EJPAU, 2002, Volume 5, Issue 2

A method of estimation of the stem form and volume of forest trees is developed. It is based on multiple regression equations used to determine the stem diameter at any relative height. Four variants of equations are developed. In the simplest one the diameter at breast height and tree height are the explanatory variables, while in the remaining equations the number of required variables increases. This method permits to estimate the volume of stems, as well as the volume of their portions, and it is free of systematic errors. The models developed in this study may be used in forest inventory, quality assessment of standing trees, and stand pricing.

The paper presents dynamics of the CEFTA countries’ trade in foodstuffs as well as an analysis of the trade liberalisation. From statistical data analysis we can see a positive impact of this agreement on trade turnover, but the removal of customs duties on agricultural and foodstuff goods not create the same trading conditions for the member countries. Actually it caused an unsettling of the market equilibrium in particular markets and a rise or fall in the competitiveness of some products.

A majority of the methods used for determination of fusel alcohols in wines by gas chromatography requires separation of the analysed substances from other components, mainly extract constituents, which can hamper the measurements. The aim of this study was to establish whether SPME method can be used for quick chromatographic determination of fusel alcohols in red wines. The studies were conducted on different red wines commercially available on domestic market. It was shown that the results for isobutanol were usually overestimated, while butanol recovery ranged from 97 to 116%, and approximated actual content of this component in the test sample. Sorption of amyl alcohols on fibres was in the range from 82 to 95%. Addition of strong electrolyte, such as sodium chloride, to a wine increased mictoextraction efficiency and precision of chromatographic determination of fusel alcohols. CAR/PDMS copolymer-coated fibre was characterised by better sorption ability for fusel alcohols in red wines

One factor field experiment was performed from 1992 to 1996 in Czyrna near Krynica (Low Beskid). Influence of the number of days without a plant cover upon intensity of soil losses was studied for 3 four-field crop rotations at a mountain side of average 13.5% slope. The content of plants displaying high soil-protective capacities contributed increasingly into successive crop rotations. The research has led to conclusion that soil loss intensity (y) is directly proportional to the number of days (x) at which the soil remained uncovered, counted from harvesting a preceding plant to sowing a proceeding plant that has been assessed. The relationship can be described by the following a regression equation: y = 0.168x + 9.828 [kgˇha^-1ˇyear^-1]; n = 136, á = 0.01; r = 0.723.

Presented data suggest that a short-term (up to 3 weeks) infestation of beetroot crop by relatively unnumerous aphids (only a few specimens per leaf) shows a stimulative effect on the growth of roots and reduces their content of nitrates.

The area of Szczecin Lowland used to be covered by forests. Only the wetlands, flooded areas and coastal sand dunes were not covered by forest. Changes of the use of land depended mostly on soil texture and hypsometry, which can be seen clearly in case of forests - their largest complexes remained on sandy terraces, outwash plains and terminal moraines.

The influence of various concentrations of salts of lead (II), copper (II), manganese (II), cobalt (II), molybdenum (IV) and iron (III) upon the soil dehydrogenase has been studied. Ecological areas featuring the contamination degree to which the studied soil environment had been exposed have been determined. Particular attention has been paid to high heavy metal doses causing significant disturbance to soil metabolism.

Changes of flatulence-causing sugars in protein samples of bean, lupine and pea were examined. Protein samples were treated by high hydrostatic pressure (300 and 600 MPa, 30 min, 20°C) and by heat (100°C, 30 min). The content of raffinose family sugars were determined by HPLC, gas production was evaluated by in vitro method. Gas production decreased in the treated samples and was not significantly correlated with the amount of raffinose family sugars. The content of sugars increased after pressure and heat treatment. Such tendency might be resulted of bonds protein-saccharide disruption.

A study was carried out to determine the cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products (COPs, oxysterols) content of several Polish commercial sausages. Cholesterol content ranged from 244.42 µg/1 g of sample in salami to 847.87 µg/1 g of sample in pasztetowa no. 1. The content of the sum of cholesterol oxidation products ranged from 4.42 µg/1 g of the sample in parówkowa to 36.52 µg/1 g of the sample in metka łososiowa. The correlation between fat and cholesterol oxidation products showed that in case of the higher the fat content, the higher the sum of oxysterols content is observed. A correlation between fat content and cholesterol content was not found.

