Fresh Plant Research Articles

Preservative Attributes of Near‐Neutral Electrolyzed Water (NNEW) to Improve Shelf Life and Quality of Fresh and Minimally Processed Food: A Systematic Review

Perishable foods are characterized by a short shelf life, which is an important challenge for the companies that commercialize them. For this reason, the food industry keeps searching for new technologies to preserve their freshness, such as electrolyzed water. This review focuses on near‐neutral electrolyzed water (NNEW) with a pH of 5.0–7.5, which has no negative impact on organoleptic characteristics nor on the nutritional quality of foods. It also examines how NNEW can be used to preserve fresh and minimally processed foods, detailing the extension of shelf life after treatments, its effects on food quality (e.g., appearance, texture, and color), and its potential mechanisms for controlling autolytic activity and spoilage microorganisms. Evidence of the attributes of NNEW as a food preservative, besides its well‐known sanitizing properties, to extend the shelf life of fresh and MP edible plants and animal products is offered. The review further highlights practical applications for different types of food, including meat, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, and explores how NNEW could be integrated into handling, packaging, and distribution processes. Lastly, the need for large‐scale industrial studies is emphasized to determine the feasibility of implementing the use of NNEW to reduce losses in food production and processing facilities, food supply chains, and retail.

Design of a Fresh Cheese Processing Plant: Optimizing Operational Efficiency and Biosafety in the Post-COVID Era

Design of a Fresh Cheese Processing Plant: Optimizing Operational Efficiency and Biosafety in the Post-COVID Era

Extraction, Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Two Phenolic Acids from Aerial Parts of Celery and Coriander

Celery and coriander are vastly applied in modern medicine and traditionally because various medicinal and nutritional benefits depend on their medicinal characteristics. The study aimed to detect, isolate and compare extracts contents of phenolic acids (caffeic and p-coumaric acids) in ethyl acetate fraction of fresh and dry aerial parts of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) of the Apiaceae family. The extraction of these constituents was carried out by maceration method using 70% ethanol and fractionation was done by using petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate. The existence of caffeic and p-coumaric acids in aerial part extracts of two plants was identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After qualitative determination of these active constituents, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis was also applied for quantification of caffeic and p-coumaric acid and the results showed that ethyl acetate extract of dry coriander showed higher contents of caffeic and p-coumaric acid than ethyl acetate extracts of fresh coriander and celery (dry and fresh). Depending on the results of TLC and HPLC, two bioactive compounds (caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid) were isolated and identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and full scan product ion mode liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. This result opens the minds to the dry plant era and leads to counter fiction of what was known that fresh plant gives better results than the dry one.

Aplikasi Monitoring Laporan Data Hasil Pengolahan TBS Kelapa Sawit Berbasis Mobile Pada PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VII

The process of recording data processing reports from units to the PTPN VII head office has used a website-based application. This allows each unit to upload a report of processing data. In an effort to optimize applications, especially in presenting information that can be accessed in real-time for stakeholders to report palm oil processing results, it is necessary to develop a mobile-based application. At PTPN VII. This data collection activity was carried out at PTPN VII, Bandar Lampung head office from March to June 2023. The process of monitoring reports on processing data for Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Plants (FFB) can measure the quality and quantity of processing, as well as make strategic decisions in making decisions quickly and efficiently. accurate. The development of this application uses the Flutter framework, the PHP programming language and the MySql database. The results of the data obtained are the Mobile-Based Palm Oil FFB Processing Data Report Monitoring Application at PTPN VII.

The Influence of Rubberwood Biochar Size on the Effectiveness of Using Urea Fertilizer in the Cultivation of Pakcoy (Brassica chinensis L.)

The effectiveness of fertilizer and crop production can be increased through the provision of biochar as a soil amendment. This research aims to evaluate the effect of the combination of varying sizes of rubber wood biochar with doses of urea fertilizer on the growth of pak choy mustard plants. The research was conducted with two factors arranged in a completely randomized design. The first factor is the size of the rubber wood biochar and the second factor is the dose of Urea fertilizer, each consisting of 4 levels. All treatment combinations were carried out with 3 repetitions. The response variables observed include soil pH, plant height, number of leaves, canopy area, and fresh plant production. The results showed biochar size factor had a significant effect on soil pH and fresh weight. The urea fertilizer dosage factor shows a significant influence on the plant height and fresh weight. The treatment with the most optimal growth was 1 mm biochar produced yield of 19.03 g/plant, while Urea dose of 2 g/plant produced pak choy plants of 20.72 g/plant. Keywords: Biochar, Pakchoy, rubberwood, size, Urea.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from Fresh and Dried Leaves of Echinops adenocaulos Boiss. from Jordan

