Fulltext search in archive

Two sets of winter wheat landraces and obsolete cultivars were studied in three-year field experiments, and compared with 3 modern control cultivars. The higher spike productivity in modern cultivars could mainly be attributed to an increased number of grains in a spikelet and harvest index (HI), whereas thousand grain weight (TGW) has only a slight effect. Landraces and old cultivars proved to have a higher content of crude protein. Spike productivity characteristics, except for TGW, showed a negative correlation with the crude protein content in the grain. The number of kernels in a spikelet strongly affected the spike's productivity, whereas the TGW has only half the effect. The mean yield of four modern cultivars was 51% higher than the mean yield of 31 landraces and obsolete cultivars. Regression analysis proved the much stronger response of modern cultivars to environment (b = 1.63), then was the response of old cultivars (b = 0.87). Different responses to environments were found within the set of 31 landraces, as well. We could also identify potentially valuable donors of earliness and winter hardiness among the old cultivars. High crude protein content (up to 18%), and other valuable quality characteristics, were rather frequent. In both sets, HMW Glu-subunits were described, and we have additionally studied 67 selected lines. Among them, 10 lines showed the crude protein content of 17.5% to 18.3% (where the gluten index and Zeleny test varied from 28.5 to 54.0 and 36.8 to 61.7, respectively). High values of all quality characteristics showed lines gained from the cultivars Mindeszentpusztai (HUN), Szekacz 19 (HUN), Bartweizen linie a (AUT), Viglašská červenoklasá (CZE), as well as some others.

In March 2010, a 3.5-month-old Korean native calf was anatomized and two nematode worms were detected in the thoracic cavity. The worms were identified and classified by light and scanning electron microscopy on the basis of features at the anterior and posterior parts of the worms. The worms were female Setaria digitata and Setaria marshalli and numerous eggs which contained microfilaria were detected in the uterus of both species. The body lengths of the S. digitata and S. marshalli were 78 mm and 117 mm, respectively. Mosquitoes act as the vector for Setaria nematodes but these are inactivated in winter in Korea. Therefore, we concluded that this case represented setariasis with congenital infection occurring during the summer prenatal stage of life.

Marginal economic values for production and reproduction traits of pigs were estimated applying a bio-economic model to Hungarian commercial sow herds with integrated fattening of piglets. Data collected between 2002 and 2008 were used for the calculation. Marginal economic values (in € per unit of the trait per sow per year) estimated for fattening days in the station test, age at the end of the field test, lean meat percentage in the carcass, percentage of valuable cuts in the carcass and the number of piglets born alive were 2.84 €/day, 2.71 €/day, 22.45 €/%, 28.81 €/% and 54.22 €/piglet in the first litter, respectively.

PCR-SSCP was applied to analyze the polymorphisms of A-FABP gene in 4 lines of Beijing ducks (n = 400). The results showed that six SNPs were found in intron 3. There were no polymorphisms found in exon 3 or exon 4. The discovered SNPs were deposited in GenBank (Acc. No.: EU306611 and EU306610). The frequencies of haplotypes A/B in the Z4, Z2, Cherry Valley, Z4 × Z2 populations were 0.745/0.255, 0.764/0.236, 0.552/0.448, 0.672/0.328, respectively. The linkage disequilibrium was stated. The above described SNPs of A-FABP gene allow the incoming association analysis.

This paper follows previous papers published by the authors. All the papers are concerned with standard direct payments, the system of administration of direct payments approved for 2004 and their impact on the economy of agricultural enterprises farming in different production areas. The impact of different ways of using additional payments for the years 2005 and 2006 are compared in this report. Attention is mostly paid to ways of the maximum adaptation to the Reform of Common Agricultural Policy.

Surface ozone is considered to be a very phytotoxic gaseous air pollutant. Its negative impacts at both the cell and the organ level have been shown, mainly as a result of experiments. However, the demonstration of ozone negative impacts on native plants is not explicit. An assessment of ozone impact on vegetation and ecosystems using indicators based on ambient ozone concentrations is insufficient and assessment techniques based on internal ozone dose and on real plant damage are more appropriate. Such a possible technique is the mapping of ozone visible symptoms due to ozone influence. The ICP-Forest method concerning ozone visible symptoms and the assessment of ozone influence were applied for the purposes of this case study. The visible symptoms are characterized by a few typical signs. Nevertheless, the identification of visible symptoms in native conditions can be problematic and misleading conclusions could be drawn. Therefore it is necessary to complete the identification of visible symptoms with a validation in order to confirm ozone as the cause of plant injury.

Meadow grassland communities were monitored in situ in the region around the town of Bansk᠂ystrica (Central Slovakia) over the 2008 growing season. The botanical compositions were determined at the sites listed in NATURA 2000 (Donovaly, Tajov, and Priechod). The respective site coordinates were determined using a Global Position System, and then put on the digital map of the Google server. A range of rare, endangered, and protected plant species were found at the monitored sites (e.g. Gymnadenia densiflora, Lilium bulbiferum, Lilium matragon, and Stipa joannis).

Bird skin has a number of specific properties. The uropygial gland is a significant skin gland in many species. The secretion of this gland is particularly necessary for maintaining physical characteristics, including feather waterproofing. In some bird species this gland secretion has a repellent effect against potential mammalian predators; in other species it affects the final colour of feathers. In the investigated species of storks (genus Ciconia), secretions of the uropygial gland have been found to be mixtures of monoester waxes, diester waxes, triester waxes and triglycerides. Wax diesters were also found in the red knot Calidris canutus (order Charadriiformes). Lipid substances in the secretions of the rock dove (Columba livia) consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids (59% secretion; mostly oleic acid - 37%, linoleic acid - 6% and arachidonic acid - 7%). Free fatty acids, which are decomposition products of epidermal lipids, can regulate microbial colonization of skin (e.g., by modification of pH); a shift of these values was detected in poultry in battery husbandry. Analysis of fatty acids from lipids shows the influence of age, diet, and also the relationship to feather pecking - the individual composition affects the smell and taste, and thus the attractiveness to other individuals. The antibacterial activity of skin secretions has been demonstrated. Secretions of the hoopoe (Upupa epops) have besides the function of maintenance of physical properties of feathers also a repellent effect on parasites and predators. Its active substance is a peptide bacteriocin, produced by strains of Enterococcus faecalis. This substance is active against a number of both G + and G-bacteria and helps to sustain the nest hygiene, it is also effective against Bacillus licheniformis that produces keratin-decompositing enzymes. A similar antimicrobial activity of uropygial secretion against bacteria which degrade feathers was demonstrated in the wild house finch Carpodacus mexicanus. Changes in skin microflora have been demonstrated in parrots kept for breeding in comparison with those living in the wild, which may have significance for husbandry practices and veterinary care. Passerines of the genus Pitohui and Ifrita living in New Guinea store in their skin and feather batrachotoxins, which they receive from food - beetles of the genus Choresine. These toxins are active against parasites (e.g. lice - Phthiraptera). In contrast, substances that act as potential attractants for hematophagous insects (e.g. mosquitoes of genus Culex) were found in the skin of chickens. Alcohols, ketones and diones were detected in these substances. The composition of uropygial gland secretions may be a guide in assessing the relatedness of bird species. Feather waxes can be analyzed also from old museum specimens. Lipid-enriched organelles, multigranular bodies in the epidermis mean that zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) are facultatively waterproof, which appears to have a function in protecting the organism against dehydrating when water is unavailable.

In the present study the effect of preventive application of Enterococcus faecium EF 55 on the intestinal mucosa was evaluated in experimentally infected chickens with Salmonella enterica subsp. Enteritidis. A total of 120, one-day-old Salmonella-free chickens of Isa Brown hybrid were divided into 4 groups. The chickens in groups E and ES were perorally inoculated with E. faecium EF55 in a dose of 1 × 109 CFU/ml for 7 consecutive days. Placebo was applied to birds in control group C and group S during the first 7 days of life. At the age of 8 days chickens in groups ES and S were perorally infected with S. enterica subsp. Enteritidis phage type 4 in a dose of 1 × 108 CFU/ml. In birds treated with E. faecium EF 55 (group ES) a decreased number of Salmonella spp. positive individuals was recorded from 28.5% 2 days post infection (p.i.) to 10% 14 days p.i. when the difference between group ES and group with the application of Salmonella Enteritidis alone (group S) was significant (P < 0.01). On the contrary, in birds of group S the percentage of Salmonella spp. positive animals showed no constant changes. It increased from 12.5% 2 days p.i. to 37.5% 4 days p.i. The maximum of positive samples 83.3% was found 14 days p.i. The application of E. faecium EF55 reduced colonisation of caeca and minimized translocation of salmonellae into the liver and spleen. Two days p.i. the shortest villi in the jejunum were observed in group S - 1 266.2 µm, when compared to group E with the highest jejunal villi - 1 605 µm (P < 0.05). The growth of the villi was observed 14 days p.i. in all groups except group S. The early exposition of chickens to E. faecium EF55 led to more rapid development of intestinal villi when compared to the untreated control (P < 0.05). Reduced colonisation of the intestinal tract by salmonellae in birds treated with E. faecium EF 55 also preserved the microenvironment of the intestine from harmful effects of the pathogen.

Mercury (Hg) is one of the major pollutants in soils because of the annual import of toxic Hg into the agricultural lands. The aims of the present studies are to investigate the effect of Hg on chlorophyll content in winter wheat var. jinan No. 17. Moreover, calcium (Ca) levels and bioaccumulation of Hg in wheat leaves were studied with the technique of inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SF-MS). The study conducted a range of Hg concentrations from 0~500 mg Hg/kg in the dry weight soil. The soil was artificially contaminated with Hg as follows: 0, 100, 200, and 500 mg Hg/kg as HgCl₂. At early stages of the wheat growth, both low and high concentration of Hg stimulates chlorophyll content, but inhibits chlorophyll content at later stages of the wheat growth. Furthermore, the concentrations of Ca and Hg in wheat leaves increased with the increasing concentration of Hg on the thirty-fourth day with the technique of ICP-SF-MS. The results indicate that Hg can accelerate the absorption of Ca in winter wheat and Hg stress may affect Ca levels in wheat leaves.

The influence of mechanized cutting time on the yield and quality of hops was studied for three years (2007, 2008 and 2009) in three Czech hybrid varieties Harmonie, Rubín and Agnus. The cutting term classified as 'early' was carried out at the turn of March and April. Further cutting dates were made at intervals of 7-10 days and they were classified as 'middle' and 'late' ones. Yield and contents of alpha acids were evaluated during the machine harvest. The measured data revealed no statistical relationship between term of cutting, alpha acid content and yield in any of the tested cultivars. However, during the experimental period considerable inter-annual differences were observed, especially in the yield. Average yield in the range of 2.0-2.5 t/ha in the period 2007-2008 decreased to 1.2-1.9 t/ha in 2009 due to downy mildew attack. On the basis of the obtained data it can be recommended to cut the hybrid varieties Harmonie, Rubín and Agnus in the first ten days of April, taking into account other factors such as age and the location of hop garden and current weather conditions.

The paper examines the factors that lead farmers to participate in c the contract farming in the Peninsular Malaysia. The primary data was collected through a survey using a questionnaire on the total of two hundred and eight farmers from various states in Malaysia. The study utilizes the stratified sampling method. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The survey identified forty-one contract farmers. Factor analysis was carried out to identify the factors that lead farmers to participate in the contract farming. Based on the analysis, five factors were identified as the reasons for contracting, namely, market stability, and access to marketing information and technology, transfer of technology to improve farming practices, access to inputs and indirect benefit. Contract farming or contract arrangements can be a valuable source of an additional income and knowledge that can be employed to enhance the productivity of the entire farming enterprise.