The research work presents an attempt at determining relations between the colour of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chicken, measured by objective methods (reflex and digital image analysis) and chosen indicators of their technological value. The results obtained indicate that the protein content in meat is significantly related to colour lightness of mature meat, measured by the reflex method (L*) and to component G, determined by way of digital image analysis (DIA). Relations were also observed between colour lightness and both pH and the water holding ability of mature meat and between b* value (reflex method) and B (DIA method) ant the total content of hem pigments. This indicates the possibility of using those measurements for the estimation of certain indicators of chicken meat quality.

Modeling physicochemical properties plays an important role in the function of animal and plant preparations which are widely used in the food processing. The study presents some functional characteristics of 21 randomly selected protein preparations subjected to the examination under the same analytical conditions. All examined preparations were highly variable in their composition, solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties. It has been confimed that the evaluation of protein preparation hydrophobicity is possible using different empirical or computational methods. The surface hydrophobicity value may be used to extend complex laboratory characterization of protein preparations.

The aim of the paper was to investigate the effect of the MyoGel-animal origin protein used to production of experimental sausages both in dry form as well as preparation at different degree of rehydration (1: 3, 1:5, 1:7) on rheological properties of meat batter and the quality of finely comminuted sausages. Obtained results shown that 10% meat replacement with rehydrated MyoGel protein preparation significantly improved quality of batter and some sausages texture characteristics in comparison to the control sample. Better quality of batters and sausages was observed when rehydrated MyoGel protein preparation was applied in formula than by the use of this preparation in the dry form. Sensoric evaluation of experimental sausages does not indicate deterioration of their quality resulted from the use of MyoGel preparation. All obtained results show that initial rehydration of Myogel preparation increases technological usability of this preparation.

Green timber of Polish fast growing hardwood species is characterized by the high initial moisture content exceeding even 200%. Therefore, during the kiln drying of the timber high capacities of kiln heaters are required. The paper presents a set of problems, which may occur during the drying. A practical example of kiln drying of green poplar timber is discussed. The criteria for the proper kiln selection are given.

The activity of beta-cyanoalanine synthase and rhodanese within the tissues of the three generations of the bird cherry-oat aphid that are specialized to feed on the cyanogenic spring foliage of bird cherry was assessed. The order of beta-cyanoalanine synthase activity in the three aphid generations was: generation 1> generation 2> generation 3; whereas that of rhodanese was: generation 3> generation 1>generation 2. The possible role of the bird cherry – oat aphid enzymes in metabolizing dietary cyanide is discussed.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of air temperatures and atmospheric precipitation on the tree-ring width of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in Western Carpathian Mts. In 29 pine stands growing between 400 and 700 m above sea level ring samples were taken from 580 trees. The samples were used for measurements of the annual growth rings (dendro-scales). The regional chronology of ring width were calculated as an average from all the 580 dendro-scales. The analysed period was 1900-1998. On the basis of analysis of the response function significant (PŁ0.05) positive relations were found between the width of tree-rings and average temperatures of October of the preceding year and months of the winter (January, February, and March) and summer (June, July, and August) periods. Positive relations were also determined between the ring width and total precipitation in spring (March, April) and summer (June, July, and August), negative relations be

Wheel tester was adopted to mate with computer data acquisition card. Some physical properties of the forest stand soil, as well as its shear forces caused by the pneumatic wheel were measured. Based on the knowledge of those forces, it was possible to present shear stresses in relation to the soil horizontal deformation and slip against the coefficient of adhesion.

The study was aimed at an analysis of the effect that mating and whelping terms might have on the number of offspring of mink. Two primary reproduction-related traits were analysed: the number of born pups and the number of raised, or weaned, pups. More than 3600 litters were analysed over three years. The females were distributed into four groups depending on the date of mating, and into four other groups in respect to whelping date. The analysis of variance demonstrated a statistically significant effect of the date of the first mating, as well as the birth date of the offspring, on the number of born and raised pups. The highest mean numbers of born and raised pups was observed for the females mated within the first term (until 5 March). Minimally lower values were achieved by those mated within the third term, and slightly lower by those mated within the second term. Definitely the lowest values, for the number of both born and raised pups, were found for the females that had been first

The pot experiment investigated an effect of varied phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilisation on the intensity of photosynthesis, transpiration, intercellular CO₂ concentration and stomatal conductance as well as some plant biometrics obtained from ‘Jaspis’, a traditional home cultivar pea, and from homozygotic isoline, ‘RRRbRb’, and yellow lupin; ‘Teo’, a traditional cultivar, and ‘Markiz’, a self-completing cultivar. A lowered phosphorus and potassium fertilisation decreased the intensity of photosynthesis in pea forms researched. The photosynthesis in the yellow lupin cultivars investigated was higher in the pod-filled stage than the intensity of the process in 3-7– true leaf phase. However the transpiration intensity was lower in the pod-filled stage. The research results showed that out of all the three applied macroelements only lowering of the magnesium dose decreased the weight of seed weight from plant both in the tested pea and in yellow lupin cultivars.

The paper presents the basic outside and inside pelvic diameters of 136 Holstein-Friesian cows, and the coefficients of phenotypic correlation between these measurements and the course of parturition.

The studies were carried out on 158 Polish Landrace fatteners of various HAL genotypes, with average body weight 102 ±5.1 kg and 52.33% of leanness, slaughtered during two seasons: spring and summer as well as autumn and winter. Analysis of variance demonstrated statistically highly significant effect of HAL genotype on all the examined traits. The effect of slaughter season was found for pH₂₄, pH decrease range (pH₄₅–pH₂₄) and WHC. In respect to the pH₂₄, statistically significant interaction was found between both factors. Higher incidence of meat with PSE syndrome was observed in the spring–summer season (31.33%), which was reflected by more extensive drip loss from the LD muscle. In the group of HALⁿ allele homozygotes, an increase in the dynamics of glycolytic metabolism was observed, especially in relation to the stress–resistant (HAL^NN) group of animals. As a consequence of the reactions, the value of pH_45<

Histological and morphological analysis of growth apexes of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica, cv. ‘Fiesta’) was carried out to determine the time of its transition from a vegetative phase to a generative one, and particularly the time of initiation of inflorescence morphogenesis. Four developmental phases of the apex were distinguished and characterised: vegetative, evocation, early generative (initiation of inflorescence morphogenesis) and late generative. The changes taking place in apical and subapical meristem, as well as the configuration and size of the apex, its width and the sequences of appearance of generative structures, i.e. initials of first order floral stalks, were determined.

Environmental conditions in River Rioni (Georgia) were studied in two seasons, during purported spawning migrations of the common sturgeon. Water temperature and flow velocity were measured in the vicinity of Poti (downstream section of the river) and in the potential spawning areas. At comparable times, water temperature in the spawning grounds was by a few degrees lower than that downstream, the flow velocity being higher and ranging within 1.5 - 2.1 m s^-1. As shown by the observations, the area suitable for the sturgeon spawning had shrunk, possibly as a result of river damming. In the areas suitable for the common sturgeon spawning, the river bed was covered by coarse gravel and flattened stones, those measuring up to 30 mm in diameter being most abundant.

The article shows differences in costs of milk production between farms which are members of European Dairy Farmers. On the basis of data from 153 dairy farms in Europe, the analysis of their economic situation was carried out. Two main groups, EU-EDF countries and CEEC, were separated and the average results were presented. Most of Polish dairy farms, other EDF farms as well, presented in this article are leading farms in their region or country.

The evaluation of pastel fox breeding results was carried out through the estimation of selection differentials and genetic and phenotypic trends in some performance traits. The observations covered common fox females, reared during 1978-1997, from which a total of 4155 offspring were obtained with pastel colour of coat. The analysis of reproduction indices demonstrated that the average percentage of whelping females oscillated around 65.63%. The average number of born offspring ranged between 2.56 and 4.42 per a female of the herd.

Several rhubarb cultivars were investigated: ‘Koral’, ‘Karpow Lipskiego’, ‘Wczesny Hosera’, ‘Wiœniowy’ and ‘Purpurat’ of the cultivation of years 1996-2001. Essential differences in yielding of the investigated cultivars and between the years of cultivation were proved. The highest average petioles yield was obtained from the cultivation of ‘Karpow Lipskiego’, whereas the lowest from the cultivation of ‘Purpurat’. On average, the highest number of petioles was gathered from the plants of cultivars ‘Wiœniowy’, ‘Koral’ and ‘Karpow Lipskiego’, while the lowest from cultivar ‘Purpurat’. Cultivar ‘Karpow Lipskiego’ was distinguishable by petioles of decidedly greater average mass in comparison to other cultivars.

The work presents characteristics of determination and prediction of the freezing point of agricultural products and food with some analytical methods. Using 11 models and special software this property was computed including 299 freezing cases of differentiated products. To obtain that the authors experiments (52 products) were made. The data concerning other cases were drawn from literature. Model accuracy was estimated on the basis of results from the statistical analysis of relative error of prediction. The Chang-Tao’s method was regarded the best owing to its universality, while Salvadori-Mascheroni’s one the least accurate.

A field experiment studied the aftereffect of the ploughed in organic substance of green fertilizers (winter vetch, faba bean) and straw (rye straw in the rate of 4 and 6 tˇha^-1) on the yield of vegetables. The vegetables were grown in a three-year crop rotation – white cabbage, onion and red beet. The intercrop plants were ploughed in both in full or in the form of aftercrop residue.

The aim of the studies was to analyse reproduction of raccoon dog females, estimation of genetic and environmental variability parameters of prolificacy and other reproduction-related traits. The material for the study was represented by data obtained from breeding documentation of a fur-animal breeding farm in the Wielkopolskie Province. The data were on raccoon dogs bred during 1997-1999. The observations covered 1165 females of the breeding stock, which had given birth and their offspring had been weaned. The results of the reproduction of the females were presented in relation to: year of an observation, age of females, litter size of their origin, colour type, date of heat appearance, gestation length, and whelping date. The restricted maximum likelihood method (REML) was applied for the estimation of genetic and phenotypic reproductive traits. The litter size was significantly influenced by: year of an observation, age of the females, litter size of their origin, colour type, and ges

The aim of the work was to estimate the basic parameters of body dimensions (biometrical traits) of one-year-old Małopolska horses bred in the years 1982 - 1998 in the Walewice Stud of Horses. The analysis included: height at withers, chest girth, cannon circumference and two indexes: index of chest girth and boniness index. Correlation between the analysed traits was also calculated. The variance components were estimated according to REML method.

The paper suggests some indicators for the application of spatial methods in field experimentation. The indicators were based on the data from two field-breeding experiments with pea and field bean. Partially balanced square lattice designs were applied. The Smith’s index of soil heterogeneity b, chemical properties of the soil e.g. pH, Mg, P and K contents as well as data obtained from check plots sown with a single variety were used to evaluate spatial variation across the experiments. The Smith’s index of soil variability b showed a potential as a convenient tool to assess the purposefulness of background variation analysis by applying spatial methods. When b<0.6 one can expect a significantly increased efficiency of the experiment. Therefore the application of the nearest neighbour analysis or kriging to the data obtained from a net of check plots can produce the concomitant variable which can reduce the experimental error effectively.

The aim of the pot experiment was to determine the impact of timing of nitrogen application in the form of ammonium nitrate enriched with the ¹⁵N isotope, on the uptake of ¹⁵N by spring barley plant and its distribution in grain, awns, leaves, straw, and roots. 1.21 g of N per pot containing 10 kg of the soil was applied at two doses: 2/3 before the sowing, and 1/3 at the tillering phase or at the stalk-shooting phase. The distribution of the applied nitrogen, assumed as 100%, was the highest in grain (61.5%), and the lowest in roots (4%). The mean nitrogen utilisation coefficient value (%) measured with the difference method was 86.9 %, and that for the isotope dilution method – 61.0%. Postponing the time of nitrogen application from the tillering to the stalk-shooting phase differentiated the nitrogen utilisation coefficient value, which was higher for the difference method than for the isotope dilution method and it amounted to +32.3% at the tillering pha

