Optimization of Gluten-Free Bread Formulation with Quercus pubescens Acorn Flour, Whey Proteins and Xanthan Gum Using Response Surface Methodology and Computer Vision Analysis

U ovom radu istražen je utjecaj dodatka koncentrata proteina sirutke i ksantan gume na fizikalna, strukturna, teksturalna i senzorska svojstva kruha bez glutena pripremljenog na osnovi mješavine rižinog brašna i brašna žira hrasta medunca (Quercus pubescens). Primjenom metode odzivnih površina (RSM) ispitani su odgovori: svjetlina i kromatske komponente boje (L*, a*, b*), teksturalni parametri (otpornost na žvakanje, elastičnost, kohezivnost), broj i veličina šupljina, ukupna poroznost, specifični volumen i senzorska prihvatljivost. Rezultati su pokazali da oba dodatka imaju značajan, često nelinearan i međusobno ovisan utjecaj na navedena svojstva. Proteini sirutke povećali su svjetlinu (L*), veličinu šupljina i ukupnu poroznost, ali smanjili broj šupljina, kohezivnost i elastičnost. Ksantan guma je povećala broj šupljina, otpornost na žvakanje, elastičnost, kohezivnost i senzorsku prihvatljivost, no u višim koncentracijama djelovala je negativno na teksturalna svojstva. Kvadratni i linearni modeli imali su visoke vrijednosti koeficijenata determinacije (R² > 0,9), a računalna analiza slike omogućila je objektivnu kvantifikaciju strukturnih promjena. Optimalna formulacija (15 % proteina sirutke, 1,47 % ksantan gume) rezultirala je najvišom senzorskom ocjenom (7,83/9), dobrom poroznošću (33,12 %) i minimalnim otporom žvakanju. Statistički modeli i provedena optimizacija pokazali su visoku pouzdanost i primjenjivost u razvoju i industrijskoj validaciji bezglutenskih formulacija.This study investigated the effects of whey protein concentrate and xanthan gum on the physical, structural, textural, and sensory properties of gluten-free bread formulated from a mixture of rice flour and downy oak (Quercus pubescens) acorn flour. Using response surface methodology (RSM), key quality parameters were evaluated, including crumb color (L*, a*, b*), textural attributes (chewiness, elasticity, cohesiveness), pore number and size, total porosity, specific volume, and sensory acceptability. The results showed that both additives exerted significant, often nonlinear and interactive effects on the measured responses. Whey protein increased crumb brightness (L*), pore size, and porosity, but decreased the number of pores, elasticity, and cohesiveness. Xanthan gum enhanced pore number, chewiness, elasticity, cohesiveness, and sensory quality, but at higher concentrations, it negatively affected texture. The statistical models showed high predictive reliability (R² > 0.9), and image analysis was successfully used to objectively quantify crumb structure. The optimal formulation (15% whey protein, 1.47% xanthan gum) achieved the highest sensory score (7.83/9), favorable porosity (33.12%), and minimal chewiness. The RSM models and optimization confirmed the potential for application in the development and industrial validation of gluten-free formulations

Development and Characterization of Novel Ice Cream Enriched with Almond Oil Cake

Tijekom proizvodnje hladno prešanog bademovog ulja nastaje nusproizvod poznat kao uljna pogača, koji sve više privlači pozornost zbog mogućnosti primjene u obogaćivanju prehrambenih proizvoda. Zadatak ovog diplomskog rada bio je ispitati svojstva sladoleda u kojem je brašno uljne pogače badema korišteno kao zamjena za 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, te 100 % obranog mlijeka u prahu. Dobiveni uzorci su uspoređeni s kontrolnim uzorkom koji nije sadržavao brašno badema. Određena je titracijska kiselost, porast volumena sladoleda, tvrdoća, parametri boje te svojstva topljenja sladoleda. Dodatak brašna uljne pogače badema u sladoled rezultirao je smanjenjem titracijske kiselosti, porastom vrijednosti tvrdoće te blagim smanjenjem udjela inkorporiranog zraka. Također, uzorci s dodanim brašnom badema pokazali su sporije topljenje i tamniju boju u odnosu na kontrolni uzorak, pri čemu su ostali parametri boje ukazivali na pomak prema crvenim i žutim tonovima. S obzirom na dobivene rezultate, može se zaključiti da se brašno uljne pogače badema može koristiti kao prikladna zamjena mlijeka u prahu u proizvodnji sladoleda, uz potencijalno poboljšanje njegovih fizikalno-kemijskih, ali i nutritivnih svojstava.During the production of cold-pressed almond oil, a by-product known as oil cake is generated. This by-product has been gaining increasing attention due to its potential application in the enrichment of food products. The task of this thesis was to examine the properties of ice cream samples in which almond press cake flour was used as a substitute for 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of skim milk powder. The resulting samples were compared with a control sample that did not contain almond flour. The titratable acidity, overrun, hardness, colour, and melting properties were determined. The addition of almond oil cake flour resulted in a decrease in titratable acidity of the ice cream, an increase in hardness values, and a slight reduction in the amount of incorporated air. Furthermore, samples with added almond flour exhibited slower melting rates and darker colouration compared to the control sample, with colour parameters indicating a shift towards red and yellow hues. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that almond oil cake flour represents a suitable substitute for skim milk powder in ice cream production, with the potential to improve its physicochemical, and possibly nutritional properties

