„ai“ 355 výsledků

The potential ethnomedicinal plants are considered of great importance in the present day mainly due to the shortcomings of the drugs against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), or, in other words, the ability for cells to mutate with respect to the changing environment. The present study demonstrates the ethnobotanical values of the wild tuberous plant, Dioscorea hispida, which is used as medicinal food in Asia and Africa and further performs scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal values claimed by the locals of India and Nigeria, through phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity. A survey elucidated certain foods and therapeutic uses of the tubers of D. hispida. Qualitative analysis of phytochemical compounds revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugar, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and saponins. Subsequent examination of the antibacterial activity of D. hispida's tuber extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria revealed that the acetone tuber extract had the largest zone of inhibition against Streptococcus mutans followed by the methanol tuber extract against Vibrio cholerae, the methanol tuber extract against Shigella flexneri, the aqueous tuber extract against S. flexneri. This scientific confirmation may aid in the identification of possible antibacterial compounds, the confirmation of nutraceutical potential, and the promotion of value additions associated with the consumption of such tuberous plants in Asia and Africa.

In stressful situations, maintaining ionome homeostasis in the intracellular space is a key prerequisite for cell survival. This study investigates the role of ionome alteration due to acrylamide-induced oxidative stress in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. With the use of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) we have evaluated changes in the intracellular concentration of eight mineral elements (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, copper). In this study, the deleterious effect of acrylamide (1 and 10 mM) on the uptake and utilization of mineral elements and the disruption of ionome homeostasis has been revealed. We confirmed that the toxicity of acrylamide (mainly 10 mM concentration) for cells and their biological activity is associated with oxidative stress due to enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The addition of acrylamide into cultivation media in a final concentration of 10 mM led to 72.3% increase in total ROS production. At the same time, this resulted in statistically significant changes in the ionome, accompanied by an increase in the concentrations of monovalent ions K+ and Na+, divalent ions Ca2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, and trivalent Fe3+. These findings shed light on the complexity of the acrylamide-induced metabolic disorders that lead to the imbalance of ion homeostasis.

Diarrhea is a common problem on dairy farms, which in turn leads to reduced development of dairy calves. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of colostrum period quality on the health status and development of dairy calves during the first fifteen days of life. The study was carried out under the conditions of 1. zemědělská a. s. Chorušice. 30 calves were included in the study. After birth, female Holstein cattle were randomly divided into three groups with different feeding management practices. During the entire monitoring period, zootechnical parameters were recorded and health status was evaluated. Twelve samples of different colostrum were taken. These samples were subjected to microbiological analysis and the presumed causative agents of diarrheal diseases were identified on the farm. The results showed the influence of colostrum period management on calf development. The relationship between microbiology and length of colostrum intake in calves was investigated. With the right approach to the colostrum period, we can raise healthy and prosperous calves.

Hormones and fatty acids play a crucial role in enhancing the yield and quality of in vitro produced embryos. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of leptin and linoleic acid in increasing the in vitro maturation rate of ovine oocytes and the resulting competence of embryos. Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment aimed to investigate the nuclear status of oocytes at three maturation intervals (9, 21, and 28 hours), while the second experiment aimed to examine the cleavage rates and quality of the resulting embryos. In both experiments, the oocytes were matured in six maturation treatments, primarily consisting of TCM-199 supplemented with varying concentrations of leptin and linoleic acid. The control group, without any addition, was designated as T0, while increasing concentrations of leptin and linoleic acid were added to four treatments: T1 (50 nM.ml-1 and 10 µM, respectively), T2 (75 nM.ml-1 and 100 µM, respectively), T3 (100 nM.ml-1 and 200 µM, respectively), and T4 (150 nM.ml-1 and 1,000 µM, respectively). In the last treatment (T5), only 15% fetal calf serum was added. In comparison with the control (T0) and T5 treatments, matured oocytes in the T3 treatment achieved the highest rates of M-II (88.46% at 28 hours; p <0.001), cleavage (81.27%; p = 0.001), 2–8 cells (22.55%; p = 0.001), morula (11.27%; p = 0.04), blastocyst (66.18%; p = 0.001), and Type I embryo (47.55%; p = 0.02). In conclusion, the maturation of sheep oocytes in a combination of leptin (100 nM.ml-1) and linoleic acid (200 µM) through TCM-199 resulted in the highest rates of maturation and embryonic cleavage of excellent quality.