In the years 1999-2001, using two forecrops – spring wheat and winter rape, crop yields of 6 wheat cultivars were compared in the conditions of the conventional (ploughed) tillage, simplified (ploughless) and direct seeding methods. On the basis of discriminant function analysis and analysis of concentration using the nearest neighbour method large variations in crop yields for the particular cultivars were revealed in relation to the 3 cultivation methods and 2 forecrops. The simplified tillage variants led to decreased crop yields. The greatest discriminating power for differentiating the examined genotypes was exhibited by the conventional (ploughed) soil cultivation on the two forecrops as well as the simplified method and direct seeding on the stand after spring wheat. ‘Izolda’ and ‘Kobra’ cultivars were marked by a higher average crop yield in the examined environments, compared to the other genotypes.

The 1988-1998 study comprised analysis of statistical relation of degree of overwintering (in the 9-degree scale) and of winter damage (in percentages of sown area) of triticale, grown in field trials and in agricultural production to the air and soil thermic conditions and precipitation from December to March in the three distinguished overwintering zones. Also air minimum temperature at 5 cm above the ground, snow cover absent or less than 5cm thick as well as snow cover of different thickness and duration were analysed. It was found that triticale overwintering was determined mainly by air and soil temperature, especially in December and January, whose largest impact manifested itself in the central part of Poland.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether synergism of selenium and cobalt preparations occur if jointly administered to three-year-old ewes of the Suffolk breed. Four groups were formed: Se, Co, Se+Co and control, each of 15 ewes. Blood samples were taken one month before mating and 2 weeks after the second selenium injection (the 3rd month of pregnancy). The results indicate that the fertility, prolificacy and the number of twins in the Se group was the highest (87, 131 and 62 %). However, a higher number of stillborn lambs (18 and 26 %) and lower weaned rate (100 and 92%) were observed in the Se and control groups respectively. Wherefore, the best production results were achieved by the ewes of the Se+Co group (prolificacy 127% and weaned rate 118%). Additionally, the conception rate after the 1st service of the ewes treated with selenium and vitamin E (Evetsel) or cobalt (heavy pellets) preparations was (non-significantly) lower than the results obtained for the Se+Co and control

Results of qualitative and quantitative studies on microflora of low-salt herring slices supplemented with 0%, 0.2% and 0.3% of sodium benzoate (E-211) are presented. Herring slices were subjected to low salting with addition of 0%, 0.2% and 0.3% of sodium benzoate according to a recipe provided by a local manufacturer. It was observed that sodium benzoate reduced diversity of bacteria and yeasts in a tested product and exerted no influence on the total number of bacteria and yeasts. It gave the evidence that an empty ecological niche was created after elimination of some species by the preservative and remainders substituted them. As a result no reduction of the total number of micro-organisms was observed and a shelf life of the product was not prolonged. Our results proved that sodium benzoate is the ineffective preservative for low-salt herring production.

The drying quality of kiln dried timber was verified in Polish sawmills and furniture companies. The estimation of the quality was limited to the mean moisture content after drying. The quality classes specified in the European Drying Group Recommendation were primary used in the analysis. The obtained results showed that sawmills might presently satisfy the “S” quality class, while the furniture companies might achieve the “Q” class. The better kiln drying quality may be obtained in sawmills after introducing improved procedures of timber stacking and kiln loading.

Headed and gutted Baltic herring were immersed in 16 % brine containing 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 % acetic acid. Weight ratio of fish to brine was 1:1. Samples were stored for two weeks at a temperature of 8 ± 1°C. Changes were investigated in fish weight, weight and volume of brine, pH of flesh and brine, color parameters of flesh and its sensory properties after one and two weeks of maturation. It was demonstrated that fish brined in a 16 % solution of NaCl with an addition of 1% acetic acid were of the best quality. In the flesh of these fish, no sour (“briny”) flavor could be detected, and the delicate, slightly elastic, texture was evaluated as very desirable. The addition of acetic acid into the brine improved the lightness of flesh substantially; at the same time, however, it increased weight losses of fish after brining, mainly on account of a decrease in the water content in fish flesh.

