Nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation affecting soybean seed spermidine content

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is the major protein and oilseed crop worldwide. Soybean seeds are a rich source of spermidine and other polyamines, which have various positive health effects such as anti-ageing, antioxidant or anti-inflammatory properties. Beside its macro-nutritional composition, soybean contains various bioactive compounds adding health-protecting functional properties to soy-based foods. The present research is based on the hypothesis that soil application of nitrogen and sulphur might stimulate soybean seed polyamines in addition to agronomic traits. As effects of fertiliser application on spermidine were unknown before, a respective pot experiment was carried out, applying ammonium sulphate or urea at nitrogen levels of 0, 1 or 3 g per 5 kg soil in two soybean cultivars. The results indicated that cultivars differed significantly in seed yield, thousand seed weight (TSW) and oil content. For both tested cultivars, seed yield, TSW and contents of protein and spermidine were lowest in the unfertilised treatment. The spermidine content increased significantly after the application of each dose of ammonium sulphate (280 - 283 mg kg-1 DM) or the lower dose of urea (267 mg kg-1 DM) as compared to the unfertilised control (228 mg kg-1 DM). The contrast in spermidine levels between non-sulphur (256 mg kg-1 DM) and sulphur (282 mg kg-1) treatments was significant as well, whereas no significant effects were found for the spermine content. The results demonstrate that an application of appropriate doses of nitrogen and sulphur can increase the content of spermidine in soybean seeds apart from affecting other traits. © 2018, Polish Society Magnesium Research. All rights reserved.Internal Grant Agency (IGA) of the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies of Mendel University in Brno [2016/017

Influence of Ionic Liquids on the Morphology of Corn Flour/Polyester Mixtures

Polymer mixtures based on native corn flour and synthetic biodegradable polyester are prepared in one processing step. Melt mixing is performed in a laboratory micro-compounder. Starch contained in native corn flour is plasticized either by commonly used glycerol/water mixture or by two types of ionic liquids, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. Efficiency of plasticizers on the compatibility of native corn flour with polyester and starch plasticizing ability is evaluated and compared. The structure of mixtures is examined using scanning electron microscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering. It is found that the plasticizer applied has a crucial effect on the resulting morphology. Both ionic liquids show a better plasticizing effect on starch compared to the traditional glycerol/water plasticizer. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, WeinheimMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-Program NPU I [LO1504

Evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of pork liver pâté during sterilisation observed in situ

The first aim of the study was to observe in situ changes in the viscoelastic properties of pork liver pâté during an increase in temperature (the target temperature of 122 °C), holding it (10 min), and the subsequent cooling thereof using a dynamic oscillatory rheometry equipped with a pressure cell. At the same time, the samples were treated according to the same sterilisation mode in an autoclave. The second objective was to characterise the physical, chemical and microscopic properties of the sterilised pork liver pâté samples after 7 days of storage at 5 °C. A sharp decrease in the values of the storage (G'; Pa) and loss (G''; Pa) moduli up to ≈58 °C was followed by a stagnation of these parameters up to ≈70 °C and a further increase in G' and G'' up to ≈85 °C. After cooling the sterilised samples, the G' and G'' values were significantly higher than those of the original untreated sample. Knowledge about the course of the viscoelastic moduli development during sterilisation and subsequent cooling and the quality characteristics of final food products is crucial for the control of these processes during manufacturing and for information important for pipeline transport. In the future, selected hydrocolloids could be evaluated as possible substances for confirmation of their effect on the viscoelastic properties during sterilisation.Army of the Czech Republic; Ministerstvo Obrany České Republiky, MOČRMinistry of Defence of the Czech Republi

Ekologie a početnost populace volavky popelavé (Ardea cinerea) v Moravskoslezském kraji. Hnízdní kolonie volavky popelavé v Karviné-Dolech

