ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CHAMOMILE FLOWERS ESSENTIAL OIL (MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L.) | Author : Tocai Alexandra, Burescu Laviniu, Nemeth Sebastian | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Chamomile is a highly appreciated plant due to a whole range of therapeutic characteristics providing numerous benefits for the human body and being well accepted both by human body organs and systems, and skin. The purpose of this research is the chemical determination and studying the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil obtained from the flowers of Matricaria chamomilla L. The volatile oil was highlighted by hydrodistillation, and the quality of the mixture was achieved by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method. Two samples were considered and processed, namely Chamomillae aetheroleum obtained from the chamomile flowers from the Crisul Negru Plain at the village of Talpos, Bihor county as compared to the Solaris chamomile oil extract which is industrially obtained. The results obtained by thin-layer chromatography indicated the presence of three volatile compounds namely: bisabolol oxide, bisabolol, and farnesene. The antimicrobial activity of the volatile oil was studied by the standardized Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test Protocol. Following the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the volatile oil of Matricaria chamomilla, a strong antimicrobial activity could be observed against all the microorganisms subjected to testing. Significant levels in terms of antibacterial potential were determined in the case of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. |
| MATURITY AND STABILITY EVALUATION OF COMPOSTED POULTRY MANURE | Author : Gorliczay Edit, Tamás János, Bárány László | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Composting is one of the most popular recycling processes for organic waste. Compost is an inherently variable product produced from a wide variety of organic source materials known as feedstocks. The aim of our research was to examine the process of composting with maturity and stability parameters. The windrow composting experiments were set up in the composting area of the University of Debrecen, Institute for Water and Environmental Management and a mixture of broiler and hen manure was composted by adding zeolite (0, 1, 2, 5, 7 w/w %). The time for composting experiments was 62 days. We continuously measured the main parameters describing the composting processes: moisture content (w/w %), temperature (°C), pH, electrical conductivity (mS/cm), organic matter content (w/ w%). Based on our results, it can be concluded that the 50 w/w % moisture content is sufficient for composting in the case of the mixtures of substances tested by us. The four stages of composting can be separated by temperature, and the thermophilic phase is longer with increasing zeolite mixing. The value of pH ranged from pH 6.63 to 8.0, with lower pH values at the beginning and neutral at the end of the composting process. Electrical conductivity values decreased at the end of the composting process. Adding a higher percentage of zeolite reduced the content of organic matter, thereby increasing the mineral content. Overall, the parameters studied by us are suitable for determining the maturity of compost and for describing the composting process.
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| PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS OF CABERNET SAUVIGNON RED WINE ASSORTMENT FROM DRAGASANI AREA | Author : Stanila Andreea, Diaconeasa Zorita, Stirbu Ioana, Buican Bettina | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The aim of this work is mainly to determine the effect of some pedoclimatic conditions on the phenolics composition of wine originated from Cabernet Sauvignon red grape variety, cultivated in the region of Dragasani area (Romania) during 2013-2016. The obtained results revealed that the higher temperatures decrease the quantities of phenolic compounds, especially that of anthocyanins. Also, the more abundant precipitations lead to the decrease of these compounds, constituting a stress factor for their biosynthesis. Total polyphenol concentrations range from 1478 mg GAE/L to 2949 mg GAE/L. Anthocyanins are the most abundant class of polyphenols in wines and among these malvinidin derivatives predominate. Also, a close relationship between phenolic subclasses and antioxidant activity was observed for the wine samples.
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| IDENTIFYING MOTIVATION FOR SHEA NUTS GATHERING IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY FROM GHANA | Author : Owusu-Ansah Nana, Asare-Gyebi Kwadwo | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Fruit bats survey and interviews were conducted to collect data on bat roosting sites and gatherers’ motivation for collecting nuts respectively. Three different fruit bat species were identified from four different roosting sites. Income was identified to be the major motivating factor among the five factors that urged the gatherers to collect Shea nuts. Gatherers mentioned more often that bat discarded nuts have short shelf life than any other demotivating factor. There was a statistically significant relationship between demotivating factors and gatherers’ discriminatory tendencies against bat discarded nuts (X2=31.536, Df=5, P=7.342e-6). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between demotivating and motivating factors (X2= 26.592, Df=20, P=0.1471). Gatherers without formal education made the largest sales from Shea nuts than the educated. There was statistically significant relationship between educational background and income generated from Shea nuts (X2= 47.303, Df=27, P= 9.175e-3). The widowed had the highest median income values from Shea nuts although there was no statistically significant relationship between marital status and income generated. All age groups were involved in Shea nuts gathering and the general trend suggested the levels of incomes generated increase with age. There was a statistically significant relationship between gatherers’ age and number of children whereas there was no statistically significant relationship between the number of children and income generated. |
| FUTURE SMART FOOD CROPS IN NEPAL: A NECESSITY FOR FUTURE FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY | Author : Shrestha Jiban, Shrestha Renuka, Joshi Bal Krishna, Subedi Subash | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) are major source of food and nutrition in rural areas of Nepal. These crops play an important role in food, nutrition as well as economic security of poor people who have limited access to major food crops. Majority of NUS are considered as Future Smart Food (FSF) crops. The FSF crops were referred as poor people’s crops, third order crops and marginal crops and attracted very little attention in agriculture research and development in past years. Nowadays with increasing awareness in the importance of local commodities, many formerly neglected crops have now become globally significant and got space as a Future Smart Food crops because of their multidimensional uses and importance. Tartary buckwheat, proso millet, foxtail millet, naked barley, sorghum, grasspea, amaranthus, fababean and ricebean, taro, yam, drumstick, wood apple, indian gooseberry, linseed and nepali butter tree are FSF crops found in Nepal. This paper highlighted the some of FSF crops found in Nepal along with their nutritional importance. The works on conservation, research and promotion of FSF species lead to exploration of new staple crops, motivate people to consume them in a sustainable manner and reduce the malnutrition.
