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Influence of packaging attributes on perception of juice: Eye-tracking study
Get PDFToday, consumers are increasingly aware of the impact that the fast and stressful way of life has on their health. They focus not only on physical activity, but also on a diet filled with fruits and vegetables. As a result, they often choose a tasty alternative which is one of the main sources of vitamins and nutrients - fruit juices. However, these products are often labeled as drinks with high amounts of sugar. Therefore, it is very important for these drinks to be perceived by the consumers as healthy and tasty, which is one of the most important features of their packages. Their goal is to appeal to customers, catch their attention and make them buy the product. One of the most convenient methods to study how packages appeal to customers is the eye-tracking method. The aim of this article is to find out how different attributes of packages can influence customers' perception of the juice. The research was carried out in a form of eye-tracking experiment (A/B testing), which involved 38 participants at the age from 20 to 29 (generation Y). Results showed that lower color saturation significantly reduces the attention of individual packages and also reduces the influence of craving the juice as opposed to brighter colors. The importance of information on the back side was also confirmed, since moving the information from back to the front side did not show any significant decrease of the back side's attention span. Last but not least, it has been found out that the image type used on the orange juice package holds importance too, since photography of oranges led to a higher craving of the juice in comparison to the illustration of oranges. However, it was not proven that photographs of oranges held a higher attention span compared to the illustrations. The article contains demonstrable proof of individual package attributes' influence on how generation Y consumers perceive the juice.O
Fire effects on soils - A pilot scale study on the soils affected by wildfires in the Czech Republic
Get PDFFires have always been a natural component influencing ecosystems and driving their evolution; however, in recent years they have become too frequent and ecosystems are not able to cope with them anymore. Fires destroy the natural vegetation, which prevents the soil erosion, and affect the soil properties which delay the natural recovery of the fire affected area. This experiment was conducted to assess the phytotoxicity of fire affected soil and to investigate whether different soil amendments can help to decrease the negative effect of fire on soil properties. The study utilised the PhytotoxkitTM test. The tested burnt soil was supplemented with 3% w/w of the following individual soil amendments: bentonite, biochar, compost and diatomite. Then, the phytotoxicity tests were carried out with garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and white mustard (Sinapis alba L.). The pH and electrical conductivity of soil were measured and it was revealed that the individual soil amendments affected the values of pH and electrical conductivity diversely. The highest root growth stimulation for Sinapis alba L. was observed when diatomite was added, whereas the most favourable amendment for the stimulating root growth of Lepidium Sativum L. were compost, diatomite and biochar, respectively. This study recommended repeated testing for the amendments that show a capability to stimulate the root growth and conducting tests on a wider group of plant species.O
Effect of One-Sided Surface Charring of Beech Wood on Density Profile and Surface Wettability
Get PDFOne-sided surface charred European beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) was studied. Radial and tangential specimens of dimensions of 50 x 25 x 350 mm were one-sided surface charred at 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 degrees C for various times using a contact heating system. Specimens of dimensions of 50 x 25 x 50 mm(3) were prepared for treatment intensity analysis and its effect on surface wettability. Density profiles of the radial and tangential charred specimens were determined using X-ray densitography with a resolution of 0.05 mm. The wettability of the one-sided surface charred wood specimens was analyzed via contact angle, measured using the sessile drop method and determined over 10 to 150 s. The oven-dried specimens were partially submerged in water and water uptake was recorded after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 48, and 72 h according to EN-927-5. The surface density of the radial specimen groups charred at 200 degrees C for 6 min and 250 degrees C for 4 min decreased by about 4.5 to 8.2%. With increasingly severe charring, the surface density decreased by about 15.5 to 33.5%. A mild charring process produced a surface charred layer of approx. 2 mm, while higher temperatures and longer times affected the density up to 4-6 mm beneath the surface. Differences were found between the water uptake of the radial and tangential charred beech specimens. The most significant decrease of 56% in water uptake was recorded for the radial group prepared at 200 degrees C for 20 min after floating in water for 72 h. Water uptake in the radial groups modified at 250 degrees C for 4 and 6 min after 72 h decreased by 38% and 36%, respectively. The tangential groups did not show any statistically significant decrease. The average water uptake of the groups charred at 200 degrees C for 20 min, 350 degrees C for 2 min and 400 degrees C for 1 min was greater than that of the reference; the variability of the measured data was significantly greater due to the highly anisotropic character of the tangential specimens. Micro cracks were also visible on the surface. Concluding from the results of this study, one-sided surface charred beech wood exhibits increased potential in terms of wood-water related properties when a temperature range of 200-400 degrees C is applied.O