Abstract: This study presents the first detailed analysis of hydrodistilled essential oils from fresh and air-dried Echinops adenocaulos Boiss. from the flora of Jordan. It aims to investigate the chemical composition and the antioxidant potency of the volatile compounds obtained by conventional hydrodistillation from the fresh and air-dried plant; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 46 and 75 compounds of the obtained essential oils, respectively. The study showed that the major constituent classes in the fresh aerial part are oxygenated diterpenes (76.92%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (10.78%), followed by aliphatic compounds (10.12%). However, in the dried aerial part, the main classes are oxygenated diterpene (74.47%) and aliphatic compounds (13.34%). Heyderiol was the most abundant constituent (44.96%), followed by bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (20.12%) and trans-ferruginol (3.14%). Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (52.51%), followed by heyderiol (21.60%) and (Z)-ternine (8.81%) are the major compounds of the fresh aerial part. The antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH free radical scavenging and ABTS•+ cation radical scavenging. The oils from fresh and dried E. adenocaulos exhibit significant antioxidant activity, with the oil from the dried plant having higher antioxidant activity than that from the fresh one.

Determination of Antioxidant Activities in Raw and Boiled Extractions of Raphanus raphanistrum L. Species Naturally Growing in Edremit Gulf (Balıkesir/Turkey)

The plants that naturally spread in Edremit Gulf are consumed by the local people in various ways either cooked or raw. In this study, Raphanus raphanistrum species from the Brassicaceae family, which is also known to be used as food, was used. DPPH and CUPRAC antioxidant activity analyses were carried out on the extracts obtained from the aerial parts of the raw and boiled fresh plant. The total phenolic contents were determined and the phenolic compounds contained and their interactions with the boiling process were determined by HPLC method. The extracts were stored in a deep freezer at -20 °C to be used in further studies. In terms of the total amount of phenolic compounds, 12.65 µg GAE/mg extract was detected in the boiled extract of R. raphanistrum species, and it has a higher value compared to the raw extract. In the boiled extract, which has a higher value in terms of total flavonoid content than raw, was found 54 µg Rutin Equivalent /mg fresh extract. Compared to the CUPRAC method, the boiled extract showed higher (68.58 µgTE/mg extract) activity. The antioxidant activity of the boiled extract was found to be higher than the DPPH method, and the EC 50 value was measured as 1975.25 µg/mL. According to HPLC method, resveratrol, rosmarinic acid, quersetin, kaempferol and naringenin substances were determined as in the raw extract. It was determined that while naringenin was destroyed in the boiled extract, were changed the amounts of other phenolic compounds.

Phytochemical Investigation of High Potential Medicinal Plants for Friendly Insect Pest Management at Heramosh, District Gilgit

The exploration of medicinal plants in Gilgit-Baltistan for pest and insect control emerges as a promising strategy for natural pest management. The research was focused on three specific plant species-Swertia cordata, Gentiana tianschanica, and Pleurospermum candollei-highlighting their efficacy in pest control and the conservation of biodiversity in the region. These plants boast a rich array of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, and proteins, contributing to their pest-controlling attributes. The phytochemical investigation involved the collection of fresh plants from diverse locations, followed by air-drying and extracting plant samples for analysis. Qualitative tests on the crude extracts aimed to discern the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, and carbohydrates. The results of the preliminary phytochemical analysis affirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites in all three plant species. Additionally, the research delved into the antioxidant potential of these plants, employing DPPH free radical scavenging assays. The extracts from different solvents of each plant species exhibited noteworthy antioxidant activity, suggesting their role as natural antioxidants. The research explores the multifaceted bioactive properties of the identified secondary metabolites, highlighting their significance in fortifying plant defense mechanisms. Alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins, amino acids, and carbohydrates collectively contribute to the overall health benefits of these plants, potentially aiding in insect control and disease prevention. The study concluded by underscoring the imperative for further research to comprehensively grasp the specific uses, concentrations, and properties of these compounds for effective pest and disease control. In essence, the findings underscore the importance of harnessing medicinal plants for pest management, considering their reduced environmental impact in contrast to synthetic pesticides. The research provides valuable insights into the potential of natural compounds derived from medicinal plants, offering a sustainable approach to agricultural practices and the preservation of ecosystems.