The influences of long-term flooding and Phytophthora alni subsp. alni infection on the growth and development of 4-year-old Alnus glutinosa (black alder) saplings were investigated. The black alder saplings were divided into four groups and then subjected to combinations of both factors - flooded and inoculated with pathogen, flooded non-inoculated, non-flooded inoculated, and control. The biomass of the living roots and actinorrhizae, increase in stem length, length of leaves, rate of chlorotic foliage, amount of foliage biomass and length of stem necrosis were assessed after seven weeks. Both factors, flooding and P. alni infection significantly affected the black alder. In addition, a significant effect of interaction was observed. The inoculated flooded group had a substantially lower biomass weight of living roots, actinorrhiza and leaves than the other groups. The necroses caused by the pathogen in the flooded group were more extensive than those in the non-flooded one. These findings demonstrate that the simultaneous incidence of stress caused by flooding and P. alni infection is highly dangerous for black alder.

For scaning rheological properties of tuber tissue during heating, different physical techniques are used. The experiments done on low solids tubers of cv. Magda have shown that maximum thermoelectric effect was obtained at about 60°C in the temperature region where the gelatinisation process of intra-cellular starch starts and some few cell disruptions occur.

Green forage of fourteen lucerne varieties grown at four Experimental Stations of the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Słupia Wielka was harvested in these stages: the first growth in the budding stage (cut I), re-growths in the pre-bloom stage of maturity (cut II) 35 days after the first cut, and the next cut, 42 days later (cut III). Three bulls equipped with rumen and duodenal cannulas were used to study rumen degradability by the nylon bag technique and intestinal digestibility by the mobile bag method. The nutritive value of lucerne green forage was estimated according to IZ-INRA (2001) feed evaluation system. The composition of the lucerne cuts differed in DM content (P < 0.01); the highest was found in cut III (226.9 g/kg), the lowest in cut II (182.0 g/kg).The crude protein content (CP) in DM of cuts I and II was similar (P > 0.05) but lower in cut III (P < 0.05). Cut II contained the highest (P < 0.05) levels of crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose (CE), and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and the lowest of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) and soluble in neutral detergent cell content (CC), (P < 0.01). The differences between cut I and III in the contents of these components were not significant (P > 0.05). The highest DM digestibility in the total alimentary tract was found for cut I (P < 0.05). The DM of cuts II and III was digested at a similar rate (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the cuts in effective degradability, digestibility in the small intestine of the fraction not digested in the forestomachs and total digestibility of CP, CF, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose (P > 0.05). The digestion of rumen undegraded CP in the post-rumen part of the alimentary tract was lower compared with the digestion of essential amino acids (81% and 98%; respectively). The first cut harvested in the spring in the budding stage contained about 5% more PDIA and PDIN, but 7% less LFU compared with both cuts of regrowth (cuts II and III) which contained on average: 58 g PDIA; 123 g PDIN and 0.93 kg LFU. All the cuts contained similar levels of PDIE, UFL per kg of DM (106 and 0.76 g, respectively).

