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Peat-based and peat-free (compost) materials were tested in a vegetable forcing experiment with Danubia green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Stability and quality of humic substances and the turnover of different nitrogen forms was determined in the studied media during the vegetation period. The main objective was to find how the degree of humification might influence the productivity of a crop under greenhouse conditions. The highest humus stability and humus stability coefficient values were detected in the green waste compost. Among different peat media, the low-moor peat was more humificated than the mixture of low-moor and high-moor peat. When the medium is more humificated it has a larger mobile nitrogen reserve. However, the structure stability decreases with the increasing humification. The mixture of two types of peat had the most favourable effect on nitrogen supply and the yield of pepper was the highest when grown on this medium. The nitrogen supplying ability of the examined compost was excellent but its structure stability deteriorated during the growing season.

In an Island of the Netherlands, Pine (Pinus nigra) was planted to stabilize the dunes and to protect the arable lands from the blowing sand. This research was conducted to understand the most important environmental factors responsible for a vegetation change in the Pine plantation and effect of this change on the rare orchid population: Goodyera repens and Listera cordata. Vegetation sampling was carried out according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociologic method within the three sites of this Island. Twinspan analysis confirmed the definition of three site types and redundancy analysis showed a significant difference between the pure Pine stands and the plots with regeneration. The results revealed that the most significant explanatory variables were litter cover, broadleaved tree cover, and shrub cover indicating the vegetation change under the Pine plantation. The abundance of Goodyera repens is strongly associated with the Pine forest and negatively related to broadleaved cover. Listera cordata could apparently cope with vegetation change. Controlling the herbaceous layer in the Pine plantation can promote the orchid population but on the contrary, promoting the natural regeneration of broadleaved species might endanger them.

The study described in this paper was undertaken in order to assess the impact of different woody plants on the dynamics of phenolic acids in soil. The influence of plant litter on the amount of phenolic compounds occurring in soils beneath several deciduous and coniferous tree species was examined in pot experiments. The contents of endogenous methanol soluble free and conjugated phenolic acids in Norway spruce, larch, rowan and two species of willow were determined. We focused on the dynamics of water-soluble and reversibly bound phenolic acid contents in the upper layers of soil substrates in pots after the cultivation of studied woody plants.

Cockchafers are among the most dreaded insect pests in many European countries, causing economic losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. In forests of south-western Germany, populations of the forest cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani) and also the field cockchafer (M. melolontha) have been increasing during the past three decades and, therefore, monitoring of these populations has been intensified. In the present field study, data on adult emergence from the soil, male swarming flights and female oogenesis, collected at three infestation sites by visual inspection, with soil eclectors and with light traps in early spring 2009-2011, are presented and discussed in the context of the current knowledge of cockchafer biology. Furthermore, three air temperature sum models for the prediction of the onset of the swarming flight period in spring, published in the early/mid 20^th century, were validated in view of their applicability in forestry practice.

We evaluated recreational and socioeconomic values of Masouleh forest park, north of Iran. Travel Cost Method (TCM) or Clawson method was used for evaluation. Therefore, 96 questionnaires were distributed among the visitors. The results indicated that the variables such as travel time to the park, travel costs, age and education were effective variables in using the park. The results show that there is a significant relation between travel time and the number of visitors whereas by increasing travel time the number of visitors decreased. Furthermore, there is a significant relation between the number of visitors as a dependent variable and travel costs whereas when the travel cost increases, the number of visitors decreases. Results indicated that the willingness to pay decreased by increasing the entrance fee. The models estimated an average willingness to pay 12,500 Iranian Rials per visit. The results also indicated that the average round trip travel cost was 85.5 (10,000 Iranian Rials).

