Quality and Optimal Shelf Life of Late Season Green Cabbage

Introduction. Green cabbage has a short shelf life. As a result, it becomes scarce by March and April, often due to miscalculated sell-by-date. The research objective was to establish qualitative indicators and optimal shelf life of late season green cabbage. Study objects and methods. The study featured eleven late season varieties of green cabbage grown in alluvial meadow soil using N150P150K180 as fertilizer. The samples (25 cabbage heads) were put in layers into wooden containers with a capacity of 200–250 kg each and stored at 0...+1°C and a relative humidity of 90–95% for 7 months. By the end of storage, the samples were tested for the yield of marketable products, weight loss, diseases, etc. Results and discussion. The highest yield belonged to Gertsoginya F1 (80.4%), Kilaton F1 (78.6%), and Beaumont Agro F1 (77.7%). The optimal shelf life did not exceed 5–6 months. The yield of commercial products depended on the solid matter content (r = 0.81) and, to a lesser degree, on the average content of ascorbic acid (r = 0.52), monosaccharides (r = 0.55), and nitrates (r = 0.55). The weight loss had a negative mean relationship with the content of solids (r = –0.55), ascorbic acid (r = –0.49), and nitrates (r = –0.59). Conclusion. The optimal shelf life for most varieties and hybrids of green cabbage proved to be 4–5 months, whereas for Beau Monde Agro F1, Gertsoginya F1, Idilliya F1, and Kilaton F1, it was 5–6 months. Further research might reveal hybrids with longer shelf life.

Do the total mercury concentrations detected in fish from Czech ponds represent a risk for consumers?

Mercury is one of the important pollutants of the environment. Therefore, it’s necessary to monitor quantity of mercury especially in aquatic ecosystems. The main goal of the presented study was to compare the content of total mercury in tissues of fish coming from the Czech Republic, an important carp exporter, with focus on comparison of mercury content between 3 different ponds, its comparison between different fish species and between different tissues of the same species, and estimation whether the mercury content in tissues meets the limit given in the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 or not. Total mercury concentration was measured in 90 fish specimen sampled from three ponds (Velky Kocelovicky, Mysliv and Zehunsky) in autumn 2018. The values of total mercury in fish tissues was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of total mercury in the tissues decreased as follows: muscle > liver > gonads > scales. The highest average content of total mercury in muscle was 0.1517 ± 0.0176 mg/kg coming from pike caught in Velky Kocelovicky pond. In contrast, the lowest average content of total mercury in muscle 0.0036 ± 0.0003 mg/kg was found in carp tissue coming from the locality of Zehunsky pond. We confirmed that the predatory fish are more exposed to mercury than non-predatory fish. None of the monitored localities exceeded the set regulatory limit. Thus, our study shows that fish coming from these ponds are safe in terms of total mercury content.

Use of Branded Food Composition Databases for the Exploitation of Food Fortification Practices: A Case Study on Vitamin D in the Slovenian Food Supply

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide public health concern, which can be addressed with voluntary or mandatory food fortification. The aim of this study was to determine if branded food composition databases can be used to investigate voluntary fortification practices. A case study was conducted using two nationally representative cross-sectional datasets of branded foods in Slovenia, collected in 2017 and 2020, and yearly sales data. Using food labeling data we investigated prevalence of fortification and average vitamin D content, while nutrient profiling was used to investigate overall nutritional quality of the foods. In both datasets, the highest prevalence of vitamin D fortification was observed in meal replacements (78% in 2017; 100% in 2020) and in margarine, corresponding to high market share. Other food categories commonly fortified with vitamin D are breakfast cereals (5% in 2017; 6% in 2020), yogurts and their imitates (5% in 2017; 4% in 2020), and baby foods (18% in both years). The highest declared average content of vitamin D was observed in margarine and foods for specific dietary use (7–8 μg/100g), followed by breakfast cereals (4 μg/100g), while the average content in other foods was below 2 μg/100g. Only minor differences were observed between 2017 and 2020. Major food-category differences were also observed in comparison of the overall nutritional quality of the fortified foods; higher overall nutritional quality was only observed in fortified margarine. Our study showed that branded food composition databases are extremely useful resources for the investigation and monitoring of fortification practices, particularly if sales data can also be used. In the absence of mandatory or recommended fortification in Slovenia, very few manufacturers decide to add vitamin D, and even when this is the case, such products are commonly niche foods with lower market shares. We observed exceptions in imported foods, which can be subject to fortification policies introduced in other countries.

Acrylamide Contents of Local Snacks in Singapore

Acrylamide is a carcinogen that forms in foods processed at high temperatures. In this study, acrylamide contents of 30 local snacks commonly consumed by the three ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) in Singapore were analysed by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These snacks were chosen because they were consumed regularly by people of different classes and age groups in Singapore. Our results showed that the average content of acrylamide in Indian snacks (102.23 ng/g) was higher than those in Malay (75.14 ng/g) and Chinese snacks (70.78 ng/g). The high acrylamide levels in several snacks was probably due to the processing methods and the usage of acrylamide-inducing raw materials. Same snacks prepared by different manufacturers contained different levels of acrylamide, suggesting the possibility of acrylamide reduction in these snacks. This study provides an insight into the acrylamide levels of snacks commonly consumed by the three different ethnic groups in Singapore.

Biochemical assessment of the quality of berries of the genus fragaria in the Orenburg Region

The assessment of the biochemical composition of the berries of strawberry varieties is of undoubted interest for the creation of a new generation of high-vitamin varieties. This article presents the results of three-year studies of the biochemical composition and taste of introduced strawberry varieties. The research was conducted in 2018-2020 on the basis of the Orenburg branch of the Research Center of Horticulture in the Orenburg Region. The aim of the study was to select the best samples by biochemical composition for further use in horticulture and breeding. The evaluation of varieties by chemical composition was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. The zoned varieties Orletz and Zenga Zengana served as a control. According to biochemical parameters, the content of soluble solids ranged from 4.0 to 9.1 %, with an average content of 7.5 %; titrated acidity was from 0.57 to 1.07 %, with an average content of 0.88 %; the content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was from 31.6 to 62.7 mg%, with an average content of 48.4 mg%.The average tasting rating of the studied varieties was 4.4 points. The control varieties Orletz and Zenga Zengana had 4.0 and 4.2 points, respectively. As a result of the study varieties Kokinskaya Zarya, Pervoklassnitsa, Polka, Troubadour, Tsaritsa were revealed according to individual biochemical parameters and taste and can be used as a valuable source for further breeding work.

Species of the genus Fusarium and Fusarium toxins in the grain of winter and spring wheat in Poland

The aim of the study was to determine the presence of Fusarium species and mycotoxins in wheat grain from harvest in 2009 and 2010 in Poland. Samples from different locations were analyzed for the content of DNA of Fusarium species and mycotoxins. In 2009, DNA of F. graminearum and F. poae was present in all samples, F. culmorum in 82% of samples, and F. avenaceum in 55% of samples. In 2010, the highest content of DNA was found for F. graminearum followed by F. avenaceum, F. poae and F. langsethiae. The amount of F. culmorum DNA was very low. The most frequently occurring species were F. poae and F. graminearum, however, the amount of F. poae DNA was lower. In 2009, deoxynivalenol was detected in all samples. In 2010, the average content of deoxynivalenol was lower than in 2009. Nivalenol was detected at very low concentration in both years. Significant correlations between content of F. graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol concentration in the grain and between content of F. poae DNA and nivalenol concentration in the grain in 2009 were found.

Original Contributions to the Chemical Composition, Microbicidal, Virulence-Arresting and Antibiotic-Enhancing Activity of Essential Oils from Four Coniferous Species

This study aimed to establish the essential oil (EO) composition from young shoots of Picea abies, Larix decidua, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Pinus nigra harvested from Romania and evaluate their antimicrobial and anti-virulence activity, as well as potential synergies with currently used antibiotics. The samples’ EO average content varied between 0.62% and 1.02% (mL/100 g plant). The mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were dominant in the composition of the studied EOs. The antimicrobial activity revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the tested EOs and some pure compounds known for their antimicrobial activity ranged from 6.25 to 100 µL/mL. The most intensive antimicrobial effect was obtained for the Pinus nigra EO, which exhibited the best synergistic effect with some antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains (i.e., oxacillin, tetracycline, erythromycin and gentamycin). The subinhibitory concentrations (sMIC) of the coniferous EOs inhibited the expression of soluble virulence factors (DN-ase, lipase, lecithinase, hemolysins, caseinase and siderophore-like), their efficiency being similar to that of the tested pure compounds, and inhibited the rhl gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting their virulence-arresting drug potential.

Estimation of Some Trace Metals Contamination in Waste Newspapers

In the current study, different types of waste newspapers in the Middle East and Asia were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by Inductively Coupled Plasma and Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) for trace metals contamination. 11 samples from different newspapers collected by the researchers from local markets were analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), and zinc (Zn). Trace metals concentrations in the samples were compared with those established by the various specialized councils. Digestion solution for samples digested in this study included 10 ml of 69% nitric acid and 2 ml of 30% hydrogen peroxide. Based on the results for light fonts, the average content of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb was (2.8, 1.5, 6.9, 5.6, and 5.0 µgL-1), while was (3.4 and 0.18 mgL-1) for Al, and Zn, respectively. In bold fonts, the content of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb was (4.9, 2.4, 9.1, 7.9, and 7.0 µgL-1, respectively), while Al and Zn were (5.7 mg/l and 0.32 mgL-1) respectively. In the pictures, the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were (6.1, 2.99, 11.2, 9.4, and 8.99 µgL-1), while Al and Zn were (8.2, and 0.39 mgL-1), respectively. The results showed that all levels of trace metals under study were within the specialized global councils' permitted limits, but the presence of trace metals in waste newspapers, even within the permitted limits, remains a source of great concern, as exposure to these elements has a significant impact on consumer health.

ANALYSIS OF TOTAL FLAVONOID LEVELS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT (Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmanii Blume) LEAVES WITH UV-VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY METHOD

Cinnamon plants (Cinnamomum burmani Blume), including plants that have medicinal properties for diabetes mellitus because they contain flavonoid compounds. This study aimed to determine the total flavonoids content of the ethanol extract of cinnamon leaf ethanol extract using UV-Vis spectrophotometry method. The ethanol extract of Cinnamon leaf was obtained by maceration using ethanol as a solvent.The qualitative analysis used FeCl3by forming yellowish green complex. The determination of total flavonoids content is conducted basedon AlCl3method with total flavonoidse xpressed in QE (Quercetin equivalent) at the maximum wavelength of 435 nm. The result showed that the average content of flavonoid total is 19.544 mg QE/g extract.