Deficit irrigation (DI) strategies are considered essential in many arid and semi-arid areas of Mediterranean countries for proper water management under drought conditions. This fact is even more necessary in crops such as almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.), which in the last recent years has been progressively introduced in irrigated areas. An essential aspect to be considered would be the ability to improve fruit-quality parameters when DI strategies are imposed, which can boost the final almond price and ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of this crop. This work examines the effects of sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) on three almond cultivars (Marta, Guara, and Lauranne) on parameters related to almond functionality, aroma and sensory profile, which consequently influence its marketability and consumers acceptance. SDI strategies allowed the improvement of physical parameters such as unit weight, kernel length, kernel thickness or color. Moreover, higher total phenolic compounds, organic acids and sugars were found in SDI almonds. Finally, the highest concentrations of volatile compounds were obtained under SDI, this being a clear advantage in relation to almond flavor. Thus, moderate SDI strategy offered relevant improvements in parameters regarding the marketability, by enhancing the final added value of hydroSOStainable almonds with respect to those cultivated under full irrigation conditions.

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Thirty soil samples were taken, and the same number of moss (Dicranum scoparium) and lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea) bags were exposed to detect environmental pollution in the former mining area Nižná Slaná. Soil and ambient air are influenced by hazardous substances, which leak from old mining bodies due to insufficient or completely missing reclamation. The total content of the risk elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Pb, Zn) was determined in soil, moss, and lichen samples and in the bodies of Leccinum pseudoscabrum. Biological (soil enzymes—urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), ß-glucosidase) and chemical properties (pH) were determined in soil samples. Contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), and enrichment factor (EF) were used for soil and relative accumulation factor (RAF) for air quality evaluation. Contamination factor values show serious pollution by Cd, Fe, Hg, and Mn. Pollution load index confirmed extremely high pollution almost at all evaluated areas. Soil enzymes reacted to soil pollution mostly by decreasing their activity. Mosses and lichens show differences in the accumulation abilities of individual elements. Regular consumption of L. pseudoscabrum would provide the dose of Cd and Hg below the limit of provisional weekly intake. Based on the bioaccumulation index (BAF) values, L. pseudoscabrum can be characterized as an Hg accumulator.

Processing is one of the most crucial factors affecting polyphenol content in foods. Therefore, the study is aimed at the evaluation of heat treatment effects (microwaving, steaming, baking, and boiling) on the content of chlorogenic acids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity of three varieties of sweet potato with different flesh colors (Beauregard—orange-fleshed, O’Henry—white-fleshed, 414-purple—purple-fleshed). According to high performance liquid chromatography analysis, chlorogenic acid was the predominant chlorogenic acid in sweet potatoes. Obtained results also suggested the purple-fleshed variety (414-purple) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher total polyphenol content and thus the highest antioxidant activity. Heat treatment positively influenced the chlorogenic acid content, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity of sweet potatoes. Among the used methods, steaming had the greatest effect on the chlorogenic acids and total polyphenols, while microwaved samples showed the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH). The content of chlorogenic acids and total polyphenols decreased in the order of steaming > baking > microwaving > boiling > raw. However, the individual varieties differed not only in the flesh color but also in the reaction to the used heat treatment methods. Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a strong correlation between chlorogenic acid and antioxidant activity.

Wild-growing edible mushrooms are valuable food with a high content of proteins, fibers, antioxidants, and they are characterized by their specific taste and flavor. However, from an ecotoxicological point of view, they are a risk commodity because of their extremely high bioaccumulative capacity to accumulate the risk elements and contaminants from the environment. In the present study, we examined mercury (Hg) contamination in 230 fruiting bodies of Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and 230 soil/substrate samples, which were collected in foraging seasons 2015–2019 from 22 different locations in Slovakia. Total mercury content was determined by cold-vapor AAS analyzer AMA 254. The level of contamination and environmental risks were assessed by contamination factor (Cf), index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), and potential environmental risk index (PER). Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for individual anatomical parts of M. procera. Mercury content in the soil/substrate samples varied between 0.02 and 0.89 mg kg−1 DW, and in mushroom samples between 0.03 and 2.83 mg kg−1 DW (stems), and between 0.04 and 6.29 mg kg−1 DW (caps). The obtained results were compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake for Hg defined by WHO to determine a health risk resulting from regular and long-term consumption of M. procera.

Grapes and wine are important sources of antioxidants in human diet. Phenolic substances contained in grapevine berries belong to an important group of natural substances that get into wine in the process of wine making. Polyphenols and flavonoids are primarily accountable for the colour and taste of the wine, they affect the perception of bitterness and acerbity. They also have antioxidant properties, thus have a positive effect on human health. Health benefits of polyphenolic substances from wine may be associated with a wide range of biological processes. Thanks to the development of modern analytical methods, wine is constantly being researched in terms of the content of antioxidants, and its importance to human health. Sixteen Slovak white wines of Muscat type produced in different geographical regions were analysed in this study. The object of this work was to determine total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content, and to evaluate antioxidant effects of quality wines of Muscat varieties produced in Slovakia. Antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, and total flavonoid content of particular wines is described in the study. Studied characteristics were analysed by UV-VIS spectrometry method. Muscat wines showed weak to high antioxidant activity, ranging from 25.2% inhibition of DPPH to 67.7% inhibition of DPPH. Average antioxidant activity was 38.7% inhibition of DPPH. Total polyphenol content in the Muscat type varietal wines varied from 262.1 GAE.L-1 to 568.3 GAE.L-1. Average total polyphenol content was 382.13 GAE.L-1. The content of total flavonoids in Muscat type varietal wines ranged from 24.8 mg CE.L-1 to 169.1 mg CE.L-1. Average total flavonoid content was 100.5 mg CE.L-1.

The samples of 4 mushroom species from the genus Leccinum ((Leccinum pseudoscabrum (Kallenb.) Šutara, Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Gray, Leccinum duriusculum (Schulzer ex Kalchbr.) Singer, and Leccinum albostipitatum den Bakker & Noordel) were picked from 6 forested areas of Slovakia in 2020 (Čačín – Jelšovec, Hliník and Hronom, Kurima – Taraš, Mníšek nad Popradom, Snina – Štefekovo, Žákylské pleso). Total mercury content in soil and mushroom parts was determined by cold-vapor AAS analyzer AMA 254. Mercury content in monitored soil samples ranged from 0.07 to 0.18 mg.kg-1 DM. The limit value for Hg in soil ( 0.50 mg.kg-1) was not exceeded. Mercury content in analyzed cap samples ranged from 0.41 to 7.52 mg.kg-1 DM. Mercury content in analyzed stem samples ranged from 0.40 to 2.91 mg.kg-1 DM. The EU limit value in edible mushrooms for Hg (0.75 mg kg-1 FW) was exceeded in caps from Mníšek nad Popradom. Values of the bioconcentration factor indicate that Leccinum mushrooms are accumulators of Hg. The PTWI of Hg was not exceeded. The THQ of all samples was lower than 1. This means that the average consumption of mushrooms from this localities should not cause a serious risk to human health. However, the intake of Hg from other sources must also be taken into account.

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