Katarína Rovná

Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of monofloral bee pollen

The main aim of this study was to determine antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of monofloral bee pollen samples to pathogenic bacteria. These samples were collected in different localities in Slovakia. The antioxidant properties of examined plant species were different and decreasing in the following order: Brassica napus subsp. napus L > Papaver somniferum L. > Helianthus annuus L. The antimicrobial effect of the bee product samples were tested by using the agar well diffusion method. The methanol (99.9% and 70%) and the ethanol (96% and 70%) were used for extraction. In this study, five different strains of bacteria were tested: Listeria monocytogenes CCM 4699; Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCM 1960; Staphylococcus aureus CCM 3953; Salmonella enterica CCM 4420; and Escherichia coli CCM 3988. The most sensitive bacteria of the poppy pollen ethanolic extract was Staphylococcus aureus was (70%) The most sensitive bacteria of rape bee pollen methanolic extract (70%) and sunflower ethanolic extract (70%) was Salmonella enterica.

In vitro and In vivo antimicrobial activity of propolis on the microbiota from gastrointestinal tract of chickens

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of propolis extracts on the microbial colonization of chicken gastrointestinal tract in vivo. The propolis was administered to both feed mixtures in various amounts except of the control group. The addition of 150 mg propolis to 1 kg of feed was included in the first experimental group, the addition of 450 mg.kg−1 in the second experimental group, the addition of 600 mg.kg−1 the third experimental group and 800 mg kg−1 in the fourth one. The highest count of faecal enterococci was found in the third group (8.6 cfu.g−1) where 600 mg of propolis to 1 kg was added to the feed mixture. The highest count of lactobacilli was detected in the fourth experimental group (8.83 cfu.g−1) where was 800 mg of propolis added to 1 kg of feed mixture and number of Enterobacteriaceae genera count was found in control group (8.73 cfu.g−1). With RTQ PCR detected species from the genus Enterococcus were: E. avium, E. casseliflavus, E cecorum, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae and E. malodoratus and from genus Lactobacillus were: Lactobacillus crispatus, L. acidophilus and L. salivarius. With MALDI TOF MS Biotyper from Enterobacteriaceae genera were identified Citrobacter braakii, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Serratia fonticola, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella oxytoca. Antimicrobial activities In vitro of six species of bacteria isolated from gastrointestinal tract of chickens were also tested. The best antimicrobial effect of Citrobacter braakii on ethanolic propolis extract in all concentrations were found.

The effects of bee pollen extracts on the broiler chicken's gastrointestinal microflora

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bee pollen ethanolic extracts on the in vivo gastrointestinal tract microflora colonization of broiler chickens. A completely randomized experiment based on six treatments (different concentrations of bee pollen - 0, 5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 g kg(-1) diet) was used during 7 weeks. The highest count of faecal Enterococci was found in the experimental group with the addition of 15 g of pollen (8.85 ± 0.87 log CFU g(-1)) per 1 kg of feed mixture. The highest count of Lactobacilli was detected in the experimental group with 35 g of pollen per 1 kg of feed mixture and the highest number of the Enterobacteriaceae genera count was found in the control group (8.43 ± 0.15 log CFU g(-1)). Moreover, the MALDI TOF MS Biotyper identified the following genera: Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca, as well as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. fermentum and L. salivarius from the Lactobacilli group and Enterococcus avium, E. casseliflavus, E. cecorum, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae and E. malodoratus from the Enterococci group. Additionally, the in vitro antimicrobial activities of pollen against five bacteria species isolated from gastrointestinal tracts of chickens were tested. The best antimicrobial effect of the pollen extract was detected against K. oxytoca.

Determination of wine microbiota using classical method, polymerase chain method and Step One Real-Time PCR during fermentation process

The aim of our study was the identification of grape, must and wine microbiota during the fermentation process using a classical microbiological method and Real-Time PCR. The changes in different groups of microorganisms were monitored in total counts of bacteria, lactobacilli and yeasts. Microbiological parameters were observed during the current collection and processing of grapes in 2009. Samples were taken during the fermentation process in wine enterprises and a private vineyard. During this period 30 samples of wine among Müller Thurgau, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Tramin and Red Bio-wine were examined. Samples were collected from stages of grape-must unfiltered, grape-must filtered, the beginning of fermentation, fermentation, late fermentation and young wine. The highest total counts of bacteria ranged from 0.00 to 176 ± 15 CFU.mL−1 in the wine of Müller Thurgau, the highest number of yeast ranged from 0.00 to 150 ± 9 CFU.mL−1 in the wine of Müller Thurgau and the number of Lactobacillus spp. ranged from 0.00 to 92 ± 5 CFU.mL−1 in the sample of Cabernet Sauvignon wine. The presence and sensitivity of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus salivarius were detected using Real-Time PCR (RTQ PCR). Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecium varied in different isolates from 1 to 106 CFU.mL−1, the sensitivity of the species Lactobacillus acidophilus in different isolates of the wine samples ranged from 1 to 105 CFU.mL−1. We also monitored representation of species Lactobacillus crispatus, which were captured by RTQ PCR sensitivity and ranged from 1 to 105 CFU.mL−1 . Identification of the species Lactobacillus salivarius in each of isolates by RTQ PCR method showed the presence of these bacteria in the range of 1 to 104 CFU.mL−1.