Penetration of microorganisms is likely to be affected by microbial contamination. The aim of this study was to compare bacterial contamination of eggshell in deep litter, enriched cages and ordinary aviaries. It was investigated how the housing system affected the eggshell‘s early bacterial infection. There were eight extended experiments conducted. Periodically, the total count of bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Salmonella spp. were used to measure the level of bacterial contamination in eggshells found in aviaries, deep litter, and enriched cages. We log-transformed the results. Compared to enriched cage systems, the total number of bacteria contaminating eggs from the deep litter was higher. After 21 days, the second instance of microbial contamination was examined. Day 0 of every experiment showed the highest overall count of bacteria. Microbial species were identified using MALDI TOF MS Biotyper mass spectrometry. The two most isolated species across all housing systems were Ralstonia pikettii and Staphylococcus equorum.

An experiment was designed to examine the effect of sage leaves (Salvia officinalis. L.) use in hens’ diet on laying productivity, egg morphological and sensor properties, serum biochemistry, and egg chemical composition. A total of 90 hens from the Bulgarian synthetic population LB at the age of 40 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: S0 (without dried and milled leaves of S. officinalis L supplementation) and S25, and S50 experimental groups (diets supplemented with dried and milled leaves of S. officinalis L. at 0.25% and 0.50% respectively). The sage use in the daily dose of 0.50% led to a significant increase in hens’ body weight (P <0.05); laying intensity (P <0.05); Haugh Units (P <0.01); albumen index (P <0.01) and egg yolk color (P <0.001). The addition of 0.25% S. officinalis significantly decreased the total cholesterol level in the blood serum (P <0.05) but significantly increased the content of protein (P <0.001); fat (P <0.05), and ash (P <0.01; P <0.05) in eggs. The supplementation of the tested product does not aggravate the eggs’ sensor properties.

The aim of this study was to determine the fat content and fatty acid profile of 5 commercial dry granulated dog foods purchased in Slovakia and to compare the analyzed content with the minimum requirements for fat and fatty acid content according to FEDIAF (2021), and also to compare the fat content with the manufacturer‘s declared fat content on the packaging. The samples were analyzed in the Laboratory of Quality and Nutritional Value of Feeds, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, according to standard laboratory procedures and techniques. The results confirmed that four out of the five puppy compound feeds tested, met the requirements for fatty acid content according to FEDIAF (2021). All samples met the requirements for a minimum fat content of 85.00 g.kg-1 DM, a minimum linoleic acid content of 13.00 g.kg-1 DM, a minimum arachidonic acid content of 0.30 g.kg-1 DM, and an α-linolenic acid content of 0.80 g.kg-1 DM. Four samples met the minimum EPA + DHA content requirement, while sample E did not meet the minimum limit (0.50 g.kg-1 DM). When comparing the declared fat content on the packaging and the determined total fat content of the tested foods, we found a lower fat content of 0.23% for sample B and 4.78% for sample C.

