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The effect of chromium supplementation in diets of fattening beef
No full textThe present study aimed to evaluate the influence of different dietary chromium
levels on growth performance and feed efficiency in feedlot cattle. The experiment
was conducted on a commercial fattening unit located near Kruševac, Serbia, over
a 28-day experimental period. A Latin square design with repeated measurements
was employed using calves uniform in age and initial body weight. The animals
were housed in a semi-open facility and individually fed to ensure accurate feed
intake recording. Body weights were measured at seven-day intervals, while daily
feed consumption was recorded throughout the trial. Variations in body weight
and average daily gain among calves receiving diets with different chromium in
clusions were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conversely, the effect of the
experimental period had a highly significant impact on the evaluated parameters
(p<0.05; p <0.01; p<0.001). The feed conversion ratio recorded during the exper
imental period ranged from 3.5 to 4.6 kg/kg gain
Protein Stacking on the APTES-Functionalized Pyrochlore Bi2Ru2O7 Clusters for Ultrasensitive and Selective Immunosensing
No full textPyrochlores, with their unique physicochemical properties, have found applications in various fields, such as solid oxide fuel cells, batteries, thick film resistors, and temperature sensors. In this study, we exploited (electro)catalytic nature and stability of the pyrochlore Bi2Ru2O7 clusters silanized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to demonstrate their potential for efficient stacking of functional proteins, resulting in a high-performance immunosensor for the model SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The protocol for modifying the supporting electrode surface included the deposition of APTES-silanized pyrochlore clusters, the introduction of glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker, and the incorporation of protein A moieties for oriented binding of the Fc domains of the antibodies. After thorough optimization, the developed immunosensor showed interference-free operation, excellent sensitivity, and a detection limit of only 131 fM SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In combination with a short incubation time of 30 minutes, the immunosensor provides a solid platform for future point-of-need applications
Analysis of the economic profitability of different bell pepper production methods
No full textNumerous factors can affect the outcomes of pepper production; therefore, it is crucial to
analyze the most significant ones and understand how their variations impact production results.
This paper analyzes the financial viability of pepper production in protected areas (greenhouses)
and in open-fields. Through differential calculation and an analysis of efficiency and profitability coefficients, key differences in costs and revenues were identified. The results show that, although production in a protected area requires a larger investment, it achieves a more favorable financial outcome. For every EUR of total costs, a higher income of 0.05 EUR is generated, while the total financial result on an area of 1,000 m² is more favorable by 4,555.00 EUR. A sensitivity analysis confirmed that both production methods are resilient to changes in market conditions, specifically an increase in production costs or a decrease in revenues
Field experiment on the uptake of lead, strontium, cobalt, and nickel in the wood and bark of spruce (Picea abies L.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb.)
No full textHuman activities have significantly altered the availability and circulation of pollutants, impacting their concentrations in the environment. This pollution notably affects trees. In this study, we conducted two separate experiments (I and II) to investigate the uptake of lead, strontium, cobalt, and nickel in spruce (Picea abies L.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb.) seedlings. These seedlings were exposed to elevated levels of these metals by adding them to the soil. Our field experiments provide insights into metal accumulation in natural environments. We measured concentrations of these elements, along with manganese and zinc, in the soil, wood, and bark using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed increased levels of the added metals in the wood and bark of both tree species. Notably, there was a significant increase in lead and nickel concentrations in Douglas-fir wood. The lead concentration in Douglas-fir wood was 7 and 4 times higher in experiments I and II, respectively, compared to the control group of seedlings, while the nickel concentration was 18 and 10 times higher. These findings suggest that Douglas-fir wood has potential for phytostabilization of lead and nickel based on trace element concentrations and transfer factors
Temperature and frequency tuned study of electrical properties of M-type strontium hexaferrite
