Changes in Bull Sperm Kinematics after Single Layer Centrifugation

The objective of this study was to evaluate bull sperm kinematics after centrifugation through a single layer of a colloid [Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC)]. Ejaculates from 20 bulls were extended and stored at 4–6°C for 24 h during transport to the laboratory for SLC through Androcoll‐B, followed by measurement of sperm kinematics in all samples. Total motility (86% and 88% for uncentrifuged and SLC samples, respectively) and progressive motility (84% for both the groups) were similar (p > 0.05). In contrast, straightness (STR) (0.65 vs 0.69), linearity (LIN) (0.32 vs 0.35) and beat cross frequency (BCF) (22.3 vs 23.6 Hz) were significantly higher in the SLC‐selected samples than in the uncentrifuged samples, whereas velocity of the average path (VAP) (95 vs 90 μm/s), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (192 vs 180 μm/s), amplitude of lateral head deviation (ALH) (7 μm vs 6.5 μm) and hypermotility (49% vs 38%) were significantly decreased. The kinematics of the samples with the poorest motility was improved most by SLC. In conclusion, even though SLC had no direct effect on total and progressive motility, it appeared to have a positive influence on several other kinematic parameters that may be important for fertilization after artificial insemination.     

Characterization of the forest humus microbial community in a heavy metal polluted area

Various parameters of the soil microbial community may be used in soil quality evaluation and environmental risk assessment. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of different environmental factors on the characteristics of forest humus microbial communities, and to test which environmental factors most affect the gross microbial indices and physiological profiles of these communities. Samples were taken at 71 plots located in a heavily polluted area of the Krakowsko-Cze¸stochowska upland in southern Poland. The samples were analyzed for pH in KCl (pH_KCl), organic C (C_org), total N (N_t) and S (S_t), and for total and soluble Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations. The considered microbial parameters included basal respiration (BAS), microbial biomass (C_mic), C_mic-to-C_org ratio, and community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) studied using BIOLOG^® Ecoplates. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of humus properties on the microbial parameters. It indicated that S_t and C_org-to-N_t ratio were the most important factors positively affecting C_mic (β=0.15 and 0.11, respectively) and BAS (β=0.13 and 0.08, respectively). The C_mic-to-C_org ratio was related positively to S_t (β=0.12) but negatively to N_t (β=−0.08). The effects of pH_KCl and heavy metals on the gross microbial indices were significant but less important. The most important effect on microbial activity on BIOLOG^® plates and CLPPs was from pH_KCl. The other significant variables included S_t, C_org-to-N_t and interactions of heavy metals with pH_KCl. It was concluded that C_mic, C_mic-to-C_org and BAS might be good indicators of the general status of soil microbial communities, but their use in studying heavy metal effects may entail difficulties in separating the effects of other factors. The sensitivity of the BIOLOG^® test to pH_KCl suggests that it may be useful for studying the effects of acidification or liming on soil microbial communities. The significant effect of the interactions between heavy metals and other variables on physiological profiles indicated that high heavy metal content affects the metabolic functions of soil microbial populations.     

Phenolic acid profiles in some small berries

The composition of phenolic acids in several small berries grown in Northeastern Poland, namely, low-bush blueberries, black mulberries, European juneberries, black currants, fruits of blue-berried honeysuckle, and blackberries, was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). The total content of phenolic acids, identified by GC-MS, ranged from 2845.8 +/- 141.0 (black mulberries) to 5418.2 +/- 228.0 (blue-berried honeysuckle). Twenty phenolic acids were identified in the berries. Of these, hydroxycaffeic, m- and p-coumaric, and 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acids were the major phenolic acids in blackberries and blueberries, m-coumaric acid was the major phenolic acid in blue-berried honeysuckle and black currant fruits, while salicylic, caffeic, and m- and p-coumaric acids were the predominant phenolic acids in European juneberries. Syringic and veratric acids were detected only in blueberries, while p-hydroxybenzoic and sinapic acids were present only in black currants and o-coumaric acid was present in blueberries and black mulberries. The phenolic acids liberated from esters and glycosidic bonds were the major fractions of phenolic acids in the berries.     