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| ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS OF BIOGAS SLURRY | Author : Kiss Nikolett Éva*#, Tamás János*, Gorliczay Edit, Gálya Bernadett, Nagy Attila, Jóvér János, Riczu Péter | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Large amount of waste and by-products generated during livestock processes requires urgent treatment and disposal. The energy recovery of wastes and by-products can be a solution for the problem, since the biogas production is an obvious way of recovery. As a by-product of biogas production biogas slurry is produced and it is to be suitable for nutrient supply. The samples of the biogas slurry originate from the Nyírbátor Regional Biogas Plant. The plant is used for the disposal and recovery of plant residues, manure of cattle and poultry, poultry slaughterhouses and other animal wastes. The organic matter from the fermenter is separated. After separation, the dilute phase is transferred to the manure storage and the solid phase is transferred to a drying plant or composting plant. Aims of the study were the analysis of filtering efficiency of the separator, comparison of properties of the pre-separator and the separated fermentation residue, since the company wants to spread the biogas slurry to arable land and pasture in a frame of complex precision irrigation system. For this reason, the sampling points were planned to set both before and after separator processes. Samples were taken twelve times between February and June 2018. Among other properties, the dry matter content of the biogas slurry, C and N content, element content, pH, conductivity, biological and chemical oxygen demand were measured. Based on the element content and the N content, the biogas slurry is suitable for nutrient supply. The average dry matter content values of the samples show that the result of the separation process the dry matter content is significantly reduced (P<0.05). The salt content was very high in the samples both before and after separation. In order to prevent environmental stress, it is recommended to reduce the salt content before applying the biogas slurry.
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| A NOTE ON EXTENDING DOMAIN FOR CHARACTERISTIC NUMBER IN THE CASE OF WIND TURBINES | Author : Dubau Calin, Cata? Adriana | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Within the aeroelectric units, wind turbines represent the component that ensures the conversion of the kinetic energy of the wind, into mechanical energy that can be used in the turbine shaft. This is achieved by the interaction between the airflow and the rotor pallet. Within the parameters involved in the performance of the wind machine, an important role is played by a specific form of the characteristic function, namely the speed or rapidity. The paper aims to investigate the extension of the range of this characteristic number in order to increase turbine performance. It starts from a certain approximation for the desired curve and determines an extended domain for the characteristic number, using a mathematical model. The mathematical model is constructed based on characteristic curve and it is proposed for output power of the wind turbine. The present study highlights the importance of knowing certain parameters variation of wine turbine. |
| STUDY OF THE MINERALISATION OF PELLETIZED CHICKEN MANURE AT DIFFERENT SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT OF A SANDY SOIL | Author : Nagy Péter Tamás, Karanja Mary, Magyar Tamás | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :This study evaluates the effect of soil moisture content on mineralization process of composted and pelletized chicken manure on pH, nitrate and ammonium contents at a sandy soil. To establish the mineralisation rate of the composted chicken manure in the soil a short soil incubation method was used. The objectives of the study were: (1) To assess the effects of three types of composted chicken manure on soil pH at different moisture contents conditions, (2) To assess the effects of the three types of composted poultry manure on soil easily soluble mineralised N forms (nitrate and ammonium) at different moisture contents. For study of mineralisation rate of composted and admixtured chicken manure pellet a short soil incubation experiment was set up. Beside the control three treatments, each containing 12 pots (three replicates for soil samples with four different moisture content; 40 %, 50 %, 60 % and 70 %) were used. The pH value and nitrate and ammonium contents and their changing were assessed after the first, second, third and fourth weeks respectively. In each of the four experiment blocks, the soil samples were subjected to four treatments: control, P+K, P+K “C”, and Humin Plus. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the three manure types had significant impact on the soil nitrate and ammonium levels at different soil moisture conditions. No significant effect on soil pH was identified during the experiment period. This implies that in order to achieve optimum benefits from application of chicken manure on the farm, it is necessary to do soil testing to assess the nitrate and ammonium status of the soil first. This can provide a basis to make a well-informed decision on which manure is the best in the supply of either nitrate and ammonium to the soil depending on the soil amendment needs.
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