{"title":"Antibacterial Effect of Carvacrol and Coconut Oil on Selected Pathogenic Bacteria","authors":"M. Božík, P. Hovorková, P. Klouček","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Essential oils play a prominent role as flavouring agents and fragrances in the food and perfume industries. Carvacrol is a major component of various essential oils, such as oregano and thyme oils, and is responsible for their antimicrobial activity. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) with a high antibacterial potential. Both carvacrol and MCFAs have been used empirically as antimicrobial agents. Here, we tested the inhibitory properties of carvacrol and coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) oil containing a high percentage of MCFAs against 5 harmful bacterial pathogens: Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus cecorum. Gas chromatography (GC-FID) analysis of coconut oil showed a high concentration of lauric acid (41%). Microdilution antimicrobial assays showed that the combination of carvacrol and coconut oil had a stronger antibacterial effect against all tested bacteria than both agents separately. We conclude that carvacrol could significantly improve the antibacterial effect of coconut oil.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.2478/sab-2018-0008","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49408164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Production and Commercialization of Timber in Angola after the Declaration of Independence","authors":"V. Chiteculo, M. Hájek, P. Kubová","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The policy of production and commercialization of timber before and after the independence of Angola was assessed. Historical production of timber under control of Portuguese settlers before 1975 in comparison to the production of timber after this period was reviewed. We used a combination of published scientific studies and government reports to support the background of the paper and a structured questionnaire survey from which analyses were drawn using a logistic regression model. It was found out that timber production declined dramatically after Angola gained independence; the production of logs dropped from 555 000 m3 in 1973 to less than 115 400 m3. Out of the 100 mills that had existed in Angola before 1975 only twenty have been in operation today with annual wood production of less than 20% of extraction capacity. The knowledge concerning the historical production of timber before and after 1975 is not sufficient to provide suggestions for a management plan on what trees, where, and when are to be cut.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48272950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Cidlinová, Z. Wittlingerová, M. Zimová, T. Chrobakova, A. Petruželková
{"title":"Ecotoxicity of Wastewater from Medical Facilities: A Review","authors":"A. Cidlinová, Z. Wittlingerová, M. Zimová, T. Chrobakova, A. Petruželková","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Wastewater from medical facilities contains a wide range of chemicals (in particular pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, heavy metals, contrast media, and radionuclides) and pathogens, therefore it constitutes a risk to the environment and human health. Many micropollutants are not efficiently eliminated during wastewater treatment and contaminate both surface water and groundwater. As we lack information about the long-term effects of low concentrations of micropollutants in the aquatic environment, it is not possible to rule out their adverse effects on aquatic organisms and human health. It is, therefore, necessary to focus on the evaluation of chronic toxicity in particular when assessing the environmental and health risks and to develop standards for the regulation of hazardous substances in wastewater from medical facilities on the basis of collected data. Wastewater from medical facilities is a complex mixture of many compounds that may have synergetic, antagonistic or additive effects on organisms. To evaluate the influence of a wide range of pollutants contained in the effluents from medical facilities on aquatic ecosystems, it is necessary to determine their ecotoxicity.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46503177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phenolic Compounds in Wetland Macrophytes","authors":"T. Březinová, J. Vymazal","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Phenolics are the most widely distributed class of plant secondary metabolites and higher plants are able to produce several thousand different phenolic compounds. It has been reported that phenolics are more resistant to decomposition due to the negative impact on the microorganisms involved. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that the higher content of phenolics in plant tissue may cause slower decomposition rates and potentially higher carbon sequestration in the soil. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the content of phenolics in seven common macrophytes in the Czech Republic. Aboveground biomass was sampled in June 2016 at seven different localities and phenolics concentrations determined by spectrophotometric methods according to the Folin-Cioacalteau method ranged from 9.02 to 28.39 g kg−1 dry biomass weight (DW). Several plants were also harvested in August, October and December in order to follow a seasonal pattern. According to the results it seems that surveyed macrophytes vary widely in phenolics concentrations in relation to sampled site, harvesting time, plant species, and plant parts as well.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42431997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Parasites of Myocastor coypus – a Comparison in Farm Animals and Their Feral Counterparts","authors":"S. Nechybová, I. Langrová, E. Tůmová","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The parasitic status in the coypus (nutrias) Myocastor coypus, both farm-bred or free-living on river banks in the Czech Republic, was determined. Faecal samples were collected from 200 coypus originating from 11 farms (farm-bred animals) and from 20 individuals living at 14 natural localities (feral animals). Faeces were examined for nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts using the McMaster method. The evaluation of faeces from farm-bred coypus indicated infection with the following parasites: Trichuris sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Eimeria seidelli, Eimeria nutriae, Eimeria coypi, and Eimeria myopotami. Free-living feral rodents harboured Eimeria nutriae, E. coypi, Strongyloides sp. and in one case also Trichuris sp. An additional visceral examination of 20 coypus originating from five farms revealed two nematode species in the gastrointestinal tracts, namely Trichuris myocastoris and Strongyloides myopotami. The study indicated that feral coypus are far less parasitized than their captive counterparts.