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of diets containing conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLAmix) with or without low (_LSe) or high (_HSe) concentration of selenised yeast (SeY) on body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and concentrations of CLA isomers and other fatty acids (FA) in the liver and femoral muscle of rats. The investigation was performed on 48 female rats (Wistar, Hsd Brl Han: WIST), aged 8 weeks with an initial body weight of 195.7 ± 0.8 g. After one week of submaintenance feeding, for 6 weeks the rats were fed ad libitum the Labofeed H diet supplemented with 1.5% CLAmix with or without low (0.2 μg Se/g diet) or high (0.5 μg Se/g diet) concentration of Se as SeY. The diet enriched with _LSe or _HSe elevated the BWG of rats compared with the control group, while the _LSe diet resulted in the most efficient increase in BWG. The diet containing CLAmix, irrespective of the presence of SeY, stimulated the accumulation of Se in the liver and muscles in comparison with the diet enriched with SeY. The addition of SeY to the diet enriched with CLAmix stimulated the accumulation of cis9trans11 (c9t11), t10c12 and cc isomers of CLA in the liver. The diet containing CLAmix and LSe most efficiently increased the concentration of these CLA isomers in muscles. The diets enriched with SeY increased the concentration of essential, endogenous and total amino acids (AA) in the liver, whereas the diets enriched with SeY or CLAmix reduced the concentration of these AA in muscles. The diets enriched with CLAmix and/or SeY decreased the Δ9-desaturase index in the liver and muscles compared with the control group. These diets increased Δ4-, Δ5- and Δ6-desaturase indexes in muscles, but significantly reduced the elongase index compared with the control group. Our study shows that dietary CLAmix increased the concentration of C14:0, C18:0 and the sum of saturated FA (SFA) in the liver, whereas the diets enriched with SeY, irrespective of the presence of CLAmix, slightly reduced the concentration of C14:0, C18:0, and SFA in muscles compared with the control group. The diets containing SeY and/or CLAmix increased the accumulation of arachidonic acid (ArA), linolenic acid (αLNA) and c4c7c10c13c16c19C22:6 in the liver compared with the control rats. Negative effects of dietary SeY and/or CLAmix on the accumulation of αLNA, c5c8c11c14c17C20:5, c7c10c13c16c19C22:5, c4c7c10c13c16c19C22:6, linoleic acid, ArA and c8c11c14C20:3 in muscles were found out. The CLAmix diet increased the Δ4-, Δ5-desaturase and elongase indexes in the liver. It also increased the Δ4-, Δ5- and Δ6-desaturase indexes in muscles, but significantly reduced the elongase index compared with the control group. The finding that the diet with CLAmix and _HSe fed to rats decreased total FA and most efficiently increased the content of Se and essential AA in muscles is valuable

The test with colour and aroma of Kladno cooked pork loin stored in refrigerator and at the room temperature correspond with its spoilage was done. No change of the L* co-ordinate has been observed during the storage. A strong decrease of a* co-ordinate for red colour after 1-day storage has taken place for samples stored in a room (approx. 25°C). Conversely, an increase of b* coordinate for yellow colour has been observed after 1-day storage. A change of the cooked pork loin aroma has also been noticed after 1-day storage using the sensory observation. Further, the possibility has been tested of using a portable scanner for the determination of banana colour changes. It has been found that the optimal storage temperature from the peel colour point of view is 14°C; it is in accordance with recommendations in literature.

Protein hydrolysates produced by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis were analysed for 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and its enantiomers. It was found that (R)-3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and (S)-3-chloropropane-1,2-diol were present in the hydrolysates in equimolar concentrations. Model experiments with glycerol, triolein and soy lecithin heated with hydrochloric acid in solution showed that these materials were precursors of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and 2-chloropropane-1,3-diol and, as expected, yielded racemic 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol. Yields of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diols decreased in the order triolein > lecithin > glycerol. The mechanisms of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol enantiomers formation during the production of protein hydrolysates are presented and discussed as well as the reaction pathways of their decomposition in alkaline media via the corresponding intermediates, (R)- and (S)-glycidol, respectively. Both epoxides are hydrolysed to glycerol and form a variety of products with hydrolysate constituents.

Phenolic compounds were extracted with 80% methanol from caryopses and embryos of rye (cv. Dańkowskie Złote and Amilo). In all extracts, reducing power, scavenging effect on DPPH radical, and antioxidant activity in a β-carotene-linoleate model system were examined. The highest content of total phenolic compounds was noted in the extract from caryopses of Amilo (7.93 mg/g of extract). UV spectra of all extracts were characterised by maxima originated from phenolic acids (320, 326 and 328 nm), and by maxima at shorter wavelengths (272 and 274 nm) attributed to other phenolic compounds. All extracts showed a good antioxidant activity in a β-carotene-linoleate model system. This activity was similar to that reported before in leguminous seeds extracts. The antioxidant activities of the extracts from the caryopses of Dańkowskie Złote and the embryos of both cultivars were very similar, especially during the second part of the incubation period. The extract of Amilo embryos showed a slightly weaker antioxidative effect. The weak antiradical effects in the experiments with DPPH radical and a weak reducing power were characteristic for all the extracts investigated.