Production requires highly adaptive varieties that have a high level of genetic protection of the crop from biotic and abiotic factors of the environment and can maximally realize the potential of the crop in combination with high-quality seeds. The article presents the results of studies on the assessment of soybean varieties by the adaptability of qualitative characteristics in different soil and climatic conditions in terms of the years of research according to the content and output of oil and protein, as well as the intensity of oil and protein formation in soybean seeds. The adaptability of soybean seed quality of the studied varieties was determined by the Eberhard and Russell method. According to the research results, the highest oil content in the seed was observed in the following varieties: Hoverla (22.2%), Artemida (21.1%), and Zolotysta (20.7%), and the highest protein content was recorded in Artemida (39.2%) and Zolotysta (39.3%). It should be noted that the indicated varieties are conservative (bi<1) by the response to changes in the hydrothermal regime, except for Hoverla, which is highly plastic (bi˃1) in terms of oil content in the seeds. These varieties have the highest indicators of agronomic stability (As) in terms of protein content in seeds: 99.2; 99.0%, as well as the sequence of distribution of varieties according to homeostaticity of the first (Nom1) and second (Nom2) types: Artemida – 131.4 and 109.5; Zolotysta - 99.2 and 62.0. The highest output of oil and protein from seeds was recorded in Hoverla – 0.48 and 0.805 t/ha, Artemida – 0.43 and 0.803 t/ha, which belong to highly plastic varieties by the response to the improvement of the agro-background of cultivation, the variance of stability (Si2) in which is as close to zero as possible. The combination of high yield of oil and protein became possible due to the high productivity of Hoverla, as for Artemida, these traits are at the level of above mean values. The highest intensity of oil and protein formation in seeds was observed in Hoverla– 4.25 and 7.12, Artemida – 3.8 and 7.06, Amethyst – 3.43 and 6.72 kg/ha per day, which belong to highly plastic varieties (bi˃1), and the stability variance (Si2) in which is as close to zero as possible.

Bacterial green wilt (BGW) disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum bacterium, is a devastating bacterial disease of tomatoes occurring in tropical zones, resulting in substantial yield losses in production fields. Biological control agents (BCAs), particularly plant endophytes such as bacteria, are becoming increasingly popular in microbial technology for cropping systems. In this study, we assessed the potential of endophytic bacteria from tomato plants to suppress the BGW caused by R. solanacearum in tomato plants. The research study revealed that out of the 9 endophytic strains isolated, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TO3 demonstrated a strong antagonistic ability towards R. solanacearum, with the zone of inhibition approximately 16.58 ±0.19 mm. This strain also produced cell wall-degrading enzymes (amylase, protease, and cellulase), and indole acetic acid (IAA). In addition, the greenhouse experiments showed that applying strain TO3 before the infection of R. solanacearum led to a high protective effect against the BGW and a significant increase in plant height compared to the non-inoculated ones. In field conditions, inoculating tomato seedlings with strain TO3 resulted in a disease reduction of over 55% against the BGW compared to the nontreated control. Moreover, treatment with strain TO3 increased the yield of tomato fruits by up to 47.93% compared to nontreated control plants. These findings indicate the potential use of B. amyloliquefaciens TO3 in preventing the BGW disease caused by R. solanacearum on tomato plants.

The white tea extract (WTE) has compounds that act as antioxidants, which enhance sperm characteristics during storage. Thepresent study was aimed at investigating theeffect ofadding different concentrations ofWTE stored at 4 °C for 24, 48 and 72 h on semen quality. Semen samples were collected from three Awassi rams, and theejaculates were combined. Semen were divided into four equal parts, and it was diluted with Tris; beside theextender, thecontrol group was (A0, without WTE), thesecond group A1 (0.05 mg WTE), thethird group was A2 (0.10 mg WTE), and thefourth group was A3 (0.15 mg WTE). Results revealed thepercentages ofindividual motility, live, and sperm membrane integrity were enhanced significantly (P <0.05) throughout storage in theA2 group compared to other groups. TheA1, A2 and A3 groups decreased significantly (P <0.05) in total sperm abnormality percent at 48 and 72 h. Abnormal head sperm decreased significantly (P <0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 h in theA2 and A3 groups. While theA2 group decreased significantly (P <0.05) in abnormal middle sperm throughout storage. In conclusion, WTE has compounds in it that function as antioxidants. Especially when 0.10 mg ofWTE was added to extenders, there was an improvement in individual motility, live sperm, and sperm membrane integrity, as well as adecrease in total sperm abnormality and types ofabnormal sperm (head, middle, and tail).

In this study, we evaluated the effects of dietary vitamin C and Parquetina nigrescens leaf powder (PLP) in broiler chicks exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The treatments consisted of CONT (receiving a diet without AFB1 contamination and without PLP supplementation); AFLB (fed a diet containing 0.2 mg of AFB1 per kg of feed); AFVC (fed a diet containing 0.2 mg of AFB1 per kg of feed along with 200 mg of vitamin C per kg of feed); and AFLP (fed a diet containing 0.2 mg of AFB1 per kg of feed along with 500 mg of PLP per kg of feed). Our findings demonstrate the rich bioactive profile of PLP, including significant antioxidant capacity and various beneficial compounds. When it comes to broiler chicken performance, we observed that the groups supplemented with vitamin C and PLP (AFVC and AFLP) outperformed those with AFB1 alone (AFLB). These supplemented groups exhibited improved body weight gain, feed intake, and reduced mortality rates, suggesting the potential of these natural additives to counteract mycotoxin challenges in poultry production, especially in tropical conditions. Moreover, our results indicated that vitamin C and PLP supplementation ameliorated the adverse effects of AFB1 contamination on dressing percentage and liver weight. Notably, Haematological parameters were significantly impacted by AFB1 exposure, with lower values in the AFLB group, while serum chemistry indices reflected liver and kidney dysfunction. In contrast, supplemented groups showed improved profiles. Overall, our study highlights the potential of PLP, and vitamin C dietary supplementation in enhancing poultry health and production under aflatoxin-B1 exposure, contributing to sustainable poultry farming strategies.

This study was investigated the correlation between miR-29a and miR-34a expression in Iraqi Awassi ewes during different reproductive stages and their potential as biomarkers for assessing pregnancy health, birth type, sex as well as blood parameters. Blood samples were obtained from five Iraqi Awassi ewes (3.5–4.5 years with 45–50 kg body weight), pre-mating (0), 14, and 45 day post-mating (PM), along with 75 and 135 days of pregnancy. miRNAs (miR-29a and miR-34a) were detected by using RT-qPCR. The relative expression of miR-29a was significantly increased (P ≤0.05) within different day as 45 (16.25 ±5.194), 75 (14.32 ±4.09), and 135 (13.29 ±6.52) of pregnancy compared to 0 and 14 day respectively. Additionally, a higher relative expression of miR-34a (P ≤0.05) was observed on day 135 of pregnancy (2.3 ±1.05) when compared to the other reproductive periods. Both miR-29a and miR-34a showed no differences in terms of birth type and sex. Regression coefficient analysis identified a significant relationship between miR-29a expression and various metabolic and biochemical parameters, such as serum amino acids, fatty acids, and estrogen levels. The analysis indicated that miR-29a exhibited an inverse correlation with amino acids while demonstrating a direct correlation with fatty acids and estrogen. In conclusion, miR-29a and miR-34a could serve as valuable biomarkers for monitoring the health of pregnancy in Awassi ewes. This study provides new insights into the function of miRNA in reproductive physiology, paving the way for improved management of sheep reproduction.

The water quality of the Razdan reservoir was assessed using hydrobiological, hydrochemical and microbiological methods in different seasons of the year. As a result of studies at three observation stations, it was found that at the outlet of the reservoir, in almost all the seasons under study, the quality of water does not meet the accepted standards used for agricultural irrigation. This is a consequence of the increase in organic pollution of the reservoir due to seasonal fluctuations in its water level in different seasons, leading to significant changes in temperature and concentration of biogenic substances. PCA analysis of bacterial counts, algal cell counts, and water chemistry showed that a total of 65.4% of the data variance was explained by the two principal components. In total, only two different groups showed factor loadings >0.1. The highest abundance of S_20 and Bacillariophyta species may be related to the typical August environmental conditions. In contrast, the high abundance of S_37 and E. coli may depend on the nitrogen availability in autumn (October and November). Such comprehensive studies of reservoirs allow for a more accurate assessment of the quality of their water. At the same time, not all water quality indicators may exceed the accepted standards. However, the appearance of even some indicators exceeding these standards may become a significant argument for developing recommendations for reviewing the possibilities of using reservoirs for agricultural needs.

