Influence of mechanical damage and storage on various quality aspects of potatoes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mechanical damage on both the contents of dry matter and chlorogenic acid and the degree of blackspot for five cultivars of potatoes of various earliness groups. The study was conducted immediately after the harvest as well as after two, four and six months of storage under constant conditions (air temperature +4 °C and RH 95%). Mechanical damage leads to a greater accumulation of chlorogenic acid and increases the tubers’ susceptibility to blackening, irrespective of the earliness group. The duration of storage significantly determines the dry matter content of chlorogenic acid and the susceptibility to blackening of raw tuber flesh to the greatest extent for cultivars of the medium-early group. A significant (P < 0.01) correlation was demonstrated between the dry matter and chlorogenic acid contents and the degree of blackspot, which was higher on damaged tubers

Environmental and technological carrot safety conditions. Part II. Changes in nitrites contents determined by the environment and processing

The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of environmental conditions (biofortification with Mg) and technological processes (freezing, preserving in jars and drying) on the content of nitrates (III) in carrot. Besides this, the amount of human intake of nitrates (III) found in the carrot products analysed was assayed. The effect on environment resulting from the changes in carrot growing technology was not so unambiguous as for nitrates (V) since most NO2¯ was contained in, for example, processed foods from non-biofortified Mg material. The consumption of products was not hazardous to the consumer since it did not exceed Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) NO2¯. Most nitrates (III) are consumed with dried carrot and least - with carrot preserved in jars. For this reason, one should run a thorough monitoring of the contents of nitrates (III), toxic to humans since new products based on dried carrot material, such as crisps, are launched in the consumer market

Cultivar-Specific Variation in the Content of Nitrates (V) and (III) Depending on Potato Tuber Storage

The order to monitor the chemical pollution of food, the dynamic development of ecology and specialisation in potato production as well as its large consumption caused the investigations about the influence of storage time and genetic conditions of potato on con-tents of nitrates (V) and (III) in tubers for different use purposes during 2009–2011

Effect of Genetic Conditions, Foliar Fertilisation with Magnesium and Storage on the Content of Nitrates (V) and (III) in the Storage Roots in Carrot

During 2007-2009, studies were undertaken to determine the effect of genetic factors, magnesium fertilisation and storage on the content of nitrates (V) and (III) in carrot roots. After harvest as well as after storage, the cultivar ‘Perfekcja’ was characterised by the lowest content of NO3− and NO2−, while the greatest amounts were found in cultivar ‘Flacoro’. Magnesium was applied in doses of 0, 45 and 90 kg MgO ha-1 - in the form of 3% spraying during the vegetation season. The research items were cultivars: ‘Berjo’, Flacoro’, ‘Karotan’, ‘Koral’ and ‘Perfekcja’

Influence of Cultivar and UGmax on Antioxidative Properties of Carrot Roots (Daucus Carota L.) and their Stability During Freezing Process

In the present experiment, the significance of cultivar (convention-al and coloured) and of the application of the soil fertility enhancer UGmax on health-promoting properties of carrot roots subjected to the freezing process of carrot cubes after water blanching was investigated. The selection of cultivar turned out to be highly signif-icant with respect to the development of health-promoting properties of carrot roots. The highest antioxidant properties were found in the purple cultivar ‘Deep Purple’. Its mean antioxidant capacity accounted for 5.31 mmol Fe+2 · kg–1 f.m. Essential for health-promoting properties were the contents of anthocyanins (R2 = 0.83), chlorogenic acid (R2 = 0.81) and total polyphenolics (R2 = 0.71). The application of the biological agent UGmax improved the qual-ity of carrot significantly, increasing the content of total carotenoids and reducing the losses of ascorbic acid during processing. The freezing process negatively influenced the antioxidative properties of carrot irrespective of cultivar and applied agro-technique (use of UGmax), especially in the case of water-soluble antioxidants such as anthocyanins and ascorbic acid

Effect of Biostimulants and Storage on Discoloration Potential of Carrot

The application of biostimulants to prevent stress-related losses and increase productivity is becoming an increasingly common practice. A study was carried out to determine the effect of the type and methods of biostimulant application and long-term storage on the content of antioxidant compounds determining the processes of the enzymatic browning of carrot roots. The natural seaweed biostimulant Kelpak and synthetic Asahi were applied as part of the study. A quality assessment of carrot roots was carried out directly after harvest and after six months of storage in air at a temperature of 1 &deg;C and a relative humidity of 95%. A single application of Kelpak seaweed extract in the four-leaf phase (2 or 3 dm3 ha&minus;1) proved to be the most effective for reducing oxidative darkening processes (by 33.5%). The oxidative potential was most strongly dependent on the anthocyanin (r = &minus;0.477) and chlorogenic acid (r = &minus;0.474) contents. The concentration of polyphenols (r = 0.836; r = 0.719) and flavonoids (r = 0.671; r = 0.729) had the greatest effect on the antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ABTS respectively). It was observed that pectin, polyphenol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations tended to increase after a single application of Kelpak in a dose of 2 dm3 ha&minus;1. A long-term storage period had a stronger effect on the increase in the oxidation potential than on the antioxidant capacity FRAP value

