Search

The review focuses on the evaluation of antioxidant potential and its changes by various factors such as growing conditions, the use of fertilizers, the analyzed part of the plant, the solvent used, the extraction method, purifying procedures, and the determination method for selected medicinal and aromatic plants that are lesser-known as antioxidant sources. The lesser-known representatives of Lamiaceae family (Lamium album, Leonurus cardiaca, Hyssopus officinalis, Scutellaria baicalensis), Asteraceae family (Artemisia absinthium), Myrtaceae family (Pimenta dioica), and Rosaceae family (Crataegus laevigata) were selected. The most important factors affecting antioxidant potential are the used solvent and its polarity (water and its temperature, ethanol, mixture of these solvents, methanol, n-butanol, and ethylacetate), extraction techniques, essential oil preparation, and the type and conditions of antioxidant activity (AA) determination method (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, etc.). The plant composition and the occurrence of biologically active compounds (BACs), such as phenolics (phenolic acids and flavonoids) that participate in their biological impacts and deactivate reactive oxygen species, are also described. This work thus provides a summary of this issue and an extension of information focused on factors that affect plant components' presence and thus have an impact on the overall antioxidant potential (total polyphenol content TPC, antioxidant activity) of lesser-known plant representatives with antioxidant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores an application of 3D printing technology on the food industry. Since its inception in the 1980s, 3D printing has experienced a huge rise in popularity. This study uses cost-effective, flexible, and sustainable components that enable specific features of certain gas chromatography. This study aims to optimize the process of gas detection using a 3D printed separation column and the MiCS-6814 sensor. The principle of the entire device is based on the idea of utilizing a simple capillary chromatographic column manufactured by 3D printing for the separation of samples into components prior to their measurement using inexpensive chemiresistive sensors. An optimization of a system with a 3D printed PLA block containing a capillary, a mixing chamber, and a measuring chamber with a MiCS-6814 sensor was performed. The optimization distributed the sensor output signal in the time domain so that it was possible to distinguish the peak for the two most common alcohols, ethanol and methanol. The paper further describes some optimization types and their possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberries are one of the most popular berries in the world due to their distinctive aroma, flavor, and known health properties. A top day-neutral strawberry variety, the Albion, with its potential for high yields of large fruit, was grown in two different locations (Dağdibi and Hamidiye) at different altitudes (1410 and 1293 m) in Pozantı, a district of the Adana province in Türkiye, for late season production. Ripe fruits were harvested during the commercial harvest period, and several important physical and biochemical parameters were examined. In addition, the fruit's (berry's) external and flesh color, fruit length and width, soluble solid content (SSC), antioxidant capacity, total phenol and anthocyanin contents, individual sugars, organic acids, and volatile compounds were determined. Among these parameters, external fruit color, fruit width and length, SSC, total anthocyanin, total phenol, and ascorbic acid values showed differences between locations. In Hamidiye, the cv. Albion had the highest values of fruit width (32.04 mm) and total phenol content (51.80 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). In comparison, fruit length (44.22 mm), total acidity (1.65%), anthocyanin content (33.10 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per 100 g), and ascorbic acid (53.42 mg/100 g) were higher in Dağdibi. The results indicate that locations at different altitudes affect the fruit's physical traits and the composition of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inexpensive chemiresistive sensors are often insufficiently selective as they are sensitive to multiple components of the gas mixture at the same time. One solution would be to insert a device in front of the sensor that separates the measured gas mixture and possibly isolates the unwanted components. This study focused on the fabrication and characterization of a compact unit, which was fabricated by 3D printing, for the separation and detection of simple gas mixtures. The capillary, the basic part of the compact unit, was 4.689 m long and had a diameter of 0.7 mm. The compact unit also contained a mixing chamber on the inlet side and a measuring chamber with a MiCS-6814 sensor on the outlet side. Mixtures of ethanol and water at different concentrations were chosen for characterization. The measured calibration curve was found to have a reliability of R2 = 0.9941. The study further addressed the elements of environmental friendliness of the materials used and their sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing container cell size and nutrition is crucial for enhancing the quality of vegetable transplants. The current study evaluated the effect of different cell sizes and Ca(NO3)2 on some properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants. Experimental treatment included four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L-1) of Ca(NO3)2 and 5 different cell sizes of containers (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Ca(NO3)2 and larger cell size, increased height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, and concentration of chlorophyll, protein, SPAD, carbohydrates, and macro/micronutrients. The results revealed that maximum shoot and root fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, N, P, K, Ca, and Fe concentrations were recorded at 150 mg L-1 × cell size 5. In comparison, the highest Zn and Mn concentrations were recorded at 100 mg L-1 × cell size 4 and 5. Our results demonstrated that applying Ca(NO3)2 and increasing the cell size of the containers improved the traits evaluated, so Ca(NO3)2 at 10 and 15 mg L-1 with cell size 5 can be recommended to transplant producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment examined the influence of two different silage additives of biological (Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, enzyme xylanase) and chemical (43% formic acid, 30% ammonium formate, 10% propionic acid, 2% benzoic acid) types on biogenic amines concentration, nutrient content, fermentation process, and microbiologic indicators in lucerne (Medicago sativa) silage after 90 days of fermentation. The biological additive significantly (P < 0.05) increased putrescine (+51%), lactic acid (+11%) and protein content (+11%) in comparison with control silage. It significantly decreased cadaverine (−29%), histamine (−57%), spermidine (−15%), spermine (−55%), acetic acid (−40%), ethanol (−55%), ammonium (−25%) and ash (−9%). After the chemical-additive treatment, greater amounts of histamine and tyramine were recorded. Significant decrease was observed in the concentrations of putrescine (−18%), cadaverine (−55%), spermidine (−47%), spermine (−45%), lactic acid (−16%), acetic acid (−46%), ammonium (−59%), ash (−13%) and fat (−24%). Populations of bacteria associated with lactic acid fermentation, moulds, yeasts, enterobacteria and total microorganisms count were also influenced. Both biological and chemical additives can be highly recommended for producing high-quality silages meeting hygienic requirements. In lucerne silage, the chemical preservative showed a stronger effect in achieving the health safety of silage compared to the biological inoculant.

Possibilities of edible insects use in European countries, are now an increasingly debated issue. Insects in Asian, African, Central American and South Central American cultures are mainly nutritional components. This review mainly describes the species of insects that are suitable as food in Europe and other developed countries. This comprehensive work addresses the issue of eating insects, especially considering the nutritionally important factors. Risks are also mentioned, as well as allergies, toxicity, and other aspects of the breeding and use of edible insects. Insects play and will play important roles in the future in various fields of research, exploitation, breeding, etc. This review provides a comprehensive current and future view of insects as a valuable foodstuff.

Together with chitin, the [beta]-glucans are components of mycetes' cell walls. A high level of biological efficiency has been found in [beta]-glucans, especially [beta]-1,3-D-glucans and [beta]-1,6-D-glucans isolated from some basidiomycetes. (Biological efficiency refers to the relative ability of [beta]-glucans to promote a desired response, for example to induce leukocyte activation and to produce inflammatory mediators.) These polysaccharides increase the number of Th1 lymphocytes, which help protect organisms against allergic reactions. A number of [beta]-glucans, for example pleuran from Oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms or lentinan from Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushrooms, have shown marked anticarcinogenic activity. In addition to having an immunity-stimulating effect, [beta]-glucans may participate in physiological processes related to the metabolism of fats in the human body. Their application results in a decrease in the total cholesterol content in blood and may also contribute to reductions in body weight. Key words: basidiomycetes, beta-glucans, cytokines, leukocytes, neoplasias doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00230.x