The aim was the evaluavate meat performance of broiler chickens Ross 308 after the addition of red grape pomace (variety Alibernet) into their diet. A total of one-day 200 Ross 308 broiler chickens of males and females were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=50): the control group (C) without additional supplementation, experimental group E1 supplemented with 1% red grape pomace per 1 kg of feed mixture, experimental group E2 supplemented with 2% red grape pomace per 1 kg of feed mixture and experimental group E3 supplemented with 3% red grape pomace per 1 kg of feed mixture. The feed mixtures were produced without any antibiotics and coccidiostatics. The fattening period lasted for 42 days. The findings of the work on the meat performance and carcass characteristics of Ross 308 broiler chickens revealed that grape pomace in amount 3% (E3 group) seems to be the most suitable feed supplement. Among the most positively affected parameters (P≤0.05) by this supplementation in comparison with control may be mentioned the live weight and breast part weight (♂, ♀ and ♂+♀). Moreover, it seems likely that any supplementation with grape pomace can positively affect (P≤0.05) giblets weight (♂+♀) and necks weight (♀ and ♂+♀).

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.

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.

mushroom samples exceeded EU limits, and as such, they can pose a risk to human health. ARTICLE INFO

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most commonly grown vegetables and thanks to its sensory properties, it has an important place in numerous world cuisines. Garlic is also known for its health-promoting properties, which are attributed to its chemical composition. The health benefits of garlic depending on the content of biologically active compounds, which vary between cultivars and geographical areas. Seven cultivars of garlic, namely Sukoradsky, Zahorsky, Germidour, Mojmir, Karel IV., Arkus, Makoi, were analyzed in this study. This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of garlic. Studied characteristics were analyzed by the UV-VIS spectrometry method. Total polyphenol content ranged from 430.26 to 640.04 mg GAE.kg-1 FW. Total flavonoid content ranged from 10.29 to 60.49 mg CE.kg-1 FW. Antioxidant activity measured by ABTS assay ranged from 1.098 to 1.955 mmol TE.kg-1 FW. Antioxidant activity measured by FRAP assay ranged from 0.63 to 1.467 mmol.kg-1 FW. Highest TPC, TFC, and AA were determined in the cultivar Mojmir. The lowest TPC and TFC were determined in the cultivar Zahorsky. The lowest AA was determined in the cultivar Sukoradsky. High positive correlations were determined between individual parameters.

Capsicum chili peppers are popular vegetables in Slovakia. They provide a supply of health-promoting substances, but contaminated vegetables can pose a serious health risk to the people who consume them. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the content of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Hg) in the soil as well as in selected varieties of the genus Capsicum grown in southern Slovakia. The results were compared with the limit values given by the Law no. 220/2004 (valid in the SR) as well as threshold values proposed by the European Commission (EC) (2006). The gained result showed that the total content of Cd (1.64 mg/kg) as well as the available mobile forms of Cd (0.12 mg/kg) and Pb (0.26 mg/kg) was exceeded on the soil on which Capsicum cultivars were grown. The limit values of other monitored heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Hg) were not exceeded. The studied species of the genus Capsicum did not accumulate monitored heavy metals. It can be stated that consumption of chili peppers does not pose any risk for human health.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the greatest gifts of natural medicine and the oldest medicinal herbs that is cultivated all over the world. It is a widely used spice plant with well-known medicinal properties. Garlic is an important raw material of plant origin with observed and proven positive effects on the human body. A. sativum L. belongs to the most extensively studied medicinal herbs from genus Allium. In the past few decades, its biologically active compounds have been analyzed for their therapeutical properties. The most essential biologically active compound discovered in A. sativum is allicin, working synergistically with other phytochemicals in the prevention of many diseases. Preparation of garlic extractions can be done in liquid form and solid form. The composition and bioactivity of the extraction depend on the strain, age, method of preparation, and consumption method. When extracted and isolated, the bioactive compounds of garlic show a wide range of beneficial health effects: platelets inhibitory and antithrombic activities, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and antitumor. The present chapter describes botanical characterization of garlic, its chemical composition regarding bioactive compounds, and its health benefits.

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