Water is an important component in every plant’s life helping them to perform basic metabolic processes. The biggest challenge of today’s agriculture is how to ensure sufficient water needs at the key phase of plant development and how they can use the available moisture in the soil through the rhizosphere system.

Selenium (Se) is a nonmetal that is essential for humans and other animals, and is considered beneficial for plants. The bioavailability of Se strongly influences its content in the food chain. Soils are the main source of Se, and their Se content primarily influences its availability, along with other soil properties. A field survey was conducted on soils of Southeast Europe, specifically in Croatia (Osijek), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, and Prud), and Serbia (Novi Sad). Soil samples were taken from the arable soil layer (0–30 cm depth), and two types of Se availability were measured: Se extracted using pure HNO₃ (Se_Tot) and Se readily extracted in water (SeH₂O). Only soils from the Mostar area had Se concentrations above deficit levels (0.5 mg kg⁻¹), with the highest values of cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM) measured as loss of ignition (LOI), total C, total N, Zn_Tot and Cd_Tot. The connections between the chemical characteristics of the soil and SeH₂O were investigated. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 73.7% of the variance in the data set in the first three principal components (PCs). Using the provided data, we developed a partial least squares (PLS) regression model that predicted the amount of SeH₂O in the soil, with an accuracy ranging from 77% to 90%, depending on the input data. The highest loadings in the model were observed for LOI, CEC, total C, total N, and Se_Tot. Our results indicate the need for biofortification in these key agricultural areas to supplement the essential dietary requirements of humans and livestock. To efficiently and economically implement biofortification measures, we recommend utilizing regression models to accurately predict the availability of Se.

The agricultural sector and growing food production needs rely on chemical fertilizers. This initially had positive effects on production, but over the last decade, the negative impacts of overuse have resulted in low crop productivity, increased pest and disease infestation, soil degradation, and consequent adverse effects on environmental parameters. As one of the possibilities in organic farming, we found vermicomposting as the most sustainable practice. For the assembly of vermicomposting, mature cattle manure was utilized in three different combinations with organic material and earthworm inoculations (the household waste, the grass clippings, and mixture). The experiment was set up by random block design in three replications. Analyses of qualitative parameters of the final product showed a pH reaction from neutral to slightly alkaline. The nitrogen compound varied between 2.7% and 2.9% and the organic carbon varied between 45.59% and 47.41%, showing a C/N ratio of 16.7‒16.67. The potassium content varied between 1.1% and 1.2% K ₂ O, and the phosphorus content varied from 0.3% to 0.5%. The experiment gave quite good results of vermicomposting of household waste with manure, showing a neutral pH reaction, optimal content of ash and carbon with almost similar and good NPK contents and increased C/N ratio of 16.7, and with satisfying levels of trace elements and the heavy metal content under the limits. This combination of household waste and manure also showed best characterization of humic and fulvic acids in vermicompost, ranging from 1505 to 1778 cm ⁻¹ and from 729 to 998 cm ⁻¹ , respectively. These results indicate that vermicomposting can increase the quality of the final product.

This study evaluated Maltodextrin (MD), Gum Arabic (GA), and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in different ratios as coating materials to encapsulate citrus pomace phenolic compounds. Citrus encapsulates were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by the freeze-drying process and were characterized regarding the microencapsulation efficiency, physical, and chemical properties. Carrier material choice reflected a significant effect on encapsulation efficiency, phenolic compounds retention, and reconstitution properties of encapsulated extract. The encapsulation efficiency of prepared encapsulates ranked from 50.909% to 84.000%, and it was strongly dependent upon CMC addition. A wide range of reconstitution parameters (water absorption index-WAI and water solubility index-WSI) suggested possible release mechanism modifications. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of three main phenolic compounds, namely Hesperidin, Naringin, and Rutin. A wall material mixture of MD, GA, and CMC in the same proportions was optimal for freeze-drying. This combination resulted in encapsulates with a low moisture content (1.936 ± 0.012%) and a low water activity (0.110 ± 0.001), indicating prolonged stability. Based on the obtained results, freeze-drying as an encapsulation technique should be considered as a promising solution to recover compounds from industry byproducts and protect them from environmental and gastrointestinal circumstances.

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) infusion is the second most commonly consumed drink in the world after water, valued for its sensory qualities and health-promoting properties. Tea contains a range of chemical compounds that give it specific nutritional and refreshing properties. These include alkaloids, polyphenolic compounds, carbohydrates, amino acids, enzymes, and aromatic compounds. The content of individual compounds in tea leaves is impacted by factors such as the variety, region, and cultivation method, as well as specific processing operations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the content of bioactive compounds in a selection of organic and conventional tea infusions characterized by different degrees of leaf fragmentation. The analysis of selected phenolic acids, catechins, quercetin, and caffeine in black tea and black Earl Grey tea infusions was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The study confirmed that the chemical composition of tea infusions is significantly impacted by the type of tea, cultivation practices, and form of the leaves, and revealed some previously underexplored interactions between the leaf fragmentation and cultivation system effects. From a consumer or product design perspective, organic loose-leaf Earl Grey teas appear to offer the most favourable balance of catechins, and flavonoids whereas conventional bagged black teas provide higher phenolic acid content.