Krystyna A. Skibniewska

Influence of Bifidobacterium bifidum on Release of Minerals from Bread with Differing Bran Content

Bread is considered an important source of minerals; however, the presence of fiber and phytic acid reduces bioavailability of minerals from cereal products. It is well established that activity of microorganisms in human gut increases the amount of nutrients released during digestion. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Bifidobacterium bifidum on release of some minerals from bread using an in vitro process of enzymatic digestion. White bread and with addition of 15, 30, or 45% of bran was baked in a bakery by traditional methods, with addition of yeasts and rye leaven, from flour made of wheat, Tonacja variety. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, and iron were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Bread was enzymatically digested in vitro without and with the addition of Bifidobacterium bifidum KD6 (inoculum 106 CFU/cm3) and percentages of minerals released were determined. The concentration of minerals released during enzymatic digestion varied depending upon the element, quantity of bran, and presence of bacteria. Increase in bran content decreased release of elements. Bifidobacterium bifidum KD6 enhanced amounts of magnesium and zinc released from all types of bread, while manganese and copper rose only from white bread with 15% bran addition. Bacteria decreased amounts of calcium and iron released from bread. Data indicate that diets rich in beneficial bacteria (probiotics) but not balanced with minerals might increase mineral deficiency.

Calcium availability from yogurt by itself or yogurt-cereal-containing products.

Dairy products are the basic source of calcium (Ca) for many nations. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of addition of cereal products to yogurt on the ability of subsequent release of Ca present in yogurt. This was conducted in vitro by the process of enzymatic digestion simulating digestion in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Calcium content was determined in commercial yogurts containing cereal and in yogurt meals with subsequent addition of cereal products or bread. Only 3 samples contained more Ca than 100 mg/100 g. Only about 45% (from 28.5 to 77.9%) of Ca was released from the samples with cereals. Innovations in yogurt production technologies actually result in less Ca being released to humans, which may be a problem for individuals with low daily Ca intake.

Determining the effect of selected anthropometric parameters on the time needed to cover 1000~m on a rowing ergometer by physically inactive young women

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of selected individual factors (independent variables) on the dependent variable of a simulated rowing distance in a group of physically inactive females. The independent variables were the women’s age, body mass (kg) and height (cm), and the BMI index. The time required to cover the simulated distance of 1000 m was adopted as the dependent variable. The study involved 258 female students who participated only in the obligatory physical education classes. Research revealed that the relationships between anthropometric parameters and the time required to complete 1000 m on a rowing ergometer differ among physically inactive women and elite rowers. In both physically inactive women as well as elite rowers an increase in body height had a positive influence on the time (shorter time). In the case of body mass, its increase in our study subjects resulted in poorer times, which is contrary to the results of studies conducted on elite rowers. This is most likely due to the fact that the body mass of athletes consists mainly of lean body mass, whereas physically inactive females are characterized by a higher percentage of body fat. Moreover, the time taken to complete the rowing trial was shortest for students with BMI values ranging from 17 to 21. The conducted research led to the conclusion that the analyzed anthropometric parameters affect the time needed by women to cover a distance of 1000 m on a rowing ergometer. Further studies should be conducted to include additional anthropometric and physiological parameters.

Nickel in the muscle tissues of freshwater fish from north eastern Poland should not cause human health concerns

Excessive intake of nickel (Ni) is known to produce adverse health effects in humans, including carcinogenicity and allergenicity. The main route of exposure for humans is diet, including fish. There is, however, little information concerning Ni content in freshwater fish in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Ni in meat tissues of three fish species from north eastern Poland and assess toxic potential to healthy and susceptible sub-groups of individuals. The settings for the study lakes span a range of anthropogenic influence from protected areas to a basin with a town and several villages and another one influenced by a pesticide tomb leakage. Fish were netted and kept frozen until analysis. After defrosting, the fish were filleted and minced. The ashed samples were dissolved in nitric acid and analyzed for Ni by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Roach meat contained 6.6–23 µg kg−1 Ni, bream 9.5–178 µg kg−1, and carp 16.5–139 µg kg−1. These concentrations are low, indicating that the fish were not excessively contaminated with the metal. Consuming a 250 g portion of fish would result in an average nickel intake of 4 µg for roach, <10 µg for bream, and <20 µg for carp. These values represent only 0.4–2% of the maximum level that is likely to pose a risk of adverse effects as established in the USA. Consumption of fish from the study region need not necessarily pose a health threat.