Abundance of common shrew (Sorex Araneus) in selected forest habitats of Moravia (Czech Republic)
Get PDFAbundance of common shrew (Sorex araneus) was evaluated on selected forest sites in Moravia, Czech Republic. Six types of habitats were assessed: forest clearings and mature forests in lowlands (173 - 233 m), uplands (360 - 600 m), and mountains (600 - 1200 m). Data were collected over five.year.long periods; 2006 - 2010 (uplands) and 2007 - 2011 (lowlands and mountains). Small terrestrial mammals were captured using snap traps laid in lines. In total, 200 individuals of common shrew were trapped. Relative abundance among different habitats was statistically evaluated. The highest relative abundance was found in mountain forest clearings (n = 132, rA = 0.719). Lower abundance was in upland forest clearings (n = 15, rA = 0.384), in mature mountain forests (n = 32, rA = 0.355), and in the lowland forest clearings (n = 9 rA = 0.109). The lowest abundance was in mature upland forests (n = 9, rA = 0.031) and in mature lowland forests (n = 3, rA = 0.011). Differences between sites were statistically significant. Among all altitudes, shrew populations in plantations were significantly more numerous than those in mature forests. Mountain forest clearings with dense herb layer proved to be the most suitable habitat while mature lowland forests with less developed herbaceous layer were the least suitable. Forest clearings proved to be an important refuge for the populations of common shrew.O
Development of pH-Responsive Biopolymeric Nanocapsule for Antibacterial Essential Oils
Get PDFIt is generally believed that antibacterial essential oils have the potential to become one of the alternatives in preventing diarrheal diseases of monogastric animals. The disadvantage is their low efficiency per oral due to easy degradation during digestion in the stomach. This study compares the efficacy of chitosan, alginate-chitosan, guar gum-chitosan, xanthan gum-chitosan and pectin-chitosan nanocapsules to the synthesis of pH-responsive biopolymeric nanocapsule for Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils. Using spectrophotometric approach and gas chromatography, release kinetics were determined in pH 3, 5.6 and 7.4. The growth rates of S. aureus and E. coli, as well as minimal inhibition concentration of essential oils were studied. The average encapsulation efficiency was 60%, and the loading efficiency was 70%. The size of the nanocapsules ranged from 100 nm to 500 nm. Results showed that chitosan-guar gum and chitosan-pectin nanocapsules released 30% of essential oils (EOs) at pH 3 and 80% at pH 7.4 during 3 h. Similar release kinetics were confirmed for thymol, eugenol and α-pinene. Minimal inhibition concentrations of Thymus vulgaris and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils ranged from 0.025 to 0.5%. Findings of this study suggest that the suitable pH-responsive nanocapsule for release, low toxicity and antibacterial activity is based on chitosan-guar gum structure.O
Antioxidant capacity, total phenolic compounds and fatty acids composition in walnut oil and bagasse pellets produced at different parameters of the screw press
Get PDFDifferent rotational speeds and nozzle diameters of screw press were used to process walnut kernels. To evaluate the influence of pressing conditions on the quality of walnut oil and bagasse pellets the oil pressing temperature, yield of oil, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid composition were measured. The results show that the pressing at different conditions affected the antioxidant capacity and TPC of either bagasse pellets and pressed oil. Higher values of antioxidant capacity and TPC were measured in bagasse pellets than in pressed oils. Higher amount of pressed oil was yielded by using lower nozzle diameter, however, by lowering the nozzle diameter the oil pressing temperature was rising, which affected the fatty acids. Positive correlations with oil pressing temperatures were calculated at saturated fatty acids, while the correlation coefficients of polyunsaturated fatty acids were positive, but not significant. Monounsaturated fatty acids were negatively affected by higher oil pressing temperatures showing, that monounsaturated fatty acids were more susceptible to higher temperatures than polyunasturated and saturated fatty acids.O
Comparison of parametric and nonparametric methods for modeling height-diameter relationships
Get PDFThis paper focuses on the problem of regionalization of the height-diameter model at the stand level. To this purpose, we selected two different modeling techniques. As a parametric method, we chose a linear mixed effects model (LME) with calibrated conditional prediction, whose calibration was carried out on randomly selected trees either close to mean diameter or within three diameter intervals throughout the diameter range. As a nonparametric method, the technique of classification and regression trees (CART) was chosen. These two methods were also compared with the local model created by ordinary least squares regression. The results show that LME with calibrated conditional prediction based on measurements of height at three diameter intervals provided results very close to the local model, especially when six to nine trees are measured. We recommend this technique for the regionalization of the global model. The CART method provided worse results than LME, with the exception of parameters of the residual distribution. Nevertheless, the latter approach is very user-friendly, as the regression tree creation and especially its interpretation are relatively simple, and could be recommended when larger deviations are allowed.O