Central and Eastern Europe is undergoing a period of extensive transformation. Over the past few years, most countries of the region have made progress in the transition to a competitive market economy, macroeconomic stabilisation and structural reform. The study will survey the current agricultural problems in ten countries which are preparing for integration to the European Union. Firstly, there is a brief statistical description of agriculture both in the ten Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) and in the Member States. Its role in the overall economy on the basis of agricultural potential, employment, gross value added and trade is presented. Then trends in agricultural production and productivity through national factor combinations as well as self-sufficiency in agricultural products of the CEECs were examined. This is followed by illustration of effective competitiveness of agriculture by the monetary appreciation, purchasing power gains, prices and direct support for the

Probing behaviour of the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.) on sucrose-agarose gels containing o-dihydroxyphenolics was examined using the EPG (electrical penetration graphs) technique. The aphids on diets containing certain o-dihydroxyphenols differed in the mean number of probes and duration of first probe and stylet pathways.

The aim of the present researchers was to find out solutions which can improve efficiency or/and save costs of chokeberry micropropagation.

Increase of dry substances in the processed milk, made by introducing various milk protein agents, has an influence on the properties of produced yogurt and its shelf life. This study examined the effect of adding 5% of powdered skim-milk and whey protein concentrate, and their mixtures in proportions 4:1 and 3:2, on quality and stability of natural yogurt. Titratable acidity was determined and active acidity, apparent dynamic viscosity and syneresis susceptibility were measured in yogurts directly after production, and after 7, 14 and 21 days of storage in temperature 8±1 °C. The produced yogurts were assessed organoleptically. Introduction of 5% addition of powdered skim-milk with whey protein concentrate mixed in above mentioned proportions resulted in essential increment of apparent dynamic viscosity and reduced syneresis susceptibility in the yogurts, comparing to separate use of the both components. These yogurts were also indicated as the most desired. During 3 weeks of

Use of growth regulators at potato cultivation and its effect on subsequent french-fries quality. The qualitative analyses of french-fries were based on tuber samples from a field experiment carried out on sandy-loamy soil in 1990-1992 in Parczew, Biała Podlaska Province. The experiment was set up with randomized subblocks in three replications. The subblocks of 1st row were made by the growth regulators: a) Mival concentration 500 mg × l^-1 water; b) Poteitin concentration 10 mg × l^-1 water; c) the control with distilled water. The growth regulators were applied onto the tubers in a spray form just before the planting. A factor of 2nd row was made by 37 potato cultivars out of all the earliness groups. Regulator Mival contributed to french-fries taste and flavour improvement in the years of a warm and dry potato vegetative period and Poteitin preparation has contributed significantly to improve french-fries consistency. Both growth regulators concurred to i

The paper discusses the relations between spring triticale grain yield and weather factors: mean air temperature, total precipitation and insolation in the north-west of Poland. Boundary values were determined for the weather factors such that caused the decrease in grain yield by at least 10% against the many-years yield average. On the basis of weather data from the years 1971-2000, climate indices of spring triticale crop yield were estimated, which in turn provided a basis for the valuation, in terms of scores, of thermic and precipitation conditions in the north-west Poland. Crop yield of spring triticale is markedly restrained by the mean temperature exceeding 16°C in the stalk-shooting – coming into ear period, as well as by precipitation below 20 mm over the same period, and by the mean air temperature above 18.5°C in the coming into ear – dough stage. The most beneficial climate conditions for growing spring triticale are found in the central part of Pobrzeże Słowińskie, an

Relations between the milling quality and colour of wheat grain, and the content of ferulic acid were studied. It was found that the content of ferulic acid in the bran of the analysed varieties of wheat is a statistically significant feature of a variety which depends on grain size. Next, the colour of wheat grain differentiates winter and spring varieties according to their technologic quality. The analysis of the correlation between the content of ferulic acid in the bran and the colour of wheat grain indicates relations between the colour specified as the average value of grey level occurrence and the content of ferulic acid. The higher the content of ferulic acid in the bran, the lower number of grey level determines the colour of wheat grain surface, i.e. the higher content of ferulic acid, the darker the colour of grain surface. The milling quality produced from the grain of the analysed varieties of wheat is correlated with the colour of grain surface expressed as the average and

Based on EPG (electronic penetration graph), two broad bean cultivars of various susceptibility to aphids were selected for the research. Proteins, amino acids, sugars and phenolics in these cultivars were determined with regard to their infestation by A. fabae and its biology. Such records included: aphid fecundity, population dynamics, time of generation development, number of generations per season and mortality during development.

