Lactones. 21. Synthesis and odoriferous properties of lactones with the p-menthane system

Starting from (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-pulegone, enantiomeric pairs of esters and lactones with the p-menthane system were obtained. The Claisen rearrangement of allylic alcohols and iodolactonization of gamma,delta-unsaturated acids were the key steps of syntheses presented. The structures of compounds were determined by both spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Some of the synthesized compounds are characterized by interesting odoriferous properties.     

Nutrient cycling in a Pinus patula plantation in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

The accumulation of litter on the forest floor was identified as a potential problem in managed plantations of Pinus patula (Schlechtd. et Cham.) in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa in the late 1980s. Litter accumulation in pine plantations is regarded as a threat to site productivity as organic acids are released, moisture penetration is altered and nutrients are immobilised within the litter. This study examines the cycling of nutrients in a 42-year-old P. patula stand in which litter has accumulated. Samples of the vegetation, litter and soil components were collected and chemically analysed for total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and the major cations potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺). Complete nutrient budgets for N and P, and the cation pool sizes were determined. It was evident from these studies that large reserves of N (1442 kg ha⁻¹) and P (103 kg ha⁻¹) are stored in the litter layers, with levels of cations being low. The presence of large nutrient reserves within the litter and the predominance of fine feeder roots distributed within this layer indicated that a tightly closed plant–litter–plant nutrient cycle was in operation for the cycling of N and P. This may not be true for the major cations. Management of the litter should ensure retention of as many nutrients as possible in the system. This could be achieved through controlled burning to reduce nutrient loss through volatilisation; increasing forest floor temperatures by altering the planting density and application of dolomitic lime to replace cations and to alleviate the acidic conditions making the litter more favourable for decomposing organisms.     

Nutritional evaluation of pea (Pisum sativum L.) protein diets after mild hydrothermal treatment and with and without added phytase

The effect of mild hydrothermal treatment and the addition of phytase under optimal conditions (pH 5.5, 37 degrees C) on the nutritive utilization of the protein of pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour was studied in growing rats by examining the chemical and biological balance. Mild hydrothermal treatment produced reductions of 83, 78, and 72%, respectively, in the levels of alpha-galactosides, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitors and also produced a significant increase in the digestive utilization of protein. The additional fall in the levels of phytic acid caused by the addition of phytase did not lead to a subsequent improvement in the digestive utilization of protein. The mild hydrothermal treatment of pea flour produced a significant increase in the metabolic utilization of protein and carbohydrates, which was reflected in the protein efficiency ratio and food transformation growth indices. These effects were not observed in the phytase-supplemented pea diet.     

The impact of a bio-fertilizer on the soil organic matter status and carbon sequestration—results from a field-scale study

Purpose

The application of bio-fertilizers is one of the management practices that can help to maintain or increase the content of organic matter (OM) and improve soil fertility in arable soils. While some results have been obtained in relation to the influence of bio-fertilizers on organic matter content, less in known about the fractional composition of humus.

Materials and methods

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the bio-fertilizer UGmax on soil total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the fractional composition of organic matter (C of humic acids (CHAs), C of fulvic acids (CFAs), and C in humins) in the humus horizon of an arable field. Measurements were taken in 2005 before the application of UGmax and in 2008, 3 years after its application, which was done in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Forty soil samples were taken in 2005 (the control year without UGmax), while 20 samples were taken after UGmax treatment and 20 from the control in 2008. Samples were always collected after the plants were harvested.

Results and discussion

After the 3-year period of the experiment, the TOC content was 6.3 % higher in plots on which UGmax was applied in comparison to the control, while the DOC content was 0.19 percentage points lower after 3 years of bio-fertilizer use as compared to the initial year of the experiment. The contribution of DOC to TOC decreased significantly after the application of UGmax in comparison with the control. The content of CFAs and its contribution in the TOC pools in soil without UGmax was higher at the end of the experiment compared to the beginning, while there was an inverse relationship in the soil with the bio-fertilizer. In comparison with the control, organic matter in the soil treated with UGmax had a higher content of C of humic acids, C in humins, and higher CHAs/CFAs ratio.

Conclusions

We conclude that the use of a bio-fertilizer that increases the stable fractions of organic matter provides evidence of an increase in the soil OM stability. In turn, the contribution of the organic matter fractions that are more resistant to decomposition is crucial for increasing soil carbon sequestration.

     

The effect of “acid rain” and mineral fertilizers on the biometrical features of larix decidua mill. Seedlings

The purpose of the present experiment was to describe the influence of various mineral fertilizers on the development of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings subject to the influence of simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5. The seedlings were fertilized every month (from April up to October), in order to counteract acid rain. The composition of the fertilizers was diversified in order to select an optimum variant. Fertilizer with NK applied to the needles (Florovit) and NPK applied to the soil (Fruktus 2) as well as dolomite lime applied to the soil. One row per set was left without fertilization as a control for each pH step of acid rain treatment. The analysis of biometric characteristics showed that a two-year period of investigations was too short to estimate effects on Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. It, however, indicated important trends. High correlations were found between particular growth parameters i.e. diameter of root neck, root mass, total mass of: seedlings, needles, main shoots, lateral shoots, ligneous parts, total overground parts. No strong correlations were observed between the above mentioned parameters and the total height of the seedlings. Among the different treatments the best development was achieved at pH 4.0, whereas the weakest development was observed at pH 2.5. The analysis showed a decrease in biometrical features along with an increase in acidity of acid rain solution. The first year of the experiment had the greatest influence upon the growth of Larix decidua Mill. seedlings. Significant improvement in growth, in relation to control plots, was achieved by using NK-fertilizers onto needles — the best results, and NPK onto soil. The best increment of the height of seedling was noticed at pH 3.5. In the second year of the experiment the effects of pH of acid rain and fertilization decreased — no significant effect on biometrical features was observed. Applaying NPK fertilizer onto soil showed a positive effect in relation to dolomite treatment. The best increment was noticed at pH 4.0.     

