Identification and investigation of barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) infection in winter wheat with conventional stress reactions and non-invasive biophoton emission parameters.

The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of barley powdery mildew infection on wheat via the evolution and dynamics of chloroplasts and oxidative processes based on in vivo measurements of ultra-weak photon emission, parallel measurement of chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content, and molecular identification of the pathogen. The results showed the temporal dynamics of the evolution of ultra-weak photon emission signals that were evidently different for healthy and powdery mildew-infested wheat leaves. In the dark, the ceasing of delayed fluorescence signal made it possible to visualize the ultra-weak luminescence signal as well. Both delayed fluorescence and ultra-weak luminescence signals were characteristic of stress symptoms induced by powdery mildew that was further strengthened by the changes of chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content as typical stress analytical parameters. The presented data and parameterization enabled the identification of stress induction due to powdery mildew infestation in wheat, which should be investigated in detail in the future for fine-tuning our measurements, even by using other species and increasing the length of the measurement in order to increase its specificity. The changes in R2 values are suitable for monitoring the changes of plant stress response. The measurement of fluorescence and luminescence leads to a greater comprehension of the underlying photon emission-related processes, both in general and in the case of powdery mildew infestation.

Evaluation of a Phytogenic Feed Supplement Containing Carvacrol and Limonene on Sheep Performance and Parasitological Status on a Hungarian Milking Sheep Farm.

There is currently worldwide interest in phytogenic feed supplements (PFSs) because they can lead to improved animal production. The scope of the present study was to observe the impact of a feed supplement containing carvacrol (CAR) and limonene (LIM) on the performance and parasitological status of sheep. The feed supplement decreased the plasma levels of ß-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.014), nonesterified fatty acids (p = 0.021), and fructosamine (p = 0.002) in lactating ewes after 42 days of supplementation, while the average live weight (p = 0.002) and average daily weight gain (p = 0.001) of their twin suckling lambs increased significantly by the end of the study. In another experiment, fattening lambs fed the same supplement showed a decrease in fecal egg number of gastrointestinal nematodes (p = 0.02) but no differences in live weight, average daily gain, or mean number of Haemonchus contortus nematodes in the abomasum. The results highlighted that the inclusion of carvacrol and limonene in the feed of lactating ewes effectively increased the weight gain of the suckling lambs, presumably due to the ewes' improved energy, but further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of carvacrol and limonene against gastrointestinal parasites.

Analytical and bioluminescence-based non-invasive quality assessment of differentially grown strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. 'Asia') during household refrigeration storage.

Strawberry is a typical spring fruit, for which consumer demand is particularly high; however, information is scarce on the comparison of quality traits of strawberries of local and imported origin during household refrigeration storage. That is why we sought to answer the question of to what extent the quality of strawberries changes during 5 days of household refrigeration storage. The choice of methods was focused on fast and at the same time informative analytical methods: pH, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid oxidation. Furthermore, a non-invasive imaging technique: ultra-weak bioluminescence measurement was carried out along with the determination of fruit morphological (weight, height, width, and color) and analytical (antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation) traits. The data indicate that the longer strawberries are cultivated in the same plantation, the smaller their fruit weight and the lower their fruit quality become. In addition, the results cast light on a controversial fact: despite the fact that the sample from the store had the finest appearance, as determined, its antioxidant capacity was the lowest for the duration of home refrigeration storage, indicating the lowest nutritional value.This was validated by the lipid oxidation levels, which were defined by the amount of malondialdehyde as well as by the rate of ultra-weak bioluminescence. The research underlines the exceptional value of local fruits over importand provides valuable information to customers, encouraging them to purchase strawberries from local farms in order to not only support the local economy but also to adopt a more health-conscious attitude. In addition, ultra-weak bioluminescence testing offers a non-invasive method for assessing fruit quality.

Effects of Surface Treatment with Thymol on the Lipid Oxidation Processes, Fatty Acid Profile and Color of Sliced Salami during Refrigerated Storage.

The oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and the adverse transformation of pigments from meat and spices are the primary causes of chemical degradation in processed meat products. Thymol is found in a variety of plant extracts that have been proven to effectively inhibit or slow down oxidative processes. The objective of our study was to determine whether thymol treatment of the surface of sliced paprika salami could be applied to inhibit lipid oxidation and color change during refrigerated storage. During eight weeks of storage, the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the ratios of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and n6/n3 in thymol-treated salami remained unchanged (p ≥ 0.05), whereas in the controls, the MDA levels increased by approximately twelvefold and the ratio of SFAs in the lipid fraction increased (p < 0.001), while the ratio of PUFAs decreased (p < 0.001). The application of thymol prevented decrease in yellowness (b*) of the slices and reduced decreases in redness (a*) and brightness (chroma).

The Administration Matrix Modifies the Beneficial Properties of a Probiotic Mix of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5.

Consumption of dairy products is one of the most natural ways to introduce probiotics. However, the beneficial effects of the probiotics might depend on the administration form. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial properties of two probiotic strains: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) in different administration forms (capsules and yogurt). First, in vitro resistance to gastrointestinal condition, surface properties, and immunomodulation capacities were determined. Then, the anti-inflammatory properties of the probiotic strains administrated on yogurt or capsules were tested in a dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis mouse model. The survival rates of BB-12 and LA-5 strains to gastrointestinal conditions were slightly higher when yogurt was used as carrier. They showed most affinity to hexane (no-polar basic solvent) than ethyl-acetate (polar basic solvent). BB-12 showed the higher binding capacity to HT-29, Caco-2, and mucin. Both probiotic candidates suppress the secretion of IL-8 secretion by HT-29-TNF-α stimulated cells. Finally, administration of BB-12 and LA-5 strains improve colitis in mice. They protect against weight loss, inflammation, and hyperpermeability induced by DNBS. However, these anti-inflammatory effects were limited when mice were treated with the probiotic strain on a yogurt matrix. Overall results indicate that BB-12 and LA-5 positive properties are compromised depending on the matrix. Consequently, the selection of an appropriate matrix is an important criterion to conserve the positive benefits of these probiotic strains.

Effect of cadmium stress on certain physiological parameters, antioxidative enzyme activities and biophoton emission of leaves in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings.

Biophoton emission is a well-known phenomenon in living organisms, including plant species; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet well elucidated. Nevertheless, non-invasive stress detection is of high importance when in plant production and plant research. Therefore, the aim of our work was to investigate, whether biophoton emission is suitable for the detection of cadmium stress in the early phase of stress evolution and to identify certain stress-related events that occur rapidly upon cadmium exposure of barley seedlings parallel to biophoton emission measurements. Changes of biophoton emission, chlorophyll content estimation index, ascorbate level, the activity of ascorbate- and guaiacol peroxidase enzymes and lipid oxidation were measured during seven days of cadmium treatment in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. The results indicate that the antioxidant enzyme system responded the most rapidly to the stress caused by cadmium and the lipid oxidation-related emission of photons was detected in cadmium-treated samples as early as one day after cadmium exposure. Furthermore, a concentration-dependent increase in biophoton emission signals indicating an increased rate of antioxidative enzymes and lipid oxidation was also possible to determine. Our work shows evidence that biophoton emission is suitable to identify the initial phase of cadmium stress effectively and non-invasively.