Aging of biochar in soils can result in some changes in its surface properties. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the temporal changes in: (1): the content of film water during adsorption-desorption processes on the surfaces of aging biochars and samples from topsoil of a sandy Haplic Podzol; (2) the distribution of areas of adsorption bands for oxygen-containing functional groups (OFGs) such as hydroxyl, carboxyl and phenolic on the surfaces of aging biochars. Samples of the soil and the biochar were collected from the topsoil (0-10 cm layer) in May, June and September of 2022, six years after the initial biochar application into the 0-10 cm soil layer (20 t ha-1) in 2016. A WP4-T dewpoint potentiometer was used to measure the relationships between potentials of the adsorbed film water and its content in the soil and biochar samples. An IR Fourier FSM 2202 spectrometer was applied to determine the areas of adsorption bands of OFGs on the biochar surfaces. The obtained results showed that there were non-significant differences in the mean content of adsorbed film water between the soil with and without biochars. The mean content of adsorbed film water was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the initial biochar than in the aged biochars. The aged biochars collected at different dates of the growing season did not demonstrate any significant differences in the mean content of the adsorbed film water. According to the results obtained using IR Fourier spectroscopy, the surface of the initial biochar was characterized with the highest areas of adsorption bands of OFGs. The aged biochars showed a decrease in the areas of adsorption bands of OFGs compared to them of the initial biochar.

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) from the family Poaceae is one of the six major cereals cultivated in the world. An important characteristic is its resistance to heat and drought, which makes hot, dry and semi-arid areas optimal for its cultivation. Due to the climatic changes and the associated lack of water in some areas of the world, proso millet represents a good alternative or supplement to cereal cultivation. The main agricultural value of proso millet is its use as animal feed, which underlines its key role in agriculture. The modern trend in agriculture involves the application of nanoparticle-based products as micronutrients or growth promoters. The aim of our research was to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the initial growth stages of proso millet. We evaluated the length of the plant, length of aerial parts and the root system of plants. In experiments Slovak variety 'Unikum' was used. ZnO-NPs were applied at four different concentrations (1 mg.l-1, 10 mg.l-1, 100 mg.l-1 and 300 mg.l-1) and compared with the control sample. We found that the concentration of 100 mg.l-1 might be suitable for future considerations and the highest concentration of 300 mg.l-1 had an inhibitory effect on plant growth in length of the whole plant, aerial parts and most of the monitored root parameters.

Soil organic matter (SOM) and its incorporation into soil aggregates play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, which is essential for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. This study focuses on the influence of different soil types on soil structure and the capacity of soil aggregates to retain carbon. The objectives were: (1) to compare soil structure across different soil types, (2) to quantify the content of SOM in size-fractions of aggregates, and (3) to identify relationships between SOM and individual size-fractions of aggregates. The research was conducted in a field at Dražovce near Nitra city (western Slovakia). Samples from the Ap and A horizons of four soil profiles were analyzed for aggregate size-distribution, carbon contents (C), and the carbon sequestration index (KSC). The results indicated that Cambisol exhibited the highest aggregate stability, while Chernozems showed the highest SOM content but the lowest KSC. Calcisol demonstrated the greatest sequestration potential. Aggregate stability was positively correlated with the content of labile carbon, particularly in medium-sized macroaggregates (1–5 mm). These findings highlight the complex interactions between aggregate size, structural stability, and their capacity to sequester carbon.

