Wheat Bread with Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) Pulp as a Functional Food Product

U ovom je radu prikazan novi način uporabe pulpe bundeve u proizvodnji kruha. Svrha je rada bila odrediti utjecaj svježe pulpe bundeve na fizička, senzorska i biološka svojstva pšeničnog kruha, a ispitana je i biološka dostupnost aktivnih sastojaka. Povećanjem se udjela pulpe bundeve od 5 do 20 % (izraženo kao suha tvar) smanjio volumen kruha, a povećala se tvrdoća i kohezivnost mrvica. Senzorska su svojstva kruha bila bolja pri zamjeni do 10 % brašna s pulpom bundeve. Najbolje su ocjene okusa, arome i ukupne prihvatljivosti dobili kontrolni uzorak kruha (bez pulpe bundeve), te kruh s dodatkom 5 ili 10 % pulpe. Dodatkom veće količine pulpe dobiven je kruh lošije arome i okusa. Pulpa bundeve obogaćuje kruh biološki dostupnim fenolnim spojevima (ponajprije flavonoidima), a naročito peptidima. Najveća je antioksidativna aktivnost izmjerena u uzorcima s 10 i 15 % pulpe bundeve. Dodatak pulpe znatno je povećao udjel bioraspoloživih inhibitora angiotenzin konvertirajućeg enzima (engl. ACE). Najveća je aktivnost izmjerena u kruhu s 15 i 20 % pulpe bundeve. Biološka je dostupnost ACE inhibitora u ispitanom kruhu bila vrlo velika in vitro. Pulpa je bundeve bogat izvor aktivnih sastojaka, a njezinim dodavanjem izravno u brašno postignuti su dobri rezultati pečenja i smanjeni troškovi proizvodnje. Osim toga, pulpa bundeve često zaostaje kao otpad pri proizvodnji koštica, pa se njezinim iskorištenjem povećava i ekološka te ekonomska dobit.In this study, a new application of pumpkin pulp in bread production is shown. The aim of this work is to determine the influence of the addition of fresh pumpkin pulp directly into wheat flour on physical, sensorial and biological properties of bread. The bioaccessibility of active compounds was also studied. An increase in the addition of pumpkin pulp from 5 to 20 % (converted to dry matter) caused a decrease of bread volume and increase of crumb hardness and cohesiveness. The sensory characteristics of the bread showed that a partial replacement of wheat fl our with up to 10 % of pumpkin pulp gave satisfactory results. The taste, aroma and overall acceptability of control bread and bread containing 5 or 10 % of pulp had the highest degree of liking. The addition of higher levels of pumpkin pulp caused an unpleasant aroma and taste. Pumpkin pulp is a good material to complement the bread with potentially bioaccessible phenolics (including flavonoids) and, especially, with peptides. The highest antioxidant activity was observed, in most cases, of the samples with added 10 and 15 % of pumpkin pulp. The addition of the pulp significantly enriched the bread with potentially bioaccessible angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The highest activity was determined in the bread with 15 and 20 % pumpkin pulp. ACE inhibitors from the tested bread were highly bioaccessible in vitro. Pumpkin pulp seems to be a valuable source of active compounds to complement the wheat bread. Adding the pulp directly to the wheat flour gives satisfactory baking results and reduces the cost of production. Additionally, pumpkin pulp is sometimes treated as waste material after the acquisition of seeds, thus using it as bread supplement also has environmental and economic benefi ts

Yielding parameters, nutritional value of soybean seed and weed infestation in relay-strip intercropping system with buckwheat

The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that intercropping of soybean with buckwheat will positively affect yielding parameters and nutritional value of soybean seed. The experimental scheme assumed intercropping of two soybean cultivars alternately with one and two rows of buckwheat. The control (C) was soybean in monoculture. Both Annushka and Mavka cultivars significantly increased seed yield in the intercropping system with one row of buckwheat as compared to control. The addition of two rows of buckwheat resulted in a significant decrease in seed yield of both soybean cultivars compared to control. The seeds of both cultivars had significantly higher fat content and better fatty acid composition in both variants of intercropping with buckwheat compared to soybean monoculture. Significant changes in the amino acid composition were noted in the seeds of Mavka cultivar, in which glutamic and aspartic acids were the most abundant and the cultivation with two rows of buckwheat additionally increased their content. Intercropping of soybean with buckwheat significantly reduced weed infestation in both tested soybean cultivars. The presented results confirm the assumed hypothesis and the most advantageous variant turned out to be the cultivation of soybean with one row of buckwheat

The potential of biochar for reducing the negative effects of soil contamination on the phytochemical properties and heavy metal accumulation in wheat grain

The food industry faces the problem of soil contamination and consequently the deterioration of the quality of plant products. Here, we present a study on evaluation of the effect of fertilization with sewage sludge (SL) with varying, rates of biochar (BC 2.5, 5 and 10% of DW) on yield quality and the accumulation of heavy metals in wheat grains. The greatest grain yield with the highest content of protein and gluten as well as the highest total content of phenols and flavonoids, was obtained when SL+5%BC fertilization was applied. The addition of 5%BC and 10%BC to SL resulted in the greatest increase in the antioxidant capacity of grain. Among phenolic acids, syringic acid was found in the largest amount in grain in the SL+2.5%BC treatment. A significant decrease in Pb accumulation in wheat grain after application of SL+5%BC and a successive decrease in Al content with increasing BC addition were observed. To increase the quality of wheat grains and to reduce the bioaccumulation of harmful elements after the application of biochar to the soil is important in the context of food safety and health of humans especially in food production on acidic and/or contaminated soils

Physicochemical Characteristics of Biochar from Waste Cricket Chitin (Acheta domesticus)

The properties of biochar (BC) from crustacean chitin are relatively well understood, while there are few studies on BC from insect chitin. This study presents the characterization and phytotoxic assessment of BC produced from crickets and cricket chitin. Cricket powder (BCCR) and cricket chitin (BCCH) were pyrolyzed at 500 °C and 700 °C. Physicochemical characteristics, N ad-/desorption, FTIR, were examined. SEM images were also performed. Regardless of the pyrolysis temperature, biochars were characterized by a densely “packed” solid surface/monolithic type with a non-porous structure (0.05–0.22 m2/g) and high content of N (9.4–11.8%). BCCHs showed a higher pH (12.2–12.4) compared to BCCR (8.7–10.8). Based on the XRD analysis, BCs were characterized by an amorphous carbon turbostratic structure and a randomly oriented graphitic-like micro-crystallite structure. FTIR spectra of BCs confirmed the presence of various O2 and N-functional groups on the BC surface. BCCHs added to soil at rates from 0.5 to 1.5% significantly reduced the germination of Lepidium sativum. Stimulation of root elongation was also observed in the case of BCCR500 1.0% and BCCR700 1.5%. Thermal degradation of cricket powder and cricket chitin promotes the formation of organic N-containing heterocyclic rings, which lead to the production of N-doped carbons with potential uses in energy storage and the contaminations sorption

Differentiating of cross-reactions in patients with latex allergy with the use of ISAC test

Introduction : Differentiating between cross-reactivity and double sensitization is still a challenging issue in allergology. Aim : To differentiate cross-reactions accompanying latex allergy with the use of the ISAC test. Material and methods : Thirty-nine patients reporting immediate allergic reactions to latex were enrolled into the study (group A). The control group was comprised of 41 patients with allergic diseases not associated with latex (group B) and 20 healthy individuals (group C). Their history was recorded and skin prick tests were performed with latex, airborne and food allergens. Specific IgE against food allergens, latex (k82) and recombined latex allergens were determined. Immun o CAP ISAC test was performed with 103 molecules. Results : Sensitization to latex was found by means of skin tests in 16 cases and sIgE against latex was revealed in 12 cases (including 10 positive in both SPT and sIgE). In the ISAC test antibodies against recombined latex allergens were found in 8 patients with rHev β 6 as the most common. All the patients positive for rHev β 1, 5, 6, 8 had allergy or asymptomatic sensitization to food allergens cross-reacting with latex. Some reactions could not have been differentiated due to the lack of allergens in the ISAC test. Others, not related to latex-fruits syndrome were explained by cross-reactivity with other profilins or PR-10 proteins. Conclusions : Immun o CAP ISAC test could be useful in differentiating between cross-reactions and double sensitizations. However, in the case of latex its advantages are limited due to a small panel of allergens

The potential of biochar for reducing the negative effects of soil contamination on the phytochemical properties and heavy metal accumulation in wheat grain

The food industry faces the problem of soil contamination and consequently the deterioration of the quality of plant products. Here, we present a study on evaluation of the effect of fertilization with sewage sludge (SL) with varying, rates of biochar (BC 2.5, 5 and 10% of DW) on yield quality and the accumulation of heavy metals in wheat grains. The greatest grain yield with the highest content of protein and gluten as well as the highest total content of phenols and flavonoids, was obtained when SL+5%BC fertilization was applied. The addition of 5%BC and 10%BC to SL resulted in the greatest increase in the antioxidant capacity of grain. Among phenolic acids, syringic acid was found in the largest amount in grain in the SL+2.5%BC treatment. A significant decrease in Pb accumulation in wheat grain after application of SL+5%BC and a successive decrease in Al content with increasing BC addition were observed. To increase the quality of wheat grains and to reduce the bioaccumulation of harmful elements after the application of biochar to the soil is important in the context of food safety and health of humans especially in food production on acidic and/or contaminated soils

Phytochemical properties and heavy metal accumulation in wheat grain after three years’ fertilization with biogas digestate and mineral waste

Non-standard materials used for plant fertilization, require characterization to reduce any possible undesired effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fertilization with biogas digestate (BD) and mining waste (carboniferous mudstones (MS) from coal mine) on wheat yield quality and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in wheat grains in relation to conventional fertilization (NPK) and no fertilization. Using the co-application of waste (MS+BD), the highest yield was obtained in the first and second year, but in the third year, a slight decrease in yield was observed compared to NPK. In all years, BD and MS+BD fertilization increased the content of protein, wet gluten, and phenols in wheat grain compared to NPK and no fertilization. Waste fertilization had a positive effect on the antioxidant capacity index of grain but only in the first year. The bioaccumulation index (BAI) demonstrated that NPK decreased BAI for Zn, B, Cd, and Mn, whereas MS+BD decreased BAI for Cu, Sr, Pb, Co, Ba, and Cr

Visualisation of diverticula of upper part of alimentary tract; comparison of roentgenologic and endoscopic techniques

Diverticula of the upper part of the alimentary tract, irrespective of their etiology, are frequently observed benign changes of the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. In the present work, patients of the II General Surgery Department of the Medical University of Lublin, with radiologically or endoscopically proved diverticula of the upper part of the alimentary tract, were examined. The presence of diverticula of such localisation was an indication for supplementary endoscopic or radiological examination. The localisation, size, diameter of the opening, mucosal relief of diverticula and its contiguity were checked and analysed. Our data suggest that both medical procedures are complementary to each other. All previously observed changes in diverticula of the thoracic part of the oesophagus and the infradiaphragm part of the alimentary tract were fully proved. The radiological examination gave a better view of Zenker’s diverticulum, especially in short and obese patients. Sampling and better visualisation of the diverticula opening testify to the unquestionable superiority of endoscopy. However, precise evaluation by radiological process fully completes the diagnostic protocol. Both diagnostic procedures are usually supplemented by manometric examination of the oesophagus and superior and inferior oesophageal sphincters. This enables the accurate diverticula etiology to be stated