EJPAU, 2008, Volume 11, Issue 3

Stability of the oil-in-water emulsions composed of 30% (w/w) rapeseed oil and emulsifying mixtures containing dried egg yolk and Tween 65 were investigated. It has been shown that, stability of emulsions was in range from 37.5% to 58.2% and increased in most cases with the addition of emulsifiers, particularly Tween 65. It was found that surface protein concentration in emulsions decreased as concentration of Tween 65 increased, as the result of competitive adsorption. Changes in interfacial protein concentration probably caused instability of emulsions, observed as oiling off effect, especially in samples heated at 80°C and containing 2.0% (w/w) dried egg yolk and 0.8 or 1.0% (w/w) Tween 65. Furthermore, increase of synthetic emulsifier concentration decreased average droplet diameters D [3,2] from 1.42 mm to 0.28 mm, considerable increasing interfacial areas. Composition of the emulsifying mixtures affected modal diameter of oil droplets especially in the emulsions containing: 0.2; 0.6 and 1.0% (w/w) of dried egg yolk, what may be explained by the fact that the mixtures exhibited different emulsifying properties in the studied range of concentrations. Visual inspection of the investigated emulsions in the microscope showed that all emulsions had individual oil droplets with no signs of flocculation.

The studies aimed at demonstration of uniqueness of American mink masticatory apparatus. The craniological relationships were defined in a sample of  25 skulls of adult minks (18 females, 7 males). The standard data, including  21 measurements, provided material for subsequent statistical analyses. The results demonstrated sexual dimorphism of some crania parameters. Most of characters of masticatory apparatus manifested high correlation with the total cranial length. In turn, equations of allometric analysis were constructed, in which the total cranial length was selected to represent the independent variable. Total lengths of dental rows, maxilla and mandible were markedly abbreviated, as compared to the total cranial length. In parallel, pronounced development was noted of the posterior part of mandible, which pointed to an extensive area for attachment of masticatory muscles. Length of hard palate exceeded markedly the length of dental rows. An isometry or proportional growth was noted  of the total cranial length and the length of hard palate.

In the southern part of the Cracow-Częstochowa Upland, the meso- and microclimatic research was started in the 1960s. After 1990, automatic measurements were introduced, multi-annual measurements campaigns were organised, and the elements of the radiation balance and heat balance were included. It allowed better recognition of the local climate differentiation and a new approach to the valorisation and typology of the meso- and microclimates of the study area.

Set-yoghurts produced from goat, cow and sheep milk in the middle of the lactation period were examined fresh and after 14 days cold storage for sensory quality, pH and rheological properties. Rheological investigations consisted of the determination of apparent viscosity and drawings of flow curves. They were descripted using three rheological models: Ostwald de Waele, Herschel-Bulkley and Casson. The values of rheological parameters of these models and the area of the hysteresis loop were calculated. In comparison to cow and sheep milk yoghurts, goat milk yoghurt had a looser consistency, higher acidity and was less acceptable sensoricaly. The apparent viscosity of goat milk yoghurt was lower and its flow curve was characterized by a smaller hysteresis loop area and slant than these of yoghurts from cow and sheep milk. Smaller values of the consistency coefficient, yield stress and deviation from the Newtonian flow for goat milk yoghurt were also found in comparison to yoghurts from goat and sheep milk.  To obtain the proper rheological and sensory properties of yoghurt from goat milk, the modification of the composition and properties of milk or modification of processing conditions are necessary.

The present research concerned selected characteristics of knottiness of large-dimensioned spruce timber (of trees with the minimum breast-height diameter of 40 cm over bark) from three stands, over one hundred years old, located in south-eastern Norway. Fourteen sample trees were felled and measured, and knots which occurred in them were classified into three categories of healthiness and three categories of tightness with the surrounding wood. Sound and tight knots were dominant in the timber under analysis. All categories varied significantly in relation to average diameters, relative diameters (related to stem thickness at the points where the knots occurred) and the relative height of location along merchantable boles. The researches analysed the significance of relations of diameters or relative diameters of knots with the relative height of their location along merchantable boles. The relations, confirmed by coefficients of correlation close to or higher than 0.50 were described by equations of regression, most often by the expotential model. The frequency of occurrence of knots of different categories in sections of 0.1 of merchantable bole length allowed for distinguishing characteristic quality zones on the spruce stems: from the tree bottom to 0.3 of merchantable bole length inclusive, from 0.4 to the upper end of a merchantable bole – in respect of knot healthiness; as well as from the tree bottom to 0.3, from 0.4 to 0.6 and from 0.7 to the upper end of a merchantable bole – in respect of tightness of knots with surrounding wood. The results were compared with analogous data obtained earlier for spruce timber in mature stands in the Polish Beskidy Mts.

The aim of the study presented in the paper was the evaluation of the possibilities of sustainable development of individual farms. From this point of view, polls were prepared and carried out in central and north provinces of Poland due to their significance for national farm production. The application of an intentional selection of the subjects aimed at the recognition of the innovative opinions of the farmers, who cooperate with agricultural advisory centres and educate their successors at secondary agricultural schools, on whom the image of Polish agriculture will soon depend. The results have shown that the majority of the respondents used techniques and technologies consisting in proper utilisation of natural resources and keeping of long-term balance of the environment. Therefore, it may be said that a true chance of sustainable development of individual farms exists.

The aim of the study was to estimate the relationship between calving course and calf body weight at birth and calf/cow body weight ratio for heifers and multiparous cows of the following beef breeds: Angus, Hereford, Limousin and Charolais. Data concerning 22 989 deliveries (6838 heifers and 16 151 multiparous cows) of the above mentioned breeds included calving course evaluation as well as information about calving number, calf body weight at birth and its sex. Relationship between calving course, breed, calving number, calf sex and calf body weight at birth (kg) and calf/cow body weight ratio (%) was examined. The frequency of difficult calvings depending on calf/cow body weight ratio was also investigated. The breed had significant influence on both examined traits. Charolais calves were the heaviest whereas the Limousin ones – the lightest. Calf/cow body weight ratio was as follow: 6.29% (LMS),  6.50% (AAG), 6.49% (CHL) and 6.74% (HEF). Calf body weight at birth and calf/cow body weight ratio were influenced (P ≤0.01) by calving number and calf sex. Highly significant relationships between calf body weight at birth, calf/cow body weight ratio and calving course were observed. For all the breeds the share of difficult calvings was higher when calf/cow body weight ratio increase. Thus, calf/cow body weight ratio seems to be useful for calving course estimation in breed comparisons.

Employment, next to labour efficiency, belongs to the most important economic indicators. In the paper the levels of these indicators are analyzed on the basis of regional data for the year of 2004, published within the FADN system. Four selected types of farms were included in the analysis, together with their economic size and nationality. Results obtained show the scale of disproportions between the old European Union members and the ten new member states, which indirectly facilitates the evaluation of the effects of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The experiment described in the paper focused on effects of complementary and excess diet supplementation on fatty tissue accumulation and blood triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels in rats. Untreated wheat, corn grains, and barley grits in the original diet were isocalorically substituted with wheat flour, sucrose, and B vitamins.The change of the composition of the diet and its supplementation, especially excess, were found to significantly lowered diet consumption but increased accumulation of perivisceral (per 100 g food consumed) and intramuscular fat and significantly increased triacylglycerol, cholesterol and its HDL-fraction levels in the blood.

The breeding values of 58 stallions were evaluated using their progeny performance test results. The tests had been carried out at the Wrocław Partynice Horse Racing Track. Racing careers and pedigrees of 530 horses running in 1999–2005 were analysed. The racing performance was measured according to individual success indices and career earnings of the progeny. The model included the following factors: sex, breed, trainer, season, and number of starts. English Thoroughbred stallions, followed by Małopolski stallions, achieved the highest breeding values.

The investigations were carried out on 138 pig foetuses coming from sows in standard husbandry. Whole material was divided into six age groups. The sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, coming from the sympathetic trunk and vagal nerve, was described, according to its prenatal development. It develops the most rapidly between the 70^th – 97^th day of gestation in isometric phase of the stomach growth. The arterial blood supply was observed in corrosion casts and in latex filled vessels. The arterial blood supply in the 3^rd and 6^th age group was similar to angioarchitecture observed postnatally. Sex and the uterus horn location have not significant influence on innervation and arterial blood supply development.