Agnieszka Filipiak-Florkiewicz

Effects of Various Hydrothermal Treatments on Selected Nutrients in Legume Seeds

Effects of Various Hydrothermal Treatments on Selected Nutrients in Legume Seeds The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different soaking and cooking methods on contents of selected nutrients in legume seeds. The experimental material were dried kidney-bean seeds and soya bean seeds originating from the collection of Krakows Plants and Seeds Horticulture POLAN LTD. Technological treatment of seeds was performed in two stages: (1) cold and hot soaking, (2) cooking with three different devices: electric and induction stoves and microwave apparatus. The experimental material was determined for contents of: dry matter, protein, fat, ash, carbohydrates and selected mineral compounds (Ca, Mg, Na, K). The soaking and cooking of the seeds were observed to affect an increase in contents of protein, fat, ash, calcium and sodium in dry matter as well as a decrease in contents of digestible carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium. A more favorable method of soaking kidney bean seeds turned out to be hot soaking, which caused smaller losses of nutrients and shortened significantly the whole process. Cooking soya bean and kidney bean seeds with electric and induction stoves facilitated better protein preservation in comparison to the thermal treatment performed in a combined microwave oven.

Comparison of Lead and Cadmium Contents in Cruciferous Vegetables Grown under Diversified Ecological Conditions: Cracow Region of Poland

The aim of the present study was to compare lead and cadmium contents in cruciferous vegetables grown under diversified ecological conditions for three consecutive years, independently of the climatic and agrotechnical conditions. The research was conducted in the Cracow region of Poland and tests vegetables near the Steelworks, from ecological farms, and from local markets. The heavy metal contents were determined using the validated Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method, including electrothermal atomization, with an ET-AAS graphite cuvette (Varian AA240Z, made by Varian). Cruciferous vegetables cultivated in the areas surrounding the Steelworks were characterized by alarmingly high lead content versus ecological and commercially available vegetables, while the contents of this metal in vegetables from the two latter locations did not differ. It cannot be definitively stated that the origin of vegetables influenced their cadmium content.

Comparison of Calcium and Magnesium Contents in Cruciferous Vegetables Grown in Areas around Steelworks, on Organic Farms, and Those Available in Retail

The aim of the present study was to compare calcium and magnesium contents in cruciferous vegetables grown under diversified ecological conditions for three consecutive years, independently of the climatic and agrotechnical conditions. The metal contents were determined using validated Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with atomization in the flame (FAAS method; spectrometer: AA240FS Varian). The dry mass of various vegetable species cultivated on organic farms contained, in most cases, significantly higher or similar calcium and magnesium amounts in comparison with those from farms located in the closest vicinity of steelworks and those purchased at local markets. Cruciferous vegetables from the two latter sources showed comparable contents of the essential minerals under study.