Investigation of dynamic quality changes and optimization of drying parameters of carrots (Daucus carota var. laguna)

The effect of air temperature and sample thickness on the color changes and total carotenoids content of carrot slices was investigated. Temperature, exposure time, and moisture levels significantly affected the dynamic changes of total carotenoids and color. A slow and linear decrease in total carotenoids was observed at higher moisture content until reaching an inflection point at around 0.45 gw/gdm for all temperatures studied. Thereafter, the retention in total carotenoids decreased rapidly. The highest retention for a final product was 66.2% when drying at 60°C while retention was between 42.2 and 51.1% when drying at 50 and 70°C. These changes occurred alongside a noticeable change in color at moisture contents below the inflection point of 0.45 gw/gdm for all drying temperatures. Design of experiment based optimization of the drying process resulted in an ideal temperature of 59.8°C and 3.5 mm slice thickness with the predicted values for La*b*; ΔE of 62.18 ± 5.12, 22.46 ± 1.98, 40.35 ± 6.64, 6.31 ± 4.74; rehydration ratio of 0.48 ± 0.07; and total carotenoids of 163.83 ± 17.38 μg/g or 67.38%, respectively, all at a 95% prediction interval

Morphological-developmental reaction and productivity of plants and canopy of semileafless pea (Pisum sativum L.) after seed vaccination with Rhizobium and foliar micronutrient fertilization

The determinants of semileafless peas (Pisum sativum> L., cv. Tarchalska) crop productivity were studied during two vegetative seasons: cool 2010 and warm 2011 in south part of Poland (Modzurów 50°09’N 18°07’E; 274 m. a.s.l.. Peas was treated either with seed vaccine (NitraginaTM) containing Rhizobium bacteria or foliar micronutrient fertilizer (PhotrelTM) or both of them. The range of peas response to treatments included biometrical measurements and also the measurements of vegetation indices namely, green area index (GAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), carried out in the specific stages of development, which for the compared objects were generally insignifi cant. In the warmer growing season, pea plants grew better, what resulted in a very high yield of seeds per plant, determined by a greater number of large seeds. It was shown that the length and weight of pea pod and the number of seeds formed in the pod depends on its position on the particular node. The longest pods, characterized by the greatest weight and number of seeds, developed on the lower nodes: 1st and 2nd one. The pea pods forming on higher nodes, from the 3rd, had reduced number of fruits and the weight of a single seed. The shortest pods were growing out of the 5th and 6th nodes, at the top of the stem. Analysis of the single pea seed mass shows a highly significant effect of its position in the fruit on pod productivity. Seeds located in the central part of the pod had the greatest mass, and this accuracy, as highly significant, was found for the pods containing from 3 to 8 seeds. The tested agrochemical treatments did not differentiate the chemical composition of seeds

Agricultural Academy

Abstract . Effects of heavy metals from polluted soils on the roots and nodules formation. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Intensive development of transport in suburban areas contributes to excessive accumulation of heavy metals in cultivable soils. The negative effect of heavy metals on legumes becomes apparent in specifi c concentrations in the soils, hence it is not always possible to determine direct harm of environment to the growth of plants root system. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of soil conditions on root system weight, weight and number of root nodules in different legumes species; fi eld pea (Pisum sativum) and spring vetch (Vicia sativa). Additionally, we assess the degree of metals accumulation in roots dry mass. Research studies have shown that an increase in heavy metals content in agricultural soils in an urbanized area results in a decrease in microbiological activity of soils, their fertility, and in consequence a decrease in plants productivity. Metals pollution of soils resulted in deterioration of biometrical parameters of the root system and deterioration of effi ciency of the symbiotic system. Field pea showed little sensitivity to the presence of heavy metals in the soil. Spring vetch was more sensitive to soil pollution, developing lesser root mass. Field pea was less sensitive to the cultivation station, the effect of which was a lower level of zinc, chromium and nickel accumulation. Moreover, fi eld pea showed high detoxifi cation capacity, accumulating a large amount of lead in the roots

Non-operative management of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction: design of a randomized clinical trial [NCT00279630]

BACKGROUND: Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common cause of foot pain and dysfunction in adults. Clinical observations strongly suggest that the condition is progressive. There are currently no controlled studies evaluating the effectiveness of exercise, orthoses, or orthoses and exercise on Stage I or IIA PTTD. Our study will explore the effectiveness of an eccentric versus concentric strengthening intervention to results obtained with the use of orthoses alone. Findings from this study will guide the development of more efficacious PTTD intervention programs and contribute to enhanced function and quality of life in persons with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction. METHODS/DESIGN: This paper presents the rationale and design for a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment regime for the non-operative management of Stage I or IIA PTTD. DISCUSSION: We have presented the rationale and design for an RCT evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment regimen for the non-operative management of Stage I or IIA PTTD. The results of this trial will be presented as soon as they are available

Optimisation of Physical and Chemical Treatments to Control Browning Development and Enzymatic Activity on Fresh-cut Apple Slices

Optimisation of processing time and pre-treatments are crucial factors prior to apple drying to produce a high-quality product. The purpose of the present study was to test the utility of physical (hot-water, HWB and steam blanching, SB) and chemical (1% ascorbic acid, AA; and 1% citric acid, CA) treatments, alone or in combination in reducing surface discolouration as well as oxidative enzyme activity in apple slices (cv. Golden Delicious and Elstar) exposed to air at room temperature for 0, 30 and 60 min. The total colour change (ΔE) for Golden Delicious was equal to 2.38, 2.68, and 4.05 after 0, 30 and 60 min of air exposure, respectively. Dipping in AA solution (1% w/v) was found to be the best treatment to limit surface discolouration of both apple cultivars. The best heat treatments to inhibit polyphenol oxidase/peroxidase enzymes activity were 70 °C HWB for Golden Delicious and 60 °C HWB for Elstar slices, both in combination with a solution of 1% AA and 1% CA. The tested apple cultivars were found to require different treatments at minimum ambient air exposure to obtain the best surface colour condition

QSAR studies on a number of pyrrolidin-2-one antiarrhythmic arylpiperazinyls

The activity of a number of 1-[3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)propyl]pyrrolidin-2-one antiarrhythmic (AA) agents was described using the quantitative structure–activity relationship model by applying it to 33 compounds. The molecular descriptors of the AA activity were obtained by quantum chemical calculations combined with molecular modeling calculations. The resulting model explains up to 91% of the variance and it was successfully validated by four tests (LOO, LMO, external test, and Y-scrambling test). Statistical analysis shows that the AA activity of the studied compounds depends mainly on the PCR and JGI4 descriptors