O mangarito (Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott) ou mangará, é uma das espécies da família Araceae, e está entre inúmeras plantas rústicas encontradas nas regiões tropicais. A grande maioria dessas espécies são amiláceas, classificadas como calóricas e consideradas alimentos de subsistência, porém, não há muitos dados sobre esses alimentos não-convencionais, e o estudo deles, pode ter um papel importante na suplementação da alimentação de populações desnutridas e de baixo poder aquisitivo. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar composição centesimal, fibras solúveis e insolúveis, minerais, &#945;-tocoferol e o perfil de carotenóides, no mangarito cru (CR) e cozido (CZ). Foram avaliadas cinco colheitas do mangarito provenientes de um único cultivar no interior do Estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 2005 e 2007. Sua composição centesimal foi de aproximadamente 71,93% de umidade; 1,23% de cinzas; 1,43% de lipídeos e 2,11 % de proteínas e houve perdas estatisticamente significativas após o cozimento. Dessa forma, o valor calórico total do mangarito foi de aproximadamente 103,11 kcal/100g. Os valores de fibras alimentares foram de 3,5% (CR) e 3,62% (CZ), não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa entre eles. O resultado da análise de minerais revelou valores elevados de cálcio (CR=290,60 e CZ=330,0mg/100g), ferro (CR=3,90 e CZ=1,8mg/100g), potássio (CR=1408,70 e CZ=1300,4mg/100g) e zinco (CR=4,2 e CZ=5,20mg/100g). Foram encontrados 72,04&#181;g/g de &#945;-tocoferol e a perda pelo cozimento foi de 14,28%. Os carotenóides encontrados nas amostras foram &#945;-caroteno (1,26&#181;g/g), &#950;-caroteno (3,41&#181;g/g) e traços de mutatocromo e micronona e cozimento ocasionou perda de 20 a 66% para &#945;-caroteno e de 6 a 60% para &#950;-caroteno. Apesar da identificação de um carotenóide com atividade pró-vitamínica (&#945;-caroteno), as quantidades encontradas no mangarito não foram suficientes para que o alimento recebesse a designação de fonte dessa vitamina. / Tannia (Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott) is characterized as a rustic plant found in tropical countries such as Brazil. Vegetables are sources of carotenoids that could be used in prevention of vitamin A deficiency. Considering the generally higher cost of animal foods, the provitamin A from vegetables should be considered as an expressive and easily obtainable source of vitamin A in developing countries Although tannia are popularly c1assified as a source of carotenoids, studies on its chemical composition are rare. Thus, because of the absence of the cultivation, tannia as well as others non-traditional vegetables may become extinct and still be classified as potential source of nutrients. Therefore the goal of the present study is to characterize the chemical composition and carotenoids profile of raw (RT) and cooked tannia (CT). It was analyzed 5 different crops of tannia from the countryside of Sao Paulo state harvested between years 2005 and 2007. When compared to RT, CT presented less (p<0.05) water, protein and fat. Regarding the total amount of energy, RT presented values between 95,12 to 143,60 Kcal/100g while CT presented values between 100,96 to 142,91 Kcal/100 g. In both RT and CT it was found great quantity of calcium (RT =290,60 mg/100 g; CT =330,0 mg/100 g), iron (RT =3,90 mg/100 g; CT = 1,8 mg/100 g), potassium (RT = 1408,70 mg/100 g; CT = 1300,4 mg/100 g) and zinc (RT = 4,2 mg/100 g; CT = 5,20 mg/100 g). Moreover, in RT it was found 72,04 &#181;g of &#945;-tocopherol while CT presented 14,28 % less. It was found &#945;-carotene and &#950;-carotene, mutatochrome and micronone in both RT and CT; however CT presented smaller (p<0.05) concentration of these carotenoids. In conclusion, tannia can not be considered a good source of provitamin A because of the small concentration of &#945;-carotene. Although the great quantity of important minerals, more studies are necessary to elucidate their bioavailability in tannia.

