Augalų biologijos ir maisto mokslų k. / Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences

This four-year study assessed the nutritional profiles of fermented Chamerion angustifolium leaves from natural, organic, and biodynamic cultivation systems. Vitamins, pigments, and sugars were analyzed under standardized aerobic solid-state fermentation (SSF) for 24 and 48 h. Biodynamically grown leaves showed 42.7% and 49.7% higher β-carotene levels than organically and naturally grown leaves, while naturally grown leaves accumulated the most chlorophylls and total sugars. Organic cultivation promoted the highest vitamin C and L-ascorbic acid concentrations. Prolonged fermentation (48 h) significantly enhanced vitamin C (18.48%) and L-ascorbic acid (16.50%) only in naturally grown leaves. These findings demonstrate consistent cultivation-dependent nutritional trends and highlight the functional potential of fireweed leaves as bioactive ingredient carriers for functional foods, with applications in dairy products, beverages, and dietary supplements

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative tool in modern food design, enabling control of flavor stability, release kinetics, and texture performance through nanoscale structural engineering. This review summarizes recent developments in nanoemulsions, nanoliposomes, nanogels, and nanocomposites, in the context of mechanistic structure-function relationships. A hierarchical nano-sensory structure–function paradigm is proposed that relates nanostructure parameters (particle size, interfacial composition, zeta potential, crystallinity, and diffusivity) to physicochemical behavior, oral processing behavior, and sensory perception. The review provides in-depth insight into how thermodynamic partitioning, diffusion control, