Petra Kavalcová

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.

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.

The content of total polyphenols in different varieties of Solanum tuberosum grow in Spiš area.

essential source of polyphenol compounds. Phenolic compounds are the predominant antioxidants in nutrition and their study is currently being paid much attention. These antioxidants act synergistically; polyphenol compounds protect vitamin C and β-carotene, which in turn helps to increase the effect of vitamin E. Potatoes are very popular vegetables in Slovakia, not only in terms that they are easy to prepare, but also by the fact that they combine the wholesomeness of cereals and delicacy and characteristic chemical composition of vegetables. It is important that they find their place in our diet. Nutritional value of potatoes is determined by the content of nutrients such as protein, starch, fat, minerals, and absence of toxins, as well as by a significant content of bioactive components from the group of polyphenols. The study was performed in order to analyse 7 Slovak potato varieties from Spis area, according to biologically active compounds: such as polyphenols. The content of total polyphenols was determined by the method of Lachman et al., (2003). The lowest determined content of total polyphenol (mg.kg -1 dry matter) in locality Spisský Stvrtok was measured in a variety Victoria (795.05 mg.kg -1 dry matter) and the highest content of total polyphenols in locality Spisský Stvrtok was measured in variety Laura (1238.42 mg.kg -1 dry matter). In the locality Odorin was determine the lowest content of total polyphenols in variety Red Anna (974.09 mg.kg -1 dry matter) and the highest content of total polyphenols was determined in variety Laura (978.95 mg.kg -1 dry matter). Between all varieties in locality Spisský Stvrtok was confirmed the statistically significant difference in the influence of the variety in the contents of total polyphenols (mg.kg -1 DM). This varietal dependence was not appear in samples taken in the locality Odorin. The total polyphenols content of the potatoes can be influenced by other factors, for example locality. In this case, there were statistically significant differences in the content of total polyphenols in variety Laura obtained from two different localities.

Herbicidal effect in relation to the accumulation of macroelements and its regulation by regulators of polyamine synthesis.

Stress effects of triazine herbicide on cumulating of important macroelements (phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium) into the grain of barley variety Kompakt, as well as the elimination of its negative effect through the addition of regulators of polyamine synthesis (γ-aminobutyric acid and propylenediamine) were investigated in pot trial. These morphoregulators are degrading products of polyamines and hypothetically after foliar application they should support their biosynthesis which increased level act against stress in plants. Application of the herbicide alone in comparison to control variant reduced the contents of all mentioned macroelements in grain of barley and also in variants, where the mixtures of herbicide with regulators of polyamine biosynthesis were applied, also the values of contents of all macroelements (except of magnesium) in barley grain were reduced (in comparison to this variant). It could be summarized that the presence of regulators in mixtures with triazine herbicide in comparison to control variant had not positive effects on contents of these biogenic elements in grain. By the comparison of variant with the applied herbicide with variants, where also regulators of polyamine synthesis were applied, there was the most positive influence of these mixtures of morphoregulators on statistically non-significant accumulation of phosphorus into generative organs of spring barley and in the case of positive accumulation of magnesium into these plant tissues there was statistically significant relation only after application of mixtures of herbicide with propylenediamine. Positive influence on accumulation of calcium was evaluated only after using of mixtures of herbicide with propylenediamine (statistically significant relation was recorded at the dose 29.6 g.ha -1 ).

Intake of heavy metals in selected varieties of onion (Allium cepa l.) Grown in the different locations / Akumulacja metali ciężkich w wybranych odmianach cebuli (Allium cepa L.) uprawianych w różnych warunkach

Abstract The environmental study, carried out in Slovak Republic, was aimed at the assessment of quality of onion based on the contents of selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd) as well as the possible correlations among heavy metals in soil and onions (Allium cepa L.). Gained results showed that in some monitored localities the measured values were exceeded in comparison with limit values given by the Law No. 220/2004 (valid in the Slovak Republic) as well as threshold values proposed by European Commission (2006). In our paper, the values of total cadmium content were in the range from 1.15 to 1.34 mg∙kg-1 and the content of mobile form of lead was in the range from 0.19 to 1.09 mg∙kg-1. The lead content in all samples (except cv. Red matte grown in locality Klasov) of the onions was also exceeded and the values ranged from 0.05 to 0.21 mg∙kg-1. Among the varieties statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the intake of heavy metals were found (Multifactorial analysis of variance, LSD-test contrast P < 0.05) was used to process gained data Streszczenie Badania środowiska, przeprowadzone na Słowacji miały na celu ocenę jakości cebuli poprzez oznaczenie zawartości wybranych metali ciężkich (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb i Cd), jak również możliwych korelacji pomiędzy obecnością metali ciężkich w glebie i cebuli (Allium cepa L.). Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że w niektórych monitorowanych lokalizacjach zmierzone wartości zostały przekroczone w stosunku do wartości granicznych określonych w Ustawie nr 220/2004 (obowiązującej w Republice Słowackiej), jak również wartości granicznych zaproponowanych przez Komisję Europejską (KE) (2006). Wyniki naszej pracy wskazują, że wartości całkowitej zawartości kadmu wahają się w zakresie od 1,15 do 1,34 mg∙kg-1, a zawartość ołowiu w postaci mobilnej w zakresie od 0,19 do 1,09 mg∙kg-1. Zawartość ołowiu we wszystkich próbkach cebuli (z wyjątkiem odmiany Red mat hodowanej w miejscowości Klasov) jest również przekroczona, a wartości wahają się w zakresie od 0,05 do 0,21 mg∙kg-1. Wśród odmian stwierdzono statystycznie istotne różnice (p<0,05) w pobieraniu metali ciężkich (porównania wielokrotne dla metali ciężkich w zależności od odmiany, przy 95% przedziale ufności).

The role of sulphur on the content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in onion (Allium cepa L.)

Sulphur is one of the most important elements in plants. Sulphur also positive influences on growth functions (nitrogen metabolism, enzyme activity and protein and oil synthesis), yield and quality bulbs of onion. In this experiment was watched the progress of making the total polyphenols content in different levels of fertilizer sulphur in onion during vegetation. In the work we watched also the influence of sulphur fertilization on the antioxidant activity. Sulphur was added in amounts 7.3 mg.kg -1 S, 11 mg.kg -1 S and 14,6 mg.kg -1 S. Samples of fresh onion we collected at the beginning, in the middle and in the end of vegetation period and we prepared an extract: 50 g cut onion extracted by 100 ml 80% ethanol according sixteen hours. These extracts were used for experiment. The content of total polyphenols was estimated by using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The absorbance was measured at 765 nm of wave length against blank. Antioxidant activity was measured using a compound DPPH˙ (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) at 515.6 nm in the spectrophotometer. Our values of total polyphenolic content during vegetation period were in range from 508.16 ±27.59 mg.kg -1 to 638.2 ±12.84 mg.kg -1 . The highest content of total polyphenolics was recorded at the end of the vegetation period (638.32 ±12.84 mg.kg -1 ) in III. sampling (incorporation of sulphur in quantity of 14.6 mg S.kg -1 soil). This increase was statistically significant (P-value = 2.10 -3 ). The lowest content of total polyphenols was measured in the middle of vegetation period (415.41 ±13.32 mg.kg -1 ) in II. sampling (incorporation of sulphur in quantity of 11 mg S.kg -1 soil). Another indicator that has been evaluated and compared was the influence of sulphur fertilization on the antioxidant activity. The highest values of antioxidant activity were recorded at the end of vegetation period in all variants. The lowest value of antioxidant activity (25.41 ±7.67%) was measured in three sampling in II.variant.

Potential antagonist Zn effect on faba bean (Faba vulgaris m.) contaminated by Pb and Cd / Antagonistyczny wpływ Zn na bób (Faba vulgaris m.) zanieczyszczony Pb i Cd

Abstract The pollution of soil by heavy metals is considered to be a big problem in the world today. Currently, attention is being paid to the content of individual heavy metals in the soil-plant-food system. In our work, mainly the effect of bivalent cations of lead, cadmium and zinc and its uptake by faba bean (Faba vulgaris M.) was surveyed. The results obtained suggest that the incorporation of Pb (200 mg • kg-1 soil) and Cd (10 mg • kg-1) had a negative effect on the quantitative and qualitative parameters of faba bean. The incorporation of Pb in the faba bean crop is statistically significantly decreased by 24.86%, and the reduction of Cd represented 29.91% compared to the control. In the case of common application of zinc, cadmium and lead in soil (variants C, E), there was a slight increase in crop yield compared to the individual incorporation of heavy metals (variants B, D); in the case of Pb, the increase was 13.14%, and in case of Cd 27.77%. A common application of heavy metals with zinc had a positive influence on quality parameters of the faba bean. We have seen a decrease in Cd to 0.15 ± 0,018 mg • kg-1 (a statistically significant decrease) and decrease in Pb to 0.61 ± 0.17 mg • kg-1 (without significant differences). Streszczenie Zanieczyszczenie gleb metalami ciężkimi stanowi jeden z ważniejszych problemów na świecie. Obecnie, uwaga kierowana jest nie tylko na zawartość poszczególnych metali ciężkich w systemie gleba-roślina-żywność. W naszej pracy badaliśmy wpływ i pobór dwuwartościowych kationów ołowiu, kadmu i cynku przez bób (Faba vulgaris M.). Uzyskane wyniki sugerują, że pobranie Pb (200 mg • kg-1 gleby) i Cd (10 mg • kg-1) miało negatywny wpływ na parametry ilościowe i jakościowe bobu. W przypadku pobrania ołowiu, plon bobu zmniejszył się statystycznie istotnie o 24.86% a redukcja Cd stanowiła 29.91% w porównaniu z próbką kontrolną. W przypadku łącznej dostawy Zn, Cd i Pb do gleby (warianty C, E), obserwowano nieznaczne podwyższenie plonu w porównaniu z dostawą poszczególnych metali ciężkich (warianty B, D). W przypadku Pb wzrost plonu wyniósł 13.14% a w przypadku Cd - 27.77%. Łączna dostawa metali ciężkich z cynkiem miała pozytywny wpływ na jakość parametrów bobu. Zaobserwowano obniżenie zawartości Cd do 0.15 ± 0,018 mg • kg-1 (wartość statystycznie istotna) oraz obniżenie zawartości Pb do 0.61 ± 0.17 mg • kg-1 (bez istotnych różnic).