The main goal of work was to compare the flight activity of Trypodendron lineatum, T. domesticum and T. laeve in Central Europe. Field trapping experiments were conducted in 70- to 100-year-old Norway spruce stands located at three study sites in the Czech Republic. At each study site five pheromone traps were used. Pheromone-baited, black, window-slot traps (Theysohn, Germany) were used. Traps were placed at log landing areas 10-15 m apart from the nearest forest edge. Each trap was baited with a standard synthetic pheromone lure, XL Ecolure (Fytofarm, Slovakia). Three species of Trypodendron were recorded. T. lineatum was the most abundant, followed by T. domesticum and T. laeve. Flight activity began at the end of March or in mid-April. Only one another peak of the flight activity of T. lineatum and T. domesticum was observed at one study site in May 2011. Statistically significant relationships were found between catches of all species with the exception of T. lineatum vs. T. laeve and T. domesticum vs. T. laeve at one site. Males were more abundant than females mainly in T. lineatum samples. On the other hand, T. domesticum and T. laeve abundances of males and females were more equal, but in all cases of all Trypodendron species these abundances were not significantly different at all sites.

The most common way of pedunculate oak regeneration on the floodplain sites in the Czech Republic is artificial regeneration by clear-cutting. However, what is the real potential of natural regeneration of pedunculate oak? In our research object (3,355 ha of floodplain forest in the southern part of the Czech Republic - Zidlochovice region), we inventoried about 8 ha of successful natural regeneration of pedunculate oak with density ranging between 15,000 and 100,000 individuals per ha on the plots after final cut. All harvested oak dominated parent stands showed a lower stock density that ranged between 0.5 and 0.8. In the next analysis of the survival of oak natural regeneration spontaneously established in different light conditions under the shelter of parent stands we observed the highest occurrence of saplings closer to the forest edge. A sufficient density of regeneration (above 10,000 individuals per ha) was found at the distance up to 18 m from the edge, where more than 24% of direct and 30% of indirect site factor were discovered. In the stand with the full canopy closure (DSF about 10% on average and ISF about 24%) the oak regeneration is missing and was replaced by other tree species (especially ash and field maple). In the examined area the natural regeneration of pedunculate oak should be one of the possible alternatives of floodplain forest regeneration if certain conditions are met.

Monitoring of species spectrum of true bugs (Heteroptera) on apple trees without pest management was conducted in 2010-2011. Two sites were selected - an abandoned orchard and a road alley near the village of Velké Bílovice (Břeclav district, Czech Republic). The capture of true bugs with a fogger device (Pulsfog) on five selected trees in each site was performed. The effective substance deltamethrin at concentration of 0.0025 g/l was applied to the tree crowns. Three collections (28/4, 20/5, and 9/7) in 2010 and two (11/5 and 23/6) in 2011 were done. Out of 55 detected species of true bugs, 43 species occurred in the alley and 29 in the orchard. Thirty-two species were predatory or partly predatory (58.18%), 22 species were phytophagous (40%), and one mycetophagous (1.82%).

Bromus tectorum is a highly invasive annual grass. The fungal pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda can kill a large fraction of B. tectorum seeds. Outcomes in this pathosystem are often determined by the speed of seed germination. In this paper we extend previous efforts to describe the pathosystem by characterising secondary dormancy acquisition of B. tectorum. In the laboratory approximately 80% of seeds incubated at -1.0 MPa became dormant. In the field, seeds were placed in the seed bank in late autumn, retrieved monthly and dormancy status determined. The field study confirmed the laboratory results; ungerminated seeds became increasingly dormant. Our data suggest that secondary dormancy is much more likely to occur at xeric sites.

Cylindrocladium buxicola is a fungal pathogen of Buxus spp. in Turkey; the pathogen was first noted in 2011 on the native populations of B. sempervirens in forests in Trabzon in the Black Sea region. Surveys conducted in November 2012 revealed a devastating impact of the pathogen on natural B. sempervirens populations, in which the trees were either dead or severely defoliated. The epidemic had spread 3-25 km along the river valleys near the Black Sea coast. Similar river valleys further inland were still free of infection or showed only the very first signs of arrival of the epidemic. The disease has recently been found also in nurseries. All isolates tested belonged to the G1 clade.

