Morphology of Camellia Sinensis L. leaves as marker of white tea authenticity

Received: February 1st, 2021 ; Accepted: April 24th, 2021 ; Published: August 18th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] is one of the most common drinks in the world. Classic tea is obtained by brewing the leaves of the Camellia sinensis L plant in hot water. However, even the leaves collected from the same branch of the same tea bush can have completely different anatomical, biochemical and taste characteristics. White tea is the youngest, immature apical leaves of the tea bush (fleshes) together with leaf buds (tips) which are is considered the most valuable parts of teaplant. The chemical composition of tea is studied in sufficient detail, however, there are still no uniform criteria for determining the authenticity of white tea leaves, which creates great preconditions for falsifying this most valuable type of raw material. The aim of this study was to study the macroand microstructure of white tea leaves from different manufacturers and to determine the morphological markers of the authenticity of white tea leaves. The objects of research were white tea from the Nandana Tea Factory (Sri Lanka) and white tea from an unknown manufacturer, purchased from a local tea shop. The study of raw materials was carried out in accordance with the requirements of GF XIV OFS 1.5.1.0003.15 ‘Leaves’ and OFS 1.5.3.0003.15 ‘Technique of microscopic and microchemical examination of medicinal plants and herbal medicinal products.’ The work was carried out on the basis of the laboratories of the Department of Food Technologies of FGBOU VO Saratov GAU named after N.I. Vavilov, and the Department of General Biology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky Ministry of Health of Russia. Studies of the structure of white tea leaves from various manufacturers have shown that the structure and presence of morphological elements of leaves, such as hairs, stomata, leaf edge, druses, sclereids, differ markedly and can serve as reliable markers for identifying the variety of tea

The effect of bean flour addition on the rheological properties and baking quality of a triticale flour blends

Received: February 6th, 2021 ; Accepted: April 2nd, 2021 ; Published: August 18th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] aim of this research work was to study and compare the main parameters of the rheological state of the dough made from triticale flour (a variety of George selection by the FSBIS Agricultural Research Institute of the South-East), dough made from flour of white and red bean seeds, as well as parameters of dough from flour of composite mixtures based on them. The rheological properties of the dough were determined using a Mixolab device according to the GOST ISO 17718-2015 method. The mixing ability of the blends was additionally tested by the SDS sedimentation method. It was found that the moment of force, which characterizes the gelatinization process, correlates well with the SDS sedimentation index. To a lesser extent, this indicator correlates with the values of the moments of force characterizing the process of ‘starch retrogradation’ and the energy intensity of the dough formation process. The water absorption capacity of flour highly correlates with the moment of force during the liquefaction phase and with the moments of force characterizing the minimum and maximum consistency of the dough during the ‘starch retrogradation’ phase. The correlation between the SDS sedimentation rate and water absorption capacity was found to be rather low. The rheological parameters were also significantly influenced by the type of beans. Taking into account the results of studies of the rheological state of the dough, test baking of bread with various mass fractions of components was carried out. The results obtained confirmed the improving effect of bean flour

The effect of humic acids on the natural resistance of the body of broiler chickens and the quality of their meat

ArticleThe aim of the work is to study the effectiveness of the concentration of humic acids of Reasil Humic Vet feed additive on the increase of the feed bioavailability for poultry and the probability of its negative impact on the safety and marketable characteristics of the final product. Studies were conducted on the basis of the Saratov State Agrarian University in two similar groups of broiler chickens ‘Cobb 500’, 100 heads each. Poultry feeding consisted of the same complete feed, but the drinking water for the broilers of the experimental group was enriched by humates in the amount of 0.5 ml L -1 . Based on the data obtained by daily weighing of the poultry and considering the feed intake, a positive trend of the influence of the feed additive on the average daily weight gain and feed conversion per unit of production was noted. The results of slaughter and anatomical cutting of broiler carcasses revealed that metabolic processes were more active in the body of an experimental poultry, reflected in the intensive growth of muscle tissue and fat deposition, which contributed to an increase in the yield of edible parts from carcasses by 9.9%. Studies of composition of broiler blood indicate non-toxicity of the recommended concentration of humates in the feed additive, its stimulation of non-specific resistance of the organism, contributing to the functioning of the immune system and the development of internal organs and, as a consequence, ensuring the safety of the products obtained from them

