Quercetin as one of the most abundant represented biological valuable plant components with remarkable chemoprotective effects - A review.

As a consequence of environmental quality changes as well as changes in our population's lifestyle, there is rapidly increasing variability and many so-called lifestyle disorders, allergies, and food intolerances (also known as non-allergic food hypersensitivity). Unhealthy eating practices, an inappropriate food composition with an excessive energy intake, a high intake of saturated fats, simple sugars, and salt, as well as an inadequate intake of fibre, vitamins, and substances with preventive effects (such as antioxidants), are some of the factors causing this detrimental phenomenon. Enhanced consumption of plant foods rich in valuable secondary metabolites such as phenolic acids and flavonoids with the benefit on human health, food research focused on these components, and production of foods with declared higher content of biologically active and prophylactic substances are some ways how to change and improve this situation.

Heavy metals in onion (Allium cepa L.) and environmental and health risks.

This study aimed to determine heavy metal content in soil and selected cultivars of onion. Cd content in soil exceeded the limit 2.43 times.

Impact of old environmental burden in the Spiš region (Slovakia) on soil and home-grown vegetable contamination, and health effects of heavy metals.

Due to several centuries of ongoing mining activities, Middle Spiš (Slovakia) is one of the areas with a damaged environment. The contents of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg were determined in the soils and home-grown vegetables (potatoes, carrots, tomatoes). Except for Pb, the contents of heavy metals in the soils of some plots were higher than the limit values.

Molecular Shield for Protection of Buckwheat Plants from UV-B Radiation.

Tartary buckwheat ( (L.) Gaertn.) and common buckwheat ( Moench) are adapted to growing in harsh conditions of high altitudes.

Changes in Antioxidant Properties and Phenolics in Sweet Potatoes ( L.) Due to Heat Treatments.

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.

Heavy Metals Presence in the Soil and Their Content in Selected Varieties of Chili Peppers in Slovakia.

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 grown in southern Slovakia.

Hygienic quality of soil in the Gemer region (Slovakia) and the impact of risk elements contamination on cultivated agricultural products.

The Gemer region (Slovakia) belongs to areas with a high concentration of risk elements. The contents of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg and Mn were determined in soils and cultivated agricultural production from lands in three cadastres of the Gemer region (Henckovce (48.713845, 20.

Concentrations of Phenolic Acids Are Differently Genetically Determined in Leaves, Flowers, and Grain of Common Buckwheat ( Moench).

Common buckwheat ( Moench) is a valuable source of proteins, B vitamins, manganese, tryptophan, phytochemicals with an antioxidant effect, and the natural flavonoid rutin. Due to its composition, buckwheat supports the human immune system, regulates blood cholesterol, and is suitable for patients with diabetes or celiac disease. The study aimed to compare the allocation of selected phenolic acids (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans--coumaric acid, trans-sinapic acid, trans-ferulic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, vitexin, quercetin, kaempferol) in the leaves, flowers, and grain of buckwheat cultivars of different origin.

Effects of Adding Legume Flours on the Rheological and Breadmaking Properties of Dough.

The influence of the addition of four legume flours, chickpea, broad bean, common bean and red lentil (in amounts of 5%, 10% and 15% to a wheat-rye composite flour (50:50:0-control flour), in ratios of 50:45:5; 50:40:10; 50:35:15) was studied by analyzing the rheological properties of dough in order to further exploit the functionality of legume flours in bakery products. The rheological properties of dough were monitored using a Mixolab 2. A Rheofermentometer F4 was used to check the dough fermentation, and a Volscan was used for evaluating the baking trials.

Comparison of Heavy Metal Intake by Different Species of the Genus Allium L.

Allium vegetables belong to the most widespread and commonly grown vegetables in Slovakia. In this study, we dealt with the content of selected heavy metals (Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in cultivated garlic (Záhorský, Lukan, Makoi), onion (Amika, Red Matte, Diamant), and leek (Bavaria, Golem, Tango). We determined the total content of heavy metals (aqua regia), and available-mobile forms of heavy metals (1 M NHNO) in soils.

Accumulation and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and plants of four different ecosystems in a former polymetallic ores mining and smelting area (Slovakia).

Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils and plants of four different ecosystems (forest, grassland, agro and urban ecosystem) at different distances from the source of the pollution were analyzed in order to assess and compare soil contamination in the various ecosystems and determine the potential accumulation of plants depending on the place they inhabit. Correlation relationships among heavy metals in soils differ depending on the ecosystem, and between soil and plant, the heavy metals showed significant correlation for Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Contamination factor (C), degree of contamination (C) and pollution load index (PLI) were used in order to determine the level of environmental contamination of the study area.

Environmental Contamination by Heavy Metals in Region with Previous Mining Activity.

Due to its status as one of the most contaminated regions in Slovakia, 45 soil and plant samples were collected in the Middle Spis region. In soil, the exchangeable soil reaction, humus content and heavy metals content (Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg) were determined. Total content of heavy metals (TC-HMs) and content of mobile forms (MF-HMs) in soil, as well as metal content in plants, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.

The relationships between content of heavy metals in soil and in strawberries.

The work was aimed at assessment of quality of strawberry based on the contents of heavy metals as well as the possible correlations between selected heavy metals in soil and strawberries. The results revealed that from all observed metals in soil determined in aqua regia only in the case of cadmium the maximum permissible limit in comparison with the limit resulting from the Law No. 220/2004 as well as threshold values proposed by European Commission (EC) (2006) has been exceeded.

Potatoes - A crop resistant against input of heavy metals from the metallicaly contaminated soil.

The objective of our study was to assess the extent of accumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc in potato tubers depending on the concentration of these heavy metals in soil and to evaluate the resistance of 11 cultivars of potato cultivated in 5 localities of the Slovakia against input of these heavy metals into the consumption part of potato. Contents of Cd (Pb, Zn) in soil were 0.94-2.

Effect of peeling and three cooking methods on the content of selected phytochemicals in potato tubers with various colour of flesh.

The impact of peeling and three cooking treatments (boiling, baking and microwaving) on the content of selected phytochemicals in white-, yellow-, red- and purple-fleshed potatoes was investigated. Ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid contents were determined by HPLC-DAD, total anthocyanin content by pH-differential spectrophotometry, glycoalkaloid, α-chaconine and α-solanine contents by HPLC-ESI/MS/MS. All cooking treatments reduced ascorbic and chlorogenic acid contents, total glycoalkaloids, α-chaconine and α-solanine with the exception of total anthocyanins.

Effect of a polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor on the quality of grape and red wine.

Background: The quality of berries and red wines is influenced by the cultivar. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a polyamine biosynthesis (PA) inhibitor on some red grapevine cultivars with a genetically lower quality of grapes and wines. O-Phosphoethanolamine was used as a PA inhibitor because of its positive effect on the quality of some small berries.