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.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affects the overall agriculture and food supply. Consumers demand for vegetables with high nutritional value is increasing. Consumers more and more are thinking about a healthy and balanced diet, but it is not easy to provide year-round fresh vegetables. Nettle (Urtica) leaves traditionally are used in early spring as a leafy vegetable in salads and soups. Young leaves before flowering are used for human consumption. Nettle contains a lot of vitamins and biologically active compounds. The research aim was to evaluate different stinging nettle clones, which grow in Pūre village (Tukuma district, Latvia). Samples were collected, when shoots were 10 – 15 cm long. Content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in five nettle clones leaves were analysed. Biochemical analysis was done in Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Science laboratory. Differences were observed between all clones. Significant difference between genotypes was observed in anthocyanins content, but not in chlorophylls and carotenoids content. Higher anthocyanins content was observed in samples, which grow in places with low nitrogen and phosphorus content. Content of biochemical compounds can influence some metal ions, environmental and other factors.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affects the overall agriculture and food supply. Consumers demand for vegetables with high nutritional value is increasing. Consumers more and more are thinking about a healthy and balanced diet, but it is not easy to provide year-round fresh vegetables. Nettle (Urtica) leaves traditionally are used in early spring as a leafy vegetable in salads and soups. Young leaves before flowering are used for human consumption. Nettle contains a lot of vitamins and biologically active compounds. The research aim was to evaluate different stinging nettle clones, which grow in Pūre village (Tukuma district, Latvia). Samples were collected, when shoots were 10 – 15 cm long. Content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in five nettle clones leaves were analysed. Biochemical analysis was done in Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Science laboratory. Differences were observed between all clones. Significant difference between genotypes was observed in anthocyanins content, but not in chlorophylls and carotenoids content. Higher anthocyanins content was observed in samples, which grow in places with low nitrogen and phosphorus content. Content of biochemical compounds can influence some metal ions, environmental and other factors.

In recent years, the effective immunostimulating properties of β-glucans have been widely proven not only in mammals, but also in aquatic animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary β-glucan supplements on the percentage of individual types of leukocytes and the haematocrit of the sea trout (Salmo trutta L.). Investigations were performed at the state fish farm ‘Tome’, hatchery ‘Pelči’ of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment ‘BIOR’, during a six month period (September 2018 – February 2019). On the basis of feeding with immunostimulant diets, a total of 15 000 sea trout were assigned into five groups. For blood collection healthy fish were randomly selected once a month, five 5 individuals from each group. Blood smears were made to determine the leukocyte differential count. Sampling was done once a month (September 2018 – January 2019) (n=125). Haematocrit was determined by the standard microhaematocrit method. Sampling was done once a month (January 2019 – February 2019) (n=50). We concluded that the dietary β-glucan supplements can improve the haematocrit level and effect the percentage of individual types of leukocytes of the sea trout, stimulation of the preparation for parr-smolt transformation.

Selenium (Se) is an essential microelement for human health; it is not synthesized in human body and cannot be substituted by any other element. Many health problems have a link with Se deficiency. People need to obtain all necessary amounts of selenium with food. Cereal products are important components of our diets and can contribute comparatively large part of the total dietary intake of Se. The wheat grains growing in Latvia contain comparatively small amount of selenium - on average 0.04 mg kgE-1. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibilities of fortifying wheat grains with microelement selenium during soaking grains in selenium containing solutions. Wheat grain was soaked in sodium selenite and sodium selenate solutions with selenium concentration from 10 to 200 mg lE-1. Sprouting activity was determined after 24, 72 and 120 hours, the influence of selenium valence in compound was observed. Comparing the influence of Se**+4 and Se**+6, it can be concluded that Se**+4 does not promote sprouting activity of wheat grains position to Se**+6 which increases sprouting activity till selenium concentration 100 mg lE-1. Uptake of selenium in grains was studied by determination of total Se using atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Linear correlation between Se concentrations in applied soaking solutions and Se concentration in grains was observed. The content of total protein did not change significantly - it varied from 13.64% in the control sample to 13.87% in the wheat sample with the highest applied selenium concentration (200 mg lE-1).

This study was designed with the aim to determine the impact of residual antibiotics on haematological and biochemical constituents of broiler chickens’ blood. For this, one-day-old chickens were randomly divided into four equal groups with 10 individuals in each group (n = 40). All groups of chickens fed with commercial basal diet; the first group considered as control, fed only with basal ration; the feed of the second, third and fourth groups of chicken were supplemented with amoxystin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol, respectively. Antibiotics were given daily, individually, in sub-therapeutic concentrations: amoxystin at the dosage 10 mg kgE-1, tetracycline and chloramphenicol – 20 mg kgE-1 of the chicken’s weight for 41 days. The blood parameters were measured at the end of experiment on the 42nd day. In comparison with the control group, decreasing of leukocytes was observed in the 2nd and 4th groups, and increasing in the 3rd group of broilers. The concentration of erythrocytes and hemoglobin was reduced in the 2nd group and hematocrit was higher in the 3rd and 4th groups (p is less than or equal 0.01). The total protein was decreased by 22% in the 2nd group, 16% – in the 3rd and 4th groups as compared to the control group (p is less than or equal 0.01) in blood serum. The concentration of glucose was decreased by 45.8, 46.5 and 51.5% in the second, third and fourth groups of treated birds, respectively, compared to those of birds in the control group (p is less than or equal 0.01). Based on the results it could be concluded that antibiotics influence the dynamics of haematopoiesis and biochemical indices of broilers.