Existeix certa controvèrsia sobre els efectes del b-carotè com a promotor o protector del càncer de pulmó. A més, el b-carotè, com a precursor de l'àcid retinoic, podria estimular la termogènesi i regular l'adipositat corporal. La fura representa un bon model per estudiar els efectes de la ingesta de b-carotè ja que l'absorbeix de manera pràcticament intacta (semblant als humans). Hem demostrat que el b-carotè ingerit amb altres antioxidants no sembla tenir efectes inductors del càncer ja que no augmenta la proliferació cel·lular al pulmó i a més prevé els efectes del carcinogen benzo[a]pirè. D'altra banda, dosis farmacològiques de b-carotè fan a la fura efectes contraris als de l'àcid retinoic, ja que augmenten l'adipositat i resulten en una menor capacitat termogènica, principalment al teixit adipós retroperitoneal que, a la fura, presenta certes característiques de teixit adipós marró, ja que té un percentatge considerable d'adipòcits multiloculars i expressa quantitats significatives d'UCP1. / Existe controversia sobre los efectos del b-caroteno como promotor o protector del cáncer de pulmón. Además, el b-caroteno, como precursor del ácido retinoico, podría estimular la termogénesis y regular la adiposidad corporal. El hurón representa un buen modelo para estudiar los efectos de la ingesta de b-caroteno pues lo absorbe de manera prácticamente intacta (similar a los humanos). Hemos demostrado que el b-caroteno ingerido con otros antioxidantes no parece tener efectos inductores del cáncer puesto que no aumenta la proliferación celular del pulmón y además previene los efectos del carcinógeno benzo[a]pireno. Por otra parte, dosis farmacológicas de b-caroteno producen en el hurón efectos contrarios a los del ácido retinoico, ya que aumentan la adiposidad y reducen la capacidad termogénica, principalmente del tejido adiposo retroperitoneal que, en el hurón, presenta ciertas características de tejido adiposo marrón, al contener un porcentaje considerable de adipocitos multiloculares y expresar cantidades significativas de UCP1. / The effects of b-carotene promoting or protecting against lung cancer are unclear. Furthermore, b-carotene, as retinoic acid precursor, could induce thermogenesis and regulate body adiposity. The ferret represents a good model to study the effects of oral administration of b-carotene because it absorbs it almost intact (similarly to humans). We have shown that the intake of b-carotene together with other antioxidants does not seem to inducecancer as it does not increase cellular proliferation in lung and prevents the effects of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene. In addition, pharmacological b-carotene doses in ferrets have different effects from retinoic acid, increasing adiposity and decreasing thermogenic capacity, especially in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue which, in ferrets, resembles brown adipose tissue, since it has an important percentage of multilocular adipocytes and expresses significant amount of UCP1.

No description available.

FERNANDES, Aline Gurgel. Alaterações das características químicas e físico-químicas do suco de goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) durante o processamento. 2007. 84 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Fortaleza-CE, 2007 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-05-30T13:17:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_sgfernandes.pdf: 420665 bytes, checksum: e9cdf981335863a474b85601f8c58da2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-05-30T13:17:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_sgfernandes.pdf: 420665 bytes, checksum: e9cdf981335863a474b85601f8c58da2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-30T13:17:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_sgfernandes.pdf: 420665 bytes, checksum: e9cdf981335863a474b85601f8c58da2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Fruit juices are important vitamin sources, mineral salts, organic acids and fibers, and including in the diet of the population, they can help to keep people healthy. During the stages of juice processing, some modifications in the fruit compounds can happen, affecting its sensorial and nutritional properties. Researches on the effects of processing on the nutritional compound tropical juice are scarce. Usually, only vitamin C losses are evaluated. This study determined the possible chemical and physical-chemical changes during the stages of guava tropical juice processing (extration, formulation / homogenization and pausterization) and storage (30 days). Soluble solids, pH, acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars, water activity, colour, vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and pectinametilesterase activity were analysed. We saw that only pH, carotenoids and pectinametilesterase activity parameters showed significant variations during the stages of juice processing. At the end of the processing, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and total anthocyanins contents were high, and it was an increase of total carotenoid amount in the guava juice. For the guava juice stored during 30 days it was observed no significant difference between the times zero and thirty days, for the analysed parameters. We conclude that since the chemical and physicochemical characteristics were affected just a little by processing and stored during 30 days, the hot fill processing, the glass packings used and added conservant were good factors of product preservation in this study. / Os sucos de frutas são importantes fontes de vitaminas, sais minerais, ácidos orgânicos e fibras, e incluídos na dieta da população podem ajudar a manter a saúde. Durante as etapas de processamento de sucos, podem ocorrer modificações nos componentes dos frutos, afetando suas propriedades sensoriais e nutritivas. Estudos sobre os efeitos do processamento nos constituintes nutricionais dos sucos tropicais são escassos. Geralmente, são avaliadas somente as perdas de vitamina C. Este trabalho objetivou determinar as possíveis alterações químicas e físico-químicas em suco tropical de goiaba durante as etapas de processamento (extração, formulação / homogeneização e pasteurização) e armazenamento (30 dias). Foram efetuadas determinações de sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez, açúcares redutores, açúcares totais, atividade de água, cor, vitamina C, antocianinas, carotenóides, compostos fenólicos e atividade da pectinametilesterase. Ao final do estudo, constatou-se que somente os parâmetros de pH, carotenóides e atividade da pectinametilesterase apresentaram variações significativas, durante as etapas de processamento do suco. O suco de goiaba se manteve ao final do processamento com elevados teores de vitamina C, compostos fenólicos, antocianinas totais, além do aumento da quantidade de carotenóides totais. No suco de goiaba armazenado por 30 dias observou-se que os parâmetros analisados não apresentaram diferença significativa entre o tempo zero e o trinta dias. Concluindo que as características químicas e físico-químicas são pouco afetadas pelo processamento e armazenamento (30 dias), pode-se considerar, portanto o processo de enchimento à quente (hot fill), as embalagens de vidro utilizadas e os conservantes adicionados como sendo bons fatores de preservação para o produto em estudo.