Differentiation of interglycosidic linkages in permethylated flavonoid glycosides from linked-scan mass spectra (B/E)

A series of per-O-methylated flavonoid di- and tri-glycosides, linked with 1-2 and/or 1-6 glycosidic bonds between sugar rings that were isolated from different plant materials were analyzed. It was demonstrated that the fragmentation behavior of permethylated flavonoid glycosides is dependent on the glycosidic bond placement between sugars. Y(n) type fragment ions, created after glycosidic bond cleavage with oxygen retention on sugar at the reducing end for permethylated compounds, were observed in the normal and linked-scan mass spectra recorded for alpha(1-2) bonded conjugates of flavonoid di- and tri-glycosides. Moreover, for alpha (1-6) linked glycosides, Y fragments created after rearrangement and elimination of internal sugar residues were observed in addition to Y(n) type ions, but these fragment ions were not registered in normal desorption ionization spectra. This second type of fragmentation was also reported previously in collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID MS/MS) spectra of some oligosaccharides and flavonoid glycosides, but their presence was independent of the glycosidic bonds placement between sugar rings.     

Cut-flower life of dry transported carnations as influenced by different silver form pre-treatments

Twenty-four hours of pre-treatment with AgNO₃ increased the vase-life of flowers from 3 to 4 days for carnations kept in water or in preservative solutions after simulated transport conditions. A mixture of AgNO₃ with sodium thiosulphate or with EDTA was considerably better than AgNO₃, while such complexing agents as CDTA, EDDHA and EDPA were less effective. Determination of radioactive silver (Ag) in dissected carnation parts treated with different Ag complexes showed a positive correlation between vase-life and the amount of tracer Ag in the plants.     

Effect of Pb(NO3)2 on poplar tissue culture and the ultrastructural localization of lead in culture cells

In tissue cultures of Populus maximowiczii Henry, Pb(NO₃)₂ had a restraining effect on fresh weight increase and anthocyanin content. In ultrastructural research Pb deposits of various size were mainly present in the intercellular spaces, cell walls (mainly in the region of the middle lamella), in the paramural bodies and in the vacuoles. Small deposits of this metal were also observed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), dictyosomes and dictyosome derivated vesicles.     

Effect on production and carcass quality characteristics of wether lambs of crossing Blackheaded Mutton,Ile de France and Texel rams with Polish Merino ewes

During the period 1972–1974 investigations were made on 120 wethers fattened semi-intensively to a weight of 45 kg liveweight. These lambs originated from commercial crosses of the Polish Merino with rams of the breeds Blackheaded Mutton (B), Ile de France (IF) and Texel (T) as well as pure Merino (M) in the control group.The use of rams of these meat-producing breeds as compared with Merino gave a better growth rate: an increase in the group IF × M of 6.2%, B × M of 7.8% and T × M of 8.8% respectively. The feed consumption, expressed in starch equivalents per kg of weight, decreased in group IF × M by 11.6%, B × M by 15.1% and T × M by 15.6%, and total digestible protein decreased in the group IF × M by 12.1%, B × M by 16.6% and T × M by 16.9%.Crosses with Blackheaded Mutton and Ile de France rams did not fundamentally change the tissue composition of the lamb carcasses. However, the use of Texel rams resulted in carcasses with a higher lean content and less fat as compared with pure Merino (difference 5.7%) as well as with other crosses (differences 4.2–4.8%).Rams of the meat breeds tested did not greatly influence dressing percentage and carcass yield in terms of bone content and the proportion of valuable cuts; nor were dimensions affected, except for a decrease in length of 2–3.5% compared with Merino.     

The influence of different factors on selenium levels in dairy cow herds in the central-eastern region of Poland

Selenium has been recognised as a basic bioelement that determines normal development and health of animals and humans alike. Studies of many authors revealed the influence of selenium deficiency on immunity, health, reproduction and production of dairy cows. Selenium deficiency have been reported in a number of countries, for example in different regions of Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the Se levels in blood serum of dairy cows in the Lublin region. In the periods: autumn 2003, winter 2003 and autumn 2004 selenium concentrations were investigated in serum samples from 180 dairy cows. The samples were obtained from 11 farms. The selenium concentrations were estimated with the ASA method. The monitoring studies have found that Se serum levels are dependent on season of the year, physiological period, maintenance systems and methods of feeding. Mean selenium serum levels observed in the study were between 0.21-0.92 micromol/l, especially (micromol/l): lactation 0.74 +/- 0.13, drying-off period 0.67 +/- 0.15, autumn 2003 0.38 +/- 0.17, winter 2003 0.48 +/- 0.16, autumn 2004 0.69 +/- 0.18. These results suggest that selenium should be supplemented, especially in high-producing dairy cow herds.