Acrylamide, a monomer with neurotoxic and potential carcinogenic effect, is formed via the Maillard reaction in heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods. The major acrylamide precursors are reducing sugars and the amino acid asparagine. The aim of this study was to analyse effects of nitrogen nutrition, leaf disease control, wheat genotype and their interactions on acrylamide precursors content in wheat flour. Asparagine content was generally increasing at higher nitrogen doses, and nitrogen dose increase from 0 to 180 kg/ha increased the asparagine content to about 250%. The highest asparagine levels were determined at early spring nitrogen application. In the year 2006 with high leaf disease infestation, fungicide treatment decreased asparagine content particularly at higher nitrogen doses. In 2007, the effect of leaf disease control did not express in respect of very low infestation level. Close relationship between protein content and free asparagine in wheat flour was determined when leaf disease stress (fungicide treatment) and drought stress (year) were constant. Asparagine content was strongly influenced by wheat genotype and the differences between genotypes exceeded 200%. Effect of higher intensity was lower as compared to nitrogen nutrition, with regard to compensatory effect of fungicide treatments. Glucose content in wheat flour decreased both with fungicide treatment and total intensity level. Nitrogen dose increased glucose content up to 120 kg N/ha. Higher nitrogen doses decreased glucose content to initial level.

The present study was undertaken to quantify changes in the status of soil nutrients, their depletion and build-up after continuous long intensive cropping for last 36 years in a permanent manorial trial which has been in progress since 1972 in an alfisol of western Himalayas. The rotation was maize-wheat which included various combinations of N, P, K, Zn and FYM (farmyard manure). Continuous cultivation influenced pH, OC (organic carbon), available N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus) and K (potassium). An increase in the status of organic carbon was observed in 100% NPK + FYM treatments for more than three decades from initial value of 7.9 to 12.0 g/kg. The use of either FYM or lime alongwith 100% NPK sustained crop productivity or improved nutrient status. However, imbalanced use of nutrients i.e. NP or N alone is adversely affecting the fertility of soil by aggravating the problem of soil acidity. Application of S free P fertilizer DAP (diammonium phosphate) drastically reduced the yield of both the crops. Thus, continuous use of balanced fertilizers is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of crops.

Subsoil compaction can result in unfavourable soil physical conditions and hinder the root growth of maize. The effects of deep tillage and conventional tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize were studied during 2010-2011 at two sites (loam at Hebi and clay at Luohe) in central China. The results showed that soil penetration resistance, bulk density, water content and root length density were significantly affected by tillage, soil depth and year. Deep tillage had lower penetration resistance and lower soil bulk density, but higher soil water content than conventional tillage across years and depths. Averaged over the whole soil profile, deep tillage not only significantly decreased penetration resistance and soil bulk density, but significantly increased soil water content and root length density on loam, while deep tillage only significantly increased the root length density on clay. We conclude that deep tillage on the loam is more suitable for the root growth of summer maize.

The effects of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on P loss potential, soil Olsen-P and neutral phosphatase activities in paddy soils fertilized with superphosphate or pig manure (PM) were evaluated in this paper. Data were collected from a field experiment in the Tai Lake Basin, China. Superphosphate rates were 0, 17.5, 26.7, and 35.0 kg P/ha, and PM rates were 0, 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8 t/ha for each crop, respectively. Soil Olsen-P in the plow layer increased to a greater extent with PM than with superphosphate. Pig manure increased neutral phosphatase activities in the plow layer compared with PM-free treatment. In contrast, superphosphate inhibited neutral phosphatase activities compared with superphosphate-free treatment. Spring application of P fertilizer markedly increased the total P of surface water in November (< 0.01 vs. 0.10 mg/L) compared with P-free treatment. The total P of shallow groundwater at a 75 cm depth was ~0.01 mg/L. Phosphorus fertilizer did not influence Olsen-P or neutral phosphatase activities under the plow layer. Downward movement of P did not occur. Appropriate rate of P application of 26.2 kg P/ha for each crop in this soil reduced the risk of P loss in the paddy wetland ecosystem.