O mangarito (Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott) ou mangará, é uma das espécies da família Araceae, e está entre inúmeras plantas rústicas encontradas nas regiões tropicais. A grande maioria dessas espécies são amiláceas, classificadas como calóricas e consideradas alimentos de subsistência, porém, não há muitos dados sobre esses alimentos não-convencionais, e o estudo deles, pode ter um papel importante na suplementação da alimentação de populações desnutridas e de baixo poder aquisitivo. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar composição centesimal, fibras solúveis e insolúveis, minerais, &#945;-tocoferol e o perfil de carotenóides, no mangarito cru (CR) e cozido (CZ). Foram avaliadas cinco colheitas do mangarito provenientes de um único cultivar no interior do Estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 2005 e 2007. Sua composição centesimal foi de aproximadamente 71,93% de umidade; 1,23% de cinzas; 1,43% de lipídeos e 2,11 % de proteínas e houve perdas estatisticamente significativas após o cozimento. Dessa forma, o valor calórico total do mangarito foi de aproximadamente 103,11 kcal/100g. Os valores de fibras alimentares foram de 3,5% (CR) e 3,62% (CZ), não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa entre eles. O resultado da análise de minerais revelou valores elevados de cálcio (CR=290,60 e CZ=330,0mg/100g), ferro (CR=3,90 e CZ=1,8mg/100g), potássio (CR=1408,70 e CZ=1300,4mg/100g) e zinco (CR=4,2 e CZ=5,20mg/100g). Foram encontrados 72,04&#181;g/g de &#945;-tocoferol e a perda pelo cozimento foi de 14,28%. Os carotenóides encontrados nas amostras foram &#945;-caroteno (1,26&#181;g/g), &#950;-caroteno (3,41&#181;g/g) e traços de mutatocromo e micronona e cozimento ocasionou perda de 20 a 66% para &#945;-caroteno e de 6 a 60% para &#950;-caroteno. Apesar da identificação de um carotenóide com atividade pró-vitamínica (&#945;-caroteno), as quantidades encontradas no mangarito não foram suficientes para que o alimento recebesse a designação de fonte dessa vitamina. / Tannia (Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott) is characterized as a rustic plant found in tropical countries such as Brazil. Vegetables are sources of carotenoids that could be used in prevention of vitamin A deficiency. Considering the generally higher cost of animal foods, the provitamin A from vegetables should be considered as an expressive and easily obtainable source of vitamin A in developing countries Although tannia are popularly c1assified as a source of carotenoids, studies on its chemical composition are rare. Thus, because of the absence of the cultivation, tannia as well as others non-traditional vegetables may become extinct and still be classified as potential source of nutrients. Therefore the goal of the present study is to characterize the chemical composition and carotenoids profile of raw (RT) and cooked tannia (CT). It was analyzed 5 different crops of tannia from the countryside of Sao Paulo state harvested between years 2005 and 2007. When compared to RT, CT presented less (p<0.05) water, protein and fat. Regarding the total amount of energy, RT presented values between 95,12 to 143,60 Kcal/100g while CT presented values between 100,96 to 142,91 Kcal/100 g. In both RT and CT it was found great quantity of calcium (RT =290,60 mg/100 g; CT =330,0 mg/100 g), iron (RT =3,90 mg/100 g; CT = 1,8 mg/100 g), potassium (RT = 1408,70 mg/100 g; CT = 1300,4 mg/100 g) and zinc (RT = 4,2 mg/100 g; CT = 5,20 mg/100 g). Moreover, in RT it was found 72,04 &#181;g of &#945;-tocopherol while CT presented 14,28 % less. It was found &#945;-carotene and &#950;-carotene, mutatochrome and micronone in both RT and CT; however CT presented smaller (p<0.05) concentration of these carotenoids. In conclusion, tannia can not be considered a good source of provitamin A because of the small concentration of &#945;-carotene. Although the great quantity of important minerals, more studies are necessary to elucidate their bioavailability in tannia.