Nutritional Values of Minikiwi Fruit (Actinidia arguta) after Storage: Comparison between DCA New Technology and ULO and CA.

The dietary properties of minikiwi make them, along with other fruits and vegetables, suitable as the basis for many slimming and pro-health diets. Prolonging the availability of minikiwi can be provided by different storage technologies. This experiment focused on evaluating the effect of various O2 and CO2 concentrations, i.e., low-oxygen atmosphere (DCA, 0.4% CO2:0.4% O2; ULO, 1.5% CO2:1.5% O2) or high-CO2 (CA, 5% CO2:1.5% O2) storage, in order to provide the consumer with fruits with comparable high nutritional values. Evaluation gave the basic characteristics of the fruits that characterize their health-promoting properties, i.e., total polyphenols (TPC), phenolic acids and flavonols, antioxidant activity (AA), monosaccharides, and acid content. The atmosphere with a higher CO2 content of 5% (CA) effectively influenced the high value of ascorbic acid even after 12 weeks of storage. DCA technology contributed to a significant inhibition of phenol loss but not as effectively as CA technology. In contrast, glucose and fructose contents were found to be significantly higher after storage in ULO or DCA, while sucrose content was more stable in fruit stored in CA or DCA. CA technology conditions stabilized the citric acid content of minikiwi, while DCA technology was less effective in inhibiting acid loss. The nutritional value of the fruit after storage in CA or DCA was not significantly reduced, which will allow the supply of fresh minikiwi fruit to be extended and provide a valuable component of the human diet.

Assessment of the impact of innovative fertilization methods compared to traditional fertilization in the cultivation of highbush blueberry.

The aim of the research was to evaluate fertilization technologies for the indicators of the quality and quantity of highbush blueberry yield. In the experiment, a similar level of mineral fertilization was used in all treatments. The experiment was to show the differences between fertilization with biostimulation and without biostimulation. The research was carried out in two seasons (2019-2020) on ´Bluecrop` shrubs growing in the Blueberry Experimental Field in central Poland (51° 55'42.7 "N 20° 59'28.7" E). Shrubs grow at a distance of 1 x 3 m. Plants are rejuvenated every year in spring and irrigated by drip. The experiment was carried out in a random block design (4 fertilizer treatments x 5 replications x 6 bushes). The experiment assessed the effect of fertilization on yield, berry mass, fruit setting, leaf surface and physicochemical parameters of fruit. Based on the conducted research, it was proved that the applied fertilization technologies had a significant impact on the size and quality of the yield of "Bluecrop" highbush blueberry. Particularly noteworthy is the fertilization technology with biostimulation (treatment T4), which has a positive effect on the yield, fruit mass, percentage of setting and firmness of the berries. Analysis of the issue in the light of the results of the conducted research shows that the use of biostimulated products has an important impact on the intensification of production while maintaining good quality of fruits. Through research, the positive effect of fertilization programs with biostimulation (treatment T4) on the most important production parameters of blueberry fruit from the producer's point of view has been proven.

Influence of Rootstock on Yield Quantity and Quality, Contents of Biologically Active Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Regent Grapevine Fruit.

The cultivation of vines in temperate climates poses many difficulties to be overcome. The soil and climatic conditions in Poland limit the choice of vine varieties that can be used in the field; therefore, growers are often limited to varieties that are tolerant to extreme winter temperatures and spring frosts and to cultivars that are able to achieve optimum berry maturity at the end of the season. The study evaluated the effect of six rootstock types and own-root bushes on yield quantity and quality and on the content of biologically active compounds and antioxidant activity in Regent grapevine fruit. The research was conducted in 2015 at NOBILIS Vineyard (50°39' N; 21°34' E) in the Sandomierz Upland. Among the evaluated rootstocks, 125AA turned out to exert the significantly best effect on the yield, grape and berry weight, and number of grapes per bush. The fruit from bushes grafted on the 5BB rootstock were characterised by the highest content of L-ascorbic acid and tannins.

Effect of Hormonization Treatment on Yield Quantity and Quality, Contents of Biologically Active Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity in 'Einset Seedless' Grapevine Fruits and Raisins.

In this study, we determined the effect of hormonization treatment on yield quantity and quality, content of biologically active compounds, and antioxidant activity in fruits and raisins of 'Einset Seedless' grapevine. Field studies were conducted in 2017 at Nobilis Vineyard (50°39' N; 21°34' E) in the Sandomierz Upland. Analytical studies were carried out in the Laboratory of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Hormonized fruits and raisins, which were dried at 40 °C in a food dryer for 7 days, were the experimental material. It was shown that the application of the hormonization treatment had a significant effect on yield size and quality. The hormonization treatment and the form of plant material analyzed had a significant effect on the content of biologically active compounds and the antioxidant activity in 'Einset Seedless' grapevine fruits and raisins. The concentration of applied gibberellic acid had a significant effect on the levels of acidity, content of anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity determined with the FRAP and DPPH methods. The application of the multivariate analysis technique showed that, in the fresh fruits and raisins, the level of biologically active compounds and antioxidant activity in the case of the 200 mg∙GA3∙L-1 concentration and in the control combination was similar but differed significantly in the case of the 300 mg∙GA3∙L-1 application.

The pump-mixed anaerobic digestion of pig slurry: new technology and mathematical modeling.

