Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance of the Face Mask Type II.

The aim of this study was to develop a natural nonwoven layer made of cottonized bleached flax and cotton fibers which is suitable to replace one of the three polypropylene layers of face mask type II in order to reduce non-biodegradable waste production and limit the negative impact of used masks on the environment. The work focused on the design of a nonwoven structure based on properly blending cotton and flax fibers as well as ensuring the cover factor, which can support the mask's barrier properties against air dust particles and does not make breathing difficult. Additionally, a biodegradable film was developed to connect the nonwoven layer with the other polypropylene filtering layers. The effectiveness of the biodeterioration of the flax/cotton nonwoven was evaluated based on a test of the susceptibility of materials to the action of soil microorganisms. The flax/cotton nonwoven layer was tested in terms of mechanical, physical, and biophysical properties, and an analysis of the covering of the nonwoven surface with fibers was conducted as well. The results confirmed that the structure of flax/cotton nonwovens is suitable to replace the nondegradable polypropylene layer of the face mask type II to improve its environmental performance.

Effect of Drought Stress on Quality of Flax Fibres.

Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. Since 2006, drought has contributed to a reduction of food production and other agriculture-based products in many countries. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has caused some changes in the composition of fruits and vegetables, making them less nutritious. To analyse this situation, a study was conducted on the effect of drought on the quality of fibres provided by the main fibre crops in Europe, namely flax (Linum usitatissimum). The experiment consisted of growing flax under controlled comparative conditions with designed different irrigation levels, such as 25%, 35% and 45% field soil moisture. Three varieties of flax were grown in 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the greenhouses of the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poland. Fibre parameters, such as linear density, length and strength, were evaluated according to relevant standards. In addition, scanning electron microscope images of the cross-section and longitudinal view of the fibres were analysed. The results of the study indicated that deficiency of water during the flax growing season resulted in lowering of fibre linear density and tenacity.

Effects of Agricultural Management of Spent Mushroom Waste on Phytotoxicity and Microbiological Transformations of C, P, and S in Soil and Their Consequences for the Greenhouse Effect.

The huge volumes of currently generated agricultural waste pose a challenge to the economy of the 21st century. One of the directions for their reuse may be as fertilizer. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) could become an alternative to manure (M). A three-year field experiment was carried out, in which the purpose was to test and compare the effect of SMS alone, as well as in multiple variants with mineral fertilization, and in manure with a variety of soil quality indices-such as enzymatic activity, soil phytotoxicity, and greenhouse gas emissions, i.e., CO2. The use of SMS resulted in significant stimulation of respiratory and dehydrogenase activity. Inhibition of acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase activity via SMS was recorded. SMS showed varying effects on soil phytotoxicity, dependent on time. A positive effect was noted for the growth index (GI), while inhibition of root growth was observed in the first two years of the experiment. The effect of M on soil respiratory and dehydrogenase activity was significantly weaker compared to SMS. Therefore, M is a safer fertilizer as it does not cause a significant persistent increase in CO2 emissions. Changes in the phytotoxicity parameters of the soil fertilized with manure, however, showed a similar trend as in the soil fertilized with SMS.

Bioactive Hemp Clothing Modified with Cannabidiol (CBD) Cannabis sativa L. Extract.

Hemp fiber variety, Bialobrzeskie, contains phenolic acids in its chemical composition giving it inherent antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The use of this raw material in fabric manufacture allows the creation of functional clothing with a positive effect on human skin. The aim of the study was to develop biologically active functional clothing made of pure industrial hemp raw materials, where cannabidiol (CBD) extract applied on the fabric surface strengthened the fiber bioactivity. The design of the clothing technology was focused on keeping the hemp inherent properties on a steady level and avoiding the use of chemicals in each stage of the value chain from plant cultivation up to garment manufacture. The research covered the evaluation of phenolic acids content and The Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power FRAP antioxidant activity of the hemp fabric. The hemp fabric enriched with CBD was used for clothing preparation. The human trials covered wearing of the clothing by 15 volunteers for six weeks and evaluation of hemp garment effect on human skin. The skin parameters were tested twice, before and after six weeks of clothing wearing, according to the own methodology that included measurements of skin biophysical properties including tests of skin moisture, transepidermal water loss, and sebum. Also, the effect of the active substances present on the fabrics on the in vitro culture of human keratinocytes was evaluated. Results of the research proved, that the wearing of developed functional hemp clothing with CBD extracts applied on the fabric surface was safe and caused improvement of skin condition, which can have an influence on slowing down of skin aging. The invention covering the pure hemp functional clothing with hybrid bioactivity resulting from the joined activity of fiber and cannabidiol was applied for a patent, Patent Application No: P.438388, 2021.

Effect of reclamation treatments on microbial activity and phytotoxicity of soil degraded by the sulphur mining industry.

The aim of the work was to determine the trend, intensity and changes of selected microbial and phytotoxic parameters of degraded soil in the area of former sulphur mine reclaimed by post-flotation lime (PFL), sewage sludge (SS), mineral wool (MW- mixed with soil, MWP-pad) and mineral fertilizer (NPK). The following parameters: number of proteolytic bacteria and fungi, ammonification, nitrification, activities of alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase Lepidium sativum growth index (GI) and phenolic compounds were analysed in the soil in second and third year of the experiment. The addition of the SS separately or in combination with other remediation agents was found to be the most valuable for the number of microorganisms, intensification of nitrification process and enzymatic activities. In objects where other materials were added without sewage sludge, the inhibition of fungal growth as well as alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities was observed, however the inhibitory effect declined with time. The observed increase of GI shows the long-term, positive effect of treatments on soil properties concerning plant growth. The use of lime and lime together with sewage sludge contributed to the decrease in the content of phenolic compounds in the reclaimed soil.

[The influence of the parents education on the frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption by their children]. / Wplyw wyksztalcenia rodziców na czestotliwosc spozywania warzyw i owoców przez ich dzieci.

Many different factors affect the way we eat. Extensive research shows that children and the young people consume too small quantities of fruits and vegetables. The purpose of work was examining the influence of the School Education on the consumption of vegetable and/or fruit consumption by their children. Empirical material was obtained with the quantitative method--the anonymous research. The research was passed with the autumn 2006, on 216 students aged 17-20, from the technical school of gastronomic and hotel management in Warsaw Obtained data from the questionnaire became a subject to the analysis on statistical program (SPSS). Research shows that young people consume fruits and vegetables too seldom. Analysis of variance for differentiating frequency of fruit and/or vegetable consumption according to mothers' and father's education showed no significance but analysis of variance for differentiating frequency of fresh fruit and/or vegetable consumption according to mothers' and father's education showed significance.

[The role of glucosinolates in the prevention of cancer--mechanisms of actions]. / Glukozynolany w profilaktyce chorób nowotworowych--mechanizmy dzialania.

Foods of plant origin, despite plenty of nutrients contain many non-nutrition compounds, which may prevent many diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as cancer. Plants produce thousands of phenolic compounds as secondary metabolites, such as nitrous compounds. Glucosinolates are responsible for the secretion of detoxifying enzymes that remove carcinogens for the organism. Furthermore, they activate proteins and II phase detoxifying enzymes. The compounds are very important that is why scientists are still investigating their beneficial note in cancer prevention and management.