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The relation between nutrition and health has been unequivocally established. Wrong eating habits and losses of nutritional factors during technological processing, storage, and culinary treatments can lead to the diet deficient in some nutritional factors. Barley green matter was analysed for the contents of vitamin C, total polyphenols, phenolic compounds, proteins, amino acids, and saccharides; the activity of catalase was also determined. The contents of vitamin C, total polyphenols, and ferulic acid decreased with the age of barley plants. The influence of the variety has not been proved unequivocally. The contents of vitamin C between 0.107-6.357 g/kg DM, of total polyphenols between 17.167-35.559 g/kg DM, and of ferulic acid between 0-5.916 g/kg DM were found. Catalase activity amounted to 4.5-29.7 TSU. The monosaccharide profile showed high contents of glucose (15.40-88.40 g/kg DM) and fructose (37.60-81.40 g/kg DM) which decreased with the plant growth. The contents of saccharose and galactose were low, ranging between 0-7.70 g/kg DM and 3.70-5.30 g/kg DM, respectively. The relations between their contents and the growth phase were insignificant. The total amino acid content decreased with the plant age. High contents of aspartic (15.232-28.682 g/kg DM) and glutamic acids (16.694-35.526 g/kg DM), as well as minimal contents of sulphur amino acids, especially methionin (2.586-5.03 g per kg DM), could be noted. The highest catalase activity was found in the early growth phase (18.5-35.1 TSU), being higher in all samples grown at the location Kroměříž. The yield of juice pressed out from frozen green matter amounted to 68%. The pressed out juice was preserved by fluid drying, freeze drying, and freezing. In respect to folates and total polyphenols contents and the antioxidant activity, freezing appears the most suitable procedure for preserving.

Lutein and β-carotene contents in 32 samples of field peas with green (ii), yellow (I.) and orange cotyledons (orcorc) were determined. The highest lutein concentration ranging between 0.768 and 1.394 mg/100 g was found in varieties with green cotyledons (median 0.978 mg/100 g). Yellow cotyledons contained lower amount of lutein, median = 0.692 mg/100 g. Big variation in lutein content was found in tested breeding lines with orange cotyledons, only 4 lines showed higher lutein content in comparison with the lowest value found in green cotyledons. Content of β-carotene in field peas with green cotyledons ranged between 0.1-0.2 mg/100 g. Field peas with yellow and orange cotyledons contain β-carotene in 10 times lower concentration. 27 samples of garden peas were tested. Lutein content fluctuated between 0.471 and 1.524 mg/100 g with median = 0.791 mg/100 g. Year-to-year differences in 54% of all repeatedly tested samples shoved coefficient of variation lower than 10%. Coefficient of variation under 20% was found in 96% of repeatedly analysed samples. A strong correlation (r = 0.77, P < 0.01) between lutein and chlorophyll contents was found.

H������� M., F��������� V., R����� P., P�������� M. (2004): Biosynthesis of folates by lactic acid bacteria and propionibacteria in fermented milk. Czech J. Food Sci., 22: 175-181.Folate producing ability of several strains of Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Streptococcus thermophilus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii was evaluated. As substrate, UHT milk with 1.5% fat content treated with additional laboratory sterilisation was used. Fermentation was conducted at 37°C and 30°C in the case of Propionibacterium. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) concentrations were determined using HPLC method. All strains of Streptococcus thermophilus tested showed 5-MTHF production. More than six-fold increase was found in the 5-MTHF content in comparison with control (increase = 3.69 µg 5-MTHF/100 g) after 12 h fermentation. Bifidobacterium longum strains were recognised as mild folate producers with max. 73% increase in the 5-MTHF content (increase = 0.48 µg 5-MTHF/100 g) after 12 h fermentation. The Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii strains tested did not basically influence the 5-MTHF levels during milk fermentation. In all cases, maximum 5-MTHF concentration was reached between 6 and 12 hours of fermentation. Large differences in the 5-MTHF production were found among individual strains within species. By a careful testing of the folate production ability of microbial strains used in the production of fermented milk, an enhancement of the natural folate content can be achieved.

We evaluated the nutritional factors of underutilized cereals (spelt, emmer, einkorn, millet, foxtail millet, semiperennial rye, naked oat, and naked barley) and buckwheat. The basic food components as well as minor nutrients were determined. The analyses included dry matter, ash, protein, dietary fiber, fat, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, and lipophilic and hydrophilic vitamins. Rutin was also determined in buckwheat. We hope to offer new recipes for the healthy food production and for special dietary use (diabetes, celiac disease, phenylketonuria diet, etc.). Use of the germinated seeds is also suggested. The examples of some healthy food products in the Czech Republic are mentioned.