The objective of this study was to assess the impact that diets supplemented with grape seed cake rich in polyphenols had on lactating goats. The study investigated the quantity and quality of goat milk, the metabolic profile of blood, and the antioxidative status. The study involved 24 French Alpine dairy goats throughout their lactation period. The goats were, on average, 5 years old (±three months) and in the fourth lactation. The experiment lasted for 58 days. The control group (CON) had a diet without grape seed cake (GSC). The experimental groups were given a diet containing 5% and 10% GSC on a dry matter basis (GSC5 and GSC10, respectively). A slightly higher milk production, as well as protein and fat milk content, were found in GSC5 and GSC10, but the differences were not significant. Goat milk in the GSC10 group exhibited significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, as well as decreased concentrations of GUK and SCC. The feeding treatments did not affect significant differences in hematological and biochemical indicators, except for the BHB content, which can be associated with a higher energy value of feed containing GSC. There was an observed elevation in the activity of SOD within the blood of GSC5, and GSC10 was measured as well. The determined changes justify the supplementation of GSC rich in polyphenols to goat feed, especially in the amount of 10%, as it can reduce stress caused by lactation, which is known as a very stressful production period for animals.

Vitis vinifera L. has been highlighted by its many positive effects on human health, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity due to its rich phytochemical content. Removing six basal leaves has great potential to influence the production of phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of different terms of defoliation on the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of grape skin extracts of the Blaufränkisch and Merlot varieties. The total phenolic concentration, total and individual anthocyanin concentration, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity on gram-positive and gram-negative human pathogens have been determined. The study was conducted on three treatments (control treatment without defoliation, defoliation immediately after bloom and defoliation before the start of the véraison phase). The results showed statistically significant enhancement of the total phenolic concentration as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activity in both studied cultivars. Defoliation just after blooming was the preferable defoliation term in the Merlot variety for achieving the highest total anthocyanin concentration, antioxidant activity and significant increase of antibacterial activity against all four investigated bacteria. Defoliation before the start of the véraison phase was the preferable defoliation term for achieving the highest total anthocyanin concentration in the Blaufränkisch variety. In general, treatment of defoliation immediately after bloom was more beneficial compared with the defoliation before the start of the véraison phase.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of two different treatments of early defoliation performed before blooming on: grape yield, chemical parameters, polyphenols content, and antioxidant activity of grape and red wine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyard located in Ilok, the eastern continental region of Croatia. Two different treatments of leaf removal (LR) were performed: removal of 3 leafs (T1) and 6 leafs (T2) before blooming, together with control (no leaf removal) (T3) during two years (2013 and 2014). Crop yield and average cluster weights per vine were determined. Density, pH and titratable acidity were measured in must, while the total phenols, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were measured in the extract of grape skin and produced wine. The analysis of individual anthocyanins in wine was performed by HPLC method. T2 treatment significantly lowered the crop yield and the average cluster weights, and increased total phenols, total anthocyanins, antioxidant activity and most abundant individual anthocyanins in wine. Defoliation did not affect the other chemical parameters in must, grape skin extract and wine. Vintage year is statistically the most significant source of variability for density of must, antioxidant activity in grape skin extract, as well as pH and titratable acidity in wine. This study has showed that the early leaf removal treatment in eastern continental part of Croatia could be used for the production of smaller quantity of high quality Cabernet Sauvignon red wine abundant with anthocyanins.

The aim of this two year study was to evaluate effects of basal leaf removal before blooming on volatile composition of Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the Ilok vineyards (eastern Croatia). During two consecutive vintages (2013, 2014), two different treatments of basal leaf removal were applied: removal of 3 and 6 leaves, and control without leaf removal. Volatile compounds of resulting wines were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Organic acids and higher alcohols remained unaffected by treatments of early defoliation wine, except acetic acid and 2-methyl-6-hepten-1-ol. Early leaf removal was affected on six esters concentration only in the 2014 with different outcome. For compounds unaffected by defoliation, vintage was statistically significant source of variability, as the results of multivariate analysis have confirmed. Defoliation treatments in Cabernet Sauvignon wines from eastern continental part of Croatia should be adjusted to the weather condition in growing season.

STERILIZATION OF DIFFERENT EXPLANT TYPES IN MICROPROPAGATION OF CAB-6P AND GISELA 6 CHERRY ROOTSTOCK