How light conditions affect development of park grasslands is a question that has not been satisfactory addressed. The aim of this study was therefore determination of the level to which unfavorable light conditions influence grassy parks area and relationships between parameters which determine state of turf grasses. Researches were conducted in two parks in Warsaw, in various light conditions and included measurement of: leaf density, sward height, leaf area index (LAI), and botanical composition of the communities. The leaf density of shaded areas did not exceed 70%. LAI value varied from 0.5 to 0.9-fold lower than in the areas in half-shade and in sun. The participation of basic lawn species at Skaryszewski Park was higher under shade, while at Łazienki Królewskie was higher in full-sunlight areas. The state of tested grassy areas in limited solar radiation does not satisfy the requirements of recreational and representational functions. The development processes of vegetation coverage were inhibited at the sites of lower solar radiation. LAI was influenced by both leaf coverage and sward height. Agrostis stolonifera and Poa trivialis may be recommended to create grass areas under limited solar radiation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrogen (N) efficiency from different organic and mineral fertilizers applied to the spring barley. Dry matter yield, N content and N uptake of spring barley from 16 years of experiments at two sites in the Czech Republic with different soil and climatic conditions were analyzed. For assessing of nitrogen efficiency nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE, kg/kg), recovery efficiency of applied N (%), agronomic efficiency of applied N (kg/kg) and summary N balances (ΣΔN, kg/ha) were observed. Six fertilization treatments were utilized: no fertilization (control); sewage sludge; farmyard manure (FYM); N in mineral fertilizers (N); NPK in mineral fertilizers (NPK) and N in mineral fertilizers + straw (N + ST). Yields were about 68% higher at NPK (S1 site) and 55% at N + ST (S2 site) in comparison with control. The highest NUtE was recorded at both locations after application of FYM. Higher NUtE from mineral fertilizers was obtained at low productive S1 site. At both sites a trend of decreasing ΣΔN over time was observed. At both sites a trend of decreasing negative N balance was observed. At lower productive site the decline of N balance was minimized for mineral fertilizers treatments in last experimental years. At higher productive site the differences between treatments with mineral nitrogen and control were lower and the decline of N balance continued over all 16 years of experiment duration.

In the Czech Republic, negative potassium (K) budget in agricultural soils is caused by non-fertilization by K and by a decline of manure application. We investigated soil available, fixed (acid-extractable, K_fix) and structural K pools in the field trial with graduated K application rate, established in 1972 at 8 sites of different climate and soils. The content of K-bearing minerals was evaluated on semi-quantitative scale by XRD diffraction. K-feldspars were a dominant source of structural K. Total soil K consisted of 1.7-7.1% of fixed K, which was in a positive relation to mixed-layer phyllosilicates. Differences in available K in treatments with K budget lower than -30 kg K/ha/year were small compared to those of fixed K. In control treatments, calculated average depletion of available K was -18 kg K/ha/year and the average depletion of fixed K was -12 kg K/ha/year; however at sites of higher altitude fixed K depletion prevailed. Fixed K accounted for 6-31% of the K budget. In negative K budget, monitoring of K_fix is advisable to avoid fertility loss of soil with low K supplying capacity.