Biogas production is a relatively novel and developing branch of the renewable fuel sector, which allows agricultural waste, and more, to be used as a feedstock. New technologies have been integrated into the process to improve its efficiency. In this study, a pump-mixed anaerobic digestion concept is considered for both experimental and modeling approaches. The experiment included a total of nine configurations with the same geometry (140 dm3 of total reactor volume) but different hydraulic retention times and mixing intervals. The measurements were used to create and optimize a mathematical model. The complete-stirring assumption, which underlies most anaerobic digestion (AD) simulations, is no longer valid in this case. Thus, the novel concept is developed by assuming that the liquid phase is split into three separate sections, which approximates the concentration gradient in a real reactor. This method allows partial differential equations to be avoided, which could potentially affect the calculation efficiency. The final mean accuracy of the model in the tested range was estimated to be 86.60% while, in selected parts of the scope, was close to 90%. The pump-mixed anaerobic digestion technique in the experiment achieved high production performance (above 8 dm3 of product per 1 dm3 of feedstock) while maintaining a high methane content (approximately 65%). The comparison between the reactor stirred by an impeller, and the pump-mixed, indicated that the proposed configuration ensures better production stability. Additionally, it was possible to achieve a higher biogas production rate with the same feedstock concentration.

Effect of Buckwheat Groats Processing on the Content and Bioaccessibility of Selected Minerals.

Adequate supply of minerals in the diet is necessary for the proper functioning of the human body. In recent years gluten-free diet, which rigorous forms may lead to deficiencies of mineral components (especially Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu), is becoming more and more popular. Buckwheat grains do not contain gluten, and their nutritional value is very high. They are often consumed in the form of groats, which are obtained from roasted and dehulled seeds. The purpose of the work was to determine how conducting the buckwheat groats production in industrial conditions affects the content and availability of magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper. The results indicated that husk removal had a particularly adverse effect on the total manganese content and its amount released by enzymatic digestion, whereas it had a positive effect on the post-digestion zinc level by increasing it by nearly half. Hydrothermal processes especially affected the release of analysed elements simulated by the in vitro method, and the extent of changes depended on the processing parameters. It was shown that bioaccessibility of minerals may be increased by treating buckwheat at a lower temperature for a short time, which has a particularly beneficial effect on the manganese and magnesium. Treating grains at a higher temperature reduces the bioaccessibility of all analysed elements, which was particularly noted for zinc and copper. Based on the obtained results, it should be stated that buckwheat groats should be a regular part of human diet, because they are a good source of easily digestible mineral compounds. Their consumption should be especially considered by people on a rigorous gluten-free diet, as they can prevent mineral deficiencies associated with its use.

Fatty Acid Profile in Edible Eggs of Snails from the Cornu Genus.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the content of fatty acids in eggs harvested from two edible subspecies of Polish-bred common garden snail from the Cornu genus, as well as this content in the retail-ready product obtained from these eggs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material for the study consisted of eggs from two subspecies of edible snails: the small (Cornu aspersum aspersum), and large (Cornu aspersum maxima) common garden snails. The eggs studied were in two forms, the first of which had undergone initial processing to the half-product stage and the second of which was the final product available on the Polish market under the name "Snail Eggs". The gas chromatography method was used to determine the content of fatty acids. RESULTS: More than 75% of the studied fats were saturated fatty acids, dominated by palmitic and stearic acids. The average content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was 0.37%, and it was a combination of two acids: linoleic (C18:2n6c), and its trans isomer (C18:2n6t). No significant differences were found comparing individual fatty acids content between the two species' eggs as half-products, or between the half-products and the final product. CONCLUSION: The fat in raw and processed eggs of common garden snails holds low nutritional value, and the processing did not affect the content of fatty acids.

Taurolidine as adjuvant treatment of relapsing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients. / Taurolidina como tratamiento adyuvante en casos de peritonitis recidivante en pacientes en diálisis peritoneal.

Relapsing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients is one of the complications that jeopardizes the continuity of the technique. It is often associated with the formation of biofilm in the lumen of the catheter. To date, its removal remains the only recommended attitude. Due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, taurolidine has been previously used for the sealing of central line catheters and hemodialysis. Despite the good results obtained, there is no evidence available regarding its utility in peritoneal dialysis. This case report describes the use of taurolidine (TauroLock™HEP500) in 5 patients with relapsing peritonitis after antibiotic treatment completion. Mean follow-up for the detection of recurrences was 13.4 months. In 4 patients with infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, eradication was achieved. In the remaining case, caused by Staphylococcus aureus, the taurolidine seal was ineffective and the removal of the catheter was required.

The Content of Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Strawberry Fruit (Fragaria vesca L.).

Chemical analyses carried out in 2011-2013 aimed at evaluating the contents of flavonoids, free phenolic acids, tannins, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (%) by means of DPPH radical neutralization ability in fresh and air-dried fruits of three wild strawberry cultivars. Examinations revealed differences in contents of biologically active substances determined in raw versus dried material depending on the cultivar. Mean concentrations of flavonoids and tannins were highest in raw fruits of "Baron von Solemacher" cv., which amounted to 1.244 mg·g(-1) and 6.09%, respectively. Fresh fruits of "Regina" cv. were characterized by the highest average content of phenolic acids and anthocyanins: 4.987 mg·g(-1) and 0.636 mg·100 g(-1). The pattern of mean contents of biologically active substances analyzed in air-dried fruits was similar. Significant differences in abilities to neutralize the DPPH radical to diphenylpicrylhydrazine by extracts made of examined wild strawberry fruits were also indicated.