Biljana Vucelic-Radovic

Antioxidant effects of flavonoids ofAnthriscus sylvestris in lard

Ethanol/water (7∶3) extracts of the plant speciesAnthriscus sylvestris possess antioxidant activity. Separation and identification of antioxidant components by thin-layer and column chromatography and spectral analysis demonstrated that quercetin and apigenin appeared to be the main flavonoid species inAnthriscus sylvestris. Rutin was one of the major quercetin glycosides. Structures of the isolated compounds were determined by infrared and1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Ethanolic extract (70%) ofA. sylvestris showed concentration-dependent, strong antioxidant activity as determined by the Schaal Oven test of lard at 60°C. Rancimat analysis at 100°C showed that the antioxidant activity of 70% ethanolic extract ofA. sylvestris was superior to quercetin, apigenin, or a tocopherol mixture.

Functional food: Rare herbs, seeds and vegetable oils as sources of flavors and phytosterols

Two plant species of the genus Anthriscus (A. sylvestris and A. cerefolium) and Laserpitium latifolium L. are described as a good source of new aroma constituents and phytosterols. These plants are the herbs widely distributed in Serbia and possess significant medicinal value. They are widely applied in traditional medicine, but they are not used as functional food or in food technology. Two well-known domestic aromatic plant species: Mentha piperita L. and Thymus vulgaris L. and the lesser known Alliaria officinalis Andrz. are described as a good sources of highly prized essential oils in several wild-growing herbs. They are traditionally used in cooking. Quinoa seeds considered as multipurpose agro-industrial crop and the seeds may be utilized for human food and in flour products and in animal feed stocks because of its high nutritive value. Furthermore, watermelon meal possesses good nutritional quality, which may be commercially used as a new feed in the human or in the cattle nutrition. Seed oils, from Rubus ideaus, Ribes nigrum and walnut are also presented. The chemical composition on the sterols and essential fatty acids content, of these seed oils are shown that some of them can be successfully used in human nutrition, under specific conditions. Finally, developing new cholesterol-reducing products, such as phytosterols and their esters, which are marked as cholesterol-reducing food ingredient as well as the information on its incorporation into foods, are also included.

Growth and proteomic analysis of tomato fruit under partial root-zone drying.

The effects of partial root-zone drying (PRD) on tomato fruit growth and proteome in the pericarp of cultivar Ailsa Craig were investigated. The PRD treatment was 70% of water applied to fully irrigated (FI) plants. PRD reduced the fruit number and slightly increased the fruit diameter, whereas the total fruit fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) per plant did not change. Although the growth rate was higher in FI than in PRD fruits, the longer period of cell expansion resulted in bigger PRD fruits. Proteins were extracted from pericarp tissue at two fruit growth stages (15 and 30 days post-anthesis [dpa]), and submitted to proteomic analysis including two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry for identification. Proteins related to carbon and amino acid metabolism indicated that slower metabolic flux in PRD fruits may be the cause of a slower growth rate compared to FI fruits. The increase in expression of the proteins related to cell wall, energy, and stress defense could allow PRD fruits to increase the duration of fruit growth compared to FI fruits. Upregulation of some of the antioxidative enzymes during the cell expansion phase of PRD fruits appears to be related to their role in protecting fruits against the mild stress induced by PRD.

Dynamics of Seed Protein Biosynthesis in Two Soybean Genotypes Differing in Drought Susceptibility

The dynamics of seed storage protein biosynthesis was studied under field conditions during two vegetative seasons. Two soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) genotypes were examined: BOSA (drought tolerant) and L 121 (drought susceptible). Seed samples were taken from plants at three stages of seed maturation (50 and 70 d after flowering, and at full maturity). The earlier synthesis of the β-subunit of the 7S protein occurred in the drought susceptible cultivar. We have not found such differences in the synthesis of the α- and α′-subunits of the 7S protein. Our results did not confirm significant genotypic differences in protein composition of the mature seeds between the cultivars studied, but have pointed out to the differences in the dynamics of protein biosynthesis during seed maturation and desiccation.

DEFICIT IRRIGATION TECHNIQUE FOR REDUCING WATER USE OF TOMATO UNDER POLYTUNNEL CONDITIONS

The aim of paper was to asses the use of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) for production of two tomato cultivars (Cedrico and Abellus) in polytunnels in Serbia. RDI plants received 60% of the water that was applied to FI plants and significant saving of water for irrigation and increased in irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were achieved. Yield data for Cedrico cultivar showed no differences between RDI and FI, while due to the bigger sensitivity to drought, yield of Abellus was reduced under RDI. In general, fruit quality (soluble solids, titrable acidity) was sustained or improved in both cultivars under RDI. Economic analyses showed that due to the current low prices of water and electricity in Serbia, the profit increase of Cedrico, similarly to the previously trialed cultivar Amati, was not high under RDI comparing to FI. Reduction of yield and consequent profit for Abellus, indicated that for future commercial growing of tomato under RDI should be used drought resistant cultivars.

The extraction of antioxidative compounds from rusks enriched with millet flour (Panicum Miliaceum L.)

Two different ways of extracting antioxidative compounds (including soluble polyphenols) from rusks made from wheat flour with added millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.) were compared, i.e ., solvent extraction and in vitro digestion. Wheat flour was replaced by millet flour in amounts of 10, 20 or 30 wt. % (per dry mass). Solvent extraction was realized using a mixture of ethanol and water in different percentages, with or without the addition of formic acid. The total content of phenolic compounds (TPC) was determined using Folin– –Cioxadcalteu reagent, while the antioxidative capacity was measured by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The efficiency of solvent extraction was enhanced by the addition of formic acid. The addition of millet flour in amounts up to 20 % enhanced the antioxidative properties. It was shown that in vitro digestion was more efficient in the extraction of antioxidative compounds, in comparison with solvent extraction.