Selenium (Se) is one of the elements that determine the normal functioning of an organism; it has antioxidant properties and protects the organism against the actions of free radicals and carcinogenic factors. Selenium is an element that fulfils an important physiological function (Kieliszek and Blažejak 2013), but apart from all the elements, selenium has one of the narrowest range between dietary deficiency (< 40 µg/day) and toxic levels (> 400 µg/day) (Fordyce 2007).While there is no evidence of Se need for higher plants, several reports show that when Se added at low concentrations, it exerts beneficial effects on plant growth. Se may act as quasi-essential micronutrient through altering different physiological and biochemical traits; thus, plants vary considerably in their physiological and biochemical response to Se (El-Ramady et al. 2016).During the last decade, studies related with strategies for Se biofortification in food plants for human nutrition have increased significantly because this metalloid is incorporated into human metabolism mainly as a constituent of food plants (Mora et al. 2015). Biofortification is defined as the process of increasing the bioavailable concentrations of essential elements in the edible portions of cultivated plants through agricultural management (fertilization) or genetic improvement (White and Brodlay 2005).Plant-derived foodstuffs, namely cereals, are the major dietary sources of Se in most countries throughout the world, even if Se contents are strongly dependent upon the corresponding levels in cereal-growing soils. Therefore, wheat is one of the staple crops that appears as an obvious candidate for Se biofortification, considering its Possibility of selenium biofortification of winter wheat grain

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen nutrition on the content of fatty acids and selected qualitative parameters (nitrogenous substances, ash, crude fiber) in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The experiment was carried out at the Vígľaš—Pstruša Research and Breeding Station in 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 by complete block design with four repetitions. Nitrogen fertilization was applied at four levels, plus an untreated control (after agrochemical soil analysis) by DAN 27 (Dolomite Ammonium Nitrate): 100, 120, 140, and 160 kg/ha N. Application date was in BBCH scale phase 59–60. The fatty acid contents (MUFA—monosaturated fatty acids; PUFA—polyunsaturated fatty acids) were determined by gas chromatography in the extracted fat, which is determined by extraction method. Within the result evaluation, statistically significant increases in the contents of linoleic and linolenic acids were recorded in all variants treated by nitrogen fertilizer, which is positive in terms of the use of rapeseed oil for food and energy purposes. The statistically significant decrease of oleic acid after the application of nitrogen fertilizers is negative for industry use of rapeseed oil.

Abstract:The most of important crops cultivated for production of foods and feeds could be considered as plants possessing nutraceutical or medically interesting compounds , especially if can be eaten without processing. Chemical and biological parameters that were evaluated in 100 oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes were others than those that are important in food and feed production. Contents of polyphenols and flavonoids, radical scavenging activity (DPPH), and inhibitory activities against five proteases (trypsin, thrombin, urokinase, elastase, cathepsin B) were analyzed in extracts from mature grains. The antioxidant activity (DPPH) correlated to the content of total polyphenols. Only a minority (15 from 100) of analyzed genotypes created separate subgroup with a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and high antioxidant activity. The best in these parameters were genotypes CDC-SOL-FI, Saul, and Avesta, respectively. Fifteen other genotypes assembled another minority subgroup (also 15 from 100) on the basis of their high inhibitory activities against tested proteases. The highest trypsin−, urokinase−, and elastase−inhibitory activities were in genotype Racoon, the best in thrombin-, and cathepsin B-inhibitory activities were genotypes Expression and SW Kerstin, respectively. Three oats genotypes -Rhea, AC Percy, and Detvan appeared in both subgroups.

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Adverse environmental conditions, such as various biotic and abiotic stresses, are the primary reason for decreased crop productivity. Oat, as one of the world’s major crops, is an important cereal in human nutrition. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of inoculation with two species of the genus Fusarium on the selected qualitative parameters of oat grain intended for the food industry. Artificial inoculation caused a statistically significant decrease in the content of starch, oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids in oat grains compared to the control. Moreover, artificial inoculation had no statistically significant effect on the content of β-D-glucans, total dietary fiber, total lipids, palmitic, stearic, and cis-vaccenic acids. An increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in oat grains was observed after inoculation. The most important indicator of Fusarium infection was the presence of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in the grain. The content of β-D-glucans, as a possible protective barrier in the cell wall, did not have a statistically significant effect on the inoculation manifestation in the grain.