Mária Borbély

Potential Dissipation of Atrazine in the Soil Unsaturated Zone: a Comparative Study in Four European Countries†

A European-wide project has been undertaken to establish the potential for dissipation of atrazine in the soil subsurface environment. Samples were obtained, avoiding contamination, in four countries (Belgium, Greece, Hungary and UK) and laboratory studies carried out. In order to make comparisons between results from each laboratory, a ring experiment was carried out using common methodology for sampling, extraction and analytical techniques. Subsurface materials from each country were distributed to the other countries. Atrazine dissipation was determined in each country for all materials under the same laboratory conditions. The results of this comparative study showed generally good agreement between all laboratories. Significant potential microbiological dissipation was detected in certain samples. Where differences occurred between laboratories this was attributed to small, spatially heterogeneous microbial populations in the subsurface materials.

Factors influencing self‐assessment in a changing library environment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of two consecutive EFQM‐based self‐assessments, which were performed in Meliusz County Library of Debrecen, Hungary in 2007 and 2008. At the time of the first assessment the library operated across several scattered buildings with poor working conditions. By the time of the second self‐assessment the library had moved to a new, modern building, with an ideal working environment. The focus of this examination is to determine how the positive change of environmental impacts influence the satisfaction of both employees and users.Design/methodology/approach – In one of this authors previous research studies, an EFQM‐based toolkit for library self‐assessments was developed which provided the methodological base for these surveys. Enablers of the organization – leadership; policy and strategy; people; partnerships and resources; and processes – were evaluated and surveyed.Findings – This author had the preconceived notion before evaluating the resu...

Preliminary data of chemical contents and thousand kernel weight in special and conventional maize

The cultivation of specialty maize has an important role in the world agriculture. The food processors demand maize with increased yields and quality to improve product attributes. Some unique types such as blue corn are becoming increasingly popular in specialty food stores (Rooney and Serna-Saldivar, 2003). The analysis of maize grain yields is extremely important for both animal feeding and human nutrition, with the latter coming more and more to the foreground (Gy6ri et al., 2005). Some authors studied chemical composition in specialty colour maize (Dickerson, 2003; Kovdcs, 2000; B6di and Pep6, 2006). The most important characteristics of the yield components are the number of ears per plant and the thousand-kernel weight (Hegyi et al., 2005). The objective of this study was to determine (i) some chemical parameters of various special colour and conventional (yellow) maize, (ii) trends in the thousand kernel weight of their maize in our breeding program.

Measuring user satisfaction with a library system according to ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4

Purpose – The primary goal of this paper was to find out how task effectiveness, completion, efficiency and task time affect the general user satisfaction with a specific software product, and which factors, mentioned above, have the biggest effect on user satisfaction. The secondary goal of this examination was to try out how the metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4 standard can be applied for measuring quality in use of the software product in a real library environment.Design/methodology/approach – This study introduces the results of research which focused on the measurement of user satisfaction using ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4. Data of the examination was gained from the logfiles of Web OPAC used at the University and National Library of University of Debrecen. Based on this data the study was seeking the relation between quality of task solution with the software product and user satisfaction. To carry out the examinations the University and National Library of University of Debrecen permitted access of its Web OPAC...

The effect of geographical origin on the composition of honey

One of the biggest challenges for the safe maize production is the yield stability in a wide range of environments with different soil fertility, weather conditions, prevailing pests and diseases as well as cultural practices. In order to achieve it, new hybrids with higher tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress are continuously being created. In order to compare performance of maize hybrids in environments with different levels and types of stress, and relate it to the stalk lodging incidence, we compared performance of 64 maize hybrids obtained by crossing 16 inbred lines with four inbred testers in three different environments. Two environments at same location (Rugvica) differed in crop rotation, and the third environment at location Botinec was considered as dry because of low water capacity of the soil. Mixed models that included all design elements and genetic background of hybrids were used to analyze the effect of lodging on yield in different environments. The results show that stalk lodging had a significant effect on yield, but significant lodging x environment interaction indicates that this effect was rather environment specific.Sweet pepper Istra F1 hybrid was grown in a greenhouse on K rich soil. For evaluation of K antagonism, two K rates (55 and 85 kg ha-1) were applied in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Total number of fruits, total number of BER affected fruits as well as average fruit mass were recorded for each harvest. Fruit and leaf K and Ca content were determined at three plant growth stages (at the stage of the first, third and fifth fruit cluster). Higher K rate gave higher : average fruit mass (169.45 g), total number of fruits per plant (7.95), number of BER affected fruits per plant (3.82), K in leaves (5.44% DM), K in fruits (6.35% DM), but negatively correlated with Ca concentration in fruits (0.57% DM) and leaves (3.24% DM). This resulted in decreased marketable yield of sweet pepper fruits.

