Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a one-year plant known as a source of nutrients that can be consumed in the diet in the form of seeds or sprouts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of illumination for 24 and 48 h on dark-grown chia microgreens. Total antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, along with the total phenolics, ascorbic acid and cellulose content, and chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the biochemical composition and elucidate the changes in compound structures between dark-grown and illuminated chia microgreens. Analysis of the results showed that illumination significantly increased the content of all measured bioactive compounds as well as antioxidative capacity, especially 48 h after exposure to light. FTIR analyses supported structural and molecular changes in chia microgreens grown under different light regimes. Our results suggest that illumination has a positive effect on the antioxidant potential of chia microgreens, which may present a valuable addition to the human diet.

Industrial hemp is a fast-growing, short-day plant, characterized by high biomass yields and low demands for cultivation. To manipulate growth, hemp is usually cultivated under prolonged photoperiods or continuous light that could cause photooxidative damage and adjustments of photosynthetic reactions. To determine the extent of changes in photosynthetic response caused by prolonged light exposure, we employed chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements accompanied with level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and FT-IR spectroscopy on two Cannabis cultivars. Plants were grown under white (W) and purple (P) light at different photoperiods (16/8, 20/4, and 24/0). Our results showed diverse photosynthetic reactions induced by the different light type and by the duration of light exposure in two cultivars. The most beneficial condition was the 16/8 photoperiod, regardless of the light type since it brought the most efficient physiological response and the lowest TBARS contents suggesting the lowest level of thylakoid membrane damage. These findings indicate that different efficient adaptation strategies were employed based on the type of light and the duration of photoperiod. White light, at both photoperiods, caused higher dissipation of excess light causing reduced pressure on PSI. Efficient dissipation of excess energy and formation of cyclic electron transport around PSI suggests that P20/4 initiated an efficient repair system. The P24/0 maintained functional electron transport between two photosystems suggesting a positive effect on the photosynthetic reaction despite the damage to thylakoid membranes.

The botanical origin of starch is of importance in industrial applications and food pro-cessing because it may influence the properties of the final product. Current microscopic methods are time-consuming. Starch consists of an origin-dependent amylose/amylopec-tin ratio. Triiodide ions bind characteristically to the amylose and amylopectin depending on the botanical origin of the starch. The absorbance of the starch-triiodide complex was measured for wheat, potato, corn, rye, barley, rice, tapioca and unknown origin starch, and within the different cultivars. Each starch sample had specific parameters: starch-triio-dide complex peak wavelength maximum (λmax/nm), maximum absorbance change at λmax (ΔA) and λmax shift towards the unknown origin starch sample values. The visible ab-sorption spectra (500-800 nm) for each starch sample were used as a unique fingerprint, and then elaborated by cluster analysis. The cluster analysis managed to distinguish data of two clusters, a cereal type cluster and a potato/tapioca/rice starch cluster. The cereal subclusters extensively distinguished wheat/barley/rye starches from corn starches. Data for cultivars were mostly in good agreement within the same subclaster. The proposed method that combines cluster analysis and visible absorbance data for starch-triiodide complex was able to distinguish starch of different botanical origins and cultivars within the same species. This method is simpler and more convenient than standard time-con-suming methods.

The present study applied a non-invasive method to analyse anthropogenic particles and prey items in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) pellets. Pellets (n = 20) were obtained from white stork nests during the 2020 breeding season from two sites in Croatia. In total, 7869 anthropogenic particles were isolated. The majority of particles were fragments, while previous studies on other birds often reported fibres. An ATR–FTIR polymer analysis detected glass and construction and building materials, as well as several compounds associated with plastic masses. Polymer investigation revealed the presence of dotriacontane and octacosane, which are by-products of polyethylene (PE) degradation and transformation. Additionally, the detection of vinylidene chloride (VDC) highlights the historical contribution of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) to plastic pollution. Significant variation in particle quantity and size between the sampling sites was detected, with larger particles found at sites associated with the metal mechanical engineering industry and agriculture. Prey assessment revealed chitin remains of large insects such as Orthoptera and Coleoptera. This research confirms the potential of pellet analysis as a valuable tool for assessing the presence of anthropogenic particles in the environment. However, further research is needed to fully understand the extent of particle ingestion, particle sources and potential impact.

Green synthesis employs environmentally friendly, biodegradable substances for the production of nanomaterials. This study aims to develop an innovative method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a methanolic extract of Fomes fomentarius L. Fr. as the reducing agent and to assess the potential antibacterial properties of the resulting nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through characterization techniques such as UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The UV-Vis analysis revealed an absorption peak at 423 nm, while FT-IR identified key phytochemical compounds involved in the reduction process. PXRD analysis indicated a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with prominent peaks observed at 2θ = 38°, 44.6°, 64.6°, and 78°, confirming the crystalline nature of the AgNPs, with a crystallite diameter of approximately 24 nm, consistent with TEM analysis. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, particularly against S. aureus, with higher efficacy against gram-positive bacteria.

The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn in the muscle, liver and kidney of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Papuk Nature Park, Eastern Croatia. Muscles, liver and kidney of 38 wild boars, up to 3 years of age, were collected and the concentrations of elements were determined by ICP-MS. Cadmium exceeded the permitted levels acceptable for human consumption in 50% of kidney samples (max. = 6.64 mg kg⁻¹), 20% of liver samples (max. = 4.60 mg kg⁻¹) and 43% of muscle samples (max. = 0.672 mg kg⁻¹). Lead exceeded acceptable levels in 63% of liver samples (max. = 0.463 mg kg⁻¹), 51% of kidney samples (max. = 11.8 mg kg⁻¹) and 65% of muscle samples (max. = 9.10 mg kg⁻¹). Mercury concentrations in the liver were higher than allowed in 13% (max. = 0.552 mg kg⁻¹) in kidneys in 27% (max. = 0.484 mg kg⁻¹), and in the muscles in 15% (max. = 0.103 mg kg⁻¹) of cases. Arsenic concentrations in muscles exceeded the permissible value in 30% of cases (max. = 0.286 mg kg⁻¹). The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn did not significantly differ from the values reported in other studies. Median concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn ranged as follows: muscle (0.193, 2.94, 44.5 and 20.6 mg kg⁻¹), kidney (0.140, 5.32, 110 and 23.3 mg kg⁻¹) and liver (0.130, 3.71, 278 and 36.0 mg kg⁻¹).