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Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) is the most industrial commercial tree species among more than 80 broadleaved trees and shrubs in Hyrcanian forests. In this study some of the silvicultural properties of beech were studied under a shelterwood cutting system in a regeneration unit of 25 years old stand in Sangdeh forests of Iran. Tree height, diameter, canopy cover, variety of species, frequency at different stages of growth (seedling, sapling, thicket and pole) and tree density at juvenile phase were recorded in 431 circular 1,000 m² sample plots before and after shelterwood cutting. Results indicated that tree density in the diameter at breast height (dbh) class of < 20 cm increased during shelterwood cutting. Canopy cover of regeneration unit was 78.5% in 1957, while in 2000 and after the shelterwood cutting it reached 59%. Growing stages of regeneration were 14% sapling, 21% thicket, 24% small pole and 41% pole. The shelterwood method has not been very successful in our study area due to a number of technical and potential problems.

Global trends in world economy intervene into each sector of national economy. In the article, we focused on the dairy industry. The research was oriented at the national market of dairy products with the goal to assess the current situation on the market with these commodities. According to the acquired data, we compiled an overview of the current situation in the market and we pointed out the direction that should be followed by producers. The implementation of information systems is a necessary requirement to increase competitiveness in accordance with the specifics of dairy production.

A downy mildew was observed on Buddleja × weyeriana Weyer ex Rehd. (B. davidii × globosa) cv. Sungold in a nursery in the northern part of the Czech Republic in July 2008. This downy mildew disease of Buddleja (Butterfly Bush) had been unknown in the country so far. Characteristics of visual symptoms and microscopic features are described. The morphology of the fungus was typical for Peronospora hariotii, conforming to the published description by GÄUMANN (1919). The sexual stage was not found. This is the first report of Peronospora hariotii causing leaf spot disease on Buddleja in the Czech Republic.

The heavy metal contents and their bioavailability were monitored in soils of Central Spiš region of SR. This area belongs to long term contaminated and hygienically loaded areas. Soil contamination by heavy metals is caused especially by ore mining, processing and treatment. Soil samples from the Central Spiš contained higher proportions of mobile forms which corresponded to the following sequence Pb > Zn > Cu, while for mobilizable forms the sequence of investigated metals was as follows: Cu > Zn > Pb. Soil pH is one of the parameters that affect significantly the share of bioavailable forms of metals. Higher proportions of mobile fractions of metals were detected in samples taken from soils with acidic pH. Statistical processing confirmed a relationship between the percentage share of lead and zinc in the mobile form and the level of pH/KCl, which was significant for Zn: r = -0.53. The relationships for lead and copper were insignificant.

Pig oocytes matured in vitro were parthenogenetically activated using nitric oxide donor SNAP (2mM). Continuous treatment successfully activated the oocytes only after more than 12 hours of exposure. Pulsatile treatments during which oocytes were repeatedly exposed to 2mM SNAP for a short time (10, 20 or 30 minutes) were more efficient with regard to the activation rate, even when the total exposure time did not exceed 4 hours. Parthenogenetic development was very limited after continuous treatment with 2mM SNAP. A significantly higher proportion of developing parthenogenetic embryos was observed after the pulsatile treatment (development to the morula stage 0 vs. 18%; development to the blastocyst 0 vs. 7%; P < 0.05). However, this developmental rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the development induced by conventional activation treatment with calcium ionophore (development to the morula stage, 23%; development to the blastocyst stage, 18%). When we combined pulsatile SNAP-treatment with the effect of protein kinase inhibitor 6-dimethyl aminopurine (6-DMAP) (2mM 6-DMAP for 2 hours) or with the inhibitor of protein synthesis cycloheximide (CHX) (10 µM CHX for 2 hours), we observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activation rate when compared to the respective pulsatile SNAP-treatment without 6-DMAP or CHX (63 vs. 78% of activated oocytes for 6-DMAP; 63 vs. 83% of activated oocytes for CHX). However, the development of parthenogenetic embryos was not enhanced when the pulsatile SNAP-treatment was combined with 6-DMAP or with CHX.

