Sunflower Honey-Evaluation of Quality and Stability during Storage.

Honey's unique qualities should last for several years when properly stored. Therefore, it is up to manufacturers to choose the right shelf life for their product while also considering the product's nature. Physicochemical parameters (water content, electrical conductivity, free acidity, pH, ash, water-insoluble matter, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugar content and composition, and diastase activity) were analyzed in 24 samples of sunflower honey collected from several localities in Vojvodina, Serbia. Crystallization indices were also calculated. Furthermore, the impact of eighteen months of room temperature storage (22 ± 2 °C) in a dark place on selected physicochemical parameters (water, HMF, diastase activity, pH value, and free acidity) was investigated. The results of the initial test indicated that the tested samples of sunflower honey from Vojvodina is of good quality because the parameters under examination revealed results that were within the legal bounds of both national and European legislations. Eighteen months of storage at room temperature reduced diastase activity by 2 times, increased HMF content by about 17 times, and decreased the pH value of honey from a mean value of 3.66 to 3.56. The water content was relatively stable at 17.01% before storage and 16.29% after storage. The storage of sunflower honey did not have an impact on the free acidity.

Donkey Milk: An Overview of its Chemical Composition and Main Nutritional Properties or Human Health Benefit Properties.

The donkey milk has a remarkable similarity to human milk, in addition to its valuable nutritional composition and content of numerous immune factors. The donkey milk is the subject of research worldwide, and data from the literature suggest significant differences with respect to the contents of individual components. However, some basic characteristics of donkey milk have been established: low contents of fat and cholesterol, total proteins and casein and high contents of lactose, whey proteins, calcium, selenium, and Vitamin D3. The donkey milk is rich in various protective proteins (α-lactalbumin, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and immunoglobulins), and shows strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, hypoglycemic, antiparasitic, and antitumor activity. Donkey milk can be considered functional food, having in mind that its fatty-acid profile and content of essential fatty acids are beneficial for cardiac health. The total fat content in donkey milk is low compared to human milk, and for this reason it is necessary to enrich donkey milk with other fat in order to provide enough calories in a diet for children. Commercialization of donkey milk and dairy products is still limited due to low production levels, that is lack of products on the market, and lack of product information. Considering the research data from the literature, there is a need for human clinical trials in order to obtain a stronger evidence of the therapeutic properties of donkey milk.

Ex situ remediation of sediment from Serbia using a combination of electrokinetic and stabilization/solidification with accelerated carbonation treatments.

The application of three simple and cost-effective technologies for ex situ remediation of the sediment of Begej River in Serbia is presented in this paper. In the first step, conventional electrokinetic treatment (EK) was carried out to reduce the amount of contaminated sediment and enhance the accumulation of metals. Subsequently, stabilization/solidification (S/S) treatment was applied to the remaining portion of polluted sediment to immobilize the accumulated metals. At the same time, the influence of accelerated carbonation on the effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated. The immobilizing agents used in this study included bio ash produced by combustion of wheat and soy straw mixture and bio ash derived from molasses incineration. After the treatments, the risk assessment was performed by using the sequential extraction procedure (SEP) and TCLP and DIN 3841-4 S4 leaching tests. The results obtained after the EK treatment revealed a reduction in the amount of polluted sediment to a half. Leaching tests and SEP performed on S/S mixtures after a 28-day maturation period indicated that accelerated carbonation decreased the mobility of critical metals, especially in wheat and soy straw mixtures. Moreover, based on the leaching tests, all prepared mixtures were categorized as non-hazardous and safe for disposal according to the relevant Serbian regulations. The newly developed method that combines EK and S/S treatments with the addition of accelerated carbonation produced reduced volumes of stabilized sediment which is safe for disposal.

Levels of some microelements and essential heavy metals in herbal teas in Serbia.

Levels of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Ni, Se, Sn and Al were determined in 14 medicinal plants from Serbia, which are widely used in phytopharmacy as herbal teas. The following plants were investigated: yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), basil (Ocimum hasilicum L.), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.), thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), maize silk (Zea mays L. - Maydis stigma), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), rosehip/dog rose (Rosa canina L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). A total of 16 samples of different parts of medicinal plants (root, leaf, flower, herba) were examined, whereby 13 samples were delivered in original package and three samples were loose leaf herbs. Samples were prepared using the microwave digestion technique, and measurements were performed applying the atomic absorption spectrometry and mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Contents of microelements in the examined samples were in the range: Mn (23.86 - 453.71 mg/kg); Fe (61.87 - 673.0 mg/kg); Cu (6.68 - 24.46 mg/kg); Zn (16.11 - 113.81 mg/kg); Mo (0.576 - 4.265 mg/kg); Co (0.039 - 0.532 mg/kg); Se (0.036 - 0.146 mg/kg); Ni (0.738 - 6.034 mg/kg); Al (154.0 - 3015.0 mg/kg) and Sn (2.68 - 10.22 mg/kg). According to determined amounts of microelements, the investigated samples of herbal teas are considered safe for human consumption.