Effect of artificial sweeteners on the insulin signaling pathway of human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y

Uvod: Neurodegenerativne bolesti predstavljaju sve veći zdravstveni problem u populacijama zemalja razvijenog svijeta. Nekoliko istraživanja ukazuje na povezanost inzulinske rezistencije s razvojem Alzheimerove i Parkinsonove bolesti. Sukraloza podiže razinu glukoze i inzulina kod pretilih ženama. Vrlo male doze natrijeva ciklamata mogu poremetiti diferencijaciju i proliferaciju osteoblasta. Ciljevi: Ciljevi ovog istraživanja su bili ispitati učinke tretmana triju koncentracija natrijeva ciklamata (1 mM, 10 mM, 100 mM) i sukraloze (0,2 mM, 2 mM, 20 mM) samostalno, te u kombinacijama s inzulinom i levodopom na preživljenje, inzulinski signalni put i metabolički odgovor diferenciranih stanica ljudskog neuroblastoma. Materijali i metode: Diferencirane SH-SY5Y stanice su tretirane sladilima i dodatnim tretmanima. Citotoksičan učinak tretmana određen je MTT testom. Aktivnost inzulinskog signalnog puta ispitala se Western blot metodom. Ukupni učinak tretmana na metabolički odgovor tretiranih stanica ispitan je MALDI-TOF MS metodom. Rezultati: Stanice tretirane sukralozom u sve tri koncentracije gdje je kao dodatni tretman korištena i levodopa imale su značajno veće preživljenje u odnosu na netretiranu ili inzulinom tretiranu kontrolnu skupinu. Natrijev ciklamat je na preživljenje stanica imao o koncentraciji ovisan učinak. Najmanja koncentracija značajno je povećala preživljenje stanice neovisno o dodatnom tretmanu inzulinom ili levodopom. Zaključak: Sukraloza i natrijev ciklamat u kombinaciji s inzulinom i levodopom sprječavaju apoptozu diferenciranih stanica ljudskog neuroblastoma u određenim koncentracijama putem inzulinskog signalnog puta. Međutim, potrebno je istražiti učinak ovih sladila na ostale metaboličke puteve.Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases represent an increasing health problem in the populations of countries in the Western world. Several studies indicate a connection between insulin resistance and the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Sucralose raises glucose and insulin levels in obese women. Very small doses of sodium cyclamate can disrupt the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts. Objectives: The objectives of this research were to examine the effects of three concentrations of sodium cyclamate (1 mM, 10 mM, 100 mM) and sucralose (0,2 mM, 2 mM, 20 mM) independently and in combination with insulin and levodopa on survival, insulin signaling pathway and metabolic response of differentiated human neuroblastoma cells. Material and methods: Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were treated with sweeteners and additional treatments. The cytotoxic effect of the treatment was determined by the MTT test. The activity of the insulin signaling pathway was examined using the Western blot method. The overall effect on the metabolic response of the treated cells was determined by the MALDI-TOF MS method. Results: Cells treated with sucralose in all three concentrations, where levodopa was also used as an additional treatment, had significantly higher survival compared to the untreated or insulin-treated control group. Sodium cyclamate had a concentration-dependent effect on SH-SY5Y cells survival. The lowest concentration significantly increased cell survival independent of additional treatment with insulin or levodopa. Conclusion: Sucralose and sodium cyclamate in combination with insulin and levodopa prevent apoptosis of differentiated human neuroblastoma cells in certain concentrations via the insulin signaling pathway. However, it is necessary to investigate the effect of these sweeteners on other metabolic pathways