Comparison of structures and properties of gels formed by corn starch with fresh or dried Mesona chinensis polysaccharide

Starch is a major dietary carbohydrate, but its digestion properties need to be improved. Mesona chinensis polysaccharides (MCPs) had a unique function in improving the flocculation performance of starch. This study investigated the effects of adding Mesona chinensis polysaccharide extracted from wet fresh and dry plants with one-year storage, namely WMCP and DMCP, on the physicochemical properties and digestion kinetics of corn starch(CS). The composition analysis showed both WMCP and DMCP were an acidic heteropolysaccharide rich in galacturonic acid and galactose, whereas showed different average main fraction molecular weights (Mw) of 47.36 kDa and 42.98 kDa, respectively. In addition, WMCP showed higher yield, purity and better physicochemical properties to CS than DWCP. Thermal analysis showed WMCP decreased more gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of CS, and increased more freeze-thaw stability, water holding capacity, and textural parameters of CS gels than DMCP. Structural analysis revealed WMCP induced more changes in crystallinity, short-range order, and microstructure of CS, which inhibited retrogradation than DMCP. In vitro digestion assays demonstrated WMCP addition significantly increased higher resistant starch content by altering starch-starch and starch-MCP interactions than DWCP. Overall, MCPs addition beneficially modulated CS properties and digestion kinetics, providing a novel way to improve starch functionalities. Moreover, WMCP had more advantages to be chosen to form hydrocolloid with CS than DMCP.

Rice-husks synthesized-silica nanoparticles modulate silicon content, ionic homeostasis, and antioxidants defense under limited irrigation regime in eggplants

The utilization of nanoparticles in agricultural land is widely increasing worldwide. The present study takes the advent from converting the rice husk waste to silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) to be used in two years of field experiments, as fertigation treatment, against reducing irrigation by drip system. In this respect, the experiments comprised of three drip irrigation regimes (i.e., 60, 80, and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) and four levels of SiNPs (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L−1). The results indicated that limited irrigation reduced the plant fresh weight, plant height, and yield of eggplants by 15, 25, and 30 %, an average of two years, at the level of 60 % ETc compared to 100 % ETc. However, these negative impacts were alleviated by SiNPs via improving the photosynthetic pigments and relative water content where the plants supplemented with 300 mg L−1 SiNPs had the highest improving effects to be 3.8 mg g−1 FW and 76 % compared to 2.2 mg g−1 FW and 63 % (average of two years), respectively at the drought level of 60 % ETc. Furthermore, SiNPs ameliorated the oxidative damage induced by different water regimes by lessening lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide (10.9 and 85.4 µM g−1 FW) compared to their drought level 60 % ETc (14 and 113 µM g−1 FW). This was associated with stimulating the antioxidant enzyme system by promoting the activities of peroxidases (ascorbate- and guaiacol-dependent types), catalase, and superoxide dismutase as the concentration of silica NPs increased to be (173.84, 12.2, 49.5, and 41 unit/mg/min, respectively) at 60 % ETc and 300 mg L−1 SiNPs compared to only 60 % ETc (100.5, 7.9, 32, and 30.5 unit/mg/min, respectively). Also, efficiently increasing SiNPs levels highly significantly restrained the ionic homeostasis in the leaves of eggplant via retaining the reduction of silicon, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents at 300 mg L−1 silica NPs especially at 60 % ETc (33, 19, 4.5, and 6 mg g−1 DW, respectively) compared to the corresponding drought level (17.33, 7, 2.1, and 3.7 mg g−1 DW, respectively) which reflected on the up-regulation of water status. Such amelioration effects of SiNPs were recommended during the two studied seasons. Altogether, the synthesized SiNPs efficiently mitigated the negative impacts of limited drip irrigation levels on ionic homeostasis, pigments, oxidative stress, and antioxidant system especially at the level of 300 mg L−1.

