Search

Short-rotation woody plants of the genus Paulownia are attracting more and more attention as trees that produce biomass and reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, plants growing in monoculture affect the properties and condition of the soil. One of the effects of changes in the soil environment is the growing population of plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). The article presents information about the PPN inhabiting the root zone of the Paulownia tomentosa plantation in Poland. In this study, the frequency and density of nematode populations in samples from seven plantations in Poland were determined. The extracted nematodes were identified at the species level on the basis of the male and female morphological characteristics according to several available identification resources. A total of 20 nematode species were identified, of which 9 were classified as accessory and 11 as occasional. Among them, Trichodorus viruliferus and Longidorus attenuatus belonging to the group of viral messengers were identified.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using residues from cooking oil production to produce alternative biochar fuels along with optimizing the pyrolysis process. The work consisted of carrying out the pyrolysis process at varying temperatures and holding times at the final temperature, and then evaluating the energy potential of the materials studied. Taking into account aspects of environmental emissions, the content of selected oxides in the flue gases generated during the combustion of cakes and the biochar obtained from them was evaluated. Plant biomass derived from a variety of oilseeds, i.e., fennel flower (Nigella sativa L.), rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. Napus), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.), milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), was used to produce biochar. The experimental data have shown that the obtained biochar can have a calorific value of nearly 27 MJ kg−1. The use of pyrolysis allowed for a maximum increase in the calorific value of nearly 41% compared to non-thermally processed cakes and a several-fold decrease in carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions. According to these results, it can be concluded that the pyrolysis process can be an attractive method for using residues from the production of various cooking oils to produce alternative biofuels, developing the potential of the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study showed the eliciting effect of aqueous extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum on the development of Eruca sativa microgreens in a quartz-based substrate. There is no information in the literature on the impact of its use on the quality, bioactive compound content, and nutritional value of arugula microgreens. Assays that have been made include the following: total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFV), enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and enzymes involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The antioxidant activity against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was also evaluated. The total phenolic content of arugula microgreens increased significantly after an application of aqueous extracts of A. nodosum to the substrate. The greatest increase in flavonoid content (89%) and antioxidant activity against DPPH (82%) was observed at a concentration of 2.5%. The highest increase in activity of CAT (68.2%), SOD (25%), PAL (13-fold), and PPO (84.2%) was observed with the application of 5% extract. In conclusion, the use of Ascophyllum nodosum algae affects TPC and TFV, antioxidant activity, PAL, PPO, SOD, and CAT in the microgreens studied. By prioritising organic and environmentally friendly extracts, growers can contribute to a more sustainable and healthier food system, especially in the case of the production of Eruca sativa microgreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges of the modern world largely concern the energy sector and determine the search for new envi- ronmentally friendly and, above all, renewable energy sources. We can consider biochar or materials obtained by pyrolysis as an alternative and green fuel. Substrates for the production of such fuels can be biomass of agricultural origin, including straw. In the present study, wheat straw, oat straw, and triticale straw were used to produce pyrolysates. This paper evaluates the modifica- tion of pyrolysis parameters by assessing selected properties of pyrolysates, focusing on the calorific value and parameters characterizing the dust explosion hazard. There was an average increase of 30% in the calorific value of all biocarbons prepared from the three types of straw in relation to the control sample. The anaerobic thermal treatment resulted in a maximum increase in the calorific value to 26.43 MJ kg -1. An increase in such parameters as dust explosive index, the maximum rate of pressure buildup and the maximum explosion pressure was found. However, there was no effect on the increase in the dust explosion risk. Noteworthy, the results indicate that it is possible to use various types of straw to produce biochar fuels by anaerobic thermal treatment without increasing the probability of dust explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transfer of toxic metals from soil to honey was studied based on two different areas of the Podkarpackie region located in the south-east part of Poland: U-urbanized and E-ecologically pure. The metal content was determined using the ICP-OES method with prior microwave mineralization of the soil, plant (goldenrod, dandelion, rapeseed, tilia and fir), bee bodies and honey samples collected from 10 sampling points (U-5 and E-5). The impact of soil pH on heavy metal mobility was also evaluated. It was found that Podkarpackie soils are less contaminated with heavy metals as compared to other regions of Poland and only in the case of cadmium an enhancement of the natural background level was observed. The migration of heavy metals, especially cadmium, in the soil-plant-bee-honey food chain was accelerated by soil acidity (p0.05). Based on bioaccumulation factors, goldenrod and dandelion plants were confirmed as cadmium accumulators. It was also confirmed that the bodies of bees act as an effective barrier to the migration of heavy metals from the environment to honey, due to this, honey is free from these metals and safe for human consumption.