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) SEEDLINGS TO SHORT-TERM SALT STRESS

Zaslanjivanje tla predstavlja abiotički stres koji uvelike ograničava poljoprivrednu proizvodnju. Cilj ovoga rada bio je istražiti utjecaj solnog stresa na klijance ječma (Hordeum vulgare L.) te utvrditi koji se pokazatelji solnog stresa primarno aktiviraju kao mehanizmi tolerancije u ranoj fazi razvoja klijanaca. Sedam dana stare biljke uzgajane u kontroliranim uvjetima uzgojne komore izložene su različitim koncentracijama natrijevog klorida (50, 100, 200, 400 mM). Utjecaj solnog stresa praćen je nakon 3, 6, 12 i 24 sata. Fiziološka i biokemijska mjerenja izvršena su na prvim potpuno razvijenim listovima i korijenju klijanaca ječma. Porastom razine stresa povećao se sadržaj prolina i relativni sadržaj vode (RWC), ukazujući na važnost osmotske prilagodbe klijanaca te njihove otpornosti na moguću dehidraciju uslijed osmotskog stresa. Smanjenje razine malondialdehida ukazalo je na smanjenje oksidacijskog oštećenja staničnih lipida što je odlika stres tolerantnih biljaka, no osjetljivost na oštećenje u uvjetima solnog stresa ipak se povećava na što je ukazalo smanjenje koncentracije fotosintetskih pigmenata: klorofila a, klorofila b i karotenoida. Parametri fluorescencije klorofila a (L- i K-stupanj; indeks vitalnosti - PIABS) potvrdili su izrazito dobru funkcionalnost fotosintetskog aparata u klijanacima ječma u uvjetima kratkotrajnog solnog stresa. Rezultati istraživanja mogu pridonijeti razumijevanju mehanizama osmotske komponente solnog stresa i razvoju alata za poboljšanje tolerancije komercijalno značajnih žitarica u svrhu održanja stabilnog prinosa.Soil salinization is an abiotic stress factor seriously limiting agricultural production. This study aimed to investigate the impact of salt stress on barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L.) and to determine which salt stress indicators are primarily activated as tolerance mechanisms in the early stages of seedling development. Seven-day-old plants, grown under controlled conditions of the growth chamber, were exposed to different sodium chloride concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400 mM). The effect of salt stress was monitored after 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Physiological and biochemical measurements were performed on the first fully developed leaves and roots of barley seedlings. As stress levels increased, proline content and relative water content (RWC) also increased, indicating the importance of osmotic adaptation of seedlings and their resistance to possible dehydration due to osmotic stress. Decreased malondialdehyde levels showed a decrease in oxidative damage of cellular lipids, which is a feature of stress-tolerant plants. Sensitivity to damage in salt stress conditions still exists as indicated by decreased levels of photosynthetic pigments: chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (L- and K-band; vitality index - PIABS) confirmed very good functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus of barley seedlings after short-term salt stress induction. This research could contribute to understanding the mechanisms of the osmotic component of salt stress. The results could also be useful for developing tools to improve the tolerance of commercially important cereals to maintain yield stability under increased salinity

EFFECT OF HERBICIDES ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY AND ANTIOXIDATIVE RESPONSE OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERR.)

Soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) predstavlja jednu od ekonomski najvažnijih usjeva u svijetu zbog njene hranidbene vrijednosti. Kako bi se optimizirao prinos soje, koristi se široki spektar komercijalnih herbicida namijenjenih za kontrolu korova u usjevima. Iako su korišteni herbicidi selektivni, i dalje mogu uzrokovati oksidacijski stres soje, a da bi se održala homeostaza unutar biljke aktivira se antioksidacijski odgovor. U ovome radu cilj je bio istražiti izazivaju li komercijalni herbicidi oksidacijski stres kod dvije sorte soje Ika i Zora te utvrditi kako ti herbicidi utječu na protok energije po aktivnim reakcijskim središtima fotosustava II. Rezultati su pokazali različit odgovor dviju sorti soje na tretman herbicidima tijekom razvoja. Obje istraživane sorte soje pokazale su da tretman herbicidima nije doveo do oksidacijskog stresa, no pokazale su različite mehanizme prilagodbe tijekom razvoja. Protok energije po aktivnim reakcijskim središtima fotosustava II te povezanost dijelova fotosustava II također je pokazao različit odgovor Ike i Zore tijekom razvoja na tretman herbicidima koji su pokazali negativan utjecaj ponajviše na transportni lanac elektrona kod obje sorte.Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most economically important crops in the world due to its nutritional value. To optimize soybean yield, a wide range of commercial herbicides intended for weed control in crops are used. Although used herbicides are selective, they can still cause oxidative stress to soybeans. To maintain homeostasis within the plant, a response of the antioxidant system is activated. In this paper, the aim was to investigate whether commercial herbicides cause oxidative stress in two soybean cultivars Ika and Zora and to determine how these herbicides affect the energy fluxes through the active reaction centres of photosystem II. The results showed a different response of the two soybean cultivars to herbicide treatment during development. Both investigated soybean cultivars showed that herbicide treatment did not lead to oxidative stress. However, they showed different adaptation mechanisms during development. The energy fluxes through the active reaction centres of photosystem II and the connection within photosystem II also showed a different response of Ika and Zora to herbicide treatment during development. A negative impact was observed mainly on the electron transport chain in both varieties

IMPORTANT WINTERING SITES FOR WATERBIRDS IN CROATIA FROM 2017 TO 2019

Zimskim prebrojavanjem ptica močvarica 2017. godine je prebrojano 155.772 jedinki predstavnica 88 vrsta ptica. Slijedeće zime 2018. godine je prebrojano 134.543 jedinke predstavnica 84 vrsta ptica, dok je u siječnju 2019. godine prebrojano 187.339 predstavnica 82 vrste ptica. Najbrojnije ptice močvarice u 2017. godini su crna liska Fulica atra (37.772 jedinki), divlja patka Anas platyrhynchos (29.987 jedinki), lisasta guska Anser albifrons (17.450 jedinki), galeb klaukavac Larus michahellis (11.563 jedinki) i krunasta patka Aythya fuligula (6554 jedinki), dok su u 2018. godini najbrojnije bile crna liska (29.140 jedinki), divlja patka (20.508 jedinki), galeb klaukavac (18.889 jedinki), riječni galeb Croicocephalus ridibundus (8517 jedinki) i siva guska Anser anser (7568 jedinki). Pet najbrojnijih močvarica 2019. godine su bile divlja patka (51.152 jedinki), lisasta guska (20.297 jedinki), liska (17.390 jedinki), riječni galeb (11.473 jedinki) i galeb klaukavac (10.772 jedinki). Određene su vrste koje su u Hrvatskoj zimovale s više od 1% preletne populacije, a temeljem tog kriterija su određena područja od međunarodnog značaja za zimovanje močvarica u Hrvatskoj. U periodu 2017-2018. su to bila sljedeća područja: akumulacijsko jezero Donja Dubrava, Kneževo, poljima između Podunavlja i Kozjaka (Kopački rit), ribnjaci Našička Breznica. Ribnjaci Grudnjak, Lonjsko polje, Jelas polje. Vransko jezero također pripada područjima od međunarodnog značaja, ali na temelju drugog kriterija.Under the International Waterbird Census in Croatia 155.772 individuals representing 88 bird species were counted during 2017. The following winter, in 2018, 134.543 representatives of 84 bird species were counted, while in January 2019, 187.339 representatives of 82 bird species were counted. The most numerous waterbirds in 2017 were the black coot Fulica atra (37.772 individuals), the wild duck Anas platyrhynchos (29.987 individuals), the spotted goose Anser albifrons (17.450 individuals) yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis (11.563 individuals) and the crowned duck Aythya fuligula (6554 individuals), while in 2018 the most numerous were the black coot (29.140 individuals), the wild duck (20 508 individuals), yellow-legged gull (18.889 individuals), black-headed gull Croicocephalus ridibundus (8 517 individuals), and the gray goose Anser anser (7568 individuals). The five most numerous waterbirds in 2019 were the wild duck (51.152 individuals), the spotted goose (20.297 individuals), black coot (17.390 individuals), black-headed gull (11.473 individuals), and yellow-legged gull (10.772 individuals). The species that wintered in Croatia with more than 1% of the migratory population were determined, and based on this criterion, areas of international importance for wintering waterbirds in Croatia were determined. In the period between 2017 and 2018, these were the following areas: reservoir Donja Dubrava, Kneževo, fields between Podunavlje and Kozjak (Kopački Rit), Nasicka Breznica fishponds, Grudnjak fishponds, Lonjsko polje Nature Park, Jelas field. Vrana lake also belongs to areas of international importance, but on the basis of another criterion

