The paper presents data on the water quality in drainage from manure-fertilized areas in a large livestock company (629 conditional livestock) from 2008 to 2012. The scheme of investigation consists of two field variants: manure fertilized and non-fertilized. Researches are carried out in drained areas, where the drainage water is drained away through outlets. The nitrogen rate 170 kg haE-1 is used annually to fertilize fields in spring. The aim of the research was to ascertain the impact of large livestock company fields fertilized annually with manure on the water quality in drainage. For the purpose of chemical investigations, water samples from drainage were taken once per month. Water analyses were carried out by the accredited Chemical Analytical Laboratory of the Water Management Engineering Institute of Aleksandras Stulginskis University according to specified methods. Investigation results have demonstrated that fields fertilized annually with manure raised the contents of Nmin and P2O5 in the soil by 1.5 and 2.2 times respectively in comparison to the non-fertilized ones. The increase in these contents was conditioned by the higher air temperature and the lower rainfall. The seasonality of Ntotal concentrations in drainage water was discovered: higher concentrations were identified in autumn and winter, lower concentrations – in spring and summer. Due to low dissolubility in the soil, low Ptotal concentrations were identified in drainage water. The highest concentrations were identified with the start of drainage operation.

Even though thousands of people suffer from hunger each day, there are people that simply throw away their food, imposing serious environmental, social and economic consequences. Food waste concept, however, is not as strictly defined as it varies from research to research. The classification itself can be specific to certain regions and cultures, and it can even be affected by the eating habits of the researchers. This review paper aims to unify the theoretical knowledge of food wasting with examples from actual research, evaluating data from the perspective of eating habits and finding motives for such an action, such as family and friends’ influence, incomes, lifestyle, religion, mass media etc. Previously done studies show that people are less concerned about reducing food wastage when it comes to environmental and social problems, but are the most motivated if they see a real opportunity to save money.

There is a lack of an actual information concerning cultivation of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), on the best methods of sowing and seeding rates. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the buckwheat yield forming elements depending on sowing type, time and rate. Trials were established in farm “Araji”, Kraslava area, during 2010. Previous crop was spring barley. Buckwheat cultivar ‘Aiva’ was used in the field trial. Sowing was done on six different dates – May 15, 20, 25 and 30, and June 4 and 9. Two different types of sowing were used – drill sowing, with 4 sowing rates 200, 300, 400, 500 fertile nutlets per 1 m2, and the column sowing with the three sowing rates 150, 250, 300 fertile nutlets per m2. Data analyses were run using MS Excel Two factor analyses of variance. Time of sowing and seed rate had a significant influence on the buckwheat yield forming elements. Evaluating the performance of plant density at column sowing, it was found that plants survival rate was higher than that in drill sowing. The highest individual productivity of the plant was observed in plots sown in columns. The yield of buckwheat was on average 30-50% higher in the plots that were sown from June 4th to 9th if compared to those sown from May 15th to 20th, i.e. earlier sowing times were not the most suitable for buckwheat sowing in 2010.

Chemical composition of crops before winter is important for successful overwintering of plants. The aim of the research, carried out from 2007/2008 till 2009/2010 at the Research and Study farm ‘Vecauce’, was to investigate the influence of agricultural practices (sowing date, sowing rate, and fungicide application) and meteorological conditions during winter on the content of sugar in apical bud and root of two types of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars. The content of sugars (monosaccharides) in apical bud and root in autumn and following spring was analysed using the Luff–Schoorl method. Sugar content in apical bud and root of winter oilseed rape in autumn and spring differed depending on the trial year, because of different, even contrary (in season 2009/2010), meteorological conditions. Sugar content was higher in plant parts developed when rape was sowed on earlier sowing dates, but it was substantially influenced by the sowing date only on some occasions. Sowing rate had no impact on sugar content in apical bud and root. Application of a fungicide as a growth regulator had no significant impact on the result, but sugar content decrease during winter 2009/2010 in the root of winter oilseed rape was smaller when fungicide as growth regulator was applied.

Apple variety influence chemical composition and sensory properties of products obtained from apples. This paper reports the influence of apple varieties on the sensory properties of the cider evaluated by two differently trained panel groups. Juices of five varieties apples (‘Auksis’, ‘Lietuvas Pepins’, ‘DI-93-4-14’, ‘Remo’ and ‘Kerr’) were fermented with Saccharomyces bayanis EC-1118 (Lalvin, Canada). The sensory evaluation of samples was carried out with two panel groups – experts (experienced in the field of beverage technology and evaluation) and trained panellists (finished basic course of sensory evaluation). Experts identified flavours of cider, and evaluated intensity of sensory properties, namely, clarity, aroma (apple, fruit, yeast), taste (apple, yeast, sour, astringent, bitter) using line scale. Trained panellists evaluated the samples only using line scale. Four descriptors were significant for characterization of differences in ciders from various variety apples, namely, sour taste, apple taste, apple aroma and clarity. The research suggests that, varieties with more intense apple and fruit aroma, apple taste and additionally with astringent and bitter taste notes are preferable. Taking into account these results, higher evaluations for cider ‘DI-93-4-14’ were observed, followed by ‘Remo’ and ‘Kerr’.