No full textStrontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) nanoparticles were prepared by the green sol-gel auto combustion method with mandarin orange peel extract acting as the reducing/chelating agent and combustion fuel. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of an M-type magnetoplumbite phase consisting of randomly oriented hexagonal crystallite platelets 38 nm thick and 47 nm wide. The dielectric, conductivity, and impedance metrics were examined in the frequency range of 8 Hz to 5 MHz with temperature variation from 20 to 55 oC. The dielectric constant and loss decreased with frequency increment in conjunction with the Maxwell-Wagner model. An increase in temperature caused activation and accumulation of activated charge carriers at grain boundaries enhancing polarization and increasing dielectric parameters in the low-frequency region. Cole-Cole plots for electrical modulus revealed the role of both grain and grain boundaries behind the charge transport phenomenon. Increase in temperature activated the charge carriers and reduced the relaxation time. The variation of electrical parameters of grains/grain boundary aligned with simulated values derived from the equivalent circuit model. The Jonscher power law governed polaron hopping through the correlated barrier hopping model of the conduction. The Kohlrausch, Williams, and Watts function demonstrated non-Debye relaxation for peaks observed in the imaginary part of the electric modulus. Both the real and imaginary parts of complex impedance decreased with the rise in temperature due to thermal agitation of charge carriers and their release, while increasing SrFe12O19 conductivity. The grain and grain boundary resistances reduced from 6.52 Mohm to 3.80 M, 55.59 to 7.33 Mohm, respectively, while the grain boundary capacitance increased from 74.14 to 130.45 pF in the temperature range 20 - 55 oC
Response of Different Perennial Ryegrass Varieties to Water Stress
No full textPerennial ryegrass represents the most important forage grass, yet its generally low drought tolerance leads to reduced yields under water scarcity. Nevertheless, large intra- and inter-population variability could be a pool for selecting new drought-tolerant varieties. In this study we evaluated three populations (K-11, Exp population and Shandon) under semi-controlled conditions across four watering levels (100%, 70%, 50% and 30% of field water capacity), focusing on yield and key morphological and biochemical traits. Dry matter yield and root dry mass decreased in all populations under limited watering conditions. The highest biomass production in such conditions was observed in the Exp population, likely due to better root performance in the deeper soil layer. On the other hand, oxidative stress markers (MDA and H2O2) and water-soluble sugars, which indicated the best physiological status in cultivar K-11 under severe drought, did not lead to the highest DMY. These results show the importance of including multiple physiological and biochemical traits in breeding processes, with the aim of developing perennial ryegrass cultivars capable of withstanding prolonged and intense summer drought as a consequence of climate change
Changes in sesquiterpene lactones levels in lettuce due to biofertiliser application and their impact on taste
No full textSesquiterpene lactones play various roles in plants, including allelopathy, antimicrobial activity, and protection against stressors. Higher concentrations of lactones are found in milky latex compared to leaves. Lactones contribute to the bitter taste of lettuce, balance human nutrition, and offer pharmaceutical benefits. This study aimed to examine the effect of biofertilisers on the sesquiterpene lactones content and overall taste of lettuce. Six Rijk Zwaan lettuce cultivars ('Kiribati', 'Murai', 'Aquino', 'Gaugin', 'Aleppo', and 'Carmesi') were grown in fertile soil using two biofertilisers (EM Aktiv and Vital Tricho), and a combination of the two during three successive growing seasons (autumn, winter, and spring). Preliminary UPLC-MS analysis of latex collected in autumn from all cultivars showed the presence of lactucin, deoxylactucin derivate, lactucopicrin, and lactucopicrin oxalate, with the lactucopicrin derivate being the prevailing form of sesquiterpene lactones. Concerning edible parts, the red cultivar 'Carmesi' exhibited the highest level of lactucopicrin (0.37 mg/g DW), with lactucopicrin being the predominant lactone in the autumn trial. Applying EM Aktiv and Vital Tricho alone resulted in significantly higher dihydrolactucopicrin content, while the combination of the two fertilisers led to significantly enhanced levels of all lactones. The results of the sensory analysis showed an overall taste score of 2.83-3.08 using a five-way hedonic scale. Cultivar and biofertiliser did not affect the overall taste, while a more pleasant taste was reported in winter/spring trials. Correlation coefficients revealed a negative impact of higher levels of lactucopicrin on overall taste (r=-0.16*), suggesting a less bitter taste was associated with a lower concentration of this compound. Three-way ANOVA showed that the cultivar, fertiliser, and season jointly affected all of the tested parameters, indicating the need to consider multiple factors. Our findings are significant for applied and sustainable agriculture, showing that biofertilisers can affect lactones content and, at the same time, contribute to consumer acceptance of different cultivars regarding taste