Noccaea caerulescens (NC) and Arabidopsis halleri (AH) were studied to compare cadmiunm (Cd) accumulation and resistance. After 30, 60 and 90 days of plant cultivation in Cd contaminated soil (Cd1 = 30, Cd2 = 60 and Cd3 = 90 mg Cd/kg soil) amino acids were determined in plants. The comparison between both species showed that Cd stress resulted in different changes of amino acids levels playing a significant role in plant adaptation to Cd stress. Our analyses indicated higher accumulations of amino acids in the roots of NC compared to AH. Contrasting responses of plants to Cd contamination were confirmed in methionine metabolism. Methionine was determined only in roots of AH after 30 and 60 days of plant cultivation. Free methionine content decreased with increasing Cd contamination (Cd3 treatment - 40% decrease compared to the control treatment). Our results also showed that NC contains more than 10-fold higher content of histidine than AH. These observations indicated that this amino acid may be involved in Cd resistance and accumulation by reducing oxidative damage. Tryptophan plays a major role in the regulation of plant development and in defense responses. Its significant increase for NC treatments in contrast to AH treatments was determined.

The efforts to introduce the micro irrigation system in Iran go back as far as the year 1990. The area under micro irrigation system in Iran covers about 400 000 ha and it is estimated to double (800 000 ha) during the next five years. The field performance of micro irrigation systems was studied in ten Iranian sites. Physical, chemical, and biological analyses of water samples derived from each site included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, and bacterial number (BN). In this study relative emitter discharge (R), percentage of completely clogged emitters (P_clog), emission uniformity (EU), absolute uniformity emission (EU_a), statistical uniformity (Us), coefficient of variation due to emitter performance in the field (V_pf), and sector emission uniformity (EUs) were evaluated. Results showed that performance of micro irrigation systems in Iran is low and poor. Average EU, Us, and V_pf values in different sites were 52.8, 61.3, and 38.2%, respectively. Most frequent problems detected in irrigation units were: inadequate working pressure, emitters clogging, and lacking farmers' training.

The aims of the present study were (i) to evaluate trends in runoff from small forested catchments of the GEOMON (GEOchemical MONitoring) network during the period 1994-2011, and (ii) to estimate the impact of anticipated climate change projected by ALADIN-Climate/CZ regional climate model coupled to ARPEGE-Climate global circulation model and forced with IPCC SRES A1B emission scenario on flow patterns in the periods 2021-2050 and 2071-2100. There were no general patterns found indicating either significant increases or decreases in runoff on either seasonal or annual levels across the investigated catchments within 1994-2011. Annual runoff is projected to decrease by 15% (2021-2050) and 35% (2071-2100) with a significant decrease in summer months and a slight increase in winter months as a result of expected climate change as simulated by the selected climate model.

Industrial activities in the Czech Republic have brought into existence many degraded and contaminated sites. Such areas are not suitable for farming, building or recreation purposes. The necessary reclamation is typically very expansive. In this study, the contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to estimate the public's willingness to pay for soil reclamation, and also to find out the desire of habitants to live in a good environment with respect to soil quality, and generally to improve the publics awarness of soil protection. This study can help to improve understanding of the local public willingness to pay for reclamation of degradated land protection and can provide useful information for an effective land protection programme. The study was carried out on the locality of Březové Hory - a part of the old mining town Příbram. The chosen locality was used for the placement and storage of residual material after mining, but also includes different soils, which have been transported here as useless material. After the reclamation of a part of the locality, a forest park has been established. A random questionnaire survey was conducted with local resident and as well as holiday makers. The results of the survey indicated that protection of cultivated land was important to the local public. The mean willingness to contribute to reclamation of degraded and contaminated lands in Březové Hory was expressed as the following amount of money: 36.64 CZK (1.4 €) per habitant. The findings calculated suggested that the costs of reclamation of landfill soils on Březové Hory totaled 1528 CZK/m². The results of the survey also showed that the willingness to pay increased according to the dependence on income, the gender and also residential address of respondents. The results have not confirmed the dependence on education. In order to increase the hypothetical willingness to pay, an increase of public awareness of soil degradation and harmful effects on the environment is necessary. Furthermore, it was shown that the market valuation of land can not be used for soil protection purposes.

The giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, is of interest to wild-life managers, veterinarians and researchers, due to its unusual body size (3-10 cm), high pathogenic potential and because it is continuously spreading to new areas, especially in Europe. Annually, the number of cases of animal infections (mainly cervids and bovids) caused by this fluke is monitored in many European countries, including the Czech Republic (with some foci of prevalence over 90%). During the years 2009 and 2010, 1622 survey forms focused on monitoring of fascioloidosis were distributed in the community of "Czech Inspectors of Hunted Game" (CIHG), and 21.3% of forms containing positive or negative response about F. magna occurrence were returned. The administrative units monitored by particular CIHG, who answered the forms, were geographically equally distributed and therefore we believe that also the recorded distribution of F. magna in wild-life animals reflects the real situation in the Czech Republic. A significant number of cases of F. magna infection were repeatedly reported from areas in the south-west part of the Czech Republic. Moreover, our report contains also some unique records of several new F. magna foci in the western (close to the German border), northern (close to the Polish border) and central parts of the Czech Republic, supporting the assumption that the parasite is spreading further throughout Europe. In five game administrative units F. magna infection was directly confirmed by examination of dissected deer livers or by microscopic examination of coprological samples, followed by isolation of DNA from adults and eggs and further molecular analyses. Fascioloides magna intermediate host snails (Galba truncatula and Radix spp.) were collected during 2009 and 2010 from different localities of the Czech Republic, kept in aquaria, examined for shedding of F. magna cercariae, dissected and parasite/snail DNA was isolated. After PCR with specific primers for parasite/snail internal transcribed region number two (ITS-2) the obtained sequences confirmed identification of the following species: F. magna, G. truncatula, R. peregra, R. lagotis, R. labiata and R. auricularia. Although it has been demonstrated that the number of areas with positive cases of fascioloidosis is still growing, the risk of pathogenic impact of F. magna on populations of free-living animals and farming cervids/bovids is generally underestimated.

The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma amino acid profiles and their interrelationships in male Polish Merino sheep at two different stages of their systemic development - at the neonatal monogastric stage and as a fully grown ruminant. Male lambs (n = 12, singles) were kept indoors in pens under standard rearing conditions and weaned at the age of 10 weeks of life. Blood samples were collected on day 21 and 150 of life. Free amino acids were determined in plasma using ion-exchange chromatography. There was a significant reduction in plasma amino acid concentrations between neonatal and functioning ruminants for threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, citrulline, tyrosine, tryptophan, lysine, histidine and arginine. Significant increases in the plasma concentrations of alpha-amino-butyrate and isoleucine were observed in 150 day old lambs. Except for glutamine in 21 day old sheep which was significantly negatively correlated with serine, glutamate, proline and tyrosine concentrations in plasma, the obtained results in younger and older groups of lambs showed 47 and 22 significant positive correlations between the evaluated amino acids. This study shows that decreases in plasma amino acid concentrations in 150 day old sheep with physiologically developed forestomachs are dominant in comparison to 21 day-old animals receiving maternal milk as a basic diet. Our results address the possibility of utilising improved amino acid supply for growing lambs with developed forestomachs.

The paper aims at the overview of the main approaches of state support implemented by developed and developing countries and the assessment of their distorting influences on the trade with agricultural commodities. The current state of state support is analyzed on the examples of EU-27, the USA and Japan. The experiences of developing countries are summarized on the examples of China, Russia and the CIS countries. State support tools are grouped according to the WTO classification. The alternative classification is implemented in order to compare the distorting effects caused by the state support. The EPACIS model is implemented to analyze the effects of trade liberalization for the distribution of agricultural commodities and trade policies in developing countries. The model is adjusted in order to assess the effects of state support for the production and trade with agricultural commodities in developing countries, recently accessed the WTO (the case of Russia). Imitation calculations allow formulating policies for the developing agricultural markets depending on the degrees of their sensitivity to foreign trade regulations and domestic support.

