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Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of partial enzymatic hydrolysis on functional properties of two different pea protein isolates obtained from two pea genotypes, Maja and L1. Papain and commercial protease (Streptomyces griseus protease) were used for protein modification. Solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties were estimated at four different pH values (3.0, 5.0, 7.0 and 8.0). Papain increased solubility of L1 pea protein isolate at pH 3.0, 5.0 and 8.0, emulsifying properties and foaming capacity at all pH values. Otherwise, papain increased solubility of Maja pea protein isolate only at pH 8.0. This pea protein isolate modified with both enzymes formed emulsions with improved stability at lower pH (3.0, 5.0). The commercial protease‐prepared pea protein isolates showed generally low solubility and different emulsifying and foaming properties. Proper selection of enzyme, conditions of hydrolysis and genotypes could result in production of pea protein isolates with desirable functional properties.

Original information on aphidiines parasitizing aphids on herbaceous and shrubby ornamental plants in southeastern Europe is presented. In total, 22 species are keyed and illustrated with scanning electron micrographs, stereomicroscope micrographs, and line drawings. The aphidiines presented in this work have been identified from 40 aphid taxa. Two hundred sixty-six aphidiine— aphid—plant associations are presented, out of which 126 are new. The results are discussed in relation to the overall parasitoid—aphid-plant associations in the area.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of different drying treatments on antioxidant (AO) activity and phenolic content of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), cultivar Willamette. Whole raspberry fruits were dried convectively (air-drying), osmotically, and freeze-dried. Acetone-water extracts of fresh and dried raspberries were assessed for total phenolic content by standard Folin-Ciocalteau method. Two AO assays were applied, a recently developed direct current (DC) polarographic assay based on decrease of anodic oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide and widely used radical scavenge against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Strong correlation has been obtained between both AO assays and total phenolic content. In addition, some individual phenolic compounds present in raspberry have been assessed using DPPH and DC polarographic assay. Comparison and evaluation of drying methods has been based on preservation of AO activity and total phenolic content. Obtained results confirmed superiority of freeze-drying; convective drying caused slight changes while osmotic dehydration showed a significant decrease of phenolic compounds and AO activity.

We revise the Merodon constans species group of the genus Merodon Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae), provide morphological diagnosesand descriptions, as well as an illustrated key and a discussion on the different taxonomic characters used. In total, 15 species were studied, their geographic distributions are presented on maps, and nine new species are described. Two species are redefined and neotypes are designated, lectotypes are designated for five species, and onespeciesis reinstated as valid. Following a detailed study of type material in different entomological collections, the status of several species is revised and three new synonymies are proposed. The M. constans species group was resolved as being monophyletic within the M. albifrons lineage based on molecular analyses using COI and 28S rRNA gene sequences. Three species morphologically similar to M. constans (Rossi, 1794) but occurring outside its distributional rangewere supported as being valid and distinct species on the basis of molecular data, but they were not distinguishable based on morphological characters. By contrast, continental populations of M. analis Meigen, 1822 could not be separated from Mediterranean M. constans based on differences in COI or 28S rRNA genes. The same molecular markers could not discriminate between two other species pairs. We conclude that these molecular markers only partially resolve species within the M. constans group. Geometric morphometry of wing shape successfully separated M. analis and M. constans, as well as M. spineus Vujić, Šašić Zorić & Likov, sp. nov. in both species and population analyses.