Adsorption of common bile acids namely lithocholic (LCA), dexycholic (DCA) and cholic (CA) acids and cholesterol by fiber of carrots, cabbage and apples raw and after heat treatment, respectively, was estimated. It was shown that degree of bile acids adsorption depends on kind of the raw material, type of heat treatment and type of bile acids. Fiber carrots had higher sorption than cabbage and apples. Fiber of baked vegetable and apples had significantly higher sorption capacity in compare with boiled and steamed plants material. Lithocholic acid was adsorbed in higher degree than DCA and CA. The cholesterol was bound in the highest degree by fiber cabbage on compared to fiber carrots and apples. Heat treatment of plants material, especially baking, increased the sorption of cholesterol by fiber cabbage as well as carrots and apples.

The effect of UV radiation on absorption, fluorescence spectra and dynamics of phototransformation of five different humic acids (HA) of natural and synthetic origin were investigated. Two types of synthetic HA were prepared: one containing only C, H and O atoms, and another with content of C, H, O and N atoms. Natural HA were also diversified with respect to their origin. We used UV-C radiation (predominantly the wavelength of 254 nm) to provide a wide spectrum of photochemical mechanisms.

A directed air-jet sprayer (SEPIA) was compared with a conventional radial flow sprayer (TERMIT) to determine possible control of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and currant rust (Cronartium ribicola J. C. Fisher) on black currants when using spray volumes 260, 400 and 600 dm³ ha^-1 and different dose rates of chemicals. The Cumulative Infestation Index (CII) for spider mite and percentage of infected leaves for currant rust were evaluated to determin the biological efficacy of applications. The spray deposition across the bushes and spray loss to the soil and to the air were assessed in order to compare the quality of treatments. The efficacy of pest and disease control was reduced for the lower chemical dose rates. Both the sprayers produced similar deposits within currant bushes, however, the directed air-jet sprayer caused considerably lower spray loss than did the conventional sprayer.

The objective of investigations was to determine rigidity and strength of temporary joints applied in cabinet furniture. In particular, the authors intended to determine the distribution of ordinary stresses in wood, metal and plastic connections of temporary joints and in parts of boards in direct contact with these fastenings. The performed laboratory investigations and numerical calculations showed that trapezoid temporary joints with metal construction were characterised by the most advantageous rigidity-strength properties, while wood dowels in these joints were found to play a significant role supporting their strength.

The aim of the present study was to establish the value of desorption stresses and the rate of their increase in the samples of juvenile and mature birch wood as well as in aspen samples of different physiological age. The stress value was calculated on the basis of the measurement of the force necessary to restrain shrinkage in the sample being dried. Additionally, moisture strain and mechanical-moisture strain (both real and apparent) were measured during the experiments. The samples were dried at temperatures of 30, 50 and 70°C. It was concluded that both the rate of increase and the absolute values of stress and strain are different in juvenile and mature birch wood. Also in aspen they depend on the physiological age of the wood tissue. Juvenile birch wood and the physiologically younger aspen proved more susceptible to strain caused by desorption stresses. The maximum stress values in samples of birch and aspen were the highest when dried at temperature of 30°C, yet it was the

The effect of physicochemical factors: temperature (20°C, 60°C, 100°C, 121.1°C), pH (2-9), inorganic and organic components, i.e. sodium chloride (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), carbohydrates: glucose and starch (10%, 20%, 40%), proteins: casein (2.5%, 5%, 10%) and their combinations (e.g. prolonged incubation time at low pH) on in vitro detection of specific fragment of L. monocytogenes iap gene (453 bp) carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were examined. The possibility of detection of the iap gene during apple and tomato processing as well as in their processed products was also tested. Results showed that two factors hindering detection of the iap gene were casein at all concentrations and processing applied to apples (initial pH 2.5-3.0) and tomatoes (initial pH 4.0-4.5) as well as prolonged incubation in low pH at 60°C. As the iap gene and modified genes incorporated in foods are biochemically and structurally identical at the molecular level,