Predicted occurrence of ancient coppice woodlands in the Czech Republic
Get PDFCoppicing started in the Neolithic period and has been practiced throughout European history. This traditional silvicultural system was abandoned in many European countries during the 20th century. The Czech Republic now has a very low proportion of coppice woods (CW), as more than 1000 km2 CW were converted into high forests after World War II. Nevertheless, many CW were maintained as stored coppices, which could be the last remainders of ancient coppice woods (ACW) in the Czech Republic. Knowledge of area and distribution of stored coppices is currently missing in the Czech Republic, because they are recorded as high forests in forest management plans. Many stored forests are currently approaching the maturity age, with a high risk that these last ACW remainders will be lost; therefore, an inventory of ancient coppice woods is necessary. In our study, we develop an index of likelihood of coppice occurrence (COP) based on the distribution of habitats favourable for coppices, as well as on past and current occurrence of CW in the Czech Republic from historical maps. COP index values were then used to generate a map showing the relative likelihoods of occurrence of ACW, which can serve as a baseline to support the compilation of an ACW inventory and their mapping in the field. Our results can help prioritize forest areas to be inventoried based on their higher probabilities of ACW occurrence.O
Evaluation of rabbit meat microbiota from the viewpoint of marketing method
Get PDFMicrobiological analysis was performed on carcasses of rabbits coming from domestic slaughter, purchased at butcher shops, vacuum-packaged and purchased in supermarkets, as well as frozen. The total number of analysed rabbits was 20. For all samples the following microbiological parameters were determined: total microorganisms count (TAC), the count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), psychrotropic microorganisms, moulds and yeasts, as well as bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Total microorganisms count was the highest (p <0.05) in rabbit meat from butcher shops (5.34 log CFU.g-1). The counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in rabbit meat originating from domestic breeding was 2.58 log CFU.g-1, in vacuum-packaged rabbits 3.18 log CFU.g-1, in frozen rabbits 2.29 log CFU.g-1, and in rabbit meat purchased from butcher shops 3.58 log CFU.g-1. The highest count (p <0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae was observed in samples from butcher shops, namely 2.91 log CFU.g-1. In contrast the lowest count (p <0.05) was in rabbit meat from home slaughtering at 1.47 log CFU.g-1 and in frozen ones at 1.36 log CFU.g-1. The lowest counts (p <0.05) of moulds and yeasts were observed in rabbit meat from domestic slaughter, namely 1.12 log CFU.g-1. The highest counts (p <0.05) were in rabbit meat from butcher shops 2.97 log CFU.g-1. The highest counts (p <0.05) of psychrotrophic microorganisms were detected in rabbit meat from butcher shops, namely 4.98 log CFU g-1 and the lowest ones (p <0.05) in the meat of domestically slaughtered rabbits at 2.52 log CFU.g-1. In all monitored microbiological indicators, we have found differences (p <0.05) in their counts on the surface and inside the muscle tissue, both on the front and rear parts of the rabbit carcass.O
Iniciální vliv hnojení na výživu a odrůstání smrku ztepilého v Krušných horách
No full textThe aim of this study consisted in verifying the hypothesis whether the application of tableted fertilizers Silvamix(R) Forte, Silvamix(R) R, Stromfolixyl(R) and calcareous dolomite affected significantly the nutrition and growth of Norway spruce. In order to carry out research investigation, the experimental Suchdol locality has been selected as it represents large-scale reclaimed sites in the Krušné hory Mts. Ameliorating agents were applied using the initial spot fertilization of Norway spruce plantations. In the course of two years, activities as follows were carried out annually: (1) top shoots measurement, (2) sampling the latest needle year-class. The applied fertilizers impact on the concentrations of nutrients in needle dry matter was not significant with minor exception. Fertilizers Silvamix(R) Forte and Silvamix(R) R can be recommended to support seedlings growth in the area of interest since there had been positive effect on annual height increment found out. Calcareous dolomite showed the most favourable effect on the shoot biomass growth. Stromfolixyl(R) fertilizer had no effect on the annual increment; its impact on the nutrition can be characterized as insignificant since fertilized individuals showed lower phosphorus concentration in needle dry matter.Experiment byl proveden na lokalitě Suchdol, která reprezentuje prostředí rozhrnutých valů s menším podílem humusu v půdním prostředí. Cílem této studie bylo ověření hypotézy, zda může aplikace tabletovaných hnojiv Silvamix Forte, Silvamix R, Stromfolixyl a vápnitý dolomit významně ovlivnit výživu a odrůstání výsadeb smrku ztepilého.O