Changes in the physical and the sensorial properties of wheat bread caused by interruption and slowing of the fermentation of yeast-based leaven

Here we propose an original study on the effect of an interruption and slowing of the fermentation of yeast-based leaven on the physical properties of bread.     

Changes in plasma lipid and antioxidant activity in rats as a result of naringin and red grapefruit supplementation

The aim of this investigation was to compare the influence of naringin versus red grapefruit juice on plasma lipid levels and plasma antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets. The antioxidant activity of a correlated quantity of red grapefruit juice was higher than that of naringin. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 7 named control, naringin, grapefruit, Chol, Chol/naringin, and Chol/grapefruit. The rats of the control group were fed basal diet (BD) and 1-2 mL of distilled water. To the BD of the other five groups were added 0.46-0.92 mg of naringin dissolved in 1-2 mL of distilled water (naringin), 1-2 mL of red grapefruit juice (grapefruit), 1% of nonoxidized cholesterol (NOC) and 1-2 mL of distilled water (Chol), 1% of NOC and 0.46-0.92 mg of naringin in 1-2 mL of water (Chol/naringin), and 1% of NOC and 1-2 mL of red grapefruit juice (Chol/grapefruit). After 30 days of different feeding, it was found that diets supplemented with red grapefruit juice and to a lesser degree with naringin improved the plasma lipid levels mainly in rats fed cholesterol and increased the plasma antioxidant activity. In conclusion, naringin is a powerful plasma lipid lowering and plasma antioxidant activity increasing flavonone. However, fresh red grapefruit is preferable than naringin: it more effectively influences plasma lipid levels and plasma antioxidant activity and, therefore, could be used as a valuable supplement for disease-preventing diets.     

Inhibitory Potential against Digestive Enzymes Linked to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes and Content of Bioactive Compounds in 20 Cultivars of the Peach Fruit Grown in Poland

The presented study provides important insights on the health properties of Prunus persica fruit related to their polyphenol and carotenoid profiles, antioxidant capacity and in vitro potential to inhibit enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase) and obesity (pancreatic lipase) management. Such results have not been published so far. The study showed substantial differences in the chemical composition of peach fruit depending on the cultivar. At the same time, it demonstrated some common features of selected cultivars - the varieties with light flesh (‘Spring Time’; ‘Madison’) were characterized by a high content of phenolic acids and flavonols, thus exhibiting high activity against α-amylase, while the yellow varieties with high content of carotenoids (‘Harrow Diamond’; ‘Harrow Beauty’) showed high inhibitory activity toward porcine pancreatic lipase. Finally, it has been shown that peach fruit is an interesting raw material with a varied chemical composition and nutritional value, especially with high inhibitory potential against digestive enzymes linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, strongly determined by the cultivar.     

Length of winter coat in horses depending on husbandry conditions

This paper analyzes changes in the length of coat on selected body areas in horses and ponies kept under different husbandry (stable) conditions during the winter‐spring period. The study included 12 Ma?polski geldings and 12 geldings of Felin ponies aged 10–15 years. Horses were kept in two stables (six horses and six ponies in each stable). The type of performance, husbandry conditions and feeding of the studied animals were comparable. As of December 1, samples of hair coat from the scapula, sternum, back and abdomen areas of both body sides were collected seven times. The lengths of 20 randomly selected hair fibers were measured. Daily measurements of air temperature in the stables were also taken. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the following factors: the body part from where the coat was sampled, the subsequent examination and the stable as well as the interaction between these factors. The significance of differences between means was determined with a t‐Tukey test. The relations between air temperature in the stable and hair length were calculated using Pearson's correlation. It was found that air temperature in the stable impacts the length of winter coat in horses and ponies. The effect of this factor is more pronounced in ponies; as in the stables with lower temperatures it produces a longer hair coat which is more evenly distributed over the body in comparison with horses. Keeping horses and ponies in stables with a low air temperature accelerates coat shedding by approximately 25 days. Coat shedding begins from the scapula area.     

