Janette Musilová

Bioactive compounds in different plant parts of various buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) cultivars

In this study the content of total polyphenolics, rutin, and antioxidant activity in different anatomical parts of common buckwheat plants (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) of six cultivars (Spacinska, Emka, Kasho, Jana C1 and Hrusowska) was analyzed. Antioxidant activity in plant material was determined by free radical DPPH. Highest antioxidant activity was assessed in leaves, whereas stems had the lowest antioxidant activity. Total polyphenol content was assessed spectrophotometrically by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The highest concentrations were detected in leaves, with values ranging from 68.74 to 90.27 g gallic acid equivalents kg−1, while the lowest concentrations were measured in stems (2.88–3.12 g.kg−1). Significant differences between the anatomical parts were confirmed also for rutin content with the exception of cultivars Kasho and Jana C1, where the rutin content in stem and seeds was not statistically different. The highest concentration of rutin (37.90 g.kg−1) was determined in leaves of cultivar Pyra.

Potatoes – A crop resistant against input of heavy metals from the metallicaly contaminated soil

abstract The objective of our study was to assess the extent of accumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc in potato tubers depending on the concentration of these heavy metals in soil and to evaluate the resistance of 11 cultivars of potato cultivated in 5 localities of the Slovakia against input of these heavy metals into the consumption part of potato. Contents of Cd (Pb, Zn) in soil were 0.94–2.54 (18.03–24.90, 35.71–72.40) mg/kg in soil extract by aqua regia and 0.030–0.188 (0.149–0.356, 0.052–0.238) mg/kg in soil extract by NH4NO3. The contents of Cd, Pb, and Zn were determined in potatoes in extracts of freeze-dried samples and expressed in mg/kg of fresh matter (FM). Determined contents of heavy metals were in the range of ND–0.058 mg Cd/kg FM, 0.020–0.630 mg Pb/kg FM, 1.836–3.457 mg Zn/kg FM, resp. The statistically significant correlation between heavy metal content in soil and its content in potato tubers were confirmed only: cv. Laura – Spissky Stvrtok (Cd), cv. Red Anna – Odorin (Pb) and Marabel, Red Anna – Odorin, cv. Marabel – Belusa, cv. Volumia – Imel (Zn).

Accumulation and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and plants of four different ecosystems in a former polymetallic ores mining and smelting area (Slovakia).

ABSTRACT Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils and plants of four different ecosystems (forest, grassland, agro and urban ecosystem) at different distances from the source of the pollution were analyzed in order to assess and compare soil contamination in the various ecosystems and determine the potential accumulation of plants depending on the place they inhabit. Correlation relationships among heavy metals in soils differ depending on the ecosystem, and between soil and plant, the heavy metals showed significant correlation for Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd) and pollution load index (PLI) were used in order to determine the level of environmental contamination of the study area. All studied ecosystems were rated as moderately contaminated (except agroecosystem, which was found as low contamination ecosystem) according to Cd and extremely polluted according to PLI. The highest pollution in both cases was found in urban ecosystem, and Cd, Cu and Fe were determined as the biggest pollutants.

Changes of Polyphenolic Substances in the Anatomical Parts of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) during Its Growth Phases

In this study the changes of total polyphenolics in different anatomical parts (stems, leaves, flowers and seeds) of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) during vegetation period were analysed. The content of total polyphenolics was evaluated in growth phase I (formation of buds), phase II (at the beginning of flowering), phase III (full blossoming) and phase IV (full ripeness). In all growth phases (GP) the stems and leaves were evaluated and statistically significant differences in polyphenolics content between the two parts were confirmed. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in polyphenolics content (in GP II and III) between stems and leaves; and between stems and flowers were found. In flowers an average of 13.8 times higher and in leaves 6 times higher concentration of polyphenolics in comparison with stems was measured. In GP III the content of polyphenolics in common buckwheat was following: flowers > leaves > achene > stems. In flowers an average of 11.9 times higher, in leaves 8.3 times higher and in achenes 5.9 times higher contents of polyphenolics compared with stems were found. In GP III and IV (leaves, achenes, stems) the leaves contained in average 20 times higher and achenes 5.6 times higher polyphenolics than stems.

Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity changes in dependence on chosen garden pea varieties.

The green pea is ranged between the crops with high antioxidant potential. This potential is connected with phytochemical components mainly with polyphenols. All these bioactive chemicals have disease-fighting properties. In real human diet there is no usually possibility of fresh garden pea consumption during the whole year. The total polyphenol content is significantly changed among other things by processing methods. Focus on variety, bio-fortification and other specific agricultural inputs, could be the right method of total polyphenol contents and total antioxidant capacity increasing. The main objective of the present work was to consider the changes of total polyphenols content in dependence on variety and to evaluate an antioxidant potential six garden pea varieties arranged by the ripening point of view. Variety Exzeleus belongs to very early type, Premium is early maturing, Flavora is middle ripening variety and the last three varieties Utrio , Jumbo and Ambassador are middle late types of varieties. Every variety was grown in four replications, i.e. on 24 m total plot in Botanical garden of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra during 2013. Total polyphenols were determined by the Lachman s method and expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent per kg fresh mater. Total antioxidant capacity was measured by the Brand-Williams method using a compound DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-pikrylhydrazyl)). The highest value was reached in case of variety Jumbo 1179.995 ±28.081 mg/kg, the lowest value in case of Premium 674.505 ±26.541 mg/kg. When evaluating an antioxidant capacity in chosen varieties of garden pea, the interval estimated by our trail ranged from 0.523 ±0.206% ( Exzeleus ) to 6.844 ±0.591% ( Flavora ). Following the both observed parameters, TPC and TAC, variety Flavora (as a member of middle ripening varieties) seems to be the most optimal from the human nutrition point of view. The various varieties had significant influence on TPC and TAC according to used statistical analyzes. Within the all observed varieties, when they were arranged by ripening, there was estimated significant difference only in case of garden pea varieties early – middle late . Other couples didn t show any statistical important differences in total polyphenol content.

Contamination of potato tubers by heavy metals and their influence on the formation of phenolic substances

increased content of cadmium and lead in soil was manifested by their increased concentration in potato tubers in such range that contents were several times higher (cd 0.106-0.357, Pb 0.318-0.483 mg.kg -1 FM) then the limit value. increased content of zinc was not manifested by increased content in tubers of potatoes (Zn 4.9396.868 mg.kg -1 FM). content of total phenolics (TP) in potato samples of hontiansky and Banskostiavnický region was in the range of 263.59-920.38 mg.kg -1 of dry material. exceeded content of cadmium and lead in potato tubers had statistically significant effect on total phenol producing, but on the other hand relation between contents of Zn and TP in potato tubers was not statistically confirmed. Also positive correlation between TP and antioxidant activity contents was statistically confirmed.

Bee bread - perspective source of bioactive compounds for future

Bee bread is product with long history used mainly in folk medicine. Nowadays, bee bread is growing in commercial interest due to its high nutritional properties. The objective of this study was to determine biological activity of ethanolic extract of bee bread obtained from selected region of Ukraine - Poltava oblast, Kirovohrad oblast, Vinnica oblast, Kyiv oblast, Dnepropetrovsk oblast. The antioxidant activity was measured with the radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical as well as phosphomolybdenum assay. Total polyphenol content was determined with Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and total flavonoid content by aluminium-chloride method. Secondary was also evaluated antimicrobial activity in bee bread samples with disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations . Antioxidant activity expressed as mg TEAC per g of dry weight (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) was the highest in bee bread from Poltava oblast in DPPH and also phosphomolybdenum method. Samples of bee bread contained high levels of total polyphenols (12.36 - 18.24 mg GAE - gallic acid equivalent per g of dry weight) and flavonoids (13.56 - 18.24 μg QE - quercetin equivalent per g of dry weight) with the best values of bee bread from Poltava oblast. An elevated level of antioxidant potential in the bee bread determines its biological properties, which conditioned of the biological active substances. The best antibacterial activity of bee bred with disc diffusion method was found against Bacillus thuringiensis CCM 19. The antibacterial activity inhibited by the bee bread extract in the present study indicate that best minimal inhibition concentration was against bacteria Escherichia coli CCM 3988 and Salmonella enterica subs. enterica CCM 3807.

Safety of Potato Consumption in Slovak Region Contaminated by Heavy Metals due to Previous Mining Activity

Heavy metals are among the most serious environmental contaminants in mining districts. Soil, as one of the main components of the environment, is the place of heavy metal entry into plants and consequently into the food chain, too. Potatoes grown in the region of Middle Spis (Slovakia) may be a source of increased content of heavy metals and pose a health risk to the consumer. The contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Ni) in potato and soil samples were determined using the AAS method and compared with limit values set by the Slovak Republic and the European Union. The content of heavy metals was determined in 12 potato cultivars with different length of vegetation period (mid-early, very early, and early, resp.), which were grown in three localities with a highly disturbed environment. Total contents and mobile forms of heavy metals as well as physical and chemical properties were determined in soil samples which were collected from the same sampling sites. Only Pb content in potato tubers was higher than the hygienic limit value (0.1 mg kg−1 FM) in 15 sampling sites (interval was n.d. –0.2298 mg kg−1 FM). The contents of exchangeable forms (total content) of heavy metals in soil were ranged between the intervals: Cd 0.004–0.055 (0.94–1 56), Pb 0.023–0.295 (17.00–26.80), and Ni 0.019–0.475 (30.80–71.00) mg kg−1. At current average consumption levels of potatoes, tolerable weekly intake (TWI) or tolerable daily intake (TDI) for observed heavy metals was not exceeded.

Evaluation of primary and secondary metabolites in selected varieties of potatoes.

The aim of study was to determine primary and secondary metabolites in selected varieties of potatoes. Potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.) are good source of bioactive compounds, mainly phenols as one of the most important components. The chemical composition with reducing sugar, starch, ascorbic acid, total polyphenol and flavonoid content were analyzed in five potato varieties (Agria, Marabel, Red Anna, Picasso, Princess). Values of dry matter content ranged from 20.34 to 23.64%. In terms of tubers storage, its content above 20% is required. The highest level of starch was detected in variety Princess (16.82%). The lowest reducing sugar content was recorded by variety Marabel (0.08%). Similarly, low values reached varieties Princess (0.12%), Agria (0.14) and Red Anna (0.16%). These would be appropriate to use for food processing and for production of fried potato chips or fries. Variety Red Anna reached the highest amount of vitamin C (73.72 mg.kg -1 ). The lower levels of this vitamin showed tubers of varieties Picasso (35.02 mg.kg -1 ) and Princess (36.89 mg.kg -1 ). The antioxidant activity was measured with radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical as well as phosphomolybdenic assay. Potato varieties contained high levels of total polyphenols (0.474 – 1.550 mg GAE per dry weight) and flavonoids (1.407 – 15.933 μg QE per dry weight). The consumption of potatoes can provide nutritional value along with antioxidant potential that can be helpful for proper functioning of the body physiological systems. Statistical evaluation by the single factor analysis of variance detected high significant impact of variety on the content of all the analytical parameters in evaluated varieties of potato tubers. Normal 0 21 false false false SK X-NONE X-NONE

The relationships between content of heavy metals in soil and in strawberries

ABSTRACT The work was aimed at assessment of quality of strawberry based on the contents of heavy metals as well as the possible correlations between selected heavy metals in soil and strawberries. The results revealed that from all observed metals in soil determined in aqua regia only in the case of cadmium the maximum permissible limit in comparison with the limit resulting from the Law No. 220/2004 as well as threshold values proposed by European Commission (EC) (2006) has been exceeded. In our paper the values of cadmium in the soil representing 1.86 to 2.41 times higher values than limit valid in the Slovak Republic (0.7 mg/kg) and 2.6 to 3.38 times higher in comparison to EC (0.5 mg/kg). In our study in 1 M NH4NO3 the values of lead ranged from 0.125 to 0.205 mg/kg representing values exceeded the limit valid in Slovak Republic (0.1 mg/kg) about 0.037–0.105 mg/kg. Despite exceeded values of heavy metals in soil, no values above the limit directly in strawberries when compared to Food Codex of Slovak Republic as well as to Commission Regulation 1881/2006 were recorded. Among the varieties statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in intake of heavy metals were found.