Composition and microstructure alteration of triticale grain surface after processing by enzymes of cellulase complex

It is found that the pericarp tissue of grain have considerable strength and stiffness, that has an adverse effect on quality of whole-grain bread. Thereby, there exists the need for preliminary chemical and biochemical processing of durable cell walls before industrial use. Increasingly used in the production of bread finds an artificial hybrid of the traditional grain crops of wheat and rye - triticale, grain which has high nutritional value. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the influence of cellulose complex (Penicillium canescens) enzymes on composition and microstructure alteration of triticale grain surface, for grain used in baking. Triticale grain was processed by cellulolytic enzyme preparations with different composition (producer is Penicillium canescens). During experiment it is found that triticale grain processing by enzymes of cellulase complex leads to an increase in the content of water-soluble pentosans by 36.3 - 39.2%. The total amount of low molecular sugars increased by 3.8 - 10.5 %. Studies show that under the influence of enzymes the microstructure of the triticale grain surface is changing. Microphotographs characterizing grain surface structure alteration in dynamic (every 2 hours) during 10 hours of substrate hydrolysis are shown. It is found that the depth and direction of destruction process for non-starch polysaccharides of grain integument are determined by the composition of the enzyme complex preparation and duration of exposure. It is found, that xylanase involved in the modification of hemicelluloses fiber having both longitudinal and radial orientation. Hydrolysis of non-starch polysaccharides from grain shells led to increase of antioxidant activity. Ferulic acid was identified in alcoholic extract of triticale grain after enzymatic hydrolysis under the influence of complex preparation containing cellulase, xylanase and β-glucanase. Grain processing by independent enzymes containing in complex preparation (xylanase and β-glucanase) shows that more significant role in polysaccharide complex composition and grain surface microstructure alteration belongs to xylanase. Grain processing by independent of cellulolytic enzymes may decrease the strength of pericarp tissue of grain and improved sensory characteristics of the bread

Morphological characteristics of pollen Betula verrucosa Ehrh. (syn. B. pendula) depending on habitat

As a result of carrying out by means of scanning electronic microscopy of the comparative analysis of morphological traits of two samples of pollen Betula verrucosa Ehrh. from different habitats, it is revealed reliable distinctions between length of a polar axis, equatorial diameter and the area of apoporial field. The length of the polar axis of the samples of dry pollen grains from Kiev defined from 16.49 to 22.26 µm and from the samples of dry pollen grains from Ivankov from 16.88 to 22.51 µm. The length of the equatorial diameter from 18.95 to 26.96 µm and from 20.95 to 28.08 µm accordingly

Ethanolic extract and essential oils from Monarda fistulosa L. with ovicidal, insecticidal and antifeedant activity against Colorado potato beetle

Species Monarda fistulosa L. (Lamiaceae), which is currently successfully cultivated in the conditions of the Republic of Moldova, is of great interest due to the content of various components that possess biological activity. Studying the effect of ethanolic extract and essential oils from M fistulosa in the laboratory conditions showed the presence of ovicidal, insecticidal, and antifeedant properties against the Colorado potato beetle. Hatching of larvae of L. decemlineata in all experimental variants was completely suppressed (100 %) in comparison with the control. Essential oils showed higher insecticidal activity than ethanol extract. The death of the larvae of L. decemlineata in the variant with 5 % ethanol extract is 13.3 %, and in the variants with essential oils (with and without timoquinone) – 93.3 and 60.0%, respectively. It was established that the essential oil with thymoquinone has a higher insecticidal properties (by 33.3%) than the oil without thymoquinone.Mathematical analyses revealed some significant differences of insecticidal activity between variants: ethanolic extract, essential oils and control (р≤0,05, LSD0.05= 6.7). The larvae in the variants with essential oils did not feed on the treated leaves of potatoes. In the variant with ethanolic extract treatment (EE), the larvae tried to feed, but the damage to the leaf plate did not exceed 10 %. In the control the leaves damage was 100 %

The ethanol extracts and essential oils from Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra

The purpose of this study was to quantify the extraction of dry substances and essential oils from the needles of P. sylvestris and P. nigra, growing under the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. The moisture content in needle samples of both plant species Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra increased from March to September, while the concentration of solid compounds decreases. Nevertheless, the dry substances in the extracts obtained from needles collected in spring and autumn was not significantly different. The solids content in extracts of 96 % ethanol in ratio raw materials: solvent 1: 5 after their decantation and filtration was 4.4–4.6 % for P. sylvestris and 5.0–5.1 % for P. nigra. It was found that the optimal duration for extraction of essential oils from previous dried needles of both species P. sylvestris and P. nigra using the hydrodistillation method is 4.0 hours. The maximal yield of essential oil extracted by studied procedure was about 0.6 and 0.5% for P. sylvestris and P. nigra, respectivel

Essential oil from ornamental plant Juniperus Sabina L. (Cupressaceae gray) with antifeedant, repellent and deterrent activity against Galleria Mellonella L.

