caryopses. The highest content of free ferulic acid on two years' average (2007 and 2008) was found in the variety Sebastian (15.68 mg.kg-1) differing statistically significantly from all the other varieties under study. The highest total ferulic acid content on two years' average was recorded in the varieties Jersey (984.10 mg.kg-1) and Tolar (973.02 mg.kg-1) and differing thus statistically significantly from some of the varieties in the set. Years of growing also affected free and total ferulic acid contents significantly. In 2007 content of free ferulic acid on average of the set of varieties was statistically significantly higher (14.06 mg.kg-1) compared to 2008 (10.88 mg.kg-1). On the contrary, significantly higher level of total ferulic acid on the average of the set was determined in 2008 (972.98 mg.kg-1) versus 2007 (822.21 mg.kg-1). These findings could be due to different temperature and moisture conditions of the growing years and interactions of these conditions AND varieties. We can conclude that free and total ferulic acid contents were statistically significantly affected by varieties, weather conditions in the individual years of growing and interactions between these factors.