Marta Habánová

Concentration of heavy metals in various children's herbal tea types and their correlations

This investigation was undertaken to determine the concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, zinc, copper and magnesium in six tea types used as childrens tea. Six types of tea of different herbal composition used for childrens consumption (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6) were analyzed in three subsequent collections. The analysis of cadmium showed that the concentration was very similar in all types of childrens tea, ranging from 0.233 to 0.369 mg/kg. Lead concentrations were in the range of 0.340–1.564 mg/kg without any significant differences. The analysis of mercury detected very low concentration of this metal in all samples (0.002–0.004 mg/kg). In zinc, the values ranged from 36.633 to 71.711 mg/kg, with significant differences (p < 0.001) according to tea type. Copper concentration was 10.089–30.178 mg/kg with the highest value in T4. The concentration of magnesium was significantly higher in tea T1 and T2 (102.311 and 129.422 mg/kg) in comparison with other tea types where the level was 19.811–37.411 mg/kg. The maximum tolerable limit determined by Codex Alimentarius was not exceeded in any sample. In general, correlation analysis detected high positive correlation between cadmium and lead (r = 0.89), cadmium and mercury (r = 0.92) and between lead and mercury (r = 0.77).

ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN BILBERRY (VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS L.) IN SELECTED NATURAL LOCALITIES OF SLOVAK REPUBLIC

The bioactive substances such as total polyphenols, anthocyanins, quercetin, chlorogen acid, pterostilbene and antioxidant activity in samples of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) from different natural localities of the Slovak Republic – Oscadnica and Liesek (northwestern Slovakia), Poprad, Kežmarok, Stara Ľubovňa (northeastern Slovakia) and one sample of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) from local supermarket was determined.The total of polyphenols ranged from 33772.5 ± 737.99 mg*kg-1 dw (Kežmarok) to 9685.0 ± 958.63 mg*kg-1 dw(supermarket). The content of total antocyanins was detected in a range from 5578.0 mg*kg-1 dw in a sample from the supermarket to 2887.75 mg*kg-1 dw from Kežmarok locality. The highest quercetin content was detected in the sample from Liesek locality (6.79 ± 0.36 mg*kg-1 dw), then in Stara Ľubovňa (6.03 ± 0.31 mg*kg-1 dw) and Kežmarok (5.83 ± 0.39 mg*kg-1 dw), respectively. The content of chlorogenic acid ranged from 53.19 ± 1.33 mg*kg-1 dw to 5.20 ± 0.16 mg*kg-1 dw. Higher amounts were detected in samples harvested from Poprad locality and the order follows: Poprad > Kežmarok > Stara Ľubovňa > Oscadnica > supermarket > Liesek. The content of pterostilben varied between 2.162 ± 0.217 mg*g -1 dwin the sample from the supermarket and 1.274 ± 0.312 mg*g -1 dw in the sample from Stara Ľubovňa. The highest values of antiradical activity were found in the sample from Kežmarok (81.180 ± 2.020 % inhibition). Based on these measures a conclusion is that geographical location of bilberry harvest was functional in relation to levels of bioactive substances, plus other factors such as weather, ripeness and harvest technique may have a contributory role. From these results, it can be determined, that bilberry contains a significant 357 Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2013, 14(3), p.357-366 DOI: 10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1328 357 Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2013, 14(3), p.357-366 DOI: 10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1328 357 Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2013, 14(3), p.357-366 DOI: 10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1328 357 Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2013, 14(3), p.357-366 DOI: 10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1328volume of bioactive substances – highly effective during preventive and supportive therapy of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and others.

The occurrence of puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) and its metabolic characteristics in Slovakia

Tribulus terrestris L., commonly known as puncture vine is a plant that grows in temperate climates and is native in the South and East Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia). The medicinal attributes of puncture vine influence the furostanol saponins, which have a stimulation effect on natural testosterone levels. In regard to this fact the stimulating effect on the immune, sexual and reproductive system with muscle building, tonic action, vigor, vitality, stamina and physical endurance was proved. The occurrence of puncture vine, in Slovakia, and quantity determination of the specific constituents and heavy metal pollution in this plant material are presented.The quantity of furostanol saponins is various in different plant parts and was modified by growing conditions. The heavy metal content in this plant material was not higher than the maximum permissible concentration of these elements in the food (standard tea) by the Slovakian Food Codex.

Intake of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease by inducing favorable changes in lipoprotein profiles

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death, and lifestyle modification, including dietary changes, is recommended to improve this condition. In this study, regular consumption of bilberries was hypothesized to have beneficial effects on CVD risk reduction, by changes in human health indicators such as decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The research involved women (n=25) and men (n=11) who consumed 150 g of frozen stored bilberries 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes, creatinine, albumin, magnesium, and antiradical activity were measured. Except for the body mass index of women (P=.019), no significant changes were found for anthropometric indicators. The consumption of bilberries led to a decrease in the following parameters: total cholesterol (P=.017), LDL-C (P=.0347), TG (P=.001), glucose (P=.005), albumin (P=.001), γ-glutamyltransferase (P=.046), and a positive increase in HDL-C (P=.044). In men, additionally, favorable changes were observed in total cholesterol (P=.004), glucose (P=.015), albumin (P=.028), aspartate aminotransferase (P=.012), γ-glutamyltransferase (P=.013), and HDL-C (P=.009; in this group, LDL-C increased [P=.007]). Changes in other parameters were not significant, for both women and men. Thus, the regular intake of bilberries can be important to reduce CVDs risk, by decreasing LDL-C/TG and increasing HDL-C.