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Os sucos de frutas sÃo importantes fontes de vitaminas, sais minerais, Ãcidos orgÃnicos e fibras, e incluÃdos na dieta da populaÃÃo podem ajudar a manter a saÃde. Durante as etapas de processamento de sucos, podem ocorrer modificaÃÃes nos componentes dos frutos, afetando suas propriedades sensoriais e nutritivas. Estudos sobre os efeitos do processamento nos constituintes nutricionais dos sucos tropicais sÃo escassos. Geralmente, sÃo avaliadas somente as perdas de vitamina C. Este trabalho objetivou determinar as possÃveis alteraÃÃes quÃmicas e fÃsico-quÃmicas em suco tropical de goiaba durante as etapas de processamento (extraÃÃo, formulaÃÃo / homogeneizaÃÃo e pasteurizaÃÃo) e armazenamento (30 dias). Foram efetuadas determinaÃÃes de sÃlidos solÃveis, pH, acidez, aÃÃcares redutores, aÃÃcares totais, atividade de Ãgua, cor, vitamina C, antocianinas, carotenÃides, compostos fenÃlicos e atividade da pectinametilesterase. Ao final do estudo, constatou-se que somente os parÃmetros de pH, carotenÃides e atividade da pectinametilesterase apresentaram variaÃÃes significativas, durante as etapas de processamento do suco. O suco de goiaba se manteve ao final do processamento com elevados teores de vitamina C, compostos fenÃlicos, antocianinas totais, alÃm do aumento da quantidade de carotenÃides totais. No suco de goiaba armazenado por 30 dias observou-se que os parÃmetros analisados nÃo apresentaram diferenÃa significativa entre o tempo zero e o trinta dias. Concluindo que as caracterÃsticas quÃmicas e fÃsico-quÃmicas sÃo pouco afetadas pelo processamento e armazenamento (30 dias), pode-se considerar, portanto o processo de enchimento à quente (hot fill), as embalagens de vidro utilizadas e os conservantes adicionados como sendo bons fatores de preservaÃÃo para o produto em estudo. / Fruit juices are important vitamin sources, mineral salts, organic acids and fibers, and including in the diet of the population, they can help to keep people healthy. During the stages of juice processing, some modifications in the fruit compounds can happen, affecting its sensorial and nutritional properties. Researches on the effects of processing on the nutritional compound tropical juice are scarce. Usually, only vitamin C losses are evaluated. This study determined the possible chemical and physical-chemical changes during the stages of guava tropical juice processing (extration, formulation / homogenization and pausterization) and storage (30 days). Soluble solids, pH, acidity, reducing sugars, total sugars, water activity, colour, vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and pectinametilesterase activity were analysed. We saw that only pH, carotenoids and pectinametilesterase activity parameters showed significant variations during the stages of juice processing. At the end of the processing, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and total anthocyanins contents were high, and it was an increase of total carotenoid amount in the guava juice. For the guava juice stored during 30 days it was observed no significant difference between the times zero and thirty days, for the analysed parameters. We conclude that since the chemical and physicochemical characteristics were affected just a little by processing and stored during 30 days, the hot fill processing, the glass packings used and added conservant were good factors of product preservation in this study.

