SAB

Maple Trees – Host Plants for Some Phytoseiid Mites

Phytoseiid mite communities on Acer pseudoplatanus, A. platanoides, and A. campestre were monitored in 2013–2014. Totally 3657 specimens of phytoseiid mites belonging to seven species (Euseius finlandicus, Neoseiulella aceri, N. tuberculata, Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri, Paraseiulus soleiger, P. triporus, and Phytoseius echinus) were found on the examined maple leaves. N. aceri, the most common species, was dominant and frequently present on the leaves of both A. platanoides and A. campestre. The leaves of A. pseudoplatanus were favourable habitats for both E. finlandicus and N. tuberculata. Thus, maple trees may serve as suitable host plants for some native phytoseiid mites, particularly N. aceri and E. finlandicus.

Acer, Neoseiulella, Phytoseiidae, Acari, biocontrol

Kabíček, J. (2017): Maple Trees – Host Plants for Some Phytoseiid Mites. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 1-7. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0001

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Feed Restriction and Muscle Fibre Characteristics of Pectoralis Major in Broiler Chickens

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of one-week quantitative feed restriction (in days 8–14 of age) on histological characteristics of musculus pectoralis major in broiler chickens during the fattening period. Cockerels of Ross 308 (1215 chicken) were divided into 3 groups: ad libitum fed (AL; 3 × 135), restricted 80% of AL (R80; 3 × 135), and with limited feed intake 65% of AL (R65; 3 × 135). Eight cockerels per group were slaughtered in weekly intervals from day 14 of age till the end of experiment at 35 days to determine changes in the muscle fibre characteristics. The number of muscle fibres in pectoralis major decreased (P ? 0.001) with increasing age. Fibre cross sectional area was significantly (P ? 0.027) affected by the interaction of group and age. At the end of feed restriction at 14 days all groups had similar fibre area (519–539 µm2), the differences between groups were observed at 35 days of age with the largest fibre area in R65 chickens (2296 µm2), while R80 did not differ from AL (1728 µm2 and 1667 µm2). There was no effect of feeding regime on giant muscle fibre incidence.

breast; giant fibre; limited feed intake; muscular tissue; poultry

Chodová, D., Tůmová, E. (2017): Feed Restriction and Muscle Fibre Characteristics of Pectoralis Major in Broiler Chickens. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 8-12. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0002

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Zinc in the Animal Organism: A Review

Zinc, as an essential metal, is necessary for the correct function of an organism. It is involved in biochemical processes that affect the immune response of an organism, and it acts as a neuromodulator in the excitatory synapses of the brain. Zinc is also applied in response to stressful stimuli. Zinc is an essential factor of gene expression and is important, at the cellular level, in maintaining the integrity of the cell walls. It influences organism ageing. Zinc is relatively abundant in nature, and it exists in a mineral form and rarely as a pure element. Zinc is used widely in industry and agriculture. In industry, it is utilized mainly in the processing of other metals as protection against corrosion. In agriculture, it is used in fertilizers and chemicals to produce pesticides. In certain areas affected by human activities, its concentrations increase, and large quantities of this metal can get into the food supply. In this paper, we focus on zinc metabolism and homeostasis, with an emphasis placed on the biological function of zinc. This study also deals with zinc deficiency and its effect on health. We also touch on the excessive intake of zinc and its toxicity.

metal, enzyme, protein, metallothionein

Sloup, V., Jankovská, I., Nechybová, S., Peřinková,P., Langrová, I. (2017):

Zinc in the Animal Organism: A Review. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 13-21. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0003

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Analysis of European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Wings Using ATR-FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy: a Pilot Study

The infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy was used for the structural characterization of honeybee wings. Protein, chitin, and lipid characteristic spectral features were detected using both methods. The protein secondary structure was predominantly composed of the ß-sheet molecular conformation with ß-turns or coil contributions. The vibration modes of the side-chain aromatic amino acid residues (tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan) occurred in the wing spectra. The results of discriminant analysis showed that the infrared spectroscopy of the wing in combination with a multivariate analysis seemed promising for a resolution of the chemical structure of the wings based on lipid, proteins, and chitin content.

vibrational spectroscopy, protein, lipid, chitin

Machovič, V., Lapčák, L., Havelcová, M., Borecká, L., Novotná, Mi., Novotná, Ma., Javůrková, I., Langrová, I., Hájková, Š., Brožová, A., Titěra, D. (2017): Analysis of European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Wings Using ATR-FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy: a Pilot Study. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 22-29. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0004

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Topography of Spoil Heaps and Its Role in Plant Succession and Soil Fauna Presence