The influence of age-hardening of silty loamy sand soil on its strength, characterised by pre-compaction stress, was investigated. Soil samples were uniaxially moulded in steel rings at water contents 11, 15, 19% w/w by preloading up to 1.35, 1.45, 1.55 g·cm^-3. Obtained pre-compacted samples were stored in sealed plastic bags at constant water content. Later, after approximately 0.1, 8, 24, 72, 144 h, samples were removed from the bags and reloaded. The obtained strain-stress relationships were used for calculation of pre-compaction stress values. Presented experimental results show the significant increase in soil strength within a few days after the soil samples were preloaded.

The presented paper is an edited version of Ph.D thesis of the same title and by the same author. The investigations were carried out in a small agricultural catchment area in the hydrological years 1998/1999-1999/2000. Four cross sections, above and below two small ponds of the total area of 0.8 ha, were subjected to daily bathometrical and hydrological measurements. For each hydrological year, the total suspended loads both supplied and carried out from the ponds were determined. The accumulation rate was analysed against the changeable water discharge and supplied sediment load. The changes in sediment yield values were analysed against the archive data from the years 1977/78-1993/94 in which no ponds were present in the area covered by the studies.

Scanning microscopic analysis cell structure of 8 apple cultivars was carried out. For each variety, skin and flesh, cut and broken preparation was made to research microstructure of apple tissue. The results revealed differences in shape, cell size, thickness of cellular wall, distribution and size intracellular spaces and other fruit texture features of apple varieties tissue. In microscopic picture some varieties of apple were found. Some dependence between structure of apple tissue and sensory assessment of fruit was found too.

The investigation was made on 37 sheep’s fetuses (21 males and 16 females) between 3^rd –5^th month of gestation. The work describes the morphometry of tracheo-bronchal cranial lymphnodes in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th month of gestation, as well as the location of these lymphnodes and their development connected with the development of tracheal bronchus.

The studies were conducted in 1998-2000 on an experimental field at Czesławice near Nałęczów. The field was sown with spring wheat, ‘Sigma’ cv. The purpose of the studies was to establish the species composition of fungi living on the underground parts of spring wheat, and to establish the quantity and quality composition of microorganisms developing in the rhizosphere of this plant. Besides, the studies established the effect of rhizosphere antagonistic bacteria and fungi on some pathogenic soil-borne fungi.

In this research, the No. 1 Sacharomyces cerevisiae brewery yeast strain capacity to bind the Mg²⁺ ions was studied. The yeast were cultivated in dynamic conditions in the YPD medium enriched with the MgSO₄ · 7H₂O or MgCl₂ · 6H ₂O magnesium salts. The salts were being added in such an amount, to make the sheer element content in the medium amounting to 0.25 g · dm^-3; 0.5 g · dm^-3 or 1.25 g · dm^-3. The YPD medium was enriched with magnesium ions at the beginning of the cultivation or in the end of the logarithmic phase of yeast growth. In order to evaluate the durability of bonds of Mg²⁺ ions with brewery yeast cells, the magnesium content was indicated in the centrifuged yeast biomass that had and had not been washed with deionized water. The studied strain proved its capacity of permanent bonds with magnesium ions originating from the experiment

This paper presents the results of a study of reversal hypothesis phenomena observed within riffles and pool sequences on a 1.1 km long reach of the Skawica-Jalowiecki Stream. The Skawica-Jalowiecki is a flashy mountain stream with an alluvial bed that transports sediment during frequent floods. The study reach is situated just below the border of the Babia-Gora National Park in Polish Carpathians, which provides a good, undisturbed research site. It was found that Q=4.27 m³s^-1, Q=2.43 m³s^-1 velocities and shear stresses in pools were highest over riffles during spring floods. It was also observed that unit stream power above the pools was bigger than that found in the riffles.