Self-determination of youth and traditional moral values: the role of Russian literature

The article aims to prove the assumption that along with the known approaches to encouraging cultural diversity in education (critical, pluralistic, acculturation), a new methodological approach should be defined – that of forming the culturally-oriented world-view on the basis of personal self-determination in the traditional moral values, as represented in the national culture. The authors present their own definition of traditional moral values and analyse the way they are reflected in the classical Russian literature. The authors present the results of a field study designed to determine whether this reflective tradition is followed or interrupted in the modern Russian prose in the end of ХХth – beginning of XXIst centuries

Quality and safety problems of sports nutrition products

The purpose of this work was to study the quality and safety of some sports nutrition products. The objects of study were sports nutrition products: protein bars of ‘ProteinBar’ (Russia) and ‘Bombbar’ (Russia); capsule forms of dietary supplements ω–3, ω–6, ω–9 firms ‘Sportline’ (Russia), ‘Multipower’ (Germany) and ‘Maxler’ (USA). According to the research results, the normalized safety indicators of the fat component of the studied products for sports nutrition (acid number and peroxide) are within acceptable values. The standardized safety indicators of the fat component do not fully reflect the safety requirements for the fat component of sports nutrition products, since there are no standards for the most important indicators of fat safety – the content of secondary oxidation products – copolymers insoluble in petroleum ether and epoxides. The results obtained in the course of the work showed that in almost all of the studied samples are content of epoxides (7.5–47.6 g -1 ) and secondary oxidation products – 1% or more

ШЛЯХИ ВИРІШЕННЯ ПРОБЛЕМ НАУКОВО-МЕТОДИЧНОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЕКСПЕРТНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В УКРАЇНІ

The article deals with the ways of improving the provision of scientific and method support in Ukraine, which is one of the main tasks offorensic and expert activity aimed at ensuring justice by providing an independent, qualified, scientifically-reasoned, objective forensic examination. It offers procedures that seem expedient in cases when there is a need for the introduction of a new king (type, class) of a forensic examination, expert speciality. Namely, they include stages that can be presented in the following way. First of all it is necessary to summarize the existing scientific and practical materials (specialized publications and expert practices). The next stage consists of statistically analyzing the obtained data, it is detailed in the memo for the discussion by the Research Board of the Institute. In case of a favorable decision on undertaking this scientific and research efforts, then it must be planned, conducted, tested and following that recommended for implementation in the designated order. These efforts include the development of expert training programs and suggestions for amending the relevant normative and legal acts.Розглянуто шляхи вдосконалення науково-методичного забезпечення судово-експертної діяльності в Україні, що є одним з основних завдань експертного забезпечення правосуддя в Україні. Запропоновано процедури, за якими мають відбуватися введення нових видів (родів, класів) судових експертиз і розроблення програм підготовки судових експертів за новими експертними спеціальностями

The role of non-commercial cyprinids in maintenance and spread of the opisthorchiasis focus in the middle Ob River basin (Tomsk region, Russia)

The study assessed the role of non-commercial cyprinid species in maintaining the opisthorchiasis focus in the middle Ob River basin, Tomsk region, Russia. The source of O. felineus infection for humans and carnivores is fish of the family Cyprinidae. This is the most numerous family, 14 species live in the middle Ob River basin, which includes 6 commercial species and 8 non-commercial species. This study aimed to investigate the current situation on infestation of non-commercial cyprinids with O. felineus metacercariae and their role in maintaining and spreading the natural focus of opisthorchiasis in the middle Ob River basin. We investigated 4 non-commercial species (tench, sunbleak, common bleak, gudgeon), which are highly abundant in water bodies. Tench, common bleak and gudgeon are objects of amateur fishing. These species are traditionally included in the diet of the local population. Opisthorchis felineus metacercariae were recorded in muscles of all the examined fish species. The identification of metacercariae was confirmed by morphological methods and PCR diagnostics. Tench and sunbleak are the main sources of opisthorchiasis infection in the floodplain lakes of the Ob River basin (the prevalence of tench infection is 89.3% and mean intensity of infection is 11.2 metacercariae per fish, the prevalence of sunbleak infection is 50.9% and the intensity of infection is 4.25 metacercariae per fish). The prevalence of infection in the introduced common bleak from the rivers of the middle Ob River basin is rapidly increasing from 2.4 (2016-2018) to 37.5% (2020-2021), and mean intensity of infection increased from 1 to 4.15. The epizootic state of water bodies in the middle Ob River basin remains unfavorable in relation to opisthorchiasis. Tench, common bleak and sunbleak, along with ide and dace, are the main source of infection for humans and animals, which is evidenced by high infection with Opisthorchis felineus metacercariae in these numerous fish species. They pose the greatest danger of infection of people and animals with opisthorchiasis. These species should be included in the campaign to avoid raw and poorly cooked fish in the diet. In addition, such species as roach, bream and sunbleak also pose the danger of infection with opisthorchiasis, but to a lesser extent

