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Flower petals, as byproducts, provide significant health benefits and can be used in food production. In this study, the impact of the micronization process using a ball mill on the properties of micronized powders derived from wild rose petals of the rugosa variety (Rosa rugosa Thunb.) was examined. The micronized rose powders were subjected to an investigation regarding their particle size, color, molecular characterization (FTIR), electronic nose procedure and antioxidant potential. The study found that micronization considerably reduced d50 particle dimensions from 98.6 µm to 39.9 µm. An FTIR analysis revealed the presence of characteristic (2980, 1340, and 1225 cm−1) bands. The hydrolysable tannins are the most abundant polyphenolic chemicals in rose powders, followed by anthocyanins. Rose powders are an extremely valuable antioxidant raw material due to their high total phenol content (71.8 mg GAE/g), which increased by approximately 26% after micronization. The antioxidant activity, as determined by ABTS•+, DPPH• and FRAP, is likewise very high. The intensity of volatile chemicals decreased in powders after micronization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change forces agriculture to face the rapidly growing virulence of biotrophic fungal pathogens, which in turn drives researchers to seek new ways of combatting or limiting the spread of diseases caused by the same. While the use of agrochemicals may be the most efficient strategy in this context, it is important to ensure that such chemicals are safe for the natural environment. Heterocyclic compounds have enormous biological potential. A series of heterocyclic scaffolds (1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, benzothiazine, benzothiadiazine, and quinazoline) containing 2,4-dihydroxylaryl substituents were investigated for their ability to inhibit the growth and development of biotrophic fungal pathogens associated with several important cereal diseases. Of the 33 analysed compounds, 3 were identified as having high inhibitory potential against Blumeria and Puccinia fungi. The conducted research indicated that the analysed compounds can be used to reduce the incidence of fungal diseases in cereals; however, further thorough research is required to investigate their effects on plant–pathogen systems, including molecular studies to determine the exact mechanism of their activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is a plant endemic to Asia where it has been used for centuries for the production of essential oils. With the constantly growing demand for vegetable fats it is necessary to find new methods of ensuring their high quality from the moment of production until their eventual purchase by the consumer. Correct assessment of the quality of oleaginous products is therefore one of the intensively explored scientific problems that stimulates the development of innovative methods of analysing such substances. One of the newer and, most importantly, faster alternatives in the context of analysing the quality of oil and the changes it undergoes during storage is offered by FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy). By measuring the relevant FTIR spectra, we were able to observe clear discrepancies in the intensity of bands characteristic of the aging processes taking place in the oleaginous samples due to the oxidation of their fat fractions. The chemometric analysis of FTIR spectra confirmed the high quality of the analysed oils. It is noteworthy that the analysed samples of Moldavian dragonhead oil did not show particularly extensive changes in terms of their FTIR spectra during long-term storage. It confirms their high durability and usability in food production as an excellent product. This is valuable information in order to make progress in the use of Moldavian dragonhead oil in food products.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality and characterise a selection of honey varieties with the use of physicochemical, FTIR, and chemometric analysis. The research material consisted of monofloral nectar honeys of 5 distinct varieties: black locust, raspberry, oilseed rape, linden, and buckwheat. The contents of water, soluble solids, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, free acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, and water activity were measured. Infrared spectra were measured within the spectra range from 3700 to 780 cm−1. The obtained results from the FTIR measurements for selected honeys showed the greatest changes in the area of the band maxima: 3333, 1641, 1453, 1248, 1184, 1033, and 985 cm−1. The identification of the origin and chemometric analyses were provided for the spectral regions with the maxima at approximately 3333 and 1641 cm−1 (vibrations from water fractions), 2935 and 2885 cm−1 (symmetrical and asymmetrical vibrations of the -CH2 and -CH3 groups), as well as the fingerprint region where varying intensities of the characteristic bands were observed. Chemometric analysis of the FTIR spectra confirmed the high quality of the analysed honey varieties as well as the differences also in their sugar fractions. The results obtained after employing PCA in the spectroscopic analysis of infrared spectra evidence high applicability of the methods of multi-dimensional statistical analysis in the determination of discrepancies, similarities, and structural characteristics of any given type of honey. A catalogue of FTIR spectra can be created to allow fast and cost-effective identification of honeys, compared to traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unavailability of biodegradable preservatives is one of the major setbacks in the construction industry. With this in mind, our study focused on the analysis and comparison of two hydrophobic liquids, one vegetable oil-based (VOA) and the other mineral oil-based (MOA), and subsequently applying the same on three types of wood. The comparison of the vegetable oil-based (VOA) and mineral oil-based (MOA) hydrophobic liquids revealed that VOA was characterized by an 83.4% susceptibility to aerobic biodegradation, while MOA was considerably more resistant (47.80%). Based on the conducted contact angle measurements, it was observed that the wettability of pine and oak wood decreased after the application of both VOA (for pine—twice; for oak—by 38%) and MOA (for pine—more than two times; for oak—by 49%), while in the case of aspen, the same was increased (after the application of VOA—by 20%; after the application of MOA—by 2%). The observed depth of penetration into the structure of the impregnated wood was lower for the VOA impregnant as compared to the MOA impregnant. This result persisted in all types of wood used in the experiment. Observations of the process of water absorption during soaking revealed that VOA was more beneficial in terms of lowering water absorption into the material, regardless of wood type. The overall results were better for VOA, which lowered the mass of soaked wood by between 19.73 and 66.90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]