Land use determines the composition and stability of organic carbon in earthworm casts under tropical conditions

Environmental conditions play an important role in controlling the fate of organic carbon (OC) in earthworm casts. However, the mechanisms that lead to the destabilization of OC in casts deposited in different land use systems are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of land use on the fate and composition of particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in earthworm casts under tropical conditions. We conducted a 400-day field exposure experiment in a woodland and a meadow in northern Vietnam with earthworm casts and soil aggregates without trace of earthworm activity (reference soil) under natural rainfall conditions. We analyzed the element content, stable carbon isotope composition and mid-infrared signatures of the two types of materials after 9 and 400 days of field exposure. The results showed that the casts were initially enriched in OC as compared to the reference soils, with the MAOM fraction accounting for over 90% of the earthworm-induced OC accumulation. The POM fraction occluded in casts consisted of fresh plant material and disappeared during the 400 days of field exposure. Enrichment and composition of OC differed between woodland and meadow casts. POM and MAOM showed contrasting persistence in the two land use systems. While woodland casts showed the highest potential to stabilize OC, the actual amount of cast OC stabilized for more than 400 days was more important under meadow. The processes affecting cast OC dynamics were contrasting in both systems. Under woodland, cast OC destabilization was most probably related to microbial degradation, while under meadow, OC accumulation was most probably related to root activity. Our study highlights that the impact of earthworms on the origin, composition, and fate of cast OC in tropical environments is strongly influenced by land use.

Investigations on the chemical composition of volatile oils extracted from the leaves of spontaneous and cultivated Taxus baccata L. trees

Taxus L. is accepted in the literature as natural resources of biologically active compounds and volatile oils, with applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and with ecological impact on the natural living environment. In this context, the present work aims to analyze by GS/MS techniques the chemical composition of volatile oil obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves harvested from spontaneous and cultivated female individuals of Taxus (dried and fresh plant material) and to spectrophotometrically evaluate the hydrosols resulting from their hydrodistillation. The compounds with the highest concentrations in the volatile oil obtained from the spontaneous taxon Taxus baccata L. were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (33.03% fresh leaves; 20.09% dried leaves); ar-abietatriene (14.98% dried leaves; 3.03% fresh leaves); phthalic acid, hex-3-yl isobutyl ester (10.51% dried leaves); salicylic acid, benzyl ester (8.11% dried leaves). In the cultivated taxon Taxus baccata the compounds identified with the highest concentrations were 1-octen-3-ol (25.61% fresh leaves); phytol (12.50% dry leaves); geranyl acetone (11.90% dry leaves); manoyl oxide (11.85% dry leaves; 10.86% fresh leaves); 1,9-decadence (7.92% fresh leaves). The compounds with the highest concentrations in the oil extracted from the leaves of Taxus baccata ‘Robusta’ were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (17.81% fresh leaves); pentacosane (11.28% dry leaves); heptacosane (11.27% fresh leaves); tetracosane (11.13% dry leaves); tricosane (8.45% fresh leaves). The chemical composition of volatile oils from yew is influenced by many exogenous factors such as soil, light, and endogenous factors such as age, DNA.

Stimulatory effect of ZnO nanoparticles as a nanofertilizer in seed priming of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and their bioactivity studies

The nutrient-dense cereal crop pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is well known for its exceptional tolerance to extreme heat and water deprivation. Proposing to designate 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM), the Indian government has received approval from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Nano-fertilizers have emerged as a very promising approach to increase productivity and address the escalating problems in agriculture. Zinc nitrate and Calotropis procera dry leaf extract were utilized in the current experiment to create ZnO NPs. The produced nanoparticles were examined using UV-visible spectroscopy, EDX, SEM, FTIR, and XRD techniques. Using ZnSO4, ZnO NPs, and hydro priming, hybrid pearl millet "HHB 67 improved" was seed primed during the current study. The effects of ZnO NPs were compared with both ZnSO4 and hydro primed seeds. 150 ppm ZnO NPs improved 20 % seed germination and 51 % vigour index in pearl millet under laboratory conditions. Further, the experiment was set in green house, and the agronomic traits of pearl millet like fresh weight, chlorophyll, leaf area, plant height, and dry weight contents (DWCs) etc. were evaluated. Besides, leaves from the treated plant were also tested for DPPH radical scavenging activity and reveled 78.11 % inhibition, which is higher than from ZnSO4 and control treatment. Owing to their significant surface reactivity, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were found to be highly effective antibacterial agents, with a MIC of 15 µg/ml against E. coli and S. aureus. This research project's main goal was to evaluate ZnO NPs' enhanced agronomic traits, inhibitory potential, and antioxidative qualities. The aim of this extensive study was to clarify their diverse functions, which include improved agricultural characteristics, suppression of microbial growth, and antioxidant properties. This will facilitate a deeper comprehension of their uses in different fields.