Juniperus sabina L. (Cupressaceae Gray) planted in the Central Europe as an ornamental shrub for gardening. In China twigs and leaves of Juniperus sabina have been traditionally used as the medicinal herb for the treatment of many ailments. At the same time, the biologically active properties of various species of Juniperus, including Juniperus sabina, are studied for the possible use of their extracts in the control of pests and plant diseases. We carry out investigation of the essential oil from dry needles of the plant Juniperus sabina. Essential oil was evaporated by heating a mixture of water and plant materials at atmospheric pressure, followed by the liquefaction of the vapors in a condenser and collection in receiving vessel Ginsberg according to a hydrodistillation method (HD). Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was as a test-object for studying the antifeedant effect of essential oil from J.sabina in the laboratory conditions. For these purpose in the Petri dishes (diameter 14 cm, 4 replicates) were placed treated (200 µl essential oil/ 1.0 g feed) and untreated feed (1.5 g both). After that in the centre dishes were placed the larvae of 2-3 instars of Galleria mellonella. In the control in the Petri dishes was only untreated feed. We observed by the movement of larvae. It was noted that all the larvae in the experiment moved toward to the untreated feed, some larvae lost orientation. It was established statistically significant (р≤0,05) that in the experiment with the choice larvae took more than 30 to 120 seconds in search of food in comparative to the control. It was determined that the essential oil from the Juniperus sabina has not only a repellent effect on the larvae of Galleria mellonella, but also an antifeedant effect. The amount of consumed treated food was significantly lower (by 31.42%) than the untreated. It was also found that the essential oil had a deterrental effect. Two weeks after the start of the experiment, the amount of the consumed food in the experiment was significantly lower than in the control on 41.2%

INSECTICIDAL AND ANTIFEEDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM ALLIUM ROTUNDUM L.

The species of the genus Allium L., one of the largest genera of higher plants,occupying a significant place in the modern plant world, are of great interest bothfrom the theoretical and from the practical point of view. Plants of Allium spp.accumulate a large amount of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (flavonoids andits glycosides, coumarins, anthocyanins, catechins), amino acids and organosulfurcompounds, such as allicin – a precursor for alkaloids and saponins formation.Secondary metabolites of Allium spp. have been successfully used during the pastfew decades in plants protection against pests and pathogens. We have earlierreported about high insecticidal and antifeedant properties of extracts from A.subhirsutum L., A. narcissiflorum Vill. and A. ramosum L. The highest insecticidalproperties against imago (20.0%) and larvae (60.0%) of Leptinotarsa decemlineata(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidaea) were demonstrated by extract from aerial part of A.subhirsutum. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the insecticidal,antifeedant and repellent properties of A. rotundum L. extracts against variousspecies of insects. As a result, it was found that the ethanolic extracts from theaerial part possessed the moderate level (40.0%) of insecticidal properties againstthe larvae of the L. decemlineata and low – against the imago (6.7-13.3%).Moreover, the extracts of A. rotundum showed moderate level of insecticidal,antifeedant and repellent activity against the larvae of lepidopterans (cottonbudworm Helicoverpa armigera and wax moths Galleria mellonella)

Morphological characteristics of pollen Betula verrucosa Ehrh. (syn. B. pendula) depending on habitat

As a result of carrying out by means of scanning electronic microscopy of the comparative analysis of morphological traits of two samples of pollen Betula verrucosa Ehrh. from different habitats, it is revealed reliable distinctions between length of a polar axis, equatorial diameter and the area of apoporial field. The length of the polar axis of the samples of dry pollen grains from Kiev defined from 16.49 to 22.26 µm and from the samples of dry pollen grains from Ivankov from 16.88 to 22.51 µm. The length of the equatorial diameter from 18.95 to 26.96 µm and from 20.95 to 28.08 µm accordingly

Heavy Metals Presence in the Soil and Their Content in Selected Varieties of Chili Peppers in Slovakia

Capsicum chili peppers are popular vegetables in Slovakia. They provide a supply of health-promoting substances, but contaminated vegetables can pose a serious health risk to the people who consume them. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the content of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Hg) in the soil as well as in selected varieties of the genus Capsicum grown in southern Slovakia. The results were compared with the limit values given by the Law no. 220/2004 (valid in the SR) as well as threshold values proposed by the European Commission (EC) (2006). The gained result showed that the total content of Cd (1.64 mg/kg) as well as the available mobile forms of Cd (0.12 mg/kg) and Pb (0.26 mg/kg) was exceeded on the soil on which Capsicum cultivars were grown. The limit values of other monitored heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Hg) were not exceeded. The studied species of the genus Capsicum did not accumulate monitored heavy metals. It can be stated that consumption of chili peppers does not pose any risk for human health

Flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of Artemisia vulgaris L. “hairy” roots

We investigated the effect of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation on antioxidant activity of Artemisia vulgaris “hairy” roots. It appeared that transformation may increase flavonoid content as well as DPPH-scavenging activity and ability to reduce Fe3þ as compared to the nontransformed plants. Some “hairy” roots accumulated flavonoids up to 73.1 ± 10.6mg RE/g DW (while the amount of flavonoids in the leaves of non-transformed plants was up to 49.4 ± 5.0mg RE/g DW). DPPH-scavenging activity of some “hairy” root lines was 3–3.8 times higher than such one of the roots of the control plants. The Fe3þ-reducing power of most transgenic root extracts exceeded such power of the extracts of the roots of the control plants. The decrease in SOD activity was found in the most “hairy” root lines compared to the control roots. The increase of flavonoid content correlated with the increase of ability of extracts to scavenge DPPH - radical and Fe3þ - reducing power. No correlation between SOD activity of extracts and concentration of flavonoids was found (p 0.2).Thus, transformation has led to the alteration in flavonoid accumulation and antioxidant activity in A. vulgaris “hairy” roots. Transgenic roots with high-antioxidant properties can be selected after A. rhizogenes-mediated transformationFizikos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta