Dynamics of microelements (B, Al) in the water samples from the Prut river during the 2020 year

The purpose of this research was to study the dynamics of microelement content, the correlation between the main forms of migration of microelements (B, Al) - dissolved and suspended forms, except colloidal, and to study their seasonal variation. The main form of migration of the metalloid B in the waters of the Prut river is the dissolved one, while the migration form of Al is the suspensions. In this research, the content of the mentioned microelements was investigated in the water samples collected from the Prut River in 2020 (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) from 7 collection points. The microelements were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin-Elmer AAnalist 400 atomic absorption spectrophotometer). The importance of determining trace elements in natural waters is determined by a number of issues, including the need to monitor the environment and assess environmental risks and assess their influence on living systems. The results of studying these forms of migration (dissolved and suspended) allow us a fuller understanding of their role in the migration of microelements in aquatic ecosystems in the system "water-suspensions-underwater deposits-hydrobionts".

Influence of copper microelement on productivity and fruit quality of the innab plant in macrofertilizer backgraund

On Absheron gray-brown soils, studies were carried out using various doses of copper microelement against the background of macrofertilizers on the productivity and quality of innab fruits. The results of laboratory analyses showed that Absheron's gray-brown soils are poorly provided with forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and copper microelement and potassium medium. The microelement copper was carried out under the innab culture against a background N100P40K70 in 3 doses. The results of the studies showed that the highest productivity increase (3.2 s/ha or 11.2%) and fruit quality (vitamin "C" 635mg/%, sugar 32.5%, acidity 0.57% and microelement content: Cu-28.3-Zn-30.5.0mg/kg,) the innab plant is observed in the version with copper application at the rate of 2.0 kg per ha. Key words:macrofertilizer, microelement, gray-brown soil, innab, productivity, quality

Variability of macro and microelement content in pods and leaves of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in Croatia

ABSTRACT The pods, seeds and leaves of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, and especially in the food industry. In this study, the mineral content was investigated in carob pods and leaves in twelve Croatian carob populations. Macro and microelement contents, as highly important nutrients, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total ash content, determined by the gravimetric method, ranged from 2.30 to 2.97% in pods and from 4.95 to 7.90% in leaves. Among the macroelements, K content was highest in pods (9,020.09–11,208.97 mg/kg), while Ca was highest in leaves (11,059.67–22,756.81 mg/kg). Microelement contents ranged from 0.00 mg/kg (Cr) to 136.70 mg/kg (Na) in pods, and from 0.02 mg/kg (Cr) to 243.55 mg/kg (Na) in leaves. The results of the macro and microelement analyses were evaluated using multivariate analysis (PCA and UPGMA).

EFFECTS OF INTERCROPPING SYSTEM AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON LAND EQUIVALENT RATIO, YIELD AND MINERAL CONTENT OF BROCCOLI

To determine effects of intercropping broccoli with onion and their correspondence to different nitrogen concentrations on growth, yield and nutrient contents, field studies were conducted for two years. In intercropping plots, onion sets were planted between broccoli rows. Broccoli and onion plants were also grown as monocrops. Nitrogen was applied at three different rates (160, 200 and 240 kg ha–1) in both mono and intercrop plots of broccoli. The overall efficiency of intercropping was evaluated by employing land equivalent ratios (LERs). Cropping systems significantly did not affect chlorophyll reading value, yield and other parameters observed. However, nitrogen application rate had significant effect on these parameters. The highest values of these parameters were generally observed in 240 kg ha–1 nitrogen application. Macro and microelement content of broccoli leaves was affected neither by cropping systems nor by nitrogen fertilization except for N, Mn, Zn and NO3. Intercropping increased plant height but decreased the plant diameter of onion. There wasn’t significant decrease in plant weight of intercropped onion at 240 kg ha–1 nitrogen treatment when compared to monocropping. Broccoli intercropped with onion at 240 kg ha–1 nitrogen had the highest LER values, showing that intercropping practice could be more productive than monocropping especially in case of 240 kg ha–1 nitrogen application.

Table Olives Fermented in Iodized Sea Salt Brines: Nutraceutical/Sensory Properties and Microbial Biodiversity

This research aimed to study the influence of different brining processes with iodized and noniodized salt on mineral content, microbial biodiversity, sensory evaluation and color change of natural fermented table olives. Fresh olives of Olea europaea Carolea and Leucocarpa cvs. were immersed in different brines prepared with two different types of salt: the PGI “Sale marino di Trapani”, a typical sea salt, well known for its taste and specific microelement content, and the same salt enriched with 0.006% of KIO3. PGI sea salt significantly enriches the olive flesh in macroelements as Na, K and Mg, and microelements such as Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. Instead, Ca decreases, P remains constant, while iodine is present in trace amounts. In the olives fermented in iodized-PGI sea salt brine, the iodine content reached values of 109 μg/100 g (Carolea cv.) and 38 μg/100 g (Leucocarpa cv.). The relationships between the two varieties and the mineral composition were explained by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). Furthermore, analyzing the fermenting brines, iodine significantly reduces the microbial load, represented only by yeasts, both in Carolea cv. and in Leucocarpa cv. Candida is the most representative genus. The sensory and color properties weren’t significantly influenced by iodized brining. Only Carolea cv. showed significative difference for b* parameter and, consequently, for C value. Knowledge of the effects of iodized and noniodized brining on table olives will be useful for developing new functional foods, positively influencing the composition of food products.