THE IMPACT OF APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT MACROPOROUS ADSORPTION RESINS AND DESORPTION SOLVENTS ON ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF SAGE LEAF EXTRACTS (Salvia officinalis L.) OBTAINED BY EUTECTIC SOLVENT

Kadulja (Salvia officinalis L.) se smatra jednom od komercijalno važnijih vrsta iz porodice usnača (Lamiaceae). U cvijetu, listovima i stabljici ljekovite kadulje identificiran je širok raspon kemijskih spojeva koji imaju širok raspon učinaka zbog čega se široko koristi u prehrambenoj, farmaceutskoj i kozmetičkoj industriji. U ovom radu ispitan je utjecaj upotrebe različitih makroporoznih adsorpcijskih smola i desorpcijskih otapala na antioksidativnu i antibakterijsku aktivnost ekstrakata kadulje. Ovim istraživanjem utvrđeno je da upotreba desorpcijskih otapala ima utjecaj na ukupni sadržaj fenola, antioksidacijsku i antibakterijsku aktivnost. Primjena DIAION HP 2mg smola sa 70 %- tnim i 100 %-tnim etanolom pokazala je povećanje antioksidacijske aktivnosti, a najveći udio fenola zabilježen je kod ekstrakata gdje je primijenjena AMBERLITE XAD 16N smola i 100 %- tni etanol. Najučinkovitije antibakterijsko djelovanje ekstrakta dobivenih primjenom AMBERLITE XAD 7HP smole neovisno o otapalu zabilježeno je protiv soja P. aeruginosa.Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is considered to be one of the most commercially important species of Lamiaceae family. The studies of the sage flower, leaves and stem has shown the great variability of chemical components which have a wide range of effects. For that reason sage is widely used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In this study the impact of application of different macroporous adsorption resin and desorption solvents on antioxidant and antibacterial effects of sage extract was tested. This reasearh has enstablished that application of DIAION HP 2MG resin with 70 % and 100 % ethanol has shown increased antioxidant activitiy. The highest total phenolic content was found in extracts obtained with AMBERLITE XAD 16N resin and 100 % ethanol. Extracts obtained with AMBERLITE XAD 7HP resin regardless of solvent used have shown the most effecient antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa

The impact of noise pollution on marine invertebrates

Antropogeni izvori buke pod morem te njihovi učinci na morske beskralježnjake rastući su globalni problem. U radu je opisano širenje zvuka u morskoj vodi te temeljne komponente podvodne buke. Morski beskralježnjaci gotovo isključivo percipiraju komponentu gibanja čestica, a u tome im pomažu osjetilni receptori u vidu osjetilnih dlačica i statocista. Eksperimentalno izlaganje zvuku može biti akutno i kronično. Iako je većina dosadašnjih studija bazirano na istraživanju obrazaca ponašanja i kretanja, u novije vrijeme raste broj studija koje proučavaju fiziološke, biokemijske i genetičke odgovore morskih beskralježnjaka prilikom izlaganja buci sa rastućim dokazima o štetnosti antropogenog zvuka u moru.Anthropogenic sources of underwater noise and their effects on sea invertebrates have grown into global problem. This thesis describes the propagation of sound in seawater and the underlying components of underwater noise. Sea invertebrates almost exclusively perceive the particle movement component which is assisted by sensory receptors such as sensory hair and statocysts. Experimental exposure to sound can be acute and chronic. Although most of the studies so far have been based on looking into patterns of behavior and movement, in recent time there has been an increase of studies studying the biochemical, physiological and genetic responses of sea invertebrates during the sound exposure with the growing evidence of the detrimental effects of anthropogenic noise in the sea

THE EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY OF GREAT DUCKWEED (Spirodela polyrhiza L. SCHLEIDEN)