La thérapie photodynamique (PDT) est une technique utilisée cliniquement pour traiter certaines maladies de la peau, la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge et certains types de cancer. Elle fait intervenir trois composants : une molécule photosensible ou photosensibilisateur (PS), la lumière et l’oxygène. Après administration du PS, celui-ci va se localiser plus ou moins sélectivement dans les zones tumorales où il est alors activé par irradiation lumineuse à une longueur d’onde et une puissance données. Ceci engendre la formation d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS) très réactives, dont l'oxygène singulet1 O2, qui entraînent la destruction des tissus tumoraux par nécrose ou apoptose. Afin d’améliorer la sélectivité du traitement, différentes pistes sont actuellement exploitées dont l’élaboration de « photodynamic molecular beacons » (PMB). Dans un PMB, le photosensibilisateur (PS) est associé via un peptide à un inhibiteur 1O2, appelé quencher. Ce quencher inhibe la formation d’1O2 tant que le composé n’a pas atteint sa cible. Une fois la zone cancéreuse atteinte, des enzymes spécifiques clivent le peptide, libérant ainsi le PS qui retrouve alors sa capacité à former de l’1O2. Trouver un couple PS/quencher adéquat reste un challenge en PDT. Les propriétés photophysiques particulières des caroténoïdes et leur aptitude à inhiber la production d’1O2 font de ces derniers des quenchers potentiellement utilisables pour l’élaboration de PMBs. Chez les plantes, les caroténoïdes (carotènes et xanthophylles) sont des pigments associés à la photosynthèse, qui ont deux rôles principaux : un rôle de collecteur de lumière et un rôle photoprotecteur en protégeant le(s) système(s) photosynthétique(s) contre les dommages photooxydatifs liés à une exposition trop intense à la lumière. Ceci s’opère, entre autre, via le cycle des xanthophylles. Cette aptitude à capter de l’énergie présente un intérêt potentiel à ne pas négliger dans la perspective de la conception de PMB utilisables en thérapie photodynamique. Dans le cadre de cette thèse en co-tutelle avec la Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte nous avons ciblé les caroténoïdes présents dans trois fruits produits en Tunisie à savoir les kakis (Diospyros kaki L.), les abricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) et les pêches (Prunus persica L.) connus pour leur richesse globale en ces pigments. Divers procédés d’extractions ont été étudiés : (i) L’extraction de type Soxhlet par solvants organiques à pression atmosphérique, utilisée comme référence, (ii) l'extraction accélérée par solvant organique (ASE : Accelerated solvent Extraction) effectuée sous pression, enfin (iii) l'extraction par CO2 supercritique avec l’éthanol comme cosolvant. Pour ces deux derniers procédés, une approche par plan d’expériences (surfaces de réponses) a été utilisée pour identifier les facteurs clé et les conditions optimales d’extractions de divers caroténoïdes (pression, température, débit, % de cosolvant, temps, nombre de cycles). L'analyse par chromatographie liquide à haute performance couplée à la détection UV-Visible et à la spectrométrie de masse a ensuite permis l'identification et la quantification des caroténoïdes présents dans les extraits obtenus, permettant ainsi de comparer les profils caroténoïdiques propres à chaque fruit et les performances de chaque procédé d’extraction. Cette étude ayant révélé un profil caroténoïdique particulièrement intéressant chez le kaki par rapport aux autres fruits, une extraction et une purification des caroténoïdes de ce fruit par chromatographie liquide haute pression préparative a ensuite été effectuée afin de disposer d’une quantité suffisante de chaque caroténoïde, et parfois de leurs isomères conformationnels, en vue de l’étude de leurs propriétés photophysiques (absorption, émission de fluorescence, inhibition d’1O2) et de l’évaluation de leur intérêt potentiel en tant que quencher d’1O2 dans un édifice de type PMB / Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically used technique for treating skin diseases, age-relatedmacular degeneration but mainly some types of cancer. PDT involves three components: a photosensitive molecule named photosensitizer (PS), light and oxygen. After administration of the PS, this one will be located more or less selectively in tumoral regions where it is activated by light irradiation at appropriate wavelength and power. This leads to the formation of highly reactive and cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially singlet oxygen, resulting in the destruction of the tumor by necrosis or apoptosis. To improve the treatment selectivity, different strategies are being exploited, one of which is the development of "photodynamic molecular beacons" (PMB). In PMB the photosensitizer is linked via a peptide to an inhibitor of 1O2 (quencher). This quencher inhibits the formation of 1O2 as long as the compound has not reached its target, namely cancer cells. In order to inhibit the toxicity of the PS in non-target cells and restore toxicity only close to the biological target, it is necessary to find an adequate PS/quencher couple. This remains a challenge for PDT. Carotenoids are interesting candidates due to their specific photophysical properties and ability to inhibit 1O2, which makes them potential quenchers for building PMBs. In plants, carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) are pigments involved in the photosynthesis, in which they play two main roles: a light collecting role and a protecting role by preserving the photosynthetic systems against photoxydative damages induced by a too intense light exposure. This protection can for instance occur via the well-known xanthophylls cycle. This capacity to catch energy presents a potential interest that should not be neglected in the framework of the design of PMBs usable in photodynamic therapy. Within the framework as part of this PhD thesis in Cotutelle with the Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, we focused on