Nutritive value of marketable heads and outer leaves of white head cabbage cultivated at different nitrogen rates

The effect of different nitrogen treatments (100–400?kg?N?ha^?1) on yield and quality of marketable cabbage heads and outer green leaves (waste fraction) of two cultivars of Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. alba L. grown in two years field experiment was studied. During harvest, the marketable cabbage heads and the outer leaves (not adjacent leaves of cabbage) were removed; total and marketable yield of cabbage were evaluated as well as nutritive value was determined based on content of some components, that is, dry matter, ascorbic acid, soluble polyphenols, total flavonoids, nitrates, total nitrogen and antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The study showed a significant effect of nitrogen fertilization on the total and marketable yield of the tested cultivars of cabbage. The weight of total cabbage heads was increasing according to higher nitrogen fertilization from 100 up 400?kg?N?ha^?1 for both cultivars. The outer leaves of cabbage characterized by a significantly higher nutritive value compared with marketable head, which is supported by several-fold higher content of total flavonoids, soluble polyphenols and over the 100% increase in ascorbic acid content. Although the outer green leaves of cabbage are discarded after harvesting, they possess high nutritive potential which can be practically used or transformed into an added value product.     

Cellulose decomposed faster in fallow soil than in meadow soil due to a shorter lag time

Purpose

The study aimed at comparing organic matter decomposition in two semi-natural agrobiocenozes, namely fallows and meadows, with similar plant biomass but differing in plant community composition and diversity and in succession stage.

Materials and methods

The decomposition rate of a standard material (cellulose) was measured in soils from six fallows and six meadows spanning a few kilometres apart. The mathematical model was fitted to the data.

Results and discussion

The model showed a significantly longer lag-time in cellulose decomposition in the meadows. Despite the delayed start of decomposition in the meadows, the estimated decomposition rates were similar in both ecosystem types, once the decay started.

Conclusions

The faster start of decomposition in fallows seems to be promoted by higher contents of nitrates and phosphates in the fallow soils. The fallows, as younger ecosystems, may have faster C turnover than older grasslands due to remains of fertilisers on these ex-arable fields.

     

Erratum to: Antioxidant Properties of Extracts Obtained from Raw, Dry-roasted, and Oil-roasted US Peanuts of Commercial Importance

Raw, skinless peanut kernels from US commercial production lines were dry- and oil-roasted according to standard industrial practices. Eighty percent (v/v) methanolic extracts from the peanut cultivars were prepared and characterized by RP-HPLC: five predominant compounds were found comprising free p-coumaric acid and potential p-coumaric acid derivatives, as elucidated by DAD-UV spectra with comparisons to those of commercial standards. A Spanish high-oleic peanut possessed the greatest naturally-occurring level of p-coumaric acid and its derivatives, followed by a high-oleic Runner, a normal Runner, and a Virginia peanut. Upon thermal processing, p-coumaric acid was liberated at the expense of its derivatives according to the relationship: oil roasting > dry roasting > raw. A high-oleic Runner exhibited the greatest increase (∼785%) in free p-coumaric acid levels after oil roasting. For many of the samples from the 2007 crop, processing increased the TPC and antioxidant capacities in the order of raw < dry roast < oil roast, but results were cultivar dependent. Oil-roasted peanuts were more effective at scavenging O₂ ^●- than their dry-roasted counterparts, as determined by a photochemiluminescence assay. Overall findings indicate that although thermal processing altered the composition of peanut kernel antioxidants, TPC values and radical-scavenging activities are preserved. Depending on peanut type, cultivar, and harvest date, enhanced antioxidant capacities can result.