To date, studies on volatile metabolites in cereal grain have focused mainly on a single species. In this paper, results are presented of the analysis of volatile compounds in five cereal grain species (spring wheat, durum wheat, triticale, rye, oats and barley) based on representative sampling of at least 15 cultivars of individual species. Profiles of volatile compounds were determined using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and GC-TOF (time of flight mass spectrometry). Many of the volatile compounds were only present in single samples; however, several dozen were found in over 50% of samples and 46 volatiles were found in all samples. Among them there were six alcohols, 10 aldehydes and ketones, six terpenes, seven hydrocarbons and 11 benzene derivatives. The highest concentrations of these compounds were found in durum wheat, while the lowest were observed in triticale and rye.

Ergosterol (ERG) is a major sterol constituent of most fungi. Its concentration is negligible in higher plants, but can be used as a chemical marker of the presence of fungal contaminations. In this study, ERG concentration was assessed in randomly collected samples of naturally contaminated grain (wheat, barley and oat) and in samples of grain (wheat, barley, triticale and oat) harvested after inoculation of heads with conidia of different Fusarium species. Wheat samples were analysed at three stages of grain development. The lowest ERG concentration was found in non-inoculated samples at the first stage of grain development. This concentration was increasing with grain ripening. In naturally contaminated samples collected after harvest, ERG concentration was lower in wheat than in barley and oat. ERG concentrations in inoculated samples varied significantly, but were always significantly higher than in naturally contaminated samples. In the above cereal samples it was much lower than the levels assayed in laboratory cultures inoculated with fungi from genus Fusarium. The content of ERG was also analyzed in milling products of small-grained cereals and other foodstuffs, where a considerable variation was observed. The lowest ERG amounts were assayed in flours with a high degree of purification, while the highest ones in case of flours and products with a low purification rate. The results indicate the potential application of HPLC combined with microwave-assisted extraction both when assaying samples with low ERG concentrations (naturally contaminated) and those characterized with high contents of fungal biomass (strongly infected, artificially inoculated). It also facilitates analyses of fungal biomass in technological processes, where results may be expected to vary considerably.

Due to the health-promoting properties of elderberry fruits, which result from their rich chemical composition, this raw material is widely used in herbal medicine and the food industry. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of the elderberry fruit extracts. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The following phenolic acids were predominant: chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, and t-cinnamic acid. Their average content was, respectively, 139.09, 72.84, 51.29 mg/g extract. Rutin and quercetin (their average content was 1105.39 and 306.6 mg/g extract, respectively) were the dominant flavonoids. The research showed that the elderberry polyphenol extracts exhibited activity against selected strains of bacteria within the concentration range of 0.5–0.05%. The following bacteria were the most sensitive to the extracts: Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas fragii, and Escherichia coli. Of the compounds under analysis, apigenin, kaempferol and ferulic, protocatechuic, and p-coumarin acids had the greatest influence on the high antibacterial activity of elderberry extracts. The results of the microbiological and chemical analyses of the composition of the extracts were analyzed statistically to indicate the bioactive compounds of the greatest antimicrobial significance.

Plants produce specific structures constituting barriers, hindering the penetration of pathogens, while they also produce substances inhibiting pathogen growth. These compounds are secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, resins, tannins and alkaloids. Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites from trees and shrubs and are used in medicine, herbal medicine and cosmetology. To date, fruits and flowers of exotic trees and shrubs have been primarily used as sources of bioactive compounds. In turn, the search for new sources of bioactive compounds is currently focused on native plant species due to their availability. The application of such raw materials needs to be based on knowledge of their chemical composition, particularly health-promoting or therapeutic compounds. Research conducted to date on European trees and shrubs has been scarce. This paper presents the results of literature studies conducted to systematise the knowledge on phenolic compounds found in trees and shrubs native to central Europe. The aim of this review is to provide available information on the subject and to indicate gaps in the present knowledge.

Background: Microscopic fungi are the biological agent of occupational risk in the woodworking environment. Microbiological and chemical methods were used for determination of their concentration and species composition in dust. Material and Methods: Dust was sampled in 3 factories producing furniture using different materials. The 1st factory (A) processes solid wood, the 2nd (B) -chipboards and the 3rd factory (C) uses both wood and wood composites. The samples were collected in 12 different workstations and locations in each factory. The quantitative content of fungal biomass was determined basing on analysis of ergosterol (ERG). The species composition of fungi was analyzed using the microbiological method basing on culture morphology. Results: The concentration of ergosterol was relatively low and ranged from 0.012 mg/kg to 3.36 mg/kg. The average value of ERG amounted to 1.25 mg/kg in factories A and C and 1.15 mg/kg in factory B. The most frequently isolated fungi in factory A and B were Penicillum and Aspergillus. However, in the factory C, only Trichoderma was isolated. The maximum concentration of fungi in dust collected in factory B was 2377 cfu/g and it is 3 times more than in the dust from factories A and C. Conclusions: Workers of furniture factories may be exposed to airborne fungi associated with the wood dust posing health hazard. The content of these fungi is relatively small (ERG -max: 3.36 mg/kg) but the species, especially genera Penicillum and Aspergillus, found in the dust which were reported as having allergic and toxic properties. Med Pr 2014;65(6): [705][706][707][708][709][710][711][712][713]