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45317213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploitation of Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) Shell Waste in the Form of Polymer–Particle Biocomposite","authors":"M. Müller, P. Valášek, M. Linda, S. Petrásek","doi":"10.2478/sab-2018-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/sab-2018-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Mechanically ground hazelnut (Corylus avellana) shells, a food industry by-product of hazelnuts processing, were tested for use as a composite material filler. Mechanical properties and fracture surface of the composite were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Polymer composites, i.e. resins filled with microparticles of hazelnut shells, were tested at various concentrations of the filler (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%). Hazelnut shell microparticles used at low concentration (5 wt%) increased tensile strength. The filler did not considerably influence hardness of the composite. Adhesive bond strength did not significantly change up to 20 wt%. The hazelnut shell microparticles were well wetted with the resin.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48313798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Importance of Food Selection for Celiac Sprue Disease","authors":"O. Famera, I. Halova, L. Kouřimská","doi":"10.1515/sab-2017-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/sab-2017-0027","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A questionnaire survey was conducted among people with celiac disease. Questions were focused on dietary foods available and the preference of suitable grain food species. A one-week diet menu was prepared for the participants of the survey. Daily intake of major nutrients and energy was determined. Supermarkets have the largest selection of dietary foods, although in a narrow range. Celiac patients often rely on themselves to make and prepare food. The majority of respondents (57%) considered dietary restrictions as burdening; 43% have adapted to this situation. Food made of rice was the most popular among cereal foods for 50% of respondents, corn for 39%, and buckwheat and millet for only 7% of respondents. Nobody classified amaranth as the most popular food. The model diet for people with celiac disease exceeded the recommended daily intake of protein and undervalued lipid ingestion. This problem was mainly caused by the food composition of the evening meal. Total daily energy intake of 9900 kJ met the women’s needs. There were still 2100 kJ missing for men. The terms ‘gluten-free food or diet’ and ‘gliadin content’, which generally relate to the products of wheat, rye, oats, and triticale, are not accurate.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/sab-2017-0027","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45284131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antimicrobial Potential of Probiotics in Combination with Start er Lactic Acid Bacteria","authors":"Tatiana Mančušková, A. Medveďová, Ľ. Valík","doi":"10.1515/sab-2017-0028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/sab-2017-0028","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The symbiotic interrelationship of probiotic bacteria and starter lactic acid bacteria is of fundamental importance in many fields of industrial microbiology and it is also a great interest of food technologists. This study deals with the antimicrobial potential of cell-free supernatants of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, L. rhamnosus GG and Fresco culture when cultivated alone or together against 5 strains of Escherichia coli and 5 strains of Staphylococcus aureus. While the effect on E. coli was not proven (average change of final density compared to the control was only ΔNEC,24h = 0.12 log CFU ml-1), the decrease of S. aureus final density in the presence of nisin and cell-free supernatant of L. acidophilus NCFM and Fresco culture was considerable (ΔNSA,24h,nis10 = -1.95 log CFU ml-1 and ΔNSA,24h,NCFM+Fr24 = -0.69 log CFU ml-1, respectively).","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/sab-2017-0028","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42011153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Bochenková, Petr Karlík, Michal Hejcman, P. Jiras
{"title":"Does seed modification and nitrogen addition affect seed germination of Pulsatilla grandis?","authors":"M. Bochenková, Petr Karlík, Michal Hejcman, P. Jiras","doi":"10.1515/sab-2017-0029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/sab-2017-0029","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Pulsatilla grandis is an endangered species in the Czech Republic and is protected in whole Europe because the number of its populations is declining. One of the possible causes is the deposition of atmospheric nitrogen. In our research, we investigated how nitrogen concentrations and seed appendage removal directly affect the species’ seed germination.Seeds were allowed to germinate under laboratory conditions in water solutions of NH4NO3 ranging in concentration from 0 to 4239 mg N l-1. They were able to germinate up to the concentration of 848 mg N l-1 even when covered with mycelium, which supports the idea that they can tolerate being strongly infected by fungi. We also found a significant positive effect of seed appendage removal on seed germination. Seeds without appendages germinated, on the average, with 11% greater probability, compared to seeds with appendages. We conclude that the germination of P. grandis is not directly affected by high N concentrations in rain water, which can range from 10 to 13 mg N l-1 near large cities. Surprisingly, low concentrations of N (up to 34 mg N l-1) might even slightly support the seed germination of P. grandis. The negative effect of N deposition on seeds is indirect and acts in conjunction with the absence of management at localities.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42389129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Z. Hossain, P. Fragstein, P. Niemsdorff, J. Heß
{"title":"Effect of Different Organic Wastes on Soil Propertie s and Plant Growth and Yield: a Review","authors":"M. Z. Hossain, P. Fragstein, P. Niemsdorff, J. Heß","doi":"10.1515/sab-2017-0030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/sab-2017-0030","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The use of organic wastes in agriculture plays a great role in recycling essential plant nutrients, sustaining soil security as well as protecting the environment from unwanted hazards. This review article deals with the effect of different kinds of organic wastes on soil properties and plant growth and yield. Municipal solid waste is mainly used as a source of nitrogen and organic matter, improving soil properties and microbial activity that are closely related to soil fertility. Biowaste and food waste increase pH, nitrogen content, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, and microbial biomass in soil. Sewage sludge contains various amounts of organic matter and huge amounts of plant nutrients. Manure is a common waste which improves soil properties by adding nutrients and increases microbial and enzyme activity in soil. It also reduces toxicity of some heavy metals. These organic wastes have a great positive impact on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as well as stimulate plant growth and thus increase the yield of crops.","PeriodicalId":53537,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1515/sab-2017-0030","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48929318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}