Učinak kadmija na proces fotosinteze istraživan je utvrđivanjem vremenskog tijeka djelovanja različitih koncentracija kadmija na generacijski različito stare i razvijene biljke velike barske leće (S. polyrhiza L. Schleiden). Kadmij je uzrokovao narušavanje strukture tilakoida i senescenciju starijih frondova te povećanje i nepravilan oblik škrobnih zrnaca kod mlađih frondova, već pri najmanjim koncentracijama. Hormetički učinak nižih koncentracija Cd na respiraciju i fotosintezu posljedica je raspodjele raspoložive energije aktiviranjem mehanizama koji sudjeluju u ublažavanju negativnih učinaka Cd, a zajedno s preusmjeravanjem supstrata prema skladištenju rezultira smanjenim rastom. Kao najinformativniji parametar učinkovitosti fotosustava pokazao se indeks ukupne fotosintetske učinkovitosti (PITOT) ukazujući da Cd utječe na gubitak sposobnosti očuvanja energije kod starijih i mlađih biljaka. Detaljniji uvid u utjecaj Cd na prijenos elektrona pružile su vrijednosti parametara JIP-testa povezanih s ukupnom funkcijom PSII (VK i ΦP0), akceptorskom stranom PSII (VJ, ΨE0 i ΦE0) i ukupnim funkcijama PSI (VI, ΨR0 i ΦR0) pri čemu je utvrđeno da je akceptorska strana PSI pod većim utjecajem kadmija u usporedbi s PSII. Potencijal mlađih frondova da održe fotokemijske događaje pri višim koncentracijama kadmija za razliku od starijih majčinskih frondova, uključujući aktivnost kisik razvijajućeg kompleksa i procesa transporta elektrona, omogućava mladim biljkama učinkovitije suočavanje sa stresom izazvanim kadmijem. Rezultati ovog istraživanja mogu doprinijeti preciznijem i reprezentativnijem određivanju toksikološkog profila kadmija i karakteriziranju odgovora biljaka na stresne uvjete.An insight into cadmium's effect on the process of photosynthesis was obtained by determining the time course of cadmium effect on different generations of the great duckweed (S. polyrhiza L. Schleiden). Cadmium has caused disturbances of the thylakoid structure and senescence of older fronds. It caused structural irregularity and an increase in starch grain size in younger fronds, even at the lowest concentrations. The hormetic effect of lower Cd concentrations on respiration and photosynthesis rate was due to the distribution of available energy by activating mechanisms involved in mitigating Cd's adverse effects. The diversion of substrates to storage and an increase in respiration rate resulted in a reduced growth rate. The index of total photosynthetic efficiency (PITOT) proved to be the most informative photosynthetic efficiency parameter, indicating that Cd affects effective energy conservation in older and younger plants. A more detailed insight into the influence of Cd on electron transfer was provided by the values of JIP test parameters related to the overall PSII function (VK and ΦP0), the PSII acceptor side (VJ, ΨE0 and ΦE0), and the overall operation of PSI (VI, ΨR0 and ΦR0), with PSI, showed to be more influenced by Cd. Younger frond's potential to sustain photochemical events, including the activity of oxygen-evolving complex and electron transport processes, at higher cadmium concentrations than at older maternal fronds enabled young plants to cope more effectively with cadmiuminduced stress. This study's results may contribute to a more precise and representative determination of cadmium's toxicological profile and the characterization of plant responses to stress conditions

GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF MAIZE SEEDLINGS TO WATER WITHHOLDING

Ograničena dostupnost vode jedan je od glavnih čimbenika oksidativnog stresa u biljkama, a u takvim uvjetima nastaju reaktivne kisikove jedinke (ROS) koje oštećuju biološke membrane i stanične strukture. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je odrediti kako stres uvjetovan zasušivanjem utječe na fiziološki odgovor različitih genotipova klijanaca kukuruza (Zea mays L.). Zasušivanje je u većini genotipova izazvalo povećanje koncentracije lipidne peroksidacije, vodikovog peroksida i sadržaja prolina. Rezultati ovog istraživanja ukazuju da je odgovor na stres zasušivanjem ovisan o genotipu kukuruza te da možemo razlikovati genotipove kukuruza s većom tolerancijom na zasušivanje i one osjetljivije. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja antioksidacijskog sustava i mjerenja drugih komponenti oksidacijskog stresa kako bi se utvrdila povezanost između količine ROS-a i antioksidacijskog odgovora.Limited water availability is one of the main factors of oxidative stress in plants. In such conditions formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage biological membranes and cell structures. The aim of this study was to determine how water withholding stress affected the physiological response of different maize seedlings (Zea mays L.) genotypes. Water withholding caused an increase in the concentration of lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide and proline content in most genotypes. The results of this study indicate that the response to water withholding stress in maize is genotype-dependent and that we can distinguish maize genotypes with higher tolerance and those more sensitive to stress. Further studies of the antioxidant system and measurements of other components of oxidative stress are needed in order to determine the relationship between the amount of ROS and the antioxidant response