Pork is now distributed as cut meat, which increases the chance of contamination with bacteria. The rate of bacterial growth can be expressed by an exponential function. In order to find how the number of contaminating bacteria increases, we compared two functional equations for a growth curve. They are logistic: Yt = K (1 + m e-at) (1) and Gompertz: log Yt = log K + (log a)bt (2) equations (where Yt = the number of bacteria at the time t in min, m and a = coefficient, e = natural logarithm, K maximum number of bacteria). 90 ml of physiological salt solution was added to 10 g of pork. It was homogenized for 3 min, then incubated at 35°C for 13 hrs. The number of bacteria was counted every hour. We found from these data that the above two equations can be expressed as follows: Yt = 23 535 (1 + 16269 e-1.1608t) and log Yt = 8.9940 + (-3.1124) × 0.7839t. The theoretical and actual values matched well in equation (1), and the number of bacteria can be predicted accurately using this equation at a given time after incubation. The theoretical and actual values did not match well in equation (2) and its accuracy to predict the number of bacteria was very low except the initial number of bacteria was high.

The preparations of pectic enzymes are used for a more efficient extraction of desirable red grape pigments and other phenol compounds which are bound in plant cells and can be faster released by the action of pectic enzymes. Moreover, they shorten the time of maceration, settling, and filtration. The results of our experiments gives a comparison of the efficiency of preparations applicable in wine technology. The best preparation was Trenolin Rot followed by Vinozym G that could shorten the time of prefermentation to about 3 days thanks to a more intensive extraction of red grape pigments. By using the enzyme preparations Gammapect AWP and Ovopres, the time of filtration was ten times shorter. Compared to the control sample, the speed of desliming was threefold and twofold faster, respectively, for Gammapect AWP and Gammapect W2L.

Two pea protein isolates, Pisane and Propulse, were hydrolysed by trypsin. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) was computed using a pH-stat method. Enzymatic treatment of the pea protein isolates was conducted at four different temperatures, namely 35, 40, 45 and 50°C. The relationship between DH and E/S ratio was studied at 50°C and at four different E/S ratios; these were 5, 15, 25, 35 mAU/g (AU - Anson unit). For Pisane the highest value of the final DH (10.4%) was obtained at 45°C, whereas for Propulse the optimal temperature was 50°C and a DH value of 13.2% was attained. In the case of Pisane, the highest DH (11.5%) was recorded if the enzyme/substrate ratio was 35 mAU/g whereas for Propulse, the highest DH (13.2%) was observed at an E/S ratio of 15 mAU / g.

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) seed was extracted with hexane (H) and chloroform/methanol (CM) (2:1, v/v) to determine the effect of the solvent on the amount and composition of the recovered lipid. The amount of the total lipid (TL) extracted with H was 29.6% of the seed weight, while that extracted with CM was 49.9%. Column and thin-layer chromatographic procedures on Silica Gel were performed to fractionate the main neutral lipid (NL) subclasses. Fatty acid composition of the NL subclasses, triacylglycerol (TAG) molecular species, and sterol (ST) content were estimated. The NL amount was found to be higher (97% of TL) in the H extract than in the CM extract (93% of TL). TAG appeared to be the predominant NL subclass (89.7-91.9% of total NL). Linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) was the main fatty acid followed by oleic acid (C18:1n-9) as the second main unsaturated fatty acid, while palmitic acid (C16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid. With high temperature gas-liquid chromatography using a flame ionization detector (HTGLC/FID) and H2 as the carrier gas, the actual TAG molecular species according to their carbon numbers were separated. TAG of even carbon numbers 16 and 18 were contained in six TAG molecular species. The major peaks occured at C54:6, and C54:3 corresponding to trilinolein and triolein. Furthermore, TAG molecular specie, expected to contain two molecules of linoleic acid (C54:5), was detected in a high level. Phytosterol pattern was determined without derivatization in the unsaponifiable fractions by HTGLC/FID. ST profile was characterized by a high total amount accounting for 4.22 g/kg of total H extract, and 4.00 g/kg of total CM extract. b-Sitosterol (2.035-1.929 g/kg TL) was the main component in both extracts. The major ST found were, in order of decreasing prevalence, b-sitosterol > campesterol > stigmasterol > D5-ave-nasterol > D7-avenasterol > lanosterol.