Biological Activity of Fermented Plant Extracts for Potential Dermal Applications.

Fermented plant extracts (FPEs) are functional liquids formed as a result of the fermentation of fresh plants by microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi. The appropriate selection of plants, microorganism strains, and conditions under which the fermentation process is carried out is very important in terms of obtaining a suitable matrix of biologically active compounds with different biological properties. The purpose of this review is to provide verified data on the current knowledge acquired regarding the biological activity of FPEs for cosmetic use and dermal applications. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, and wound-healing activity of FPEs, as well as their potential dermal applications, will be described.

The Development, Validation, and Application of a UHPLC-HESI-MS Method for the Determination of 17 Cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa Plant Material.

Cannabinoids are an important group of secondary metabolites found in the plant Cannabis sativa L. The growing interest in the use of hemp in food production (e.g., hemp teas, hemp cookies) makes it necessary to develop a method for determining these compounds in the plant, both fresh and dried. The selection of a suitable extraction liquid for the extraction of cannabinoids and the development of a method for the determination of 17 cannabinoids is a prelude to the development of an effective method for the extraction of these compounds. In the present study, a novel, simple, and efficient method was developed and validated for the determination of up to 17 cannabinoids in fresh plant parts (inflorescences and leaves) of Cannabis sativa L. and in dried material, including hemp teas. Analyses were performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry setup operating with a heated electrospray interface (UHPLC-HESI-MS). Based on the comparison, methanol was selected as the best for the extraction of cannabinoids from fresh and dried material. The efficiency and validity of the method were assessed using certified reference material (dried Cannabis) and confirmed by z-score from participation in an international proficiency test conducted by ASTM International for dried hemp.

Cotton Vision: A Machine Learning-Based App for Rapid Diagnosis of Cotton Diseases.

Abstract: This The detrimental impact of bacterial and fungal diseases on cotton crop yields and profitability underscores the urgency for rapid and precise field diagnosis. This paper introduces CottonVision, a pioneering mobile application leveraging deep learning for real-time identification of cotton diseases from images. By enabling farmers to capture smartphone photos of leaves, the system employs a robust convolutional neural network, specifically an Inception-v3 model, trained on a comprehensive dataset of over 2300 cotton crop images. The application swiftly classifies these images into four distinct categories: diseased cotton leaf, diseased cotton plant, Fresh cotton leaf, and Fresh cotton plant. Deployed on Android devices via TensorFlow Lite, the optimized model boasts a remarkable 97% test accuracy. CottonVision serves as an indispensable tool, furnishing farmers with instant diagnostic results crucial for early intervention. By facilitating prompt identification of emerging infections, the application aids in curtailing further spread and implementing timely control measures. The user-friendly interface of CottonVision offers an accessible and practical solution, empowering growers with real-time decision support for efficient disease management in cotton crops.

Identification of Microbial Populations Present in Agricultural and Nonarable Soils in the Talas Valley, Northern Kyrgyzstan, in Autumn

Soil bacterial and fungal communities were investigated in relation to soil type and farm management practices after vegetation harvesting in autumn. Soils from fields cultivated with Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and Pyrus comminus (pear) and nonarable, natural areas were studied. Microbial diversity was analysed using cultivation-dependent methods (isolation of pure cultures) and cultivation-independent methods (direct extraction of DNA from soil, followed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes). The use of cultivation-dependent methods revealed that there were no differences in the biodiversity of the soil bacterial and fungal communities between fields cultivated with bean plants and pear trees. However, the use of cultivation-independent methods showed that there were clear soil and crop type-specific effects on the composition of the soil bacterial and fungal communities. The density of the bacterial population was two times higher in northern mountain-valley serozem (NMVS) soil samples than in light chestnut (LC) soil samples. In contrast, the densities of the fungal communities were almost equal in the studied soil types. The density of the actinomycetes community was almost two times higher in LC soil than in NMVS soil under bean plants. The Shannon index values showed that the bacterial biodiversity in the NMVS soil samples was greater than that in the LC soil samples. Soils under fallow appeared to have diverse bacterial communities that mainly consisted of local autochthonous microflora and a small amount of zymogenic microflora (since fresh plant residue does not enter the soil). The Shannon index results revealed two interesting facts: (1) the soil bacterial community was highly diverse in soils that supported bean plants and (2) the soil fungal biodiversity was high under pear trees in both soil types.