Green finance is a core part of the low carbon green growth, because it connects the financial industry, environmental improvement and economic growth. The objective of this paper is to study the green finance and to validate the concept as feasible in the Indian industries for balancing the ecological depreciation due to the assimilation of carbon gases in atmosphere. Green Finance is a market-based investing or lending program that factors environmental impact into risk assessment, or utilizing environmental incentives to drive business decisions. Therefore, the paper also discusses the recent trends and the future opportunities and challenges in green finance in the emerging India. Green investing recognizes the value of the environment and its natural capital and also seeks to improve the human well-being and social equity while reducing environmental risks and improving the ecological integrity.

The aim of the paper is to describe the land ownership relations in the area of the current Czech Republic since the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The description of the history of changes of land ownership in the Czech Republic is important for the perception of the current nature of the land use and land market. Land use and ownership was always related to the historical context and political regime. The time periods are divided by the important historical events: after 1918 (foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic), 2nd World War period, after 1948 (takeover of the power by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the centrally planned economy period) and after 1989 (foundation of the market economy). During this era, three land reforms took place. The main role was played by the political apparatus the aim of which was to enhance its economic and political influence, and international interests. It can be concluded that the ownership of land in the Czech lands was always uneven. During the period, the state expropriated land from different society spheres and reallocated it to others. No other property in private ownership underwent so many ownership changes in the legal organization of the state.

The aim of this work was to characterise influence of whey proteins-pectin interaction on emulsification properties of whey. As the first, structural characteristics of pectin-protein complexes were evaluated for pure β-lactoglobulin by both dynamic light scattering method for measuring of the particle size distributions and Doppler laser electrophoresis for measuring the ξ-potential (surface electrical potential) of particles. In mixed pectin-β--lactoglobulin systems, it was observed that the addition of pectin prevent from the protein-protein interaction, which caused production of huge protein aggregates (2000-2500 nm) at pH values near β--lactoglobulin isoelectric point and at temperatures near its denaturation temperature. However, these protei-pectin complexes had large hydrodynamic diameters (monomodal size distribution at 350 and 1000 nm for high esterified and low esterified amidated pectin, resp.), which can slow down their diffusion to the oil-water interface in emulsions. The ξ -potential values indicated improvement of colloid stability by addition of pectin. The evaluation of the influence of the protein-pectin interaction on emulsification properties was performed by the determination of a surface weighted mean (D [3,2]) of oil droplets in o/w emulsions measured by the laser diffraction, further by microscope observations, the determination of emulsion free oil content and observations of creaming. The emulsifying properties were influenced by the pectin addition, more negatively by the high esterified than by the low esterified amidated pectin addition.

This work aimed at analysing bread extracts obtained under headspace and artificial mouth conditions in order to study the reactions responsible for bread flavour quality. Selected extraction conditions were first compared according to the odour and aroma representativeness of the bread extracts. The optimal conditions were then applied to extract volatiles of a conventional gluten bread formulation and an innovative gluten-free bread formulation. Results reveal that an extraction duration of 10 min in the artificial mouth was sufficient to obtain a representative aroma extract. Yet, 30 min of headspace extraction were necessary to obtain a representative odorant extract. The comparison between these both extracts shows that significantly higher quantities of bread compounds were extracted with artificial mouth. This innovative device could thus be used to better understand the mechanisms involved in the formation of those volatiles that are responsible for the perceived bread odour and aroma.

The differentiation of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. on the species level (C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. upsalien-sis) was provided. Identification is based on different banding patterns obtained for individual species during simple multiplex PCR where regions within the 23S rRNA gene are amplified using newly designed specific forward primers.

The water of the breads was replaced with phenolic aqueous extracts from chicory, cabbage, celery, fennel, olive leaf, or grape marc wastes obtained through microwave-assisted extraction. The highest phenolic concentrations were found in the grape marc and in the bread enriched with it. The highest antioxidant activity values were measured in the crust of bread produced with the grape marc extract and in the crumb of bread with olive leaf extract. Generally, the replacement of water caused significant decreases of the specific volume, the shift of the crumb colour towards redder and yellower tones, and modification of gustatory and tactile attributes.