Studying of proline content and organic contaminants in Hungarian and Greek honey samples

Introduction Honey has been used since the earliest times. It is widely appreciated as the only concentrated form of sugar available worldwide (FAO, 1996) and it also used as a food preservative (Cherbuliez, 2001; Meda et al., 2005). Therefore, honey plays an important role in our nutrition and its many positive effects on health are well-known. Unfortunately, there were some problems with quality of honey, in some case in the European Union. A dangerous acaricide (p-dichlorobenzene) was found in high concentration in Greek honey some years ago. Turn the Hungarian honey was mixed with other honey, which has low quality. These problems propose that we need a good identification system to protect the fine quality of honey. For a build-up of an applicable traceability system, it is very important to study the nutritional properties and the origin of different honey samples. In a previous paper we have shown some studied quality parameters, which can be good for a traceability system by honey (Szeles et al., 2006). Beside the mineral content, pH, HMF content, etc., it is also important to study the free amino acid content. Many studies have found analytical markers of botanical and geographical origin for honey, based on among other things the amino acid content (Anklam, 1998). Amino acids account for 1% (w/w), and proline is the major contributor with 50–85% of the total amino acids. Besides proline, there are 26 amino acids in honeys, their relative proportions depending on the honey origin (nectar or honeydew) (Hermosin et al., 2003). The content of proline is an indication of the quality of honey and is also an indication of adulteration (Meda et al., 2005). In the present study we analysed the proline content and some toxic organic materials (p-dichlorobenzene and other insecticides) in Hungarian and Greek honeytypes. The aim of this work was, first to obtain information about the proline content, as a basic quality parameter in honey and study the usability of this parameter to an identification system. Secondly, to obtain information about toxic organic material content of Hungarian but even Greek honeys. To carry out this study, 17 samples of honeys, from four different regions of Greece and also four different regions of Hungary and 5 botanical sources, were analysed.

Studying of quality parameters and organic contaminants in honey samples

Honey is valuable food for mankind since the ancient times. It was the only sweetener till the start of the industrial sugar mass production. As honey plays an important role in our nutrition and its positive effects on health is well known, it is very important to study the nutritional properties and the origin of different honey samples. The usually determined quality parameters of honey: pH values, water content, sugar content, acidity, HMF content, enzyme activity, pollen content, amino acid content, ash content, etc. It is also important to know the content of the organic contaminants in honey. A short time ago there were some quality problems with Hungarian and Greek honey in the European Union. A toxic material (para-dichlorobensene) was found in honey originated from Greece. The amount was higher than the allowable limit in the ELf. Therefore, it is necessary to build up a good and applicable traceability system for honey. During the past few years the traceability concept has become increasingly familiar in many sectors of the food industry. Traceability is an essential tool for ensuring both production and product quality. The opportunity to connect traceability with the whole documentation and control system represents an effective means for boosting the consumers perception of a foods safety and quality. In our work we have done, which quality parameters can be used for a good identification system. We have analyzed the following parameters of national and Greek honey types: mineral contents (trace elements), pH values, sugar content, acidity, HMF content, diastase activity. We have also analyzed the para-dichlorobensene in the honey samples. The samples were taken directly from Hungarian beekeepers (all professionals) and supermarkets (area of geographical origin unknown). We have measured also Greek honey. The samples were originated from some Greek islands, near Athens and from some Greek supermarkets. For the traceability it is necessary to know the following parameters: element content-free amino acids content-pollen content. Besides, it is important to analyze organic contaminants in honey.