The improving effect on the quality of final products has been studied of the enzyme transglutaminase added in two concentrations, i.e. 4.5 mg or 7.5 mg/300 g of flour destined for the preparation of pastry dough. Changes of the sensory (sensory profile), nutritional (the contents of amino acids, especially that of lysine), and microbiological quality (total count, yeasts, moulds) were investigated as well as those of aw and pH values of the pastry produced from the freezer-stored dough (-18 ± 2°C). It has been found that the sensory quality is favourably affected by the addition of transglutaminase (TGM) in the amount of 4.5 mg/300 g of flour and on the other hand that the protective effect on lysine increases if the applied TGM concentration is higher (7.5 mg per 300 g of flour). The microbiological quality, the pH and aw values of dough, and the products have satisfied the criteria for the sanitary and hygienic requirements.

The effect of microwave (MW) heating on the changes in wet gluten content, Gluten Index, Falling Number and amylographic characteristics was studied in sprouted wheat grain. Different moistures of wheat in two ranges of 10-11% and 15-17% and two end temperatures of MW heated samples (60 and 80°C) were applied to wheat samples. Falling Number and Gluten Index increased with increasing absorbed energy during MW heating, whereas gluten content decreased. Amylographic maximum increased due to a-amylase inactivation progressively with increasing absorbed energy as well. The greatest relative changes occurred when the end temperature of MW heated samples 80°C and moisture 15% were used. An improvement effect on the baking quality of sprouted wheat was found due to an increase in amylographic maximum with higher energy doses and higher end temperatures of MW heated samples. It was a consequence of Falling Number increase and Gluten Index increase with lower energy doses. The negative effect of higher energy doses was proved in a decrease in wet gluten content.

Twenty-one psychrotrophic resp. psychrophilic bacterial strains were screened for presence of b-galactosidase activity which showed 8 of them. b-Galactosidase activity of these strains was determined for 2 substrates - synthetic substrate (ONPG) and lactose - and also temperature profile of this enzyme was measured. b-Galactosidase from Arthrobacter sp. C2-2 not only proved the typical properties of cold-active enzyme, but it also preferred lactose as a substrate. Therefore, it was chosen for further isolation and purification and was found that it contains two b-galactosidase isoenzymes. One of them had strong preference for lactose and was able to catalyse transglycosylation reactions at low temperature. It has, thus, potential use in food technology.

Commercial defatted soy flour (DSF) was dispersed in distilled water at pH 7 to prepare 5% aqueous dispersion. Soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) were obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the DSF using three different proteases (Flavourzyme 1000 L, No-vozym FM 2.0 L and Alcalase 2.4 L FG). The highest degree of hydrolysis (DH 39.5) was observed in the presence of protease Flavourzyme. SPH were used for measuring functional properties (foaming stability, gelation). Treatment with Flavourzyme improved foaming of proteins of DSF. Foaming stability was low in the presence of Novozym. Proteases treated DSF showed good gelation properties, mainly in the case of treatment with Flavourzyme. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that after enzyme ad-dition to the 5% aqueous dispersion of DSF each enzyme degraded both b-conglycinin and glycinin. In general, the basic polypeptide from glycinin showed the highest resistance to proteolytic activity. The most abundant free amino acids in the hydrolysates were histidine (30%), leucine (24%) and tyrosine (19%) in the case of the treatment with proteases Alcalase and Novozym, and arginine (22.1%), leucine (10.6%) and phenylalanine (12.9%) in the case of the treatment with Flavourzyme.