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are a globally important vegetable crop providing a source of important nutritional compounds through their carotenoid content whilst adding flavour and texture to many diets across the world. The current research focuses on the evaluation of sugars, vitamin C and dietary fibre content in ‘Nante’ hybrid carrots. The research was accomplished on fresh in Latvia cultivated carrots harvested in Zemgale region in the first part of October 2011 and immediately used for experiments. Late-bearing hybrids of ‘Nante’ carrots were used for analysis: Nante/ Berlikum, Nante/Maestro, Nante/Forto, Nante/Bolero, and Nante/Champion. The major sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) were determined by applying the method of high performance liquid chromatography, vitamin C - by titration with 0.05 M iodine solution, and dietary fibre - using standard method No 985.29. In the present experiments it was found that there are significant differences in the sugar, vitamin C and dietary fibre content between different carrot hybrids. The highest content of total sugars was found in Nante/Maestro and Nante/Champion 7.99 g 100 gE-1 and 7.57 g 100 gE-1 hybrids in fresh weight, respectively. The lowest total sugars content was in Nante/Berlikum hybrid − 4.03 g 100 gE-1. Vitamin C content in carrot hybrid Nante/Maestro was the highest 17.61±0.17 mg 100 gE-1, but in hybrid Nante/Champion - the lowest 8.39±0.17 mg 100 gE-1 of fresh weight. The dietary fibre content in analysed carrot samples ranged from 34.25±0.47 g 100 gE-1 in Nante/Maestro to 25.78±1.54 g 100 gE-1 in Nante/Champion hybrids.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy disease, triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by ingested gluten from wheat (Triticum), rye (Secale cereale), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and other closely related cereal grains. The only way of the effective daily treatment is a strict gluten-free diet. From the investigation of products available in the local market, it was found that Latvian producers do not offer gluten-free products. The aim of this research was to study a celiac patient’s attitude to gluten-free product quality and availability in the Latvian market and purchasing habits. The survey was designed using website www.visidati.lv, and a questionnaire was sent to people suffering from celiac disease. The respondents were asked to fill in the questionnaire from the beginning of December 2010 till the end of July 2011. The questionnaire was performed with 131 celiac patients, respondents were from all Latvian regions and they answered 15 questions. One of the most important questions was aimed to find out consumers’ opinion about quality of gluten-free products, consumption patterns of gluten-free products, and, moreover, their interest in products made in Latvia. Respondents were asked to name gluten-free products they mainly buy and give specific purchase locations, evaluate the quality of products and necessity for products produced in Latvia. The results of questionnaire show that the consumers are satisfied with the quality of gluten-free flour, flour blends and pasta, but are not satisfied with the quality of bread and confectionery available in the Latvian markets.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain is the main raw material in brewing industry, because beer taste and production process depend on barley grain qualitative indices. One of the barley grain’s qualitative indices is grain sprouting activity. There have been numerous researches that showed the effects of selenium (Se) on hull-less barley sprouting activity and positive influence on biologically active substances and high vitamins concentration in grain (Dūma et al., 2002), but hull-less barley is not widely used. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of different selenium concentrations on the barley grains sprouting activity and content of total phenols. Barley with grain viability of 92% have been soaked in diverse solutions (Se concentration 0.5 mg LE-1 – 10 mg LE-1) for 12 hours, then the grain sprouted at the temperature of +18±2 °C for 5 days and dried in the oven for 48 hours at a temperature of +50 °C. After sprouting, the sprouting activity of the grain was determined, but total phenols amount was determined after grain desiccation. The obtained results showed that the increase in selenium concentration in a solution increased barley grain sprouting activity from 16.3% (0.5 mg LE-1) to 27.9% (10 mg LE-1), but the amount of total phenols decreased.

The quality and nutritional value of milk and dairy products are considerably influenced by the stability of its constituents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of enhancing oxidative stability of cow’s milk fat and vitamin B2 using carrots and palm oil feed supplement CAF 100 as sources of natural antioxidants in cow feed. Milk samples were collected after 25-day period of feed supplementation. The intensity of riboflavin losses during its photo oxidative degradation in sunlight was measured by the fluorometric method. A slight and significant (p is less than 0.05) difference in higher vitamin B2 stability was seen in carrot-supplemented group (TG1) milk, where the losses of vitamin B2 were by 3.01% less compared to CG (CG). The oxidative stability of butter oil samples stored in 60 °C temperature was analyzed by peroxide value (PV) method. The oxidative stability of samples initially affected by light from both trial groups was significantly (p is less than 0.05) higher compared to CG showing the good potential of the cow diet enrichment with carotenoid additives. The longest induction period (larger than 14 days) was observed in CAF-100- supplemented (TG2) cow milk fats, which can be explained by carotenoids and tocopherol presence and its possible synergism in fat protection. The induction periods of the TG1 and CG were 12.03 and 10.97 days, respectively.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the microbiological content of cows’ milk in Latvia’s organic farms with a purpose to detect potential microbiological threats in milk. Samples were collected in December 2011 at 12 biological dairy farms of Latvia. Raw milk samples (N=155) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The total mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (MAFAM), the presence of coliforms and coagulase-positive staphylococci, count of yeasts and moulds were analysed using standard methods. Of the sampled cows 50% had a low somatic cell count (SCC) (LESS THAN 200,000 cells mLE-1), 23% - high, but 27% had a very high SCC (greater than 500,000 cells mLE-1). The mean value of MAFAM in the samples with low, high and very high SCC was 4.7, 5.0 and 5.0 log10 colony forming units (cfu) mLE-1, respectively. The yeasts were present in 57% of milk samples with the mean concentration of 3.1 log10 cfu mLE-1. Moulds were found in 27% of all milk samples; their mean concentration was 4.4 log10 cfu mLE-1. Identified mould strains belonged to genera Absidia, Aspergillus, Geotrichum, Mucor and Penicillium. In cases of subclinical mastitis and latent mammary infection the most distributed mastitis pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus kristinae, Bacillus cereus and coagulase negative staphylococci.