Slani keks sa dehidriranim celerom
No full textNovo tehničko rešenje primenjeno na međunarodnom nivou pod nazivom "Slani keks sa dehidriranim celerom" pokazuje mogućnost upotrebe praha celera dobijenog kombinovanim metodama sušenja, kao supstituenta pšeničnog brašna u formulaciji keksa. Nov proizvod keksa ima značajno poboljšani nutritivni i funkcionalni sastav, uz smanjenje energetske vrednosti što se ogleda u smanjenju sadržaja lipida i skroba, povećan sadržaj celuloze i smanjenu energetsku vrednost za 20%, kao i značajno povećan mineralni sastav i antioksidativni potencijal. Slani keks sa dehidriranim celerom je inovativni proizvod dobrog tehnološkog kvaliteta i senzorskih karakteristika koga karakteriše visok stepen prihvatanja od strane potrošača različitih sociodemografskih karakteristika.Na 37. redovnoj sednici MNO za biotehnologiju i poljoprivredu održanoj 27. 3. 2025. godine usvojeno je tehničko rešenje pod nazivom: "Slani keks sa dehidriranim celerom". Korisnik tehničkog rešenja je KORNI d.o.o Beogradska 39, 85 000 Bar, Crna Gora. Tehničko rešenje je verifikovano povodom izbora u više naučno zvanje dr Gorana Trivana i kategorisano kao M81 - Novo tehničko rešenje primenjeno na međunarodnom nivou
Biocontrol potential of indigenous pepper seed Bacillus strains against Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
No full textBACKGROUND: Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. is considered an economically important disease affecting pepper.
Considering that antibiotics-based treatments in disease control are forbidden in European countries, biological control has
emerged as a promising approach.
RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated high biological efficacy of three indigenous pepper seed-associated Bacillus spp. – Bacillus
velezensis (P64), Bacillus safensis (P114), and Bacillus halotolerans (P122) – in the control of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. Two independent
trials based on the peppergrowth inpots andinthe field resulted in similar performances in terms of disease spread reduction
(as calculated by disease incidence and disease severity index) over time compared to the untreated controls. In both trials, treatments
included initial preventive or curative applications of these biocontrol bacteria once the secondary apical lateral shoot
became visible (BBCH 29), followed by additional application at the beginning of flowering (BBCH 52–55). Ratings conducted at
7-day intervals after the first treatment indicated very high biological efficacy, typically exceeding 80%. All three strains remained
active throughout the assessment period, whereby their efficacy started to increase 21 days after the first treatment, reaching
99.59% after 49 days. Although bacterium B. velezensis is already known for its beneficial role in the control of plant bacterial diseases,
this is among the first study demonstrating the bactericidal activity of B. safensis and B. halotolerans.
CONCLUSION: The current research outlines a promising novel approach for X. euvesicatoria control in pepper based on the
type of microbial agents as well as the timing of their application.
© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry
NiMn2O4 nano-cotton particles and nanofibers: Exploring structural, magnetic and electrochemical energy storage properties
No full textHerein, nickel manganite (NiMn2O4) was successfully synthesized via glycine-nitrate sol-gel combustion process to obtain nano-cotton particles (SG-800) and electrospinning method to obtain nanofibers (ES-400), both followed by calcination. Synthesized materials were characterized in order to evaluate structural, magnetic and energy storage properties. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the formation of a cubic spinel structure in both cases. The crystallite size of SG-800 (53 nm) was higher than that of ES-400 (16 nm). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the presence of Ni2+, Mn2+, Mn3+ and Mn4+ valence states in both samples. Synthesized materials were paramagnetic at room temperature, turning to ferromagnetic ordering at the critical temperature of 104 and 95 K, while the appearance of the spin-glass-like state was observed at 65 and 80 K for SG-800 and ES-400, respectively. SG-800 and ES-400 were tested in different electrolytes on a glassy carbon electrode as a substrate and demonstrated potential for energy storage through diffusion-controlled, Faraday redox electrochemical reactions. Carbon aerogel (CA) produced by thermal carbonization of lyophilized sodium-alginate hydrogel exhibited EDLC capacitor-like behavior, as shown by electrochemical characterization. Hybrid supercapacitors were assembled from SG-800 or ES-400 and CA and their performance was evaluated. The SG-800 as an electrode material showed superior capacitance and stability, probably due to higher crystallinity and formation of active sites for electrochemical redox reactions