The spoil heaps from brown coal mining without technical reclamation are interesting specific sites for ecological relationships observation. This research was aimed at investigating whether topographic features, which determine soil nutrient and moisture distribution, in combination with soil fauna (wireworm and earthworm) presence, affect plant community composition at a spontaneously revegetated post mining area with an undulating surface. Two sites of different age with three types of topographic features were selected, soil moisture and nutrient contents were measured, and plant community composition and soil macrofauna community were sampled at each position. Wireworms were present at all positions and were most abundant at the bottoms of waves at the younger site; their presence was correlated with the presence of several plant species with high palatability for wireworms, but the direction of the interaction is not clear. Earthworms were only present at the older site and had the highest abundance at flat sections. Earthworm presence affected the amount of nitrogen in soil – the highest nitrogen content was at the site with the highest earthworm density and was followed by a higher diversity of plant community. The plant community composition was generally correlated with plant available nutrient content – especially P and N. We infer that topographic features affect nutrient and soil fauna distribution, which consequently influences the plant community composition.

plant community composition, spontaneous succession, earthworms, wireworms

Walmsley, A., Vachová, P., Vach, M. (2017): Topography of Spoil Heaps and Its Role in Plant Succession and Soil Fauna Presence . Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 30-38. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0005

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Effects of In-Amphorae Winemaking on the Chemical and Sensory Profile of Chardonnay Wine

The high value of dry extract and volatile acidity could statistically differentiate (P ? 0.05) the Chardonnay wine obtained in amphorae with maceration and stored for six months from the wine obtained in barrels and barriques, as evidenced by the analysis of variance. Similarly, the principal component analysis showed that all the amphorae wines sampled between November and March (not the wine analyzed immediately after alcoholic fermentation) were clearly differentiated from the analogue barrel and barrique wines due to the high volatile acidity, straw colour, and tannic perception. The Chardonnay wine produced in amphorae was characterized by a spicy flavour, pleasant tannic and a less ‘green’ character than wines from barrels and barriques, but showed a weak varietal aroma. Thus, the commercial offer of finished wines based on Chardonnay grapes can be potentially extended by including a product processed in amphorae.

white wine, earthenware, sensory analysis, chemometrics, barrel, barrique

Rossetti, F., Boselli, E.. (2017): Effects of In-Amphorae Winemaking on the Chemical and Sensory Profile of Chardonnay Wine. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 39-46. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0006

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Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, and Short Chain Fatty Acids of Vegetarians and Omnivores

The intestinal microbiota represents the largest and the most complex microbial community inhabiting the human body. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli represent important commensal bacteria with the ability to utilize complex carbohydrates. The main fermentation products from the breakdown of complex dietary carbohydrates are short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). We examined faecal samples of vegetarians (n = 10) and conventional omnivores (n = 10) to evaluate the counts and occurrence of cultivable bacteria, especially bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, using cultivation on selective media, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight. Moreover, concentrations and molar proportion of SCFAs in faecal samples were measured. Total counts of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in vegetarian faecal samples, while others (total anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and presumptive coliforms) were not. Neither total concentrations nor molar proportions of SCFAs in faecal samples differed (P > 0.05) between the diet groups. In total, six Bifidobacterium spp. and thirteen Lactobacillus spp. were detected via culture-dependent methods. Bifidobacteria counts and species composition in faecal samples of both groups were found to be relatively similar, regardless of the diet. Lactobacillus species varied more by individual diet.

diet, culture-based techniques, MALDI TOF MS, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., SCFAs

Bunešová, V., Joch, M., Musilová, S., Rada, V. (2017): Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, and Short Chain Fatty Acids of Vegetarians and Omnivores. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 47-54. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0007

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Segmentation of Honey Buyers’ Behaviour by Conjoint Analysis

A marketing analysis of Czech consumers’ behaviour when buying honey is discussed from the viewpoint of price, origin, honey type, crystallized sugar, and organic quality aspect. The surveyed target groups of honey consumers, who are examined also with respect to their education level, are from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region. The original premise of this research was the hypothesis that, when buying honey, customers focus primarily on its price and type. This hypothesis was verified by conjoint analysis. The results have shown that consumers are interested primarily in the price and origin of honey. An important parameter for buying honey is its (non)crystallization. Although it does not affect objective quality parameters of honey, it affects the consumers’ subjective perception of honey quality during purchase. Two clusters of honey consumers emerged through cluster analysis: the first cluster focussing on the origin, type, and price/sugar crystallization of honey, and the second interested in the origin, price, and quality of organic honey.

origin, customer, marketing analysis, cluster analysis, mapping, aspects

Šánová, P., Svobodová, J., Hrubcová, B., Šeráková, P. (2017): Segmentation of Honey Buyers’ Behaviour by Conjoint Analysis. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 48, 55-62. doi: 10.1515/sab-2017-0008

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