Plasma activated water (PAW) can represent an alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture. The effects of PAW treatment applied in two concentrations (1.5 or 3.0 mg L−1 NO3−) on some morphological, physiological, biochemical parameters and yield of Lactuca sativa L. grown in two different pot volumes (400 or 3200 cm3) were investigated in this study. The results showed that both PAW concentrations did not influence the germination, once the process was initiated. Positive effects of the treatments were registered on the length of radicle and hypocotyls of lettuce at a concentration of 1.5 mg L−1 NO3− (PAW I), the chlorophyll content was significantly increased at a concentration of 3.0 mg L−1 NO3− (PAW II) and bigger pot volume, also the foliar weight and area. No significant differences between the treated and untreated plants were recorded for the root weight, leaf length and width. The dry weight was significantly higher for the lettuce treated with PAW I and II grown in big volume pots at 57 days after transplanting (DAT) and small volume pots at 64 DAT. The nitrites content of the lettuce grown in big pots was lower than of the lettuce grown in small pots, regardless of the PAW treatment. Contrary, the nitrates content was higher in the lettuce grown in big pots (up to 36.4 mg KNO3/g DW), compared to small pots (under 0.3 mg KNO3/g DW).

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries are well known for their content in bioactive compounds, high acidity, bright yellow color, pleasant taste and odor, thus their addition in a basic food such as bread could be an opportunity for modern food producers. The aim of the present research was to investigate the characteristics and the effects of the berry’ flour added in wheat bread (in concentration of 1%, 3% and 5%) on sensory, physicochemical and antioxidant properties, and also bread shelf life. Berry flour contained total polyphenols—1467 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g, of which flavonoids—555 mg GAE/100 g, cinnamic acids—425 mg caffeic acid equivalents (CAE)/100 g, flavonols—668 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100 g. The main identified phenolics were catechin, hyperoside, chlorogenic acid, cis- and trans-resveratrol, ferulic and protocatechuic acids, procyanidins B1 and B2, epicatechin, gallic acid, quercetin, p- and m-hydroxybenzoic acids. The antioxidant activity was 7.64 mmol TE/100 g, and carotenoids content 34.93 ± 1.3 mg/100 g. The addition of berry flour increased the antioxidant activity of bread and the shelf life up to 120 h by inhibiting the development of rope spoilage. The obtained results recommend the addition of 1% Hippophae rhamnoides berry flour in wheat bread, in order to obtain a product enriched in health-promoting biomolecules, with better sensorial and antioxidant properties and longer shelf life.

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Kumar et al., 2010). The Triticum test has 2 targets: toxicity and mutagenicity assessment. Toxicity is associated with growth inhibition, while mutagenicity is correlated with the rate of chromosome disturbances (Fiskesjo, 1985).Cinnamic acid derivatives are important compounds with a wide range of biological activities: antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antitumoral (Da Cunha et al., 2004;Narasimhan et al., 2004;Xu et al., 2005;Sharma, 2011). Some cinnamic acid derivatives are naturally occurring substances found in various plants. Cinnamic acid can also be found in free form, but it is especially common in the form of esters. Cinnamic esters are obtained from various plant sources and are very important in perfumery, the cosmetic industry, and pharmaceutics. Methyl caffeate is found in Gaillardia pulchella, Gochnatia rusbyana, Notopterygium incisum, and the fruits of Linum usitatissimum and is reported to possess both antitumor and antimicrobial activities. Ethyl 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, found in Piper longum, has an important role in controlling inflammatory diseases (Sharma, 2011).Hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and coumaric) and their derivatives are extremely potent natural antitumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agents. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) from propolis is only one example of an extremely potent biologically active natural cinnamic acid derivative (Bankova, 2009). The aim of this paper was to evaluate the phytotoxic and mutagenic effects of 5 cinnamic acid derivatives [cinnamic acid (I), 2,3-dibromo-3-phenyl-propanoic acid (II), 2,3-dibromo-3-(3-bromophenyl)-propanoic acid (III), 2,3-dibromo-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid (IV), and 2,3-dibromo-3-(3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid (V)] in order to obtain Abstract: Five cinnamic acid derivatives [cinnamic acid, 2,3-dibromo-3-phenyl-propanoic acid, 2,3-dibromo-3-(3-bromophenyl)propanoic acid, 2,3-dibromo-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid, and 2,3-dibromo-3-(3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid] were found to be active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and their minimal bactericidal concentrations were determined (100 µg/mL). The first step in assessing their toxicological potential was the phytotoxicity and genotoxicity evaluation on Triticum aestivum. Wheat seeds were exposed to solutions of the tested compounds (100 µg/mL) for 24 and 48 h. The development of roots and seedlings, germination percentage, mitotic index, chromosomal aberrations, and total polyphenol content were analyzed. The substances caused in most experimental cases a slight inhibition in the growth of the tested plantlets in comparison to the control, with the exception of 2,3-dibromo-3-(3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid (48 h of exposure). All compounds inhibited the germination process and mitotic activity. No aberrant metaphases were generated, but abnormal anatelophases appeared, and 4 types of chromosomal aberrations were identified: chromosome bridges,...

Sprouts are very rich in antioxidants (e.g. phenolic compounds) and their consumption is beneficial for humans' health. The sprouts' antioxidant properties are correlated to conditions of growth and maturity stage. The present study reveals the influence of maturity stage (5-, 7-and 9-day-old) and two sodium salts, NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 (10 mM and 100 mM) on the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of cauliflower and broccoli sprouts. The analysed sprouts' extracts were obtained in two phases, using ethanol 70% with 0.01% hydrochloric acid. In the case of cauliflower, the 7 days germination leads to the highest total phenolic content and radical scavenging capacity. Broccoli sprouts revealed the most enhanced DPPH radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content at 5-day-old. The two sodium salts, generally, had positive effects on global antioxidant status. It is highlighted both for broccoli and cauliflower, the stimulating effect of 100 mM Na 2 SO 4 on the total phenolic content and soluble dry weight, but the DPPH radical scavenging activity was more important in the case of NaCl, than Na 2 SO 4 treatments, except for cauliflower sprouts treated with 100 mM Na 2 SO 4 . In conclusion, germination under adequate salt stress is a protocol to be considered in order to improve antioxidant properties of broccoli and cauliflower sprouts, despite the non-convenient effects on the germination and sprouts growth. Further researches are needed to optimize the level and time periods of such treatments.