Lead and cadmium content in the meat tissues of fish from water ecosystems in the vicinity of a pesticide tomb

Lead and cadmium content in the meat tissues of fish from water ecosystems in the vicinity of a pesticide tomb Lead and cadmium levels were determined in the meat tissues of roach, bream, and carp netted in a lake and in fish ponds threatened by a pesticide tomb and in control basins in northeastern Poland. Concentrations in roach ranged from 20 to 124 μg kg-1 of Pb and from 1 to 19 μg kg-1 of Cd. In bream they were from 4 to 280 μg kg-1 of Pb and 2 to 28 μg kg-1 of Cd, while in carp they were from 9 to 82 μg kg-1 of Pb and 2 to 260 μg kg-1 of Cd. The metal concentrations were low; no result exceeded admissible residue levels set forth by Polish law, and no evident contamination of fish by leakage from the pesticide tomb was detected.

Selected Parameters of Nutritional and Pro-Health Value in the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Muscle Tissue

This study analysed the effect of the type of production on the nutritional and health value of common carp muscle tissue, especially lipid-related indexes. The muscle tissue of common carps originating from three types of fish farms with different technological levels (i.e., intensive, low-intensive, and semiextensive) was studied. The type of production technology, especially the intensive breeding technique, has been shown to have a significant effect on dry weight, total protein, and total fat content in the common carp muscle tissue under study. The muscles of fish originating from these farms were characterised by the highest values of the mentioned indicators, which amounted to 24.6%, 18.74%, and 1.58%, respectively, for dry matter, protein content, and total fat content. The type of feed used in intensive, low-intensive, and semiextensive common carp breeding has been proven to have a highly significant effect on the fatty acid profile. As regards unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids were dominant in all cases. The muscle tissue of fish cultured in farms with a semiextensive technological level was characterised by the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids was, in this case, the most favourable. Dietary indices of atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity (TI) were studied as well. In all analysed cases, the values of these indices were very favourable and several times lower than for other animal fats.

Influence of farming technology on bioaccumulation of calcium, magnesium and sodium in muscle tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) / Wpływ technologii chowu na biokumulację wapnia, magnezu i sodu w tkance mięśniowej pstrąga tęczowego (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

Abstract Poland is one of the countries with limited water resources where water saving is recommended e.g. by improving aquaculture methods to use less water. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of water quality and aquaculture technology on bioaccumulation of calcium, magnesium and sodium in muscle tissue of rainbow trout. The study was performed in spring and autumn 2011 in two trout fish farms using different farming technologies: one with flow-through system and the other with water recirculation system. The farming technology had significant influence on magnesium and sodium in waste waters but did not affect the content of the minerals in muscle tissue of rainbow trout Streszczenie Polska należy do krajów o ograniczonych zasobach wodnych, w których wskazana jest oszczędność wody m.in. poprzez doskonalenie metod produkcji rybackiej o zmniejszonym zużyciu wody. Celem pracy było określenie wpływu jakości wody oraz technologii chowu na biokumulację wapnia, magnezu i sodu w tkance mięśniowej pstrąga tęczowego. Badania przeprowadzono wiosną i jesienią 2011 roku w 2 gospodarstwach pstrągowych z województwa pomorskiego stosujących odmienne technologie chowu: z jednokrotnym przepływem wody oraz z systemem recyrkulacji wody. W badanych obiektach technologia chowu miała istotny wpływ na stężenie magnezu i sodu w wodach odpadowych, natomiast nie miała wpływu na zawartość badanych metali w tkance mięśniowej pstrąga tęczowego