Volavka popelavá Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 z řádu brodiví (Ciconiiformes) a čeledi volavkovití (Ardeidae) je nejen v České republice pronásledovaným ptačím druhem. Trvalé a pravidelné hnízdění se u nás datuje až od 30. let minulého století. V současné době je volavka pravidelně hnízdícím druhem s rostoucím trendem početnosti. Právě tento fakt spolu se spektrem potravy (jedná se o převážně ichtyofágní druh) jsou příčinou stížností jak ze strany rybochovných organizací a firem, tak i Českého rybářského svazu. Nakolik jsou stížnosti oprávněné, lze vyhodnotit pouze porovnáním předmětu stížnosti s výsledky konkrétního průzkumu na dané lokalitě. Úkolem předkládané studie bylo podat komplexnější obraz o situaci s výskytem druhu v Moravskoslezském kraji a pokusit se podat základní obraz o rybách, tvořících složku potravy v konkrétní hnízdní kolonii. Součástí studie je vyhodnocení distribuce a početnosti výskytu a jejich změn na hnízdištích v kraji, pravidelné sledování výskytu druhu na vybraných rybničních lokalitách a porovnání distribuce a početnosti výskytu v hnízdním a mimohnízdním období na území Moravskoslezského kraje. Cílem práce bylo také vyhodnotit vyvrženou potravu a vývržky nalezené na hnízdních koloniích a předložit návrhy možností ochrany ryb před tímto druhem. Studie je navíc doplněna o nesystematicky získaná data o výskytu volavek z jiných, než pravidelně sledovaných lokalit v kraji

Modification of polyvinyl chloride composites for radiographic detection of polyvinyl chloride retained surgical items

The ever-present risk of surgical items being retained represents a real medical peril for the patient and potential liability issues for medical staff. Radiofrequency scanning technology is a very good means to substantially reduce such accidents. Radiolucent medical-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used for the production of medical items is filled with radiopaque agents to enable X-ray visibility. The present study proves the suitability of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) and documents its advantages over the classical radiopaque agent barium sulfate (BaSO4). An addition of BiOCl exhibits excellent chemical and physical stability (no leaching, thermo-mechanical properties) and good dispersibility within the PVC matrix. As documented, using half the quantity of BiOCl compared to BaSO4 will provide a very good result. The conclusions are based on the methods of rotational rheometry, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the verification of zero leaching of BiOCl out of a PVC matrix. X-ray images of the studied materials are presented, and an optimal concentration of BiOCl is evaluated. © 2023 by the authors.RP/CPS/2022/003; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Akademie Věd České Republiky, AV ČR: RVO 6798587

Comparison of the nutrient composition, biogenic amines and selected functional parameters of meat from different parts of Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

The aim of the study was to compare nutritional parameters (contents of fat, protein and the individual amino acids), biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine) content, selected functional properties (colour and textural properties) and pH values of six parts of crocodile carcass (tail dorsal - TD, tail ventral - TV, neck - N, shoulder - S, leg - L and cheek - C). The individual parts of the crocodile carcass showed different values of nutritional parameters. TD and C had the highest values of Essential Amino Acid Index (104-126). Valine, threonine and leucine were determined as limiting amino acids in individual parts of the crocodile carcass. The content of biogenic amines was very low. These results will provide crocodile meat producers as well as consumers with new and useful information about the nutritional value of this meat and its relevance for nutrition. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.Grant Agency of the Czech Republic [GACR 503/11/1417]; Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic [IGA/FT/2014/001

The effect of furcellaran or κ-carrageenan addition on the textural, rheological and mechanical vibration damping properties of restructured chicken breast ham

The aim of the study was to investigate the dependence of selected textural, rheological and mechanical vibration damping properties of restructured chicken breast ham (RCBH) on the concentration of furcellaran (FRC1 or FRC2) or kappa-carrageenan (KC) during a 14-days storage period (at 4 +/- 2 degrees C). The above-mentioned polysaccharides were used in concentrations of 0.25 g/100 g, 0.50 g/100 g, 0.75 g/100 g and 1.00 g/100 g. Control sample (CS) without any polysaccharide addition was also produced. The textural, rheological and mechanical vibration damping properties of RCBH samples were affected by the type and concentration of the polysaccharide used (p < 0.05) and the storage period (p < 0.05). Samples prepared with KC and FRC1 at a concentration level of 1.00 (g/100 g) presented the highest values of hardness, G', G '' and G*. Values of G* and delta (in all tested frequency ranges) indicated a solid-like behavior for all the samples over the experimental range. It was found that the first resonance frequency peak position increased with an increase in the RCBH stiffness leading to lower vibration damping properties of the samples (p < 0.05).Web of Science138art. no. 11062