THE OCCURENCE OF RISK FACTORS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND THE EFFECT OF SELECTED DIETARY HABITS ON THE LIPID PROFILE AND BODY MASS INDEX

In a group of 204 randomly selected patients hospitalized in the Cardiocentre Nitra, of which 63 were women (30.88%) and 141 men (69.12%), we evaluated the prevalence of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and the impact of dietary habits on the lipid profile and body mass index (BMI). We have recorded a high prevalence of risk factors, especially overweight and obesity, where 87.3% of women and 92.91% of men had BMI ≥25. Normal weight was observed only in 12.70% of women and in 7.09% of men. In the study group up to 60.32% of women and 57.45% of men had blood pressure higher than ≥130/85 mmHg. More than half of the respondents were simultaneously overweighted or obese together with high blood pressure occurence. The total cholesterol level higher than 5.2 mmol/L was recorded in 41.24% of women and 34.75% of men. There was statistically significant difference between men and women (p 0.05) in the occurrence of increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and glycemia according to gender. We found out that most of the respondents consumed food 3-4 times per day, i.e. 53.97% of women and 60.99% of men. Food intake for five to six times a day was reported only by 28.57% of women and 19.15% of men. The number of daily meals was significantly reflected in the BMI values in men who consumed food 1-2 times a day compared to the men who ate 3-4 meals daily (p <0.001). We detected lower BMI values in women with more frequent food consumption, however the difference was not statistically significant. While assessing the nutritional history, we have recorded frequent consumption of meat and meat products which are consumed by 49.21% of women and 60.28% of men (p 0.001) more than four times a week, while more than 30% of women and men consume them daily. On the contrary, women consume fish more often, while 53.97% of women and 48.23% of men consume it 1 to 2 times a week. Although fruit and vegetable are part of daily diet of almost all patients, it is insufficient in portions of one or two pieces a day compared with dietary recommendations. We noticed significantly higher BMI (p <0.05) in men who consume sweetened beverages, than men who consume mostly non-sweetened beverages.

Dietary patterns and lifestyle of patients with myocardial infarction

Civilization diseases, including cardiovascular, are major health problems in current modern society. Numerous studies provided sufficient evidence that variety of risk factors are involved in cardiovascular diseases formation. Of the most important is the lifestyle that largely contributes to our health, up to 50 - 60%. Lifestyle includes all modifiable risk factors that together affect the development of these diseases. In our study we searched and evaluated the nutritional parameters and lifestyle of patients hospitalized in Cardiocentre Nitra. In order to obtain the necessary information we chose the questionnaire method. In our survey 194 patients were included, of which 155 were men (79.89%) and 39 (20.11%) women. These patients were hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction diagnosis. The vast majority of patients had overweight and obesity caused by improper eating habits. The high prevalence of overweight, BMI in the range 25 - 30 kg/m 2 , was also confirmed as statistically significant, p 0.05) when evaluating dietary habits. But we can confirm too frequent consumption of chicken at the expense of other types of meat and relatively frequent consumption of fish (once a week). We recorded the preference of semi-skimmed dairy products, but also high and inappropriate consumption of full-fat dairy products in men and women (37% and 17.8%, respectively). Daily intake of fruits and vegetables was in 85.9% of women and 64.7% of men. Everyday intake of bread and pastries was confirmed by 100% of respondents. Lifestyle was evaluated according to the presence of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Up to 60.5% of men and 26.4% of women admitted smoking, while 34.6% of men and 7.5% women ended up with the habit after myocardial infarction. The excessive alcohol consumption was not detected in the study group. Approximately 67% of men and 56% of women carry out an easier walking and moderate physical activity while taking into account their health status.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF EUROPEAN BISON MUSCULUS LONGISSIMUS DORSI AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF AGE

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of musculus longissimus dorsi muscle in European bison ( Bison bonasus ) of the age 6, 9, 12 and 14 years. In m. longissimus dorsi water content was from 74.90 g (group until 6 years of age) until 75.70 g .100 g -1 (group until 12 years of age). Non statistically significant differences (P≥0.05) were found between groups of age. In m. longissimus dorsi the protein content was statistically significant during aging (P≥0.05) of the European bison from 21.23 (group until 12 years of age) until 22.34 g .100 g -1 (group until 14 years of age). The protein content is comparable with the values of steers and bulls of different breeds of cattle feedlot and meat buffalo. The m. longissimus dorsi fat content of European bison was represented from 1.26 g (group until 12 years of age) to 2.11 g .100 g -1 (group until 9 years of age), without statistical differences (P≥0.05) between groups of age. Fat levels are comparable with American bison fat levels and European bison meat from this perspective be regarded as high dietary, maybe. Tendency increasing of fat content in muscle with increasing age of animals was not confirmed (P≥0.05) but was confirmed that this variable indicator has the greatest potential impact nutrition. Energy value in 100 g m. longissimus dorsi was from 402.81 kJ (group until 12 years of age) to 447.07 kJ.100 g -1 (group to 9 years of age). The energy value in 100 g muscle was recorded only statistical differences (P≤0.05) in the group 9 and 12 years of age. Experiment results confirmed that the European bison meat is good article and possible supplement in the diet and the human food chain especially in states where the farm is kept in a manner respectively, as a delicacy, because it contains low representation of fat, what ultimately increases its particular dietary value, moving it from this perspective, even before the beef meat. doi:10.5219/129