Sourdough biotechnology network towards novel, healthier and sustainable food and bioprocesses

The desirable food is healthy, nutritious, free of pathogens, additives, preservatives, free of contaminants such as mycotoxins, and pesticides. So when it comes to bread it seems that this can be achieved using particular proceses which occure douring the sourdough (SD) fermentation which is a traditional biotechnological process that has been in use for 5,000 years to improve the properties of baked goods. Sourdough is formed by mixing of flour, water. The mixture is than leave to ferment due to the LAB and yeasts which are naturally present in the flour and surrounding environment. Sourdough is propagated during backslopping process, in which a new mixture of flour and water is fermented by using as a starter a part from the SD from a previous fermentation batch. More than 90 different LAB species have already been isolated from SD, including obligately and facultatively heterofermentative species and some homofermentative species. They co-exist synergistically with yeasts, which are well adapted to the acidic environment in sourdough and can grow to high concentrations up to 10 000 000 Cell Forming Units/g. LAB are present in much higher concentration of 100 000 000 CFU/g. Which species will prevail in this consortia depends on various factors such as temperature, the chemical and enzymatic composition of the flour, redox potential, water content, and the duration of the fermentation. During the fermentation process in SD, the microorganisms involved produce a significant quantity of intra- or extracellular metabolites, which can be potentially beneficial for the consumer. The major metabolites of SD microbiota include organic acids, EPS, amino acids, peptides, bacteriocins, Short Chain Fatty acids, some volatile and non volatile flavour compounds etc

First Appearance of White Mould on Sunflower Caused by Sclerotinia Minor in the Republic of Macedonia

Sclerottnia spp. a very destructive fungus causing "white mould" became one of the biggest problems in sunflower breeding in the Republic of Macedo­nia in 2010. Field monitoring in the region of Bitola show very high infection of around 20-30%. Two types of symptoms where observed during the field mon­itoring. First symptoms were observed on the leaves of the Infected plants in the form of wilting, prior to flowering stage. The most characteristic symptoms were observed. at the lower part of the stem in the form of a stem cancer. Big variable sclerotia in size and shape were observed inside the stem. The appear­ence of white mycelium on the infected lower parts of the plant was often observed during the wet weather. Other infected plants showed different symp­toms. The stem was longer and thinner than in uninfected plants and the pit was very small around 9 cm. Sclerotia observed inside the stem were not big­ ger than 2.5 mm. In vitro investigations confirmed the presence of ascomycetes Sclerotinia sclerattorum (Lib.) de Bary and Sclerotinia minor Jagger, for the first time In the Republic of Macedonia. In vitra Investigation of antifungal abillty of Pseudomonas mediterranea Cattara et al., 2002 against S. sclerottorum and S.minor showed that it can be a possible antifungal agent against these ascomycetes

Influence of different substrates on the quality properties of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

In order to determine the influence of different substrates on some quality properties of seedling tomato (Licopersicon esculentum), hybrid Optima F1, It was placed in experiment 2019 year. In the research was used commercially substrate as a control Gramoflor Profi 100%, and 5 combinations with it and other enhancers, such as: Т1 – Gramoflor Profi + Zeo min 2:1, Т2- Gramoflor Profi + Zeo pullus 2:1, Т3- Orgalife 100% чист, Т4- Orgalife + Zeo min 2:1, Т 5- Orgalife+ Zeo pullus 2:1. During the research the following parameters were monitored: seedling height, stem diameter and number of leaves. Measurements were started 37 days after sowing (BBCH 07), and were measured 5 times during seedling vegetation, every 7 days (BBCH 09, 10, 11 и 13). According to the obtained data for the examined property, the height of the seedling was determined as the highest average height in the treatment T1 of 19.1 cm,and the lowest average height of 7.4 cm in T2 treatment. Statistical analysis of this property showed statistically significant differences (p<0,05) between treatments T1 with control, then treatment Т3 with treatment Т2, and between T4 treatment and T2 treatment. High statistically significant differences (p <0.01) exist between T1 and T2 treatments. Based on the obtained results for the property average tree diameter from all three measurements, it was determined that the control and treatment T1 have the same average tree diameter of 3.5 mm, and the lowest was determined in the treatment T2, which tree diameter was 2.3 mm. Statistical analysis of data on this property showed highly significant differences (p <0.01) between control and treatment T1, control with T3 and control with T4, then treatment T1 with treatment T2, treatment T1 with T3 and treatment T1 with T4. Regarding the quality, the average number of leaves was determined to be 7.6 in the treatment T1, and the lowest value of 6.1 in the treatment T2. From the obtained data, there are statistically significant differences (p <0.05) between the control and T3, while statistically significant differences (p <0.01) there are between the control with T1, and the control with the treatment T4, also statistically significant differences (p <0.01) there is between T2 and T1, treatment T2 with T3 and between T2 and T4

Correlation and path analysis in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

This study was carried out to determine the correlation between agronomic traits and seed yield of sunflower cultivars and also to determine the direct and indirect effect of analyzed traits on seed yield. The primary task in sunflower breeding programs is increasing the seed yield and creates new hybrids with high potential for seed and oil yield. Field trials were set up according to randomized block design during two growing seasons (2013 and 2014), on research area of Faculty of Agriculture, "Goce Delchev” University in Ovche Pole locality, Republic of Macedonia. As an experimental material were used 20 sunflower varieties. 1 000 seed weight, length and width of grain, oil content, oleic acid content and seed yield were analyzed. For 1 000 seed weight was obtained highly positive and significant correlation with seed yield and grain width. On the other hand, 1 000 seed weight showed negative and significant correlation with oil content. This trait expressed the biggest positive direct effect on seed yield Key words: sunflower, correlation coefficient, path analysis, agronomic trait

Antimicrobial activity of pomegranate peel extracts from "Karamustafa" and "Idzis" varieties

The aim of this study was determination of antimicrobial activity of pomegranate peel extracts from “Karamustafa” and “Idžis” varieties. For this purposes, the peel of the two varieties of pomegranates was dried, powdered and extracted three times by methanol: water solution (80:20). After evaporation, the extracts were investigated for their “in vitro” antibacterial and antifungal properties using a disk-diffusion method in Petri dishes. The pomegranate peel extracts were tested for antibacterial activity against one Gram-positive bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and against one Gram-negative bacterial strain Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and for antifungal activity using Candida albicans (ATCC 1023). In brief, each microorganism was suspended in Mueller Hinton (MH) broth and diluted approximately to 10E6 colony forming unit (cfu)/mL. Gentamicin (20 μg/well), nalidixic acid (30 μg/well), ciprofloxacine (5 μg/well) and erytromicine (15 μg/well) were used as positive control. The antibacterial activity is ranked from no activity (-: inhibition diameter < 10 mm), low (+: inhibition diameter between 10 and 15 mm), moderate (++: inhibition diameter between 15 and 20 mm) and high activity (+++: diameter inhibition ≥ 20 mm). All tests were performed in triplicate and clear halos greater than 10 mm were considered as positive results. Our results showed very high antimicrobial activity of the extracts from both variety against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) with inhibition zone of 40 mm. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC 1023) was very low with inhibition zone of 10 mm

CA21134 - Towards zer0 Pesticide AGRIculture : European Network for sustainability (T0P-AGRI-Network)

Current crop protection in EU agriculture is heavily reliant on chemical pesticides to suppress weeds, pests and pathogens. In view of the serious health and environmental consequences, European public authorities, consumers, and society at large are demanding drastically reduced use of chemical pesticides, in the context of a production of safe, high-quality and affordable food. Furthermore, farmers are calling for research and innovation solutions to protect crops with non-chemical means while maintaining a viable farm economy. A change of direction and paradigm is needed to foster this transition, emphasizing preventive crop protection based on agroecological practices that to prevent pest outbreaks and infestations. The proposed Cost Action T0P-AGRI-Network targets the transition “Towards zer0 Pesticide AGRIculture”, aiming at preparing the future of an agriculture free of synthetic pesticides and of nature-derived pesticides that negatively impact environment and human health. T0P-AGRI-Network tackles this challenge by create and organize a wide research community with the aim to form a European leading network with high and transdisciplinary expertise around the common objective of pesticide-free agriculture, with a particular focus on young scientists. To enable a redesign of the food system as a whole, T0P-AGRI-Network will promote a concerted mobilization of scientists, farmers, processing industries, public authorities and consumers by associating them closely with the activities that will be carried out in the Cost Action

Effect of boron (B) nutrition on development of gray mold in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in humid and warm conditions is susceptible to the development of diseases, especially gray rot, caused by Botrytis cinerea. Adequate fertilization that provides sufficient boron (B) in plant tissues, especially in the fruit, is suggested as an alternative to control the pathogen. The effect of the microelement boron (B) on the development of gray mold in hot pepper, variety Fortes, was determined. The survey was conducted in commercial greenhouses, with hot water heating, in locality of Bansko, Republic of Macedonia, during 2022. Foliar application of fungicides and boron (B), in the form of 11% borethanolamine, showed phytotoxicity symptoms from boron (B) on the leaves of pepper plants and increased disease development. Further research should be done to determine the relationship between fungicides and the microelement boron, which in mutual treatment cause phytotoxicity in pepper

ONE FACTORIAL ANOVA IN ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN VULNERABLE AREA OF AGRICULTURE POLLUTION

Arsenic polluted groundwater was found in the Strumica region located in the south-east part of the Republic of Macedonia where an intensive agriculture production is concentrated on the area of around 1000 km2. Out of 185 samples collected from boreholes, 64 samples have arsenic in concentrations greater than 10 µg/L, from which 30 samples have a concentration greater than 50 µg/L with a maximum concentration of 176.56 µg/L. Pollution mostly occurs in the groundwater located in the central part of the valley characterized by alluvial plains and young aquifer. Around 57% of the polluted samples have origin from deep groundwater with a depth greater than 40 m.&nbsp; Reductive environment, high Fe, Mn, HCO3- concentrations as well as low SO42- and NO3- content in polluted samples suggests that reductive dissolution is a major mechanism by which arsenic is released into the groundwater. Highly polluted samples are characterized by high concentrations of Mn and Fe. Other investigated ions are present in low concentrations. Single factorial ANOVA showed significant differences between As concentrations in shallow and deep groundwater. Multivariate factor analysis was performed to identify the covariance structure between the investigated variables. Arsenic was positively correlated to HCO3- and Mn in shallow groundwater and with HCO3-, Ca, and Mn in deep groundwater suggesting that arsenic is mobilized in groundwater by reductive dissolution of Mn oxides from the bedrock

Heteranthera reniformis Ruiz & Pavon new weed in rice field in the region of Kocani

This paper is about the species Heteranthera reniformis Ruiz & Pavon found in the rice fields in Kocani-Štip. It is a new adventive species for the flora in Republic of Macedonia. In the text the morphological description of the new weed from the family Pontederiaceae is given. This species Heteranthera reniformis Ruiz & Pavon for the first time is found in July 2004 around Kocani, but less spread in rice fields. In August 2005 this weed is found again in locality between village Cesinovo and village Spancevo left and right from the road. In the rice fields the weed is prevalent on surface about 600 ha and occupied 60-70% from the rice field

Assesment of arsenic-polluted groundwater in the Strumica region, an intensive agriculture production area

Arsenic polluted groundwater was found in the south-east part of the Republic of Macedonia where an intensive agriculture production is concentrate on the area of 963 km2. Out of 185 samples collected from boreholes, 64 samples have arsenic in concentrations greater than 10 μg/L, from which 30 samples have concentration greater than 50 μg/L with maximum concentration of 176.56 μg/L. The affected aquifers are mostly concentrated in the central part of the valley characterized with alluvial plains and young aquifers. Polluted samples are collected from boreholes with different depths: 15 samples are shallow (4,5 - 20 m), 42 samples are deep (21-100 m) and 7 samples have depth greater than 100 m. The contaminated groundwater is slightly acidic to neutral (pH between 7.5 – 8.53), with high alkalinity (HCO3 - 177.06 – 511.87) and moderate conductivity (ECw 2.48 – 7.2). Highly affected samples are characterized with high concentrations of Mn and Fe. Other investigated ions such as Mg, Na, K, Ca, P, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Pb are present in low concentrations. Factor analysis revealed high positive correlation between arsenic, iron and manganese which suggest the natural origin of arsenic in groundwater. Reducing environment, high iron, high manganese and bicarbonate content, as well as low sulfate and nitrate content, show that reductive dissolution is one of the mechanisms by which arsenic is released into the groundwater [1]