Influence of Magnesium and Biostimulant on the Consumption Value and Harmful Nitrogen Compounds Content of Potato Tubers after Storage

The primary use of the potato is direct consumption. The classification of potatoes into consumption type is made on the basis of the consumption evaluation of hydrothermally treated tubers. Nutrient deficiency in the soil, including Mg, contributes to the inhibition of potato growth and development and negatively affects the cooking characteristics of the tubers. Magnesium and biostimulants are responsible for plant nitrogen management. Thus, it is necessary to control the content of harmful nitrates and toxic nitrites in tubers. In potato production, it is also important to maintain appropriate conditions during storage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mineral fertilization with magnesium and a biostimulant preparation during the cultivation of edible potato and long-term storage on the traits determining utility-consumption type and the content of harmful nitrogen compounds in tubers. The study was conducted using the early potato variety Satina. In a three-year (2015–2017) three-factor experiment: evaluation date (immediately after harvest and after six months of storage), soil fertilization with mineral magnesium (0, 30, 60, 90 kg MgO ha−1), the application of an amino acid biostimulant (0, 1.5, 3.0 L ha−1). Five consumption traits of tubers after cooking, determining the utility-consumption type of potato, were determined. In addition, the consumer safety of the potato was determined based on the nitrate and nitrite content of the tubers. The tendency to overcook tubers significantly depended on all the factors used during potato cultivation. In contrast, the texture and structure of tuber flesh after cooking depended only on mineral fertilization with magnesium. The flesh of the tubers after cooking was most tender (1.0 pt) and firm (1.4 pt) after the application of 60 and 90 kg MgO ha−1, respectively. The moisture level of the flesh after cooking was significantly influenced by the interaction of magnesium fertilization with the biostimulant preparation. The factors of the experiment did not modify the utility-consumption type (B/A), while there was a change in the type in relation to that specified by the grower—general utility (B). The applied cultivation technology and long-term storage did not deteriorate the consumer safety of tubers (−1) in terms of NO3− (max. 112.1 mg kg−1) and NO2− (max. 1.08 mg kg−1) contents. Organoleptic traits: mealiness, moisture, and flesh structure were significantly positively related to the nitrate and nitrite content of tubers immediately after harvesting and to nitrite concentration after long-term storage

The effect of environmental conditions on the content of selected micronutrients in spelt grain

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of application of small amounts of nitrogen to the soil together with foliar application of micronutrients on the content of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L.). The study was based on a two-factor field experiment conducted in 2009–2011 on very good rye complex soil. Nitrogen was applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N), and manganese and copper were applied to the leaves in the form of the fertilisers Adob Mn (1.5 l∙ha−1) and Adob Cu (1.0 l∙ha−1), respectively. The results indicated that the nitrogen fertilisation, the foliar application of micronutrients and the interaction of these factors significantly determined the contents of copper, manganese and zinc in the grain. The highest content of Cu and Mn in the material was obtained following the application of 50 kg N·ha−1, and an increase in nitrogen application (to 50 kg·ha−1) caused a decrease in the content of zinc in the grain. Foliar application of Cu, Mn and both elements together resulted in significant changes in the concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the plant material as compared to treatment without the application of micronutrients. The mineral fertilisers at the rates applied had a beneficial effect on the chemical composition of the grain, and thus on its quality, and this was achieved with substantially lower consumption of agrochemicals than that in the case of agrotechnical procedures for traditional cereals. It can, therefore, be concluded that this practice is environment friendly and can significantly reduce the negative impact of agricultural activity

Sosnowsky’s hogweed – current environmental problem

Sosnowsky’s hogweed was brought to Poland as a silage plant for cattle in the mid-20th century from the Caucasus. It was grown mainly in National Farms. However, the hogweed quickly spread across the natural environment. It is a highly invasive plant and possesses strong burning qualities. Every year many people suffer from its burns. The hogweed is also dangerous for animals. Being an invasive species, it displaces natural plant species of the native flora. It can threaten the flora and landscape of a particular area. The aim of the article is to present the problem including the frequency of occurrence of Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Poland, to show the negative effects for human health and the methods to fight it in its habitat