Protein-film voltammetry is established as an effective tool that provides insight to the redox features of various lipophilic proteins by using a simple methodology. Although the protein-film experimental set up is relatively simple, the redox mechanisms of many proteins are quite complicated, and very often they cannot be resolved without having support from adequate mathematical models. In this work we continue our contribution to modeling relevant redox mechanisms in protein-film voltammetry. We present results from the theoretical simulations of catalytic mechanism at the two-step successive surface redox reaction under conditions of square-wave voltammetry. This mechanism is assigned as a surface EEC′, and it can be presented by the following simplified scheme: A(ads) + ne− ⇄ B(ads) + ne− ⇄ C(ads) + Substrate → kcat B(ads). Our attention is focused on several phenomena of this complex protein-film mechanism, while we give set of qualitative criteria to distinguish this mechanism from similar ones studied under voltammetric conditions. Moreover, we also provide hints to use methodologies for the determination of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters relevant to the protein-film EEC′ mechanism. The considered protein-film EEC′ mechanism is applicable to all lipophilic redox proteins that undergo electrochemical transformations in more than one successive electron steps. Such examples exist by proteins containing quinone moiety and some polyvalent ions of transition metals as redox active sites.

Sustainable food production for steadily growing world's population under the conditions of increasing environmental stress and soil pollution is a challenge that calls for optimization of farmland resource management. Soybean (Glycine max. L. Merr) as one of the world's most important protein crops can play a leading role in addressing global food security provided it fulfills safety requirements, in particular with respect to Cd level. The aim of this comparative study was elaborating efficient methods for the selection of soybean cultivars assuring safe Cd contents for food/feed purposes. The pot culture experiment was conducted using 15 soybean cultivars grown in soil moderately polluted with Cd (1.98 mg kg À1), and in unpolluted soil (0.15 mg Cd kg À1) as a control. The evaluation was based on the novel Cd concentration/ load trend analysis in plant tissues, Seed Accumulation Factors SAF n and Cd load balance. The soybean demonstrated fundamentally different response of the same cultivars to low and moderate Cd concentrations in soil. In cultivars grown in unpolluted soil, besides genetically determined detoxification factors, important seed protective role played Cd accumulation in stem, leaves and root (Seed Accumulation Factor SAF n <0.5, Cd load reduction in bean by 25e82%). In the moderately polluted soil, the most essential effect on Cd accumulation in seed exerted a plant genotype determining Cd flux and translocation from soil to shoot via root (Enrichment Factor EF < 1), while seed protection by accumulating Cd in other plant tissues was weak, declining or none (SAF n >0.5 up to >1, whereas Cd load in bean ranged from À23 to þ11% related to mean value in shoot). Root to shoot flux rate was found to be a decisive factor in Cd enrichment in soybean seed at the elevated soil pollution with Cd. The efficient screening for safe Cd content in soybean should be thus based on EF and Cd concentrations in shoot at the actual target soil pollution level.

Aims: The aim of research is to examine the influence of auxins IAA, IBA, NAA and commercial rooting product on rooting of cuttings from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinialis L.), sage (Salvia officinialis L.) and elderberry (Sambucus nigra L). Study Design: Completely randomized design.

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal harvest time to achieve maximum milled rice yield and quality of white rice in some newly introduced Italian rice varieties grown under agro-ecological conditions in the region of Kocani town, Republic of North Macedonia. During the 2014 and 2015, fourteen rice varieties were cultivated to estimate the milled rice yield and broken kernels from three different harvest times. From each rice variety, samples with moisture content between 20-22% (I variant), 18-20% (II variant) and 16-18% (III variant) were taken. From the third harvest variant the highest percentage of milled rice yield (65.23%) was obtained but also the highest rate of broken kernels (12.79%). From the remaining two harvests, almost identical milled rice yields were received (64.19% from the first variant and 64.33% from the second variant), but in terms of broken kernels, there were significant differences. The optimum moisture content during the harvest in order to obtain maximum yield and quality of milled rice ranged from 18% to 20%. The varieties Arsenal, Sprint and Mirko had the most favorable values for milled rice yield and broken kernels.

Long-term research in pepper organic production are scarce in Republic of Macedonia. Plant and fruit morphological traits of important pepper varieties organically produced were compared to pepper produced in conventional systems. Conceivably, this is the first morphological traits comparative study of locally important pepper genotypes (Capsicum annuum L.) in Republic of Macedonia in organic and conventional open-field production. The aim of the research is to determine the differences in pepper morphological traits when produced organically in comparison to conventional production. Eight plants and fruits were used for morphological traits determination of plant and fruit in six locally important pepper genotypes (Strumicka Kapija, Strumicka Vezena,