THE ROLE OF SMALL RNAS IN CONTROLLING EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VIBRIO CHOLERAE PATHOGENICITY

Currently, bacterial small RNAs with regulatory functions are characterized as a heterogeneous claster of highly structured single-stranded RNAs which usually would not be translated into proteins. A large group of small RNAs consists of small regulatory RNAs functioning through the mechanism of complementary interaction between small regulatory RNA bases and bacterial messenger RNAs (mRNA). The review provides the description of direct participation of small RNA mechanisms in realization of pathogenic properties, biofilm formation and virulence regulation in V. cholerae strains. In particular, the Hfq-dependent small RNAs that control the expression of genes responsible for virulence and biofilm formation of V. choleraе, and the impact of small RNA on the secretion system of VI type are presented. We also characterized the small RNAs–controlled process of V. cholerae vesicles formation, which have a great significance for colonization ability of cholera vibrios. In addition, such method of regulation at RNA level as “riboswitches”, (RNA switches) is described

Tuning Pt characteristics on Pt/C catalyst for aqueous-phase reforming of biomass-derived oxygenates to bio-H-2

Pt/C catalysts with varied Pt sizes and distributions were investigated for aqueous-phase reforming (APR) of ethylene glycol (EG) to H2. APR experiments were performed on a continuous-flow fixed bed reactor with a catalyst loading of 1 g and EG feeding of 120 mL h−1 at 225 °C and 35 bar for 7 h. The fresh and used Pt/C catalysts were characterized by XRF, BET, CO chemisorption, TEM, XTEM, and XPS. Catalyst preparation protocols changed Pt characteristics on Pt/C catalysts, leading to a distinguishable H2 production. The rates for EG conversion and H2 production increased linearly with mean Pt size (3–11 nm), while having a volcano relationship with the mean size of agglomerated Pt particles (17–30 nm). Pt with concentrated Pt particles on surface of Pt/C catalysts was more preferable for APR of EG than the homogeneously distributed in catalysts. Optimal performance was obtained over a Pt/C-PR catalyst, which was prepared by precipitation method, showing a superb turnover frequency of 248 molH2 molPt−1 min−1 for H2 production from EG in APR. Besides, Pt/C catalysts also showed excellent stability. These results have shown the promise of Pt/C catalyst for APR of EG, which can be extended for bio-H2 production via APR of biomass-derived oxygenates in waste streams

Оценка эффективности периметрии с удвоением пространственной частоты в диагностике оптиконейропатий