Fertilisation with ash from biomass combustion has a positive effect on the quality of nutrients in agrifood raw materials, improving their chemical composition and bioavailability. In the experiments carried out, the protein content and the profile of free amino acids in barley flour were examined from cultivation fertilised with biomass ash at various doses. Barley flour from Haplic Luvisol soil was characterised by a significantly higher (by 13.8% on average) total protein content compared to flour obtained from grains from Gleyic Chernozem soil. The highest protein content but a low content of free amino acids were found in the grains of plants fertilised with the mineral NPK (D1). An increase in the total pool of free amino acids in flour was observed, especially in the case of Haplic Luvisol soil. On average, after fertilising, significantly more ASP, ASN, GLU, GLY, ALA, and CYS were obtained in variant D4 (1.5 t·ha−1), and there were also significantly more TAU and GABA than in the control, up by 30.2% and 23%, respectively. A beneficial effect of fertilisation on the essential amino acid content in barley flour was found, but only up to the dose of D4, when it was significantly higher than in the control and under mineral fertilising (D1), up by 23.7% and 9.2%, respectively. High ash doses reduced the content of free amino acids in the tested barley flour. This study confirmed that using an alternative method of fertilising with plant biomass ash has a beneficial effect on protein quality and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is intended to contribute to the evidence of the effects of static magnetic field on cells and tissue, as well as to present research results that will elucidate the complex matters involved in the formation and remodeling of cells. The cell characteristics studied in the papers that are reviewed include cell viability and proliferation, aggregation and their differentiation, structure and membrane potential. A moderate static magnetic field in the most commonly used range of 2-80 mT has potential application in the formation and remodeling of plant and human cells. However, in the case of cancer cells, the range of fields commonly used was 0.2-9 T. Magnetism promotes changes in plant cell growth, which prompts the cell to proliferate, thereby ensuring an increased rate of biomass production. Some researches presented the enhancement of the differentiation of plant cells and skeletal muscle tissue by over 30% at 80 mT static magnetic field. Changes in the cell cycle and growth reflect directly on the cell number and viability and provide useful information to detect modifications in the cell machinery. Static magnetic field, depending on its intensity, enhances cell proliferation and thus may improve, among other processes, tissue regeneration, wound healing and the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Researchers showed, among other things, that cells under the influence of static magnetic field changed their shape, had a larger chloroplast, stiffer cell wall, density of the cytoskeleton and cytoplasm contained several mitochondria. Numerous studies also discussed the behavior of the cell membrane of plant and animal organisms, including humans, under the influence of an static magnetic field. The effects of static magnetic field on the cell membrane of plant and human cells were similar. The research results indicate that static magnetic fields can significantly change membrane depolarization and its potential that regulates ion movement and thus can have a significant impact on the properties and biological functionality of the cell. Studies have shown that continuous application of static magnetic field caused deformation and damage of cell membrane. Based on the theoretical analyses presented also in this review, it can be concluded that static magnetic field affects cells and tissue, giving them changes in properties and behaviors and modulates, e.g. in the activity of ion channels. Thus it may produce effects leading to changes in the functioning of the cell. It is possible to formulate directions for further research aimed at using static magnetic fields for the non-invasive remodeling and formation of plant and human cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]