Microscopic fungi recovered from honey and their toxinogenity

The objective of this investigation was to contribute towards the knowledge of microbiology of honey, more than 50 samples of honey from Slovakia and other countries were mycologically investigated in terms of the overall fungal diversity and toxicological potential of isolated fungi from Penicillium genera. The study revealed that out of 13 genera recovered, Penicillium was the most frequent and diverse genus, followed by Aspergillus and Cladosporium being found in 65.91 % (29 samples), 34.1 % (15 samples) and 29.55 % (13 samples), respectively. The most frequently encountered taxa from Penicillium genera were Penicillium chrysogenum (found in 22.73 %), Penicillium brevicompactum (13.64 %), Penicillium crustosum (11.36 %) and Penicillium griseofulvum (11.36 %). In addition, the following genera were recorded (in descending order) Mycelia (18.18 %), Fusarium (11.36 %), Mucor (9.09 %), Acremonium (6.82 %), Alternaria (4.55 %), Epicoccum (4.55 %), and finally Botrytis, Eurotium Trichoderma and Phoma all were encountered in 2.27 % of the samples being represented. The mean value counts of total fungi ranged from 0.00 to 2 × 102 cfu.g−1. Outcomes from mycotoxin screening within the appropriate potentially toxinogenic species from Penicillium genera showed a number of mycotoxin producers, namely those forming citrinin (n = 1), cyclopiazonic acid (n = 5), griseofulvin (n = 5), patulin (n = 5), penitrem A (n = 2) and roquefortin C (n = 13).

Antifungal activity of essential oils against selected terverticillate penicillia

The aim of this study was to screen 15 essential oils of selected plant species, viz. Lavandula angustifolia, Carum carvi, Pinus mungo var. pulmilio, Mentha piperita, Chamomilla recutita L., Pinus sylvestris, Satureia hortensis L., Origanum vulgare L., Pimpinella anisum, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Abietis albia etheroleum, Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch, Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L. for antifungal activity against five Penicillium species: Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium griseofulvum. The method used for screening included the disc diffusion method. The study points out the wide spectrum of antifungal activity of essential oils against Penicillium fungi. There were five essential oils of the 15 mentioned above which showed a hopeful antifungal activity: Pimpinella anisum, Chamomilla recutita L., Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare L. The most hopeful antifungal activity and killing effect against all tested penicillia was found to be Origanum vulgare L. and Pimpinella anisum. The lowest level of antifungal activity was demonstrated by the oils Pinus mungo var. pulmilio, Salvia officinalis L., Abietis albia etheroleum, Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch, Rosmarinus officinalis.

Recommended Rosa sp. L. Species in the Green Spaces of Nitra City on the Basis of Their Aesthetic Value and Ecological Requirements

Roses (Rosa sp. L.) belong to the oldest grown ornamental plants. The oldest mention of rose growing is reported in the South-East Asia from where roses gradually expanded through the Middle East to the Mediterranean area and Europe (Večeřa et al., 1967; Karahan, 2005; Çinar, 2005). Large development of cultivation was recorded in ancient Rome. They did grow them not only for their beauty but also for the benefit (Joublan et al., 1996; Ježovič and Lukáčik, 2011). The application of roses in planting arrangements does not have a long tradition in Slovakia; even though natural conditions are quite favourable for their cultivation there is a lack of domestic producers of rose seedlings, including botanical species. Nonetheless, we found botanical species regarding the ecological requirement for suitable primarily on degraded soils (Feriancová, Števulová 1997). Roses are especially popular with the beauty of flowers, their shape, richness of flowering and colour range. They are variable in shape, too (Večeřa et al., 1967; Karahan, 2005). The area of roses extends solely to the northern hemisphere. Their spread in individual continents is almost equal, but the most original species still grow in Asia, in China (Větvička, Krejčová, 2001). Some roses have an endemic appearance, like section Carolinae in North America, or on the other side, the vast area is occupied by Rosa canina L., some have only a point occurrence, for example Rosa glauca and Rosa × reversa. The Zobor Hills are one of the five separate groups of the Tribeč mountain range. From the floral point of view, they are the richest territories. They represent valuable natural values important from a scientific, conservation and aesthetic points of view. The hill Zobor (587 m above sea level), is almost in the middle of the Tribeč mountain range. Varied geological conditions have given room for the expansion of diverse habitat types with many rare species of plants and animals. From this point of view, the Zobor Hills are the most valuable part in the Protected Landscape Area of Ponitrie (Svobodová, 1980). The previous floristic surveys of the Zobor Hills were carried out by Knapp in 1863, Klášterský in 1934–1935, Klášterská in 1969, Deyl in 1947, Větvička and Višňovská in 1977, Řehořek et al. (2007), Kerényi-Nagy and Baranec (2008) and Kerényi-Nagy, Eliáš and Baranec (2008). We focused on surveys made by Řehořek et al. (2007), Kerényi-Nagy and Baranec (2008) and KerényiNagy, Eliáš and Baranec (2008). Roses do not belong to long-lasting woody plants, but they have undoubtedly very high importance in landscaping. Botanical species, which we focused on at evaluated localities, have a great landscape and horticultural potential. RECOMMENDED ROSA SP. L. SPECIES IN THE GREEN SPACES OF NITRA CITY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR AESTHETIC VALUE AND ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS