Essential and xenobiotic elements in cottage cheese from the Slovak market with a consumer risk assessment.

The examination of various elements in the milk products is very important in the food sector in respect of food quality and safety. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in white cottage cheese or cottage cheese supplemented with various additives (white, lacto-free, chive, tzatziki, mustard + onion, chili, active protein) available on the market of Slovakia. All essential elements were within the reference range. Cottage cheese enriched with tzatziki showed higher amount of Cu, Fe, K, and Zn. Mustard + onion cheese contained high values of Ca, Co, Mg, and Ni. In white cottage cheese high amount of Cr, Mn, and P was measured. The content of xenobiotic metals was below permitted limit. The contribution to PTWI (Provisional tolerable weekly intake) suggested very low dietary exposure to heavy metals as Cd, Hg, and Pb as well as other metals (Cu, Ni, and Zn) in cottage cheese. Numerous correlations between concentrations were observed. MOE (Margin of Exposure) evaluation denoted that average consumption of cottage cheese does not pose any high cardiovascular and nephrotoxicity threat.

Gluten-free bread with an addition of freeze-dried red and purple potatoes as a source of phenolic compounds in gluten-free diet.

The basis for gluten-free diet is often gluten-free bread, which is usually characterized by a low-nutritional value, and lacks any pro-health properties. Only after an introduction of gluten-free raw materials, containing high level of bioactive compounds it would be possible to obtain the product with a pro-health potential. The aim of the study was to analyze the content of bioactive compounds (total phenolic content, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, anthocyanins and carotenoids) in gluten-free bread prepared with 5% addition of freeze-dried red and purple potatoes as well as to assess their antioxidant potential. Summarizing, among the analyzed gluten-free breads with an addition of freeze-dried red and purple potatoes, the best results could be obtained by using variety Magenta Love (red potato), which provided the highest levels of phenolic compounds and carotenoids and also antioxidant and antiradical activity.

Resistance in bacteria and indirect beta-lactamase detection in E. coli isolated from Culex pipiens detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was detections of antibiotic resistance and resistance mechanism in bacteria isolated from mosquitos (Culex pipiens) living near humans. Therefore, antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from Culex pipiens was investigated by disk diffusion test and MIC E-test in this study. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was used for detection of resistant mechanism. In this study, hydrolytic breakdown products after a few hours of incubation of the bacteria isolated from Culex pipiens were detected. Results show that enzymatic destruction of ampicillin by beta-lactamases is able to be detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry from wild strains of potential pathogens. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is useful method for routine detection of beta-lactamases resistant mechanism, but overnight incubation of pure culture is necessary. The results are important for proper and fast intervention to limit the spread of beta-lactamase-producing wild bacteria and provide information for appropriate initial therapy of the infections caused by these microbes.

Detection of selected trace elements in yogurt components.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Hg in the white and fruit parts of commercially available yogurts (n = 30) from Nitra markets (Slovak Republic). The results were correlated to determine their relationships. Three yogurt fruit flavors were chosen and tested, strawberry (n = 10), blueberry (n = 10), and cherry (n = 10). The elements were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Higher concentrations of toxic elements, such as Cd and Pb, were found in the fruit parts of the yogurt, and in some cases, the tolerable limit was exceeded. The white part of the yogurt was not contaminated by toxic elements. White yogurt is a good source of nutrients for humans, but the fruit part in yogurt requires detailed monitoring and improvements in the processing techniques.

Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals in Region with Previous Mining Activity.

Due to its status as one of the most contaminated regions in Slovakia, 45 soil and plant samples were collected in the Middle Spis region. In soil, the exchangeable soil reaction, humus content and heavy metals content (Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg) were determined. Total content of heavy metals (TC-HMs) and content of mobile forms (MF-HMs) in soil, as well as metal content in plants, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentration ranges for total Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb and Hg in soil were 33.1-953, 0.65-6.73, 11.0-913, 26.5-165 and 0.28--415 mg/kg, respectively. The overall concentration ranges of these metals in plants of two types (Athyrium filix-femina L. and Poaceae herbs) were 12.4-158.6, 0.10-1.63, 3.34-85.7, 0.09-29.7 and 0.01-12.8 mg/kg, respectively. Despite the values of Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb and Hg content in the soil exceeding limit values, only the Hg content in plants presented an ecological risk.

Adsorption Processes of Lead Ions on the Mixture Surface of Bentonite and Bottom Sediments.

The adsorption of contaminants plays an important role in the process of their elimination from a polluted environment. This work describes the issue of loading environment with lead Pb(II) and the resulting negative impact it has on plants and living organisms. It also focuses on bentonite as a natural adsorbent and on the adsorption process of Pb(II) ions on the mixture of bentonite and bottom sediment from the water reservoir in Kolínany (SR). The equilibrium and kinetic experimental data were evaluated using Langmuir isotherm kinetic pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order rate equations the intraparticle and surface diffusion models. Langmuir isotherm model was successfully used to characterize the lead ions adsorption equilibrium on the mixture of bentonite and bottom sediment. The pseudo second-order model, the intraparticle and surface (film) diffusion models could be simultaneously fitted the experimental kinetic data.

Human exposure to heavy metals and possible public health risks via consumption of wild edible mushrooms from Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia.

The contamination level of 92 samples (12 species) of wild edible mushrooms and underlying substrates with heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) in the Slovak Paradise National Park that borders with a region of historical mining and processing of polymetallic ores, were determined. The collected samples were analyzed using of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The metals were determined separately in hymenophore (H) and rest of fruit bodies (RFB). Bioaccumulation factor as well as ratio of metal content in H and RFB were calculated. Cadmium and lead contents in hymenophore exceeded statutory limits of the EU (Cd: 0.5 mg/kg dry weight (dw), Pb: 1.0 mg/kg dw) for edible mushrooms in 96% and 83% of the samples, respectively. The risk from the consumption of the collected mushroom species was calculated based on the provisionally tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values, and the highest health risk arising with consumption of particularly Macrolepiota procera, Marasmius oreades and Russula vesca from the observed area was demonstrated. It was shown that average weekly consumption of tested mushrooms species results the threat of exceeding of PTWI limits in the case of cadmium values (by 164%, 86% and 4% of PTWI for M. oreades, R. vesca and R. puellaris, respectively) and of mercury (by 96% of PTWI for M. procera) but not lead.

Quality Attributes and Sensory Acceptance of Different Botanical Coffee Co-Products.

Coffee processing is a major contributor to the creation of food and product waste. Using coffee co-products can play an essential role in addressing environmental problems and issues with nutritionally unbalanced foods, population growth, and food-related diseases. This research aimed to determine the quality and sensory parameters (aw, pH, dry matter, TAC, TPC, fat, fatty acids profile, fiber, caffeine, chlorogenic acids, color, and sensory analysis) of different botanical origins of cascara (coffee husks) and silverskin (thin layer). The results of this study show that silverskin and cascara are a good source of TAC (1S 58.17 ± 1.28%, 2S 46.65 ± 1.20%, 1C 36.54 ± 1.84%, 2C 41.12 ± 2.11%). Cascara showed the presence of polyphenols (2C 49.135 g GAE·kg-1). Coffee co-products are good sources of fiber. Silverskin had higher values of caffeine than cascara. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidic acids were the most represented acids in the samples. Given the obtained results, cascara can be considered "low-fat" (1C 4.240 g·kg-1 and 2C 5.4 g·kg-1). Based on the sensory evaluation, no sample reached the acceptable index value of 70%. Understanding the link between the character, identification properties, and composition of coffee co-products of different botanical origins can enable their application in the food industry.

Impact of old environmental burden in the Spis region (Slovakia) on soil and home-grown vegetable contamination, and health effects of heavy metals.

Due to several centuries of ongoing mining activities, Middle Spis (Slovakia) is one of the areas with a damaged environment. The contents of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg were determined in the soils and home-grown vegetables (potatoes, carrots, tomatoes). Except for Pb, the contents of heavy metals in the soils of some plots were higher than the limit values. Based on the values of Contamination factor (Cf), Degree of contamination (Cdeg), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and Pollution load index (PLI), very high Fe, Cd, and Hg contamination (Cf ≥ 6), very high soil contamination (Cdeg ≥ 20), extremely heavy Fe and Hg contamination (Igeo > 5), resp. moderately pollution to non-pollution (1 < PLI ≤ 2) was found in all plots. In vegetable samples, the maximum levels were exceeded for Cu, Pb, Hg (potato), Pb (carrot, tomato), and Hg (carrot, plot E). Bioaccumulation factor values BAF > 1 were for Cu (carrots, potatoes). Estimated daily intake values for all heavy metals were lower than their tolerable daily intake. Chronic daily intake of heavy metals ranged 2.495E-06 (Hg)-0.1416 (Fe) mg/kg/day. Based on Hazard index values, potato consumption poses a risk (0.8068-1.3057). The results showed that the monitoring of soils and cultivated production is necessary for the investigated area.

Hygienic quality of soil in the Gemer region (Slovakia) and the impact of risk elements contamination on cultivated agricultural products.

The Gemer region (Slovakia) belongs to areas with a high concentration of risk elements. The contents of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg and Mn were determined in soils and cultivated agricultural production from lands in three cadastres of the Gemer region (Henckovce (48.713845, 20.426189) and Nizná Slaná (48.717373, 20.4208423), cultivated crop-spring triticale; Gemerská Poloma (48.704523, 20.487645), cultivated crop-maize). Bioavailable forms of Pb (0.306-0.532 mg/kg) and Cd (0.104-0.154 mg/kg), pseudototal forms of Cd (3.07-3.98 mg/kg) and Hg (0.484-2.18 mg/kg) represented the highest risk in soils. The highest contents of Pb (Cd, Hg) were in maize from Gemerská Poloma: 0.898 (0.081, 0.399) mg/kg DM. Soils were classified based on several indicators of soil contamination. The highest values of indicators are: Contamination factor (Cf 29.1-Hg), Degree of contamination (Cdeg 51.5), Potential ecological risk factor (Er 1163-Hg), Potential ecological risk index (RI 1,520), Pollution load index (PLI 4.76), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo 5.60-Hg). All indicators concerned the lands of Henckovce and Gemerská Poloma, RI also concerned the land of Nizná Slaná. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated to assess the plant's ability to absorb the risk element. For both crops and all risk elements, BAF values were < 1. Obtained results indicate heavy metal contamination of soils, therefore monitoring of soils in investigated area is necessary.

Concentrations of Phenolic Acids Are Differently Genetically Determined in Leaves, Flowers, and Grain of Common Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench).

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a valuable source of proteins, B vitamins, manganese, tryptophan, phytochemicals with an antioxidant effect, and the natural flavonoid rutin. Due to its composition, buckwheat supports the human immune system, regulates blood cholesterol, and is suitable for patients with diabetes or celiac disease. The study aimed to compare the allocation of selected phenolic acids (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans-p-coumaric acid, trans-sinapic acid, trans-ferulic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, vitexin, quercetin, kaempferol) in the leaves, flowers, and grain of buckwheat cultivars of different origin. The content of individual phenolics was determined by the HPLC-DAD method. The results confirmed the determining role of cultivar on the relative content of chlorogenic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans-sinapic acid, vitexin, and kaempferol in buckwheat plants. A significantly negative correlation among concentrations of phenolic acids in different common buckwheat plant parts shows that there are different mechanisms of genetic influences on the concentration of phenolic substances in common buckwheat flowers, leaves, and grain. These differences should be taken into account when breeding buckwheat for a high concentration of selected phenolic substances.

The temperature threshold for the transformation of rutin to quercetin in Tartary buckwheat dough.

The aim was to determine conditions under which rutin can be retained during production of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) dough. Tartary buckwheat flour was hydrothermally treated by mixing with water at 25, 40, 60, 80 and 95 °C, with unprocessed Tartary buckwheat flour as control. With hydrothermal treatments at 25, 40 and 60 °C, most of the rutin was transformed to quercetin. However, for hydrothermal treatments at 80 and 95 °C, rutin was retained due to denaturation of the rutin-degrading enzymes during hydrothermal treatment. This is the first report to describe a temperature threshold for denaturation of rutin-degrading enzymes in any buckwheat material. Tartary buckwheat dough produced at 95 °C contained 12 mg rutin/g dry matter. Based on these characteristics, dough from hydrothermally treated Tartary buckwheat is a promising, rutin-rich functional food material.