carotenoids from three fruits produced in Tunisia: persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) and peache (Prunus persica L.), known for their global richness in these natural pigments. Three extraction processes were investigated: (i) the Soxhlet extraction based on the use of organic solvent at atmospheric pressure and used as reference, (ii) the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) using organic solvent under high pressure, and (iii) the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using supercritical CO2 and ethanol as cosolvent. For these two last processes, a design of experiments (Surface Response Design) was used to identify the key factors and optimal extraction conditions of various carotenoids (pressure, temperature, flow, % cosolvent, time, number of cycles). Then, HPLC-PDA coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) enabled the identification and quantification of carotenoids from the extracts. Thus it was possible to compare the profiles in carotenoids content from each fruit as well as the performances of each extraction process. This study showed that the carotenoidic profile in the persimmon was the most interesting as compared to the profiles in the two other fruits. Extraction and purification of the carotenoids from persimmon by preparative high pressure liquid chromatography were then performed in order to have a sufficient amount of each carotenoid and sometimes of their conformational isomers. We finally performed a study of their photophysical properties (absorption, fluorescence emission, 1O2 inhibition) in order to evaluate their potential as 1O2 quencher in molecular construction such as a PMB

This diploma thesis deals with the optimization of processes for extraction of bioactive lipophilic compounds from fruits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) into various types of plant oil bases using simple maceration. The theoretical part of this thesis deals with the characterization of this herb, its botanical classification, traditional use, chemical composition and medicinal effects. Increased attention is also paid to the characterization of individual types of plant oils used, namely camellia, camellia organic, passionflower, kukui and kiwi oil. The experimental part of the thesis deals with application of theoretical knowledge. The profile of total and free fatty acids for individual plant oil bases was determined by GC/FID, furthet the basic fat numbers were also determined. When optimizing the extraction, emphasis was placed not only on the effect of the extraction agent used, but also on the extraction time (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 66 days). The macerates were continuously subjected to the determination of selected parameters (total amount of carotenoids, total amount of phytosterols, lutein, neoxanthin, astaxanthin, stigmasterol, -sitosterol and vitamin E) using UV-VIS spectroscopy and HPLC/PDA. Likewise, the peroxide number was monitored during maceration to assess the degree of oxidative degradation of macerates. The recovery of selected total parameters in individual oils did not differ significantly in most cases. On the contrary, the yield of individual monitored parameters differed significantly. At the same time, static maceration under our conditions was not very suitable for the extraction of vitamin E, stigmasterol and total phytosterols.

Forests can be considered as one of the most important Earth's ecosystems not only because of oxygen production and carbon sequestration via photosynthesis, but also as a source of many natural resources (such as wood) and as a habitat of many specific plants and animals. Monitoring of forest health status is thus crucial activity for keeping all production and ecosystem functions of forests. The main aim of the thesis is development of an alternative approach for forest health status based on airborne hyperspectral data (HyMap) analysis supported by field sampling. The proposed approach tries to use similar vegetation parameters which are used in case of the current methods of forest health status assessment based on field inspections. It is believed that importance of such new methods will significantly increase in the time when the planned satellite hyperspectral missions (e.g. EnMap) will move into operational phase. The developed forest health monitoring approach is practically demonstrated on mature Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) forests of the Sokolov lignite basin which were affected by long-term coal mining and heavy industry and therefore high variability of forest health status was assumed in this case. Two leaf level radiative transfer models were used for simulating spectral...

Sexual ornaments important for mating success in many species are often assumed to evolve as condition-dependent signals of individual quality. Ornament expression can be associated with age and survival, thereby signalling individual viability. Here, we have tested viability signalling function of tail streamers and their importance for within-pair and extra-pair fertilisation success in the European barn swallow (Hirundo rustica rustica). In contrast to previous studies on this subspecies, our data suggest that tail length is not associated with fertilisation success in our population. Instead, the most important predictors of within-pair and extra-pair fertilisation success were female and male age, respectively. Our data supported viability signalling function of male tail streamers, as documented by age-related within- individual increase in their length. There was no evidence for senescence in this trait. Contrary to some previous studies, the viability signalling function of tail streamers was further supported by observed selective disappearance of males with shorter tails. Several physiological mechanisms have been proposed as maintaining signalling honesty. Among them, oxidative stress from highly reactive species (RS), including free radicals, attracted a considerable attention. Given...