PURPOSE. To compare the diagnostic effectiveness of two perimetric threshold strategies with frequency-doubling technology in patients with early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the optical form of multiple sclerosis (MS) and papilledema in an open-label comparative clinical study.MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study involved 78 patients (105 eyes) with optic neuropathies (ON). The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the etiology of optic neuropathy: the first group included 30 patients (46 eyes) with early POAG aged 30 to 65 years (54.9±1.3); the second group included 26 patients (26 eyes) diagnosed with the optic form of MS (an episode of retrobulbar optic neuritis in the medical history) aged 22 to 44 years (33.7±6.5); the third group consisted of 22 patients (33 eyes) aged from 18 to 66 years (35.7±14.9) with papilledema caused in the majority of cases by various brain tumors (25 eyes or 75.7%). The fourth (control) group consisted of 60 healthy individuals (60 eyes) aged 20 to 65 years, who were divided into 2 equal subgroups – younger (24.8±4.4) and older (56.4±3.9).Standard and non-standard perimetry was performed on all subjects during a comprehensive ophthalmic examination using the Humphrey 745i Visual Field Analyzer II (HFA II, «24-2» threshold strategy) (Germany-USA) and the author's own modification of Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) Perimetry, in the form of 2 threshold strategies: the well-known «FDT-16» and the new «FDT-64».RESULTS. Both the «FDT-16» and the «FDT-64» threshold strategies were more effective in diagnosing glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON), as confirmed by the higher sensitivity of their results to two criteria — the number of identified scotomas (n of scotomas n≥2), and the number of scotoma clusters in patients with POAG (88 and 100%; 95 and 83%, respectively) compared with those in patients with MS (61 and 76%; 85 and 54%, respectively) and papilledema (51 and 78%; 88 and 70%, respectively). The specificity of the «FDT-16» and «FDT-64» threshold strategies was significantly higher than the specificity of Humphrey perimetry (100, 80 and 63%, respectively).CONCLUSION. Both perimetric threshold strategies with frequency-doubling technology were found to be the most effective in detecting GON. This confirms that they are more sensitive in patients with early POAG when compared with the sensitivity in patients with MS and papilledema. The level of specificity of both FDT perimetry strategies far exceeds the level of specificity of Humphrey perimetry data, which indicates the advantage of FDT perimetry in separating healthy people from patients with ON, and not only of glaucoma genesis.ЦЕЛЬ. Сравнить диагностическую эффективность двух пороговых стратегий периметрии с удвоением пространственной частоты (FDT, Frequency Doubling Technology) у пациентов с начальной стадией первичной открытоугольной глаукомы (ПОУГ), оптической формой рассеянного склероза (РС) и застойным диском зрительного нерва (ДЗН) в рамках открытого сравнительного клинического исследования.МЕТОДЫ. В исследовании участвовали 78 пациентов (105 глаз) с оптиконейропатиями (ОН). В зависимости от этиологии ОН пациентов разделили на 3 группы: в 1-ю группу вошли 30 больных (46 глаз) c начальной стадией ПОУГ в возрасте от 30 до 65 лет (54,9±1,3); во 2-ю — 26 пациентов (26 глаз) с диагнозом оптическая форма РС (эпизод ретробульбарного неврита в анамнезе) в возрасте от 22 до 44 лет (33,7±6,5); в 3-ю — 22 пациента (33 глаза) в возрасте от 18 до 66 лет (35,7±14,9) с застойным ДЗН, который развился в подавляющем большинстве случаев (25 глаз, 75,7%) вследствие различных новообразований головного мозга. В 4-ю, контрольную, группу включили 60 здоровых лиц (60 глаз) в возрасте от 20 до 65 лет, которых разделили на 2 равные подгруппы – молодого (24,8±4,4) и старшего (56,4±3,9) возраста.Всем испытуемым при комплексном офтальмологическом обследовании выполняли стандартную и нестандартную периметрию, используя анализатор поля зрения Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer II 745i (HFA II, Германия – США, пороговая стратегия 24-2) и авторскую модификацию FDT-периметрии в виде 2 пороговых стратегий: известной FDT-16 и новой FDT-64.РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Пороговые стратегии FDT-16 и FDT-64 более эффективны в диагностике глаукомной оптиконейропатии (ГОН), что подтверждается более высоким уровнем чувствительности их результатов по 2 критериям, а именно — количеству выявленных скотом (n скотом ≥2) и количеству кластеров из скотом у больных ПОУГ (88 и 100%; 95 и 83% соответственно) по сравнению с таковым у пациентов с РС (61 и 76%; 85 и 54% соответственно) и застойным ДЗН (51 и 78%; 88 и 70% соответственно). Уровень специфичности результатов пороговых стратегий FDT-16 и FDT-64 значительно выше специфичности периметрии по HFA II (100, 80 и 63% соответственно).ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. Пороговые стратегии FDT-периметрии наиболее эффективны в выявлении ГОН, что подтверждает более высокий уровень чувствительности их результатов у больных начальной стадией ПОУГ по сравнению с уровнем чувствительности результатов пациентов с РС и застойным ДЗН. Уровень специфичности результатов обеих стратегий FDT-периметрии намного превосходит уровень специфичности данных периметрии по HFA II, что свидетельствует о преимуществе FDT-периметрии в разделении здоровых людей и больных с ОН, причем не только глаукомного генеза