The main task of the study was to investigate the growth conditions of silver fir natural regeneration in the Karkonosze Mts. (Poland). The paper examines the quantity and quality of light reaching the forest floor in stands of different canopies. The aim of the study was also to define the optimal site conditions for silver fir planting under stand canopy. Data on the natural regeneration and stand structure of each investigated stand were collected on circular plots in a grid of 15 × 15 m in 1999 and 2000. Biometric measurements of fir plants planted under various stand canopies were done three times (May 1999, autumn 2000 and 2001). It was found that the fir was not a dominant tree in all size classes from seedlings to saplings. Seedlings (both phases) of spruce, beech, sycamore and rowan occurred in all studied stands. The optimal conditions for fir development were found under larch canopy. That was demonstrated by the highest increment of height, diameter and offshoots. The worst conditions for fir growth were under beech and spruce canopy, which was indicated by the lowest diameter and height. The highest PAR was recorded under pine canopy, whereas the lowest one under beech canopy. Beech stand induced a lower R:FR ratio than the other tree species both on sunny and cloudy days. The highest R:FR ratio was found under the canopy of larch and pine stands.

The study deals with the monitoring of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in seepage water sampled from differently managed forest plots in the Drahanská vrchovina Upland. Simultaneously, the input of DOC in precipitation and throughfall is evaluated. Preliminary results show higher mobility level of carbon substances in forest soil in a pure spruce stand compared to mixed stand or a pure beech stand. DOC can be one of suitable characteristics to evaluate the conversion effectiveness of spruce monocultures.

High quality of planting material is an essential prerequisite for successful artificial forest regeneration. We carried out a detailed investigation aimed at differences between plantable bareroot and container plants of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Based on the results of this experiment, there exist marked differences in basic morphological traits between bareroot plants and plugs. The largest differences were observed in root collar diameter and root system volume. Differences in physiological quality (nutrient content, function of assimilatory organs) were also great. The results document that container seedlings of Norway spruce produced by intensive technology in controlled conditions of plastic greenhouses have very good predispositions for successful growth in difficult mountain conditions.

The paper presents the results of simulations for the Bruntál district as a remote rural area and Ostrava as an adjacent urban centre, based on the Computable General Equilibrium model. The model assesses spatial impacts of various agricultural policy and other economic conditions on the regional development of the study areas. The model utilizes a regional Social Accounting Matrix with economic inter-linkages between the rural-urban localities in the study areas. Four agricultural policy scenarios are assessed. All scenarios have negative impacts on the economy of the Bruntál district. Nevertheless, the scenario based on the switch of funds from the Pillar 1 to the Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy and on the degressive modulation of direct payments shows to be the most significant for the agricultural sector and the overall economy of the district.

In the present study, the main purpose was the selection of antagonistic starter cultures for pickle and olive fermentation processes. The chemical and microbiological properties of fermented 70 pickle and 16 olive samples collected from the province of the west part of Turkey were analysed. Subsequently, lactic acid bacteria strains producing bacteriocin-like metabolites were isolated and identified. From 86 samples, 16 isolates were chosen, depending on their partial antimicrobial activity against at least one selected indicator. 13 out of this 16 isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum whereas 3 of them proved to be Lactobacillus pentosus. Moreover, all the relevant isolates were found to be potent acid producers. All these results obviously suggest that the isolated Lactobacillus plantarum 9 and 25 were appropriate for them to be proposed as starter cultures in fermented pickle and olive production.

The content of arsenic was determined in the rainbow trout muscle (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and in rice samples. The method of atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation (HG-AAS) in graphite furnace was used for total arsenic determination. Arsenic speciation was done using the high performance liquid chromatography-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS). The rainbow trout muscle was extracted by ultra pure deionised water; trifluoroacetic acid was used for the extraction of rice samples. Total arsenic values ranged from 60.90 μg/kg to 310.00 μg/kg in rice samples and from 0.72 mg/kg to 2.23 mg/kg in rainbow trout muscle. An inorganic trivalent arsenic As(III) was determined as the main species in rice and non-toxic arsenobetaine in the samples of rainbow trout.

There is little experimental evidence about the functional significance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization in providing nutrients for lowland rice. This study was undertaken to examine whether growth and nutrient deficiencies may affect plants benefit from AMF inoculation. Two contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes and two AMF species (Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices) were used in this experiment. Under P starvation, P uptake in the genotype tolerant to P deficiency (Fajr), declined significantly up to 36% (P < 0.05) in response to AMF inoculation, while it enhanced by about 70% (P < 0.01) in susceptible genotype (Shafagh). Under Zn starvation, Zn uptake of Zn-efficient genotype (Shafagh) increased by about 2 fold (P < 0.01), but a reduction of 52% (P < 0.05) was observed in the Zn-inefficient genotype (Fajr) upon mycorrhization. Greater genotypic differences were observed for -P-Zn plants. Our results imply that genotypic difference in responsiveness to inoculation with AMF is attributable to different contribution of mechanisms for increased nutrient uptake in mycorrhizal plants depending on nutrient, nutritional status and nutrient efficiency of genotypes.

The seeds of two medicinal plants, namely Chamomilla recutita (Babong) and Origanum majorana (Bardaqoush) were subjected to germination in different NaCl concentrations, polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) and to combination of both. The results revealed that the growth alterations induced by NaCl were alleviated by various levels of polyamines. The organic solutes of both plant seedlings exhibited somewhat variable responses to various salinity levels or polyamines treatments and in combination of both treatments. Putrescine in Ch. recutita seedlings was more effective in alleviating the stress effects of salinization than spermidine and spermine, while in O. majorana seedlings spermidine was more effective. Generally, the degree of stimulation differed according to the type, concentration of the additive used and the type of the plant tested.

The effect of egg collection time, genotype and housing system on egg quality characteristics was evaluated in an experiment with laying hens of ISA Brown, Hisex Brown and Moravia housed on litter and in conventional cages. The experiment was conducted from 20 to 64 weeks of age. Eggs were collected and recorded daily at 06:00, 10:00 and 14:00 h. Once every four weeks, two days in row, all eggs laid from each pen or cage at each oviposition time were used for egg quality analyses (total 1 694 eggs). Egg collection time was dependent on genotype. Significantly more eggs were laid at 06:00h by ISA Brown while Moravia laid eggs mainly at 10:00 and 14:00 h. Housing on litter postponed the time of oviposition. The highest egg weight (62.09 g) was recorded in Hisex Brown genotype placed in cages and at 06.00 h. Interactions of all factors were determined also in Haugh units (P ≤ 0.041). Eggshell strength was affected by housing system, genotype and egg collection time (P ≤ 0.049). It was higher in cages than on litter, and lower in the Moravia genotype in comparison with the other two strains.

: In chick hatcheries, males of laying hybrids are considered to be "waste" and the majority of these males are killed just after hatching. On the other hand, the interest of consumers in products from alternative systems (organic, free-range) is increasing. The idea was to evaluate the meat quality of these males when they have access to free range because there is not such a study available. The aim of this study was to compare the physical and sensory quality of the meat of layer males with fast-growing broilers at the same age when they had both access to free range and when they were fed to 49 and 90 days of age. Slow-growing ISABROWN (IB) layer males and fast-growing Ross 308 (RS) chickens were kept in free-range conditions to evaluate carcass and meat quality at 49 days and 90 days of age. Live weight, carcass yield, breast meat yield and the proportion of abdominal fat were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in RS at both ages. The proportions of fat in the breast meat were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in IB at both ages. The value of pH 24 h was significantly higher in IB and the meat was darker (P < 0.001) in these chickens. The overall acceptability was significantly better (P < 0.01) in IB at 90 days of age. The laying males are acceptable for an alternative system of poultry meat production from the aspect of meat quality. The quality was comparable or even higher in comparison with fast-growing chickens.

Hardfacing is one of the most useful and economical ways to improve the performance of components submitted to severe wear conditions. This study has been made for the comparison of microstructure and abrasion resistance of hardfacing alloys reinforced with chromium carbides or complex carbides. The hardfacing alloys were deposited onto ČNS EN S235JR low carbon steel plates by the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) method. Different commercial hardfacing electrodes were applied to investigate the effect of abrasive particle size on abrasive wear resistance. The abrasion tests were made using the two-body abrasion test according to ČSN 01 5084 standard, abrasive cloths were of grits 80, 120, 240, and 400. Microstructure characterisation and surface analysis were made using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results show the different influence of abrasive particles size on the wear rate for different structures of Fe-Cr-C system. The structures without primary carbides are of high abrasive wear rate, which increases nonlinearly with the increasing abrasive particle size. On the contrary, the structures containing primary carbides are of low abrasive rates and theses rates increase linearly with the increasing abrasive particle size.

The goal of this study was to gather more clinical information about the relationship between Helicobacter species and gastric ulceration in horses. Twenty seven privately owned patients were selected for the clinical study. All horses were gastroscopically examined and biopsies were taken from the glandular mucosa. Stomach biopsies were examined using a PCR assay specific for Helicobacter pylori and/or Helicobacter equorum. In addition, faecal samples from thirteen horses were examined using a PCR assay specific for H. equorum. Twenty five horses (25/27; 93%) had lesions in their stomach. Gastric biopsies from twenty two horses were examined using the H. pylori specific PCR and the ure gene was detected in three of them (3/22; 14%). H. equorum DNA was not found in the stomach of any of the ten horses examined. H. equorum was diagnosed in only one faecal sample from the thirteen horses examined (1/13; 8%) and that case was not associated with gastric pathology. This study shows the possibility of sporadic detection of the ure gene in the equine stomach affected by mucosal ulceration.

Like in other types of forests the greatest changes in the soil of floodplain forest stands occur during their regeneration. These changes are manifested as changes in the content and dynamics of organic matter in the soil. Research was conducted in oak and ash floodplain forests in the eastern part of Croatia and in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic. The results showed that the type and extent of these changes depended, in addition to environmental factors, also on the technology of forest regeneration. The natural regeneration of oak in floodplain forests of Spačva (eastern Croatia) protects soil from dramatic changes in soil by successive regeneration felling and that it retains the plant cover permanently. The weight of organic matter on the soil surface is increased after regeneration till the period when the effect of thinning becomes evident (about 70 years). In the surface mineral layer of soil the pH value increases after shelterwood felling. Stand regeneration with clear-cutting results in a rapid change in the conditions of surface humus accumulation and decomposition. The process of organic residue accumulation is interrupted in the clearings. In the preparation of soil/site by ploughing, the concentrations of nitrogen and carbon slightly decrease. The management impact depends on the method of site preparation for the establishment of a new stand. The selection of a method of the floodplain forest regeneration (particularly of oak) is markedly dependent on actual ecological conditions and on ecological and historical experience of the given region.

Data of the comparative investigation of the viral infection (TMV) and nitrogen starvation in the ratio of chlorophyll a/b, photochemical activity of PS I and PS II, pigment-protein structure of chloroplasts thylakoids and parameters of the fluorescence induction of tobacco leaves are presented. The changes of the structural and functional characteristics of the photosynthetic apparatus testify to negative influence of this factors on the function of both photosystems with primary inhibition of PS II.

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing inactivates microorganisms without significant adverse effects on flavor and nutrients. In this work was studied the transformations of antheraxanthin and mutatoxanthin when natural orange juice is treated by pasteurisation (90°C, 20 s) or PEF (30 kV/cm, 100 μs), and also its evolution during seven weeks of storage in refrigeration at two different temperatures (2°C and 10°C). The results showed that antheraxanthin concentration decreased during the storage. The decrease was greater in the untreated, pasteurised and PEF-treated orange juices stored at 10°C and this carotenoid was not detected from the 6^th week onwards. The same result was observed in the PEF-treated juice stored at 2°C. However, in the untreated and pasteurised juices stored at 2°C, this carotenoid was detected throughout the storage period, although its concentration decreased. Mutatoxanthin was detected in the 6^th week of storage, appearing in the cases in which antheraxanthin disappeared. This was not observed in the untreated or pasteurised orange juices stored at 2°C.

Investigations on the ovarian cycle of fish species that inhabit Hungarian rivers are necessitated by both environmental and economic reasons. The objective of our research was to explore new fundamental knowledge concerning the ovarian cycle of the white bream (Blicca bjoerkna, Linnaeus, 1758), barbel (Barbus barbus, Linnaeus, 1758), orfe (Leuciscus idus, Linnaeus, 1758) and nase (Chondrostoma nasus, Linnaeus, 1758). Histological investigation of ovaries and determination of proportions of oocytes in different stages of development is an appropriate method for the description of spawning characteristics of these species. Our results show that the GSI value for all four investigated species starts to increase at the end of summer and reaches its maximum before spawning. In the barbel and white bream, the presence of oocytes in the stage of cortical alveoli and the heterogeneous size of oocytes in the stage of vitellogenesis in the pre-spawning period indicate that barbel and white bream are multiple spawners. In contrast, in the orfe and nase, the absence of oocytes in the stage of cortical alveoli and the homogeneous size of cells in the stage of vitellogenesis indicate that orfe and nase are single spawners.

The small, fully forested watershed Červík (CE) is situated in the part of the Beskydy Mts called the Zadní hory Mts Since November 1953, water balance has been measured in this place with the goal to find out experimentally the changes of the outflow sums during and after the intensive renewal of the forest with a partly changed wood species composition. The measured data were statistically evaluated by the method of double mass curve. In 1962, the decision was made to divide the watershed area into two separate parts A and B. The research started there in 1966 after a twelve-year long calibration period without timber cutting. The stands in the sub-watershed CE-A were cut down in three times shorter intervals than it is common and were immediately renewed. In the CE-B part, the stands were not tended in order to observe visible differences in the sums of outflow in comparison with those in the CE-A part. The measured data were analysed by double mass curve and revealed only very small differences while influence of the environment appeared to be more significant.

The present study examined the results of using hyaluronic acid with autogenetic cancellous grafts in the treatment of experimentally induced osteochondral defects in the stifle joints of dogs. In this study, 10 mature dogs of different breeds, weights and of both sexes were used. General anesthesia and usual operation procedures were followed. A 10 mm deep defect was created on the femoral sulcus of the trochlea with a drill tip of 8 mm in diameter. The defects in the right and left legs were filled with autogenic cancellous grafts taken from the metaphysial region of the tibia. The left legs constituted the experimental group while the right legs served as control group. In the experimental group, 2 mg/kg intraarticular hyaluronic acid was twice administered into the stifle joint, i.e., immediately subsequent to the operation and 1 month afterwards. Parenteral antibiotics were prescribed postoperatively for ten days. Five animals were sacrificed at the third and sixth month after surgery. Macroscopic and microscopic findings obtained from each case were evaluated. On macroscopical examination, trochlear defects were determined to be incompletely filled at the third month in both control and experimental groups. On histopathologic examination, a loose fibrovascular formation in the area where the graft was applied was observed to be present in both control and experimental groups. However, in the experimental group this formation was more superficial, ossification activity was greater and trabeculous bone formation had been initiated. Macroscopical examination carried out in the sixth month determined that in the control group the defect surface did not fill up to the trochlear sulcus level. In the histopathologic examination, in control groups it was found that fibrocartilageous structures were developing in the fibrovascular space even though ossification was incomplete. The macroscopic examination showed that in the experimental group, the defect surface reached the trochlear sulcus level of defects in this month. The histopatologic examination revealed that fibrous tissue comprised a thin layer, under which ossification processes were complete and bone trabeculates fully formed. It was concluded that the usage of autogenic cancellous graft along with hyaluronic acid may be useful in the repair of large osteochondral defects.

The afforestation of agricultural lands was carried out under different site and ecological conditions, including lower and medium elevated localities. The present study documents the rapidity of accumulation of surface layers and their characteristics in stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), birch (Betula verrucosa) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in the territory of the Training Forest Enterprise in Kostelec nad Černými lesy, at the altitude 430 m a.s.l., on the site of nutrient-poor gleyed soils. The plots were compared with the neighbouring continuously forested site covered with old pine-spruce stand and with near-situated arable field. During the first roughly 40 years, considerable changes were documented on the afforested plots. Forest-floor humus layers in the coniferous stands have already been formed, the humus forms being more favourable compared with the old forest site. Acidification and loss of nutrients run in the upper mineral horizons. These processes were also responsible for the less favourable character of the forest soil in the old stand. Birch showed minor shifts of soil properties in the mineral horizon compared to the conifers; the surface humus accumulation was not observed there yet. The lowest degradation among conifers was shown in Douglas fir, intensively taking up deficient nutrients on the other hand.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of high lipid concentration in the diet, served as calcium salts of fatty acids from rape, on metabolism and the milk yield of dairy cows during the first third of lactation. 28 dairy cows were divided into experimental (E; n = 14) and control groups (C; n = 14) and monitored within 100 days of lactation since the day of parturition. The diet of both groups had a balanced content of energy and crude protein, while there was a difference in lipid content (C - 3.7% vs. E - 6.99% of dry matter in the diet). Blood and urine samples were taken at the end of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd months of lactation. Evaluation of milk yield was carried out based on the results of monthly milk yield control, while the evaluation of reproduction was performed using data supplied by a farm livestock specialist. At the end of the first month, a higher degree of energetic metabolism disturbance was determined in group E in comparison with group C (beta-hydroxybutyrate 1.05 vs 0.51 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.05; nonesterified fatty acids 0.68 vs. 0.27 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.01), as well as a higher occurrence of liver damage (bilirubine 6.50 vs. 4.59 μmol/l, P ≤ 0,01; aspartate amino transferase 1.66 vs. 1.39 μkat/l, P≤ 0.05; lactate-dehydrogenase 45.2 vs. 34.3 μkat/l, P ≤ 0.05). During the entire experiment, the total concentration of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and vitamin E rose, and thus in the 3^rd month, the values in the experimental group were almost double that of the control group (cholesterol 7.28 vs. 3.69 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.0001; HDL-cholesterol 5.43 vs. 3.26 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.0001; vitamin E 19.9 vs. 10.3 μmol/l, P ≤ 0.0001). The proportion of HDL-cholesterol was lower in group E (3^rd month 76.1 vs. 88.8%, P ≤ 0.001). We also determined a higher total anti-oxidant status of serum in group E in the second (0.96 vs. 0.90 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.05) and third months of lactation (1.02 vs. 0.94 mmol/l, P ≤ 0.05), while other parameters of the anti-oxidation system (glutathionperoxidase, superoxiddismutase) did not differ between groups. The total production of milk within the 100 days of lactation in both monitored groups was similar. In group E the concentration of milk protein was lower (3.18 vs. 3.45%, P ≤ 0.01), while the concentration of fat was insignificantly higher (3.55 vs. 3.21%) than in group C. The results of effect on reproduction did not differ significantly either, but the total percentage of gravidity was higher in the experimental group. Our results revealed that feeding of higher doses of lipid (6.99 %) fed in bypass form during the first month after parturition creates the health risk of a fatty liver, but no negative impact on the health of dairy cows was demonstrated during the peak period of lactation.

A total of 30 tea samples of different origins, thirteen green tea samples, thirteen black tea samples, two semi-fermented tea samples and one white tea, imported to the Czech Republic, were collected and analysed for the total content of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in tea leaves and tea infusions. The total contents of metals in tea leaves differ according to the type of tea (green or black) and are probably influenced by many other factors, e.g. soil properties. The total contents of Mn were much higher compared to the total contents of Cu, Fe, and Zn, and varied between 511-2220 mg/kg. To compare easily hot water soluble concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, 5 min, 60 min, and 24 h infusions were prepared. The extractability of the elements was in the order Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe. The proportions of the element contents in the infusion related to the respective total contents in leaves were 30 ± 16% Cu, 26 ± 10% Zn, 18 ± 10% Mn, and 1.5 ± 0.8% Fe, respectively. The results confirmed that tea infusion can be an important dietary source of Mn.

Polyphenols are important antioxidant constituents of apples and they contribute positively to human health because they possess an antiradical activity. Fifteen apple varieties were analysed for their total polyphenol content (TP) by two methods - by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent (FC) and by EBC method with carboxylmethylcellulose/sodium ethylendiamintetraacetate (CMC/EDTA) and their antiradical activity (ARA) by DPPH method using stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH.). TP and ARA were determined in freshly expressed apple juice and apples and obtained results were statistically evaluated. The differences between varieties were significant. The correlation between TP content determined by FC method determining all free aromatic hydroxyls and EBC method determining mainly ortho-aromatic hydroxyls was found with r = 0.73. The highest differences among analysed varieties were found for ARA values in both, juice and apples and for TP content determined by FC in apples. High polyphenol content was found in Jonagold, Jonalord, Melodie and Melrose varieties both, in apples and juices; on the contrary low TP contents were estimated in Gloster and Rosana varieties. The highest ARA levels were found inRajka,Bohemia andMelrose varieties, compared to low ARA levels found in apple fruits of Šampion and Topaz varieties.

A group of twenty-six turkeys at the age of seven weeks was divided into four groups (7 birds in three groups 5 in control). The first group of turkeys was used as the control group. The other three groups were inoculated for 7 days with the following bacteria: Enterococcus faecium EE3 strain (2.1 × 10⁹ cfu/ml), E. faecium EK13 strain (1.76 × 10¹⁰ cfu/ml) and E. faecium EF55 strain (5 × 10⁸ cfu/ml). Sampling of faeces from each turkey was done at the beginning of experiment (at day 0) and in 7 days from the strain application. The total counts of EE3 strain in faeces of turkeys in EE3 group at day 7 were 4.07 ± 1.04 log cfu/g. At the same day bacteriocin-producing strain EK13 reached the value 5.26 ± 0.2 log cfu/g and the counts of EF55 strain amounted to 4.13 ± 0.64 log cfu/g. When total counts of E. coli colonies were checked at day 7 after the application of EE3 and EF55 strains to turkeys, significant differences in cell counts were found out (in EE3 group a difference of 2.43 log, P < 0.01; in EF55 group a difference of 1.93 log, P < 0.001) compared to the control and EE3 and EF55 groups. The highest reduction of Pseudomonas spp. was determined at day 7 after EE3 strain application (difference of 1.85; P < 0.01) and after EF55 strain application (difference of 0.78 log, P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group. EK13 strain did not influence the counts of E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. in faeces of turkeys. The average daily gain increased in all probiotic groups compared to the control group (EE3 group - 12.2%, EK13 group - 12.9%, EF55 group - 11.8%). At the beginning of experiment the values of total proteins were below the physiological limit in all groups. Although the intake of probiotic strains was associated with an increase in total proteins, the values were not adjusted to the physiological level. The values of total lipids were above the physiological level at the beginning of experiment. Administration of only EE3 strain significantly decreased the level of total lipids (difference of 1.22; log P < 0.01). The values of haematocrit, haemoglobin and activity of the blood enzyme glutathione peroxidase were not influenced.

The effect of various storage temperatures (3 ± 2°C; 24 ± 1°C and -18 ± 1°C) on the formation of biogenic amines in the muscle tissue of four hybrid lines of carp (Cyprinus carpio) with respect to microbial contamination was studied. Biogenic amines were determined by fluorescence detection HPLC based on pre-column dansylchloride derivatization. The studied microbiological parameters included total plate count, coliform bacteria count and psychrotrophic bacteria count. Concentrations of biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, tyramine, histamine and tryptamine) determined in the muscle tissue of hybrids of individual lines varied depending on temperature and storage period. All four lines showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine and tyramine concentrations over 7-day storage at 3 ± 2°C (mean values 9.7 ± 9.5, 3.4 ± 4.2, 10.1 ± 13.4, 6.3 ± 2.1 and 26.2 ± 4.7 mg/kg, respectively). No histamine was detected throughout the storage period. A health-threatening level of histamine was detected in samples stored at 24 ± 1°C for 2 days, accompanied by marked sensory changes. The highest mean value was 333.0 ± 100.0 mg/kg. Higher levels reaching significance (P < 0.01) compared with fresh fish were determined for putrescine (91.3 ± 54.6 mg/kg), cadaverine (213.0 ± 83.7 mg/kg), and tyramine (138.0 ± 45.1 mg/kg). In samples stored at -18 ± 1°C for 3 months, the content of biogenic amines did not differ at the level of significance from the values determined in the fresh muscle tissue. Putrescine and cadaverine levels were the best correlates of growing bacteria count. Significant differences between individual hybrid lines of carp were detected at none of the storage temperatures, neither between individual biogenic amines nor between the microbiological indicators determined.

Resistant starch (RS) has been recognised as a functional fibre with many health-promoting effects. RS exists in four forms - RS₁, RS₂, RS₃, and RS₄. The RS₃ type is generated by amylose retrogradation typically resulting from food processing procedures. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential ability of six agriculturally important cereals to generate type RS₃ resistant starch after retrogradation of their amylose. In comparison with all tested cereals, the statistically significant highest level of RS₃ (5.28% ± 0.68) was detected in triticale, mainly in the Pinokio, Presto, Tricolor, and Kendo cultivars. Significant highly content was also found in rye (4.93% ± 0.73), especially in Selgo, Esprit, Dankowskie Nowe, and Apart cultivars, in comparison with wheat, spring and winter barley, tritordeum and oat. There were unsignificant differences between triticale and rye in RS₃ levels. Wheat contained less RS₃ (3.87% ± 0.55) in comparison to triticale and rye. The best wheats with this trait were the Athlet, Boka, Trane, Versailles, and Torysa cultivars. The content of RS₃ in barley was not high (2.35% ± 0.45 in winter barley, 2.51% ± 0.25 in spring barley), similar to tritordeum (2.26% ± 0.36). The RS₃ content in high amylose barley mutant Glacier was two-fold higher than in other tested barley cultivars (P < 0.01). Only minimal level of RS₃ can be generated from oat seed starch (0.41% ± 0.09). These results indicate that plant species as well as crop cultivar screening are important for the identification of suitable natural sources of resistant starch. Concerning the production of functional foods, it is important to recognize that valuable bread cereals such as wheat and rye are superior sources of this type of dietary fibre and are highly beneficial to the human health. However, it is advisable to continue for other years in these annual results and localities too.