The constituents of essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation of the overground parts of Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum minimum L. from Turkey were examined by GC-MS. A total of 49 and 41 components, respectively, were identified accounting for 88.1% and 74.4% of the oils of O. basilicum and O. minimum, respectively. The oil of O. basilicum contained, as main components, methyl eugenol (78.02%), α-cubebene (6.17%), nerol (0.83%) and ε-muurolene (0.74%). Major compounds in the volatile oil of O. minimum were geranyl acetate (69.48%), terpinen-4-ol (2.35%) and octan-3-yl-acetate (0.72%). The essential oil of O. basilicum was characterised by its high content of methyl eugenol (78.02%), whereas the most important essential oil constituent of O. minimum was geranyl acetate (69.48%).

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for the results of classifying of carcass traits by the SEUROP method in beef cattle in the Czech Republic using linear and linear-threshold models. Genetic parameters were calculated and evaluated in a set of 4276 animals of eleven beef breeds and crosses with dairy and dual-purpose breeds (Aberdeen Angus - 1376, Hereford - 994, Simmental - 651, Charolais - 524, Piemontese - 185, Galloway - 162, Blonde d'Aquitaine - 147, Limousine - 106, Highland - 53, Gasconne - 44, Belgian Blue - 34) in 2005-2008. Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Charolais and beef Simmental were the most numerous breeds. Fixed effect of a classifier, fixed regression on age at slaughter by means of Legendre polynomial of the second degree separately for the each breed and sex and fixed regression on heterosis coefficient were included in a model equation. Genetic parameters were estimated by a multi-trait animal model using a linear model and a linear-threshold model in which carcass weight (CW) was considered as the linear trait and carcass conformation (CC) and carcass fatness (CF) grading as threshold traits. The heritability coefficient for CW differed only moderately according to the method of the genetic parameter estimation (0.295 in linear model and 0.306 in linear-threshold model). The heritability coefficient for CC was 0.187 in linear model and 0.237 in linear-threshold model. The heritability coefficient for CF grading was 0.089 in linear model and 0.146 in linear-threshold model. Genetic correlation between CW and CC was high (0.823 in linear model and 0.959 in linear-threshold model), the correlation between CW and CF was intermediate (0.332 and 0.328, respectively) and it was low between CF and CC (0.071 and 0.053). If CW was included in the model equation as fixed regression using Legendre polynomial, lower heritability coefficients for CC (0.077 and 0.078) and CF (0.086 and 0.123) were calculated and the correlation between CC and CF was negative (-0.430 and -0.429).

The objectives of the present study were to test the antifungal properties (inhibition of radial growth, inhibition of the mould spore germination) of lauroylglycerol and mixtures of monoacylglycerols synthesised from coconut oil (MIX-I and MIX-II) against Aspergillus niger DMF 0801. The content of monoacylglycerols in lauroylglycerol, MIX-I and MIX-II was 99.9% (w/w), 97.7% (w/w) and 75,1% (w/w), respectively. The content of 1-lauroylglycerol in MIX-I and MIX-II was calculated from the content of lauric acid and content of monoacylglycerols. The inhibition of the radial growth of Aspergillus niger DMF 0801 by lauroylglycerol was stronger than that caused by MIX-I and MIX-II. The inhibition effect of spore germination caused by lauroylglycerol and MIX-I was nearly the same. The inhibition of spore germination increased with increasing content of monoacylglycerol and also with increasing 1-lauroylglycerol content in monoacylglycerols. The level of spore germination inhibition was related to the purity of tested substances. The results of this study indicate that monoacylglycerols made from coconut oil have antifungal activity.