Tracking and imaging nano-plastics in fresh plant using cryogenic laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Tracking and imaging of nano-plastics are extremely challenging, especially in fresh biological samples. Here, we propose a new strategy in which polystyrene (PS) was doped with the europium chelate Eu (DBM)3bpy to quantify, track, and in situ image nano-plastics in fresh cucumber based on inherent metals using cryogenic laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (cryo-LA-ICP-MS). The cryogenic conditions provide a stable condition for imaging fresh cucumber, suppressing the evaporation of water in fresh plants, and maintaining the original structure of plants with respect to room temperature imaging in LA-ICP-MS. The plants were cultivated in two types of nano-plastics solutions with low (50 mg/L) and high (200 mg/L) concentrations for 9 days. The results showed that nano-plastics mainly enrich the roots and have negative effects, which decrease the trace elements of Zn, Mn, and Cu in cucumber. Smaller PS particles are able to penetrate the plant more easily and inflict serious damage. Novel imaging method provides a novel insight into the tracking and imaging of nano-plastics in fresh plant samples. The results illustrated that nano-plastics deposition on plants has the potential to have direct ecological effects as well as consequences for potential health.

Response Land (Ipomoea reptans Poir) as a Result of Fertilizing NPK and Manure of Various Doses Under the Shade of Citrus Plants

Organic fertilizers can improve soil fertility, but the availability of nutrients is generally low due to low nutrient content. So that the response of plants to organic fertilizers will be slower, because organic fertilizers are slow release. Therefore, it is necessary to add fast-release inorganic fertilizers such as Pearl NPK fertilizer to increase plant growth. This study aims to determine: (1) Get the right dose of NPK Mutiara 16-16-16 in increasing the growth and yield of land water spinach, (2) Get the right dose of cow manure to increase the growth and yield of land water spinach, (3) Obtain the interaction between the dose of NPK Mutiara 16-16-16 and the right cow manure in increasing the growth and yield of ground land water spinach plants. The results showed that: The application of NPK Mutiara at various doses showed that the increasing dose of NPK Mutiara fertilizer increased yields, this was clearly seen in the plant height and plant yield per plot with the application of NPK Mutiara at a dose of 300 kg/ha (m3). However, the dose of 20 tons/ha (p2) gave higher yields compared to the dose of 10 tons/ha (p1) in the variables fresh plant weight, fresh canopy weight, yield per plot, and marketable yield. There was no interaction between giving NPK Mutiara 16-16-16 and cow manure fertilizer.

Determination of the health-protective effect of different Sempervivum and Jovibarba species

This study aimed to examine the micro- and macroelements, as well as the total antioxidant, and polyphenol content of 22 different types of dried houseleek, and fresh plant decoctions. The measurement of antioxidant and polyphenol content was carried out with two drying methods- a drying cabinet and lyophilization. The plants, without exception, were provided by Berger Trio Kft. from Jánossomorja (Hungary), thus, the influencing effect of the environment is negligible in the case of the tested species. Based on the results, the type of houseleek has a clear influencing effect on the amount of the tested constituents. The investigated microelements were B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, and S were examined among the macroelements. In terms of microelement content, Mn was present in outstanding amounts (20.67–148.00 mg/kg DW), while among macroelements Ca (44.43–95.27 g/kg DW) and Na (24.07–128.50 g/kg DW) was present in larger quantities in the samples. It can be said that in the case of samples with a high amount of antioxidants and polyphenols, the element content is low and the reverse is also true. During the examination of the dried houseleeks, outstanding values were obtained for the tested compounds. The antioxidant values of the dried leaves were between 2.22 and 317.74 mg AAE/g DW, while their polyphenol contents ranged from 5.52 to 144.16 mg GAE/g DW, however, the drying methods had some influencing effect. Regarding fresh plant decoctions, the polyphenol contents (0,02–1,11 mg GAE/g FW) were negligible, while the amount of antioxidants (2,38–4,61 mg AAe/g FW) were low. With other solvents (e.g. alcoholic extraction - tinctures), better results are likely to be achieved. Houseleek species (especially in dried form) are an excellent source of trace elements, antioxidants, and phenolic components so they can even be used as additives to functional foods or consumed on their own in the form of encapsulated dietary supplements.