The content of dietary fiber, amino acids, dihydroxyphenols and some macro- and micronutrients in grain of conventionally and organically grown common wheat, spelt wheat and proso millet

The effects of conventional and organic farming system on some quality parameters of grains were studied in winter and spring common wheat, spelt wheat and proso millet. Under organic farming conditions, spelt wheat was characterized by the most favorable grain chemical composition (essential amino acids index [EAAI] 85.3, o-dihydroxyphenol 2.00 g kg-1, nitrogen [N] 23.5 g kg-1, magnesium [Mg] 705, zinc [Zn] 32.9 mg kg-1), followed by millet (total dietary fiber [TDF] 185.3 g kg-1, Mg 904, copper [Cu] 6.27, iron [Fe] 57.0 mg kg-1). The above-mentioned cereals also showed a satisfactory yield level under the organic system (spelt wheat 2.69, proso millet 1.42 t ha-1). Both in winter and spring common wheat organic farming led a significant reduction in productivity, but the content of chemical components in grain (dihydroxyphenols—spring wheat 1.68 g kg-1, winter wheat 1.74 g kg-1; selenium [Se]—spring wheat 53.4 mg kg-1, winter wheat 40.5 mg kg-1; some amino acids—spring wheat valine [Val] 5.11, methionine [Met] 2.09, tryptophan [Trp] 0.40 g kg-1, winter wheat glutamate [Glu] 41.9, proline [Pro] 15.3, glysine [Gly] 5.24, arginine [Arg] 5.04, [Trp] 0.97 g kg-1) was more favorable compared to the conventional system. The present study showed that the organic farming system does not result in reduced productivity neither in spelt wheat or proso millet, but contributes to an improvement in their grain quality parameters. On the other hand, common wheat performed better under the conventional system

Effect of Sucrose on Physicochemical Properties of High-Protein Meringues Obtained from Whey Protein Isolate

This study reports the possibility of obtaining the WPI-based meringues with the small sucrose content (0–15%). The whey protein isolate (WPI) solution (20%, w/v) was whipped and sucrose was added to foam at the concentrations of 5, 10 and 15%. The surface tension, viscosity, zeta potential of the pre-foam solutions, foam overrun, foam stability and their rheological properties (G′, G″ and tan (δ)) were evaluated. To produce meringues, liquid foams were solidified at 130 °C for 2 h. The surface properties (roughness, contact angles, apparent free surface energy) as well as microstructural ones were determined for the solid foams (meringues). The 15% sugar concentration was detrimental for overrun, stability and rheological properties of liquid foams. The meringue production without sugar was infeasible. The addition of the smallest amount of sucrose (5%) enabled preservation of the aerated structure of the liquid foam during solidification. The 10% sugar concentration increased the stability of liquid foam, its rheology and it was the most effective for air bubbles stabilization during the foam solidification, however, its largest addition (15%) resulted in an increase in the final meringue volume. Larger sucrose concentrations produced a smoothing effect on the meringue surfaces

EFEKTYWNOŚĆ PRZEDSIĘBIORSTW PRZEMYSŁU MLECZARSKIEGO W WOJEWÓDZTWIE LUBELSKIM

The article presents the results of the study on technical efficiency of dairy enterprises located in the Lublin region. The research was conducted in the years 2010-2012 in all dairies from the Lublin region which are obligated to submit their financial reports to the National Court Register. In order to assess the dairies performance the DEA method and selected financial ratios were applied. The study showed differences in technical efficiency and scale efficiency between dairy companies. Only three of twelve dairies were fully effective in the years 2010-2012

Wettability and thermal analysis of hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites

Hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica layers on the glass support activated with plasma were obtained. Wettability was investigated from the contact angle measurements and surface free energy estimation by means of using contact angle hysteresis approach. The thermal analysis of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica films was conducted on a STA 449 Jupiter F1, Netzsch in temperature range of 30–950℃. It was found that the thermal stability of the poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica films decreases with increasing poly(methyl methacrylate) amount in the sample. Morphology of the obtained nanocomposites was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy. The addition of silanized silica to the poly(methyl methacrylate) solution leads to obtaining the film with more hydrophobic properties, the contact angle value over 90°, and the apparent surface free energy lower than 30 mJ/m 2 . The most hydrophobic film was obtained in the case of silica with Θ = 0.63 (Θ – surface fraction coverage with trimethylsilyl groups). Silica particles were well dispersed in the polymer solution which was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy analysis

Content of some chemical components in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots depending on growth stimulators and stubble crops

Agronomic factors, and mineral fertilization in particular, have a strong impact on the quality of carrot roots. In recent years, researchers have begun to design eco-friendly agricultural practices that would stimulate the quality and yield of carrot roots. Our aim has been to analyse selected quality parameters pertaining to the chemical composition of carrot roots, and relate them to the application of different growth stimulators and cover crops. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted in 2009-2011 investigating the effect of growth stimulators and stubble crops on the accumulation of chemical components in storage roots of carrot (cv. Laguna F1). The study included three growth stimulators: Asahi SL, Bio-algeen S 90 and Tytanit. Plots without any foliar application of these growth stimulators served as control treatment. Another factor consisted of the previous crop (spring barley) and stubble crops: tansy phacelia and a mixture of spring vetch and field pea, grown after the harvest of barley and then ploughed in. All the growth stimulators significantly reduced the NO3 content in carrot roots. Asahi SL significantly increased the phenolic content. The effects of the growth stimulators on the macronutrient content in carrot roots were statistically significant in the case of Mg and Na. Stubble cropping contributed to the reduction of nitrates and stimulated an increase in the content of phenolics as well as of P, K, Ca and Mg in carrot roots