THE ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN WHOLE AND CHOPPED PLANTS

This paper presents the results of experimental research performed to analyze thepotentially contain of heavy metals in whole and chopped herbs, in order to examine the influence of the cutting process on bioaccumulation of metals in studied plant material

A School-Based Mindfulness Pilot Study for Ethnically Diverse At-Risk Adolescents

Adolescence is a critical period for intervention with at-risk youth to promote emotional well-being, deter problematic behavior, and prevent the onset of life-long challenges. Despite preliminary evidence supporting mindfulness interventions for at-risk youth, few studies have included implementation details or reported feasibility and acceptance in ethnically diverse at-risk adolescents in a school setting. We conducted a randomized pilot study of a school-based mindfulness program, Learning to BREATHE, with ethnically diverse at-risk adolescents. Twenty-seven students were randomly assigned to a mindfulness or substance abuse control class that occurred for 50 min, once a week, over one school semester. Adjustments were made to increase acceptability of the mindfulness class, including enhanced instructor engagement in school activities. Reductions in depression were seen for students in the mindfulness class compared to controls. Initially, students’ perceived credibility of the mindfulness class was lower than that of the substance abuse class. Over the semester, perceived credibility of the mindfulness class increased while that of the substance abuse class decreased. Qualitative acceptability measures revealed that the mindfulness class helped to relieve stress and that students favored continuing the class. This study provides practical knowledge about what works with this unique population in a school setting and offers suggestions for future studies

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES ON THE TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HARVESTING MISCANTHUS RHIZOMES

The paper presents experimental research results under laboratory conditions of the technical equipment for harvesting Miscanthus rhizomes in order to establish constructive and functional parameters: lengths,widths, total heights, constructive working depth, clearance, ground gauge, mass values, checking the machinery coupling to the tractor,rotation frequency of separator driving shaft, amplitude and frequency of separator grate movement. The results obtained confirm fulfilling the requirements regarding to constructive and functional parameters of Miscanthus rhizomes harvesting equipment.

Cricket and yellow mealworm powders promote higher bioaccessible fractions of mineral elements in functional bread

The application of cricket and yellow mealworm powders to improve the mineral bioaccessibility of bread was investigated. Breads enriched with 10% cricket (CPB-10%) and 10% yellow mealworm (YMPB-10%) powders showed a 1.5-, 2.95-, and 1.22-fold increase in proteins, total lipids, and fibers, respectively, compared to the reference white wheat bread (WFB-100%). Compared to reference bread, a significant increase in the essential amino acids valine (9.72%) and tyrosine (1.86%) contents was observed in the CPB-10% and YMPB-10%. The MUFAs account for 35.22% in CPB-10%, 30.77% in YMPB-10%, and 32.34% in WFB-100%. In vitro digestion experiments showed a higher bioaccessibility of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Li from insect bread than from white bread. Only Cu was more bioaccessible from FB-100% than from insect bread. The results shed light on the possible contribution of insect bread consumption to mitigate deficiencies in several important macro- and microelements

SEPARATION OF CHOPPED NETTLE MATERIAL ON PLANE SIEVE LENGTH

The paper presents the results of several experimental researches regarding to a separation mixture of dried and chopped nettle fragments on a dimensional separator of medicinal plants, equipped with oscillating flat sieves. Three parameters were varied (material flow rate, sieves angle of inclination and oscillations sieves frequency). For separation process description along chopped vegetal material sieves, the experimental results have been tested by Rosin-Rammler distribution law

HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES FOR MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

In recent years, the people had more and more the tendency to return to remedies offered by nature. Nowadays, according to W.H.O. data, over 80% out of world population is using the medicinal plants for which a great interest was generated by traditional phytotherapy and especially by the fact that they represent an important source of bioactive substances. Therefore, the fields cultivated with medicinal plants have been extended and the relevant culture technologies have been modernized and adapted to current requirements. In general, mechanized harvesting of medicinal and aromatic plants is an important prerequisite in achieving a good production. Lavender is one of the most valuable aromatic species due to its volatile oil obtained by distillation of fresh inflorescences, being widely used in industry of perfume, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, aromatherapy, etc. Harvesting technologies of lavender and medicinal plants require specialized equipment designed according to cultivated field size. This paper presents a lavender harvesting technology, based on the utilization of a low-capacity equipment designed to gather the lavender from rather reduced surfaces. At the same time, a technology of harvesting medicnal plants, from which aerial organs (stems, leaves, flowers) are collected, is presented together with the small capacity equipment used for this purpose. This equipment was designed in order to support small farmers, for whom lavender and other medicinal species cultivation (from which the herb is capitalized) represents a real opportunity for obtaining major incomes

CONSTRUCTION TYPES OF TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT FOR DOSING, WEIGHING, PACKAGING AND PROCEDURES USED IN MILLING UNITS

The paper presents several types of technical equipment for dosing, weighing, packaging and the procedures used in the milling units. The weighing systems take into account several important criteria for their design, namely: how the weight or mass of the load is offset and how the result is transferred

MODERN METHODS FOR FREEZING USED IN FOOD INDUSTRY

Foods have a limited duration of preservation, due to factors that worsen quality,leading ultimately to their total depreciation. In order to preserve perishable foods and prolong the allowable period for storage and sales, one of the best methods that use artificial cold is freezing. The paper aims to present the most used methods of freezing food, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of these methods

STUDY REGARDING BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND SOME PREPARATIONS FROM NETTLE AND WORMWOOD IN ORDER TO CAPITALIZE THEM AS BIOINSECTICIDE / BIOFERTILIZERS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Plant extracts contain substances that may induce, in treated plant, stimulation of defense mechanism, which will result in increased crop resistance especially against pathogenic microorganisms and pests that are causing the biggest economic losses and propagate the infection risk in time. Plant extracts are topics approached for a long time in support of organic agriculture, but still represents a generous particularly concerning on this essential aspect of a real organic agriculture. This paper is aimed at biochemical characterization of plant extracts of nettle and wormwood in order to capitalize them further as organic bioinsecticide / biofertilizers in organic agriculture. Extracts of nettle and wormwood are repellents and usually used preventative against pests, but also with economic advantages

ASPECTS ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF SPRAYING EQUIPMENT FOR REDUCING DRIFT IN FIELD CROPS

The paper presents innovative solutions on the construction si operation of spraying machines in the view of reducing drift in field crops: with innovative electrostatic spraying system, with special panels with static condenser, nozzle protection system, spraying devices provided with hoods, downward air curtain system and with shielded system with caps for controlling drop dispersion. The paper is important, on the one hand, for producers of spraying equipment for reducing drift and, on the other hand, for farmers in the view of efficiently applying treatments in field crops, but also for reducing environmental pollution