In response to urgent demand to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of tomato consumption and to advocate for healthy diets through increased sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables, this study is intended to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle, sharing the best practices of production and consumption. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the growing system (field vs. plastic tunnel) and of genotype characteristics for organic improved tomato genotypes. The research was carried out in the 2019 and 2020 years on eight improved tomato genotypes. The results showed that the ascorbic acid content presented higher values for organic tomatoes cultivated in the field for all genotypes studied, with an upper limit of 18.57 mg·100 g−1 FW. In contrast, the content in β-carotene and lycopene showed higher values for genotypes grown under plastic tunnel conditions. Significant statistical differences were noticed concerning the mean values of all genotypes according to cultivation conditions (field vs. plastic tunnel) for most parameters excepting total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI) and flavor index (FI). This highlights the major importance of the selection of some genotypes of tomatoes that respond positively to the organic cultivation system in terms of the presence of the antioxidants compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, and carotene) in representative quantities. Genotype 3 is highlighted by the highest content in carotene (7.4 mg·100 g−1 F.W.) and lycopene (8.4 mg·100 g−1 F.W.) and genotype 5 by the highest content in vitamin C (16.8 mg·100 g−1 F.W.). The results of the study suggest that by applying appropriate techniques for growing organic tomatoes in the plastic tunnel system, the antioxidant substrate can be optimized compared to the results obtained for the field system.
Measurement of antioxidant capacity represents an analytical major challenge in terms of accuracy, efficiency, rapid response, or low cost of detection methods. Quantification of antioxidant capacity of food samples using disposable screen‐printed microelectrodes (SPMEs) was based on cyclic voltammetry versus open-circuit potential (CV vs OCP) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as compared with spectrophotometric measurement of the CUPRAC reaction with 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (trolox). The SPMEs are organic‐resistant electrodes and thus compatible with food samples and organic solvents used to dissolve trolox. A micropipette was used to release a drop of 50 μL sample on the spotted surface of the SPME sensor/working electrode that was time programmed to function according to the working protocol. The SPME response was linearly correlated with trolox content. This preliminary demonstration was focused on the analysis of tea infusions, due to the simplicity and reproducibility of the samples’ preparations involved. Analytical results of the antioxidant capacity (expressed as mol·L−1 trolox equivalents) of the tea samples showed a good agreement in the case of spectrophotometry and differential pulse voltammetry (R2 > 0.998). DPV with SPME based on CUPRAC reactions was proven to be a promising approach for the characterization of antioxidant capacity of tea samples with rapid response, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity of operation.
In this study, the adsorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions onto lignin obtained from unmodified Sarkanda grass was analyzed. To ensure optimal process conditions, the retention of lead and zinc ions was tested at different experimental parameters (pH of the initial solution and adsorbent, the dose of adsorbent, the concentration of aqueous solutions and contact time). The experimental results have been interpreted using the classic Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, as well as two kinetic models (the Lagergren pseudo-first order and the Ho and McKay pseudo-second order models). Based on the analysis of the experimental data, it has been concluded that unmodified Sarkanda grass lignin can be recommended as an efficient alternative, considering its practical applicability, in the retention of Pb2+and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions, both in terms of the amount of adsorbate and pollutant species retained, as well as in terms of adsorption time.
The purpose of this work is to pinpoint the influence of some growth regulators, stimulators and inhibitors (the Na salt of 2-Cl, 4-sulfonamido phenoxy -acetic acid, the Na salt of 4-Cl, 2-sulfonamido phenoxy -acetic acid and 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy – acetic acid) on the process of germination of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L., var. Botosani). The substances have a large area of action, there effects being felt both on entire plants and on certain parts and tissues, thus regulating some important metabolic process. The stimulation and inhibition of growth regulators on germination depend on utilized variant of treatment.
Red onion (Allium cepa) is commonly used in human diet, representing an important source of flavonoids, with argued therapeutic values in humans. In animals, the tolerance to onion varies according to species and the quantity intake, carnivores being the most sensitive. The experiment aims to identify the negative potential effects in mice after the aqueous red onion extract consumption over 56 days. Similar to some long-term studies performed on other species using aqueous or alcoholic red onion extracts, for the mice of the experimental batch were registered the hepatic and renal disturbances, paraclinically and microscopically registered, which might limit the testing of the effects of the extracts from red onion on mice.
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