Annona muricata, commonly known as soursop or graviola, is a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Annonaceae family, widely recognized for its diverse medicinal and nutritional properties. This plant is native to Central and South America but is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It thrives in warm, humid climates, requiring well-drained soils with moderate rainfall to grow optimally. The tree produces large, green, spiny fruits with soft white pulp, which are widely consumed as fresh fruit or used in beverages, desserts, and traditional cuisines due to their unique flavour and nutritional benefits. Traditionally, A. muricata has been utilized in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, inflammation, bacterial infections, and much more. Nearly every part of the plant (leaves, bark, roots, fruit) contains bioactive compounds such as acetogenins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics, which contribute to its therapeutic effects. In vivo and in vitro studies have highlighted its pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties, etc. However, recent research has raised concerns about the potential neurotoxic effects of certain compounds in A. muricata, particularly annonacin, which has been associated with neurodegenerative conditions in high doses. While the plant holds promise for therapeutic applications, further research is needed to clarify its mechanisms of action, evaluate its safety profile, and determine appropriate dosage levels to balance efficacy and toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of A. muricata, including its botanical description, growing environment, traditional and food uses, pharmacological studies, and considerations regarding potential neurotoxicity.

The presented study addresses the issue of biodiversity, which is a fundamental element of all ecosystems. Since the reduction or loss occurs as a result of many factors, such as habitat degradation, rapidly increasing environmental pollution, worsening climate crisis, monoculture cultivation, urbanisation, and the expansion of non-native species, among others, which have serious consequences for the existence of life on Earth. For this reason, biodiversity protection is necessary, as any change threatens the existing flora, fauna, habitats and the entire society, since all of these factors lead to a deterioration in the functioning of not only natural ecosystems, but also agro-ecosystems. Especially in agricultural landscapes, it is necessary to solve the above problem with measures that would support wild organisms. One of the measures is modern biobelts, which serve to slow down or stop the reduction of biodiversity, as they address the agro-environmental-climatic aspect. The present vegetation of biobelts improves the trophic supply and increases the spatial and temporal availability of food sources for the present organisms. On the other hand, biobelts pose a risk of enriching the soil seed bank with weeds, which may later be manifested in increased weeding of cultivated crops, and the proliferation of pests also appears to be a problem. Another highly effective measure in providing multiple ecosystem services, ensuring water regulation and quality, pest and disease control, while supporting biodiversity, long-term productivity and soil quality, is the use of agroforestry. The results show that increasing diversity in natural ecosystems and agroecosystems through planned measures represents an important strategy, which leads to improved biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Using the polymerase chain reaction method in real-time, we investigated the polymorphism of the RYR1 and LEP genes in sows of the sizeable white breed of different origins. Following the purpose of the work, we conducted a study of the genetic structure of the above-mentioned genes in animals of French and Belgian breeds and their crossbreeds. No RYR1 gene polymorphism was detected. All experimental animals had the homozygous NN genotype. According to the genetic structure of the LEP gene, a significant difference has been established between animals of different origins. Animals of French breeding had a high frequency of the TT genotype, while in animals of other origins, this genotype did not occur at all. Accordingly, French breeding animals are characterized by a high frequency of the T allele and Belgian and crossbred animals are characterized by the A allele. In French breeding animals, there is a violation of the distribution of genotypes, according to Hardy-Weinberg. Obtaining animals of the desired genotypes among the experimental herd is possible due to the use of breeders with the appropriate genotypes for the studied genes.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 10 elements – essential calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and toxic arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), strontium (Sr) and lithium (Li) in samples of milk and milk products from two farms located in regions with different environmental loads. The samples were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry method. In the case of sheep‘s milk, we recorded statistically significant differences in the concentration of Mg, Fe (P <0,01). In the case of the toxic elements As and Ni, we noted a slight exceedance of the highest permissible limits set by legislation. The estimation of the risk of consumption of monitored elements revealed that the share of intake of most elements through dairy products was below 1%. However, higher values from the preliminary tolerable daily intake (PTWI) were found in the case of As with values up to 15% and in the case of a share of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for the monitored element Sr up to 35%. The results show that the monitored dairy products can be a good source of essential elements, but it is necessary to increase their consumption in the Slovak population. Despite the low values of toxic elements, further rigorous monitoring is needed, especially of As and Sr, which may pose a certain risk to the health of the Slovak population with long-term intake.