Agrobiodiversity for Improving Nutrition, Health and Life Quality

Exploring Global Genebank Resources to Introduce and Assess Cultivation Potential of Moldavian Dragonhead in Armenia

Alvina Avagyan — 2024-11-30

The increasing interest in spicy plants for their diverse applications in functional foods and as melliferous plants highlight a wide array of species valued for their distinctive flavours, nutritional benefits, and therapeutic properties. Dracocephalum moldavica L., commonly known as Moldavian dragonhead, is a noteworthy candidate due to its nutritional value, high essential oil content, antioxidant capacity, and adaptability. Various plant genetic resources information systems and national genebank databases were explored to identify suitable varieties to be cultivated in Armenia. Key insights from this assessment revealed a limited availability of D. moldavica accessions across global genebanks, with significant gaps in accession data, particularly regarding characterization and evaluation. This lack of comprehensive information impeded the selection process. Based on publicly available data, national genebank records, and literature on valuable traits, two cultivars – Gorynych and Moldavia - were selected for study and potential introduction in Armenia. Minimal differences were observed in growth stages and morphological traits, with cv. Gorynych showing taller inflorescences and cv. Moldavia slightly larger floral features. Both varieties demonstrated extended flowering periods, indicating high melliferous potential in Armenia’s valley conditions. These cultivars are recommended for cultivation and further research on their biochemical properties.

Heavy Metal Content and Antioxidant Activity of Strawberries (Fragaria vesca L.)

Judita Lidiková — 2024-11-30

Strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) plays a valuable role in human nutrition due to its richness in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other bioactive compounds that benefit the human body. This study focused on assessing the total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and levels of selected heavy metals (Pb and Cd) using atomic absorption spectroscopy in strawberries grown at five monitored locations in Slovakia (Hliník, Štitáre, Rišňovce, Sabinov, and Oravská Lesná). TPC values ranged from 1194 to 2389 mg GAE.kg^-1 FW, while AA values ranged from 2.89 to 3.88 mg TE.kg^-1 FW. Content of Pb ranged from 0.05–0.97 mg.kg^-1 FW, and content of Cd ranged from 0.05–0.11 mg.kg^-1 FW. The measured concentrations of Pb and Cd in strawberries were higher than the limit values set by the European Commission, except for Pb in samples from Hliník, Štitáre, and Rišňovce. Nonetheless, the strawberries from all monitored locations are safe for consumption, as the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) for cadmium was not exceeded. Overall, strawberries from these locations are a good source of health-beneficial antioxidants and contain relatively low levels of hazardous metals. A negative correlation was observed between Pb levels in strawberry fruits and TPC and AA values.

Size Distribution of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Artemisia annua L. Hairy Root Extracts

Volodymyr Duplij — 2024-11-30

"Green" synthesis is a novel and effective method of obtaining metal nanoparticles. Using plant extracts to synthesize nanoparticles is safe for the environment and does not require expensive and complex equipment. Based on their particular characteristics, such nanomaterials have potential applications in various fields of industry and medicine. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used in different areas where chemical inertia, nontoxicity, and good biocompatibility are required. That is why optimization of methods of AuNP obtaining besides theoretical has a practical interest. In this work, the features of gold nanoparticles obtained using extracts from the hairy roots of Artemisia annua L. during storage were investigated. AuNPs were obtained by adding ethanol (70%) extracts from the roots to a solution of HAuCl₄. Nanoparticles were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on the first and 14th days after initiation. TEM analysis revealed significant differences in the sizes of nanoparticles and changes during their storage. After two weeks post-initiation, AuNPs increased in size, and conglomerates formed, leading to nanoparticle precipitation. Such changes were noted for samples of AuNPs produced using extracts from transgenic roots and, to a lesser extent, those samples obtained when extracts from the roots of the control plants were added to the HAuCl₄ solution. This data indicates the necessity for additional research to explain the mechanisms of this effect and to test more hairy root lines to find extracts that will promote the formation of more stable AuNPs.

Alcoholic Fermentation, Chemical Composition and Organoleptic Profile of Spontaneously Fermented White and Red Wines

Tatyana Radkova Yoncheva — 2024-11-30

The development of viticulture and winemaking, including the preservation and cultivation of old local grape varieties, is an opportunity to preserve traditions and diversity of vine genetic resources in Bulgaria. This research was a part of the DIONYSOS project, investigated the biological diversity of local varieties grown in different regions of Southern Bulgaria. The subject of the current study were 10 grapes samples from 3 white (Dimyat, Red Misket, Tamyanka) and 3 red (Pamid, Mavrud, Gamza) autochthonous to Bulgaria wine grape cultivars grown in the region of Haskovo district. The aim was to determine the chemical composition and organoleptic profile of the experimental wines obtained after spontaneous alcoholic fermentation. After crushing, the fermentation of the grape pomace was run under the impact of wine yeast from the natural microflora of the grapes. The dynamics of the process was monitored by daily measurement of dry matter by refractometer. The yeasts showed different fermentation activity. The process onset was between the 48th and 72nd hours and proceeded dynamically and efficiently. The spontaneous fermentation was complete and ensured a high ratio of sugar conversion into alcohol. An exception was observed in both samples of the cv. Tamyanka. The content of residual sugars, alcohol, titratable acids, volatile acids, pH in the experimental wines were analyzed by generally accepted in winemaking practice methods. No deviations were found in the values of the studied indicators and metabolites formed were within acceptable limits for white and red wines. The organoleptic features of the samples were evaluated by a tasting panel of 7 oenologists. The sensory qualities of the variants were represented by radial diagrams using the method of principal characteristics. All samples had specific sensory profile, with a positive rating of the organoleptic criteria, according to the variety and the created experimental conditions for their making.

Allelopathic Effect of Cucurbitaceae Species on Triticum aestivum L. Cultivars

Anastasia Ostapchuk — 2024-11-30

This study investigates the allelopathic interactions between Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) cultivars Podolyanka and Bogdana and several Cucurbitaceae species, including Cucurbita pepo L., Cucurbita pepo var. Giraumontia Pang., and Cucumis sativus L. The experimental analysis was focused on wheat’s seed germination, root length, and shoot length under the influence of aqueous extracts from these cucurbits. As the result, inhibitory effect was revealed depending on the combination of wheat variety and cucurbit species. The most substantial inhibitory impact was observed with Cucumis sativus on cv. Podolyanka. The aqueous extracts of Cucumis sativus significantly reduced germination percentage and affected early seedling growth, which indicates strong allelopathic effect. Meanwhile, with Cucurbita pepo and its variety Giraumontia variable effects were observed ranging from slight inhibition to no inhibition, depending on the wheat variety. These findings highlight the allelopathic potential of cucurbits and their possible applications in crop management, particularly for weed suppression and optimizing plant growth. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of understanding species-specific allelopathic influences, as these interactions can lead to improved crop rotation and intercropping strategies, ultimately enhancing overall agricultural sustainability. The results of this research can be used to optimize crop performance and develop sustainable agricultural practices that reduce reliance on chemical herbicides. The study provides insights into crop-weed dynamics and serves as a foundation for future research on the allelopathic effects, including the identification of specific allelochemicals responsible for the observed interactions, their modes of action, and their practical applications in agriculture. These results contribute to a broader understanding of plant-plant interactions and offer potential pathways for reducing chemical inputs in farming systems while maintaining productivity and ecological balance.

Antioxidant Activity and Content of Heavy Metals in Cherry Fruit (Prunus avium L.)

Natália Čeryová — 2024-11-30

Cherries are highly valued not only for their appealing taste and nutritional benefits but also for their rich profile of phenolic compounds, which contribute significantly to their potential health-promoting properties. Apart from these beneficial substances, cherries may also accumulate traces of heavy metals, which raises important concerns as these metals pose health risks and may interfere with the beneficial actions of phenolic compounds. This study investigates the total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and heavy metal contamination (Cd and Pb) in cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits grown across various localities. TPC ranged from 495.7 to 1198 mg GAE.kg⁻¹ FW, and AA varied between 1.85 and 2.99 mmol TE.kg⁻¹ FW, with both parameters significantly impacted by the growing location. Heavy metal analysis showed Cd concentrations exceeding the regulatory limit (0.03 mg.kg⁻¹ FW) in all samples, while Pb levels surpassed the limit (0.10 mg.kg⁻¹ FW) in specific localities. A positive correlation between TPC and AA suggests higher polyphenol levels enhance antioxidant capacity. However, Cd content positively correlated with TPC and AA, whereas Pb exhibited a negative correlation. These findings suggest that environmental factors, including soil and urban pollution, play a crucial role in heavy metal accumulation, which may influence polyphenol synthesis and antioxidant potential. Despite exceeding Cd and Pb limits, the average consumption of cherries is unlikely to pose a significant health risk.

Evaluation of the in Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Natural kinds of Multi-floral Honey Against Selected Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains

Halina Tkachenko — 2024-11-30

The increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has raised concerns about the effectiveness of conventional antimicrobial therapies, prompting the search for alternative treatments. Honey, especially multifloral honey, has gained attention for its potential antibacterial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of different natural multifloral honeys against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on six bacterial strains: Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach ATCC®25923™, Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz ATCC®29212™, vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder) Schleifer and Kilpper-Balz ATCC®51299™, and Gram-negative strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter) Migula ATCC®27853™, Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers ATCC®25922™ and Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers ATCC®35218™. Honey samples were obtained from different Polish and Hungarian apiaries. The results showed that while the kinds of honey showed varying antibacterial activity degrees, some strains showed resistance, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. However, all the honeys tested showed significant inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli and and Enterococcus faecalis, with significant increases in the 0-zone of inhibition compared to the control groups. These results suggest that natural multi-floral kinds of honey may have promising antibacterial properties, especially against Gram-negative bacteria, and could serve as potential adjuncts to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Further research is needed to explore the specific compounds responsible for this antibacterial activity and its clinical implications.

Volatolomics Profiling of Specialty Green Coffee Beans from South and Central American Harvesting Sites

Alžbeta Demianová — 2024-11-30

Understanding and analyzing coffee volatiles is essential for quality control, authenticity verification, and product development. To qualify as specialty coffee, the beans must not only achieve this score but also meet specific quality standards throughout the supply chain, which includes factors such as the growing conditions, processing methods, and overall flavour profile. This study investigates volatile organic compound (VOCs) profiles for further geographical authentication of green specialty coffee (Coffea arabica L.) samples using GC-MS, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). The dissimilarity dendrogram revealed distinct clustering patterns with intra-regional distances ranging from 13.97 to 16.10 units for Brazilian samples and inter-regional distances of 40.03–44.17 units between geographical groups. PCA of ten VOC classes demonstrated that the first two principal components account for 51.93% of the total variance. The clustering effectiveness was supported by a cophenetic correlation coefficient of 0.55, indicating moderate reliability in geographical discrimination. PCA revealed that furans, hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds contributed positively to PC1, while alcohols showed strong positive loading (0.518) on PC2. The plot indicates that five principal components (factors) explain 87.48% of the total variance, suggesting complex VOC interactions in geographical differentiation. The significant overlap observed in the PCA analysis suggests shared characteristics between regions, which may be attributed to similar agricultural practices or cultivars.

Red Grape Pomace Addition Effect on Sensory Properties of Pork Sausages

Marek Bobko — 2024-11-30

The wine industry produces a high amount of co-product known as grape pomace, which consists of grape skins, stems and seeds. This co-product is difficult to dispose of, mainly due to the high concentration of polyphenolic compounds. This could be, however, utilized in other food industries, such as the meat industry, which is currently in pursuit of replacing synthetic antioxidants with natural solutions. In our study, we enhanced pork sausages with grape pomace powder of two different cultivars Vitis vinifera L. (Cabernet Franc and Merlot), in the concentration of 5 g.kg^-1 on the day of preparation and on the last day storage period (21^st day). We mechanically determined colour by spectrophotometer and TA.XT textural analyzer to observe its effect on sensory parameters. Also, sensory evaluation by a seven-member panel was conducted. The observed parameters were aroma, taste, odour, consistency, and appearance. We proved that grape pomace addition could significantly alter the colour of meat products without altering the textural properties such as hardness, chewiness, or resilience. During sensory evaluation on the first day, experimental sausages scored lower in all parameters than control samples. At the end of the storage period samples enhanced with grape pomace powder reached higher levels in aroma parameters and samples with Cabernet Franc had even higher scores in taste parameters than in control groups.

Study of Economically Valuable Features of Nepeta grandiflora M. Bieb. Genotypes in the South Steppe of Ukraine

Liudmyla Svydenko — 2024-11-30

Nepeta grandiflora M. Bieb. known as aromatic, medicinal, and ornamental plants, whose extracts contain biologically active compounds. The essential oil of this species is a rich source of valuable components. This study aimed to evaluate plants' biological features and the biochemical content of the essential oil of N. grandiflora genotypes grown in the South of Ukraine. Genotypes G1-21, G2-20, G3-22, G4-20, and G5-21 were investigated for morphometric and some biological features in the flowering stage. In the genotype, plants were measured the length and width of inflorescences (in cm), the number of whorls in the inflorescences, the number of flowers in the semi-whorls. The essential oil was obtained from the herb in the flowering stage; the mass fraction of the essential oil was determined by the hydrodistillation method (Ginsberg’s method) on the Clevenger apparatus. The study of the component composition of the essential oil (on the sample G1-21) was carried out by high-performance gas-liquid chromatography method. As a result, the length of the inflorescences was from 10.55 (G5-21) to 33.27 (G4-20) cm, the width of inflorescences from 3.52 (G3-22) to 6.51 (G4-20) cm, the number of whorls in inflorescences from 8.09 (G5-21) to 12.97 (G3-22) cm, number of flowers in semi-whorls from 10.58 (G4-20) to 39.38 (G1-21) depends on genotype. The essential oil content on dry weight was from 0.16 (G4-20) to 0.37 (G1-21) %. The prevailing components of the investigated essential oil of G1-21 were caryophyllene (17.46%) and germacrene D (17.80%); 1,8-cineol (8.83 %), caryophyllene oxide (7.62 %), germacrene D–epoxide (6.73 %), etc. found in less quantitative. Thus, the obtained data concerning the N. grandiflora plants showed differences in essential oil content and selected morphometrical parameters of plants depending on genotype. Also, the essential oil of N. grandiflora (G1-21) contains the principal chemicals that can be used in further pharmacological investigations, cosmetic, and food industries.

Drought Resistance of Cerasus vulgaris Mill. Cultivars Depending on Rootstock in the Right-Bank Part of the Western Forest-Steppe Region

Roman Grynyk — 2024-11-30

In the right-bank part of the Western Forest-Steppe, there has been an observed yearly increase in average daily summer temperatures, underscoring the importance of assessing drought tolerance in fruit crops, including cherries. This research aimed to identify the most drought-resistant cherry rootstock-cultivar combinations and the factors enhancing drought tolerance. The study focused on physiological indicators of water balance: water retention capacity, degree of turgor recovery, water deficit, and leaf tissue hydration Cerasus vulgaris Mill., which determine resistance to temperature stress. The research was conducted during 2022–2023 using laboratory-field methods at the Institute of Horticulture, NAAS, located in the right-bank area of the Western Forest-Steppe. The research subjects were various cherry cultivars – Igrushka, Lutovka, Balaton, Erdi Botermo, Nochka, Turgenevka, and a promising selection – D 36-25 on various rootstock forms (Prunus mahaleb L., Krymsk 5, V-2-180, V-2-230, V-5-88, Rubin), during peak water stress periods. Results indicated that most cherry rootstock-cultivar combinations exhibited high drought tolerance. The water deficit index for studied combinations ranged between 2.2–9.2%, with high and drought-resistant combinations showing values within 2.2–5.6%. Leaf tissue hydration in the studied combinations varied between 60.87–65.93% for cultivars and 60.23–64.19% for rootstocks. The water retention capacity of leaf tissue for most combinations indicated a 10.9% water loss after two hours, while certain cultivars showed an increase of 13.7%. After 4-6 hours, water retention capacity increased by 2.41-3.45% per hour. Turgor recovery in the studied combinations ranged between 40.3–52.7%. Factors influencing drought resistance in these cherry rootstock-cultivar combinations were also identified (weather and climatic factors accounted for 26.0%, cultivar, and rootstock forms for 17.0 and 9.0%, respectively, between climatic conditions and cultivars at 22.0%, and between rootstock forms and cultivars at 18.0%. The results demonstrated that all studied cherry rootstock-cultivar combinations are highly drought-resistant, with drought resistance primarily influenced by the compatibility between cultivar and rootstock and the growing conditions.

BBAP Amplification Profiles of Golden Delicious and Granny Smith Apple Cultivars

Lenka Kučerová — 2024-11-30

The BBAP analysis (Bet v 1 based amplified polymorphism) used in the study was aimed to detect natural variation among thirteen samples of Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apple cultivars. These cultivars were selected due to their global commercial importance and their documented association with high concentrations of the allergen Mal d 1. All of them were sourced from retail chains across eight European countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia). Cross-reactivity between Bet v 1, a major allergen in birch pollen, and Mal d 1, its homolog in apples, often leads to allergic reactions in individuals sensitized to birch pollen. That is why determining the features of the genome of different cultivars of apples with the use of appropriate specific primers makes it possible to assess the possible allergenicity of products. Forward and reverse primers (R1, R2, R3, R4, Rd) were employed, and the resulting amplification products were analysed via electrophoresis on a 3% agarose gel. Most samples exhibited monomorphic patterns, suggesting similar isoform profiles, though some differences between cultivars were observed. A total of 73 fragments, ranging from 38 bp to 662 bp, were amplified. Profiles for primers FR3 and FR4 could not be successfully synthesized. For the primer pair FRd, fragment sizes ranged from 113 bp to 400 bp, with 26 fragments observed. Primer pair FR1 produced 20 fragments within a range of 181 bp to 662 bp, while primer pair FR2 resulted in 27 fragments ranging from 38 bp to 307 bp. All primer pairs exhibited the expected amplicon with a length of 388 bp. An average PIC value of 0.37 confirmed the high informativeness of the technique. The monomorphic profiles suggest that the environmental impact and varying storage conditions on the studied genes are minimal or negligible, as all samples exhibited similar profiles despite being sourced from diverse countries and retail stores. The identification of unique genetic profiles in certain regions or cultivars may provide insights into the allergenic potential of different apple cultivars, contributing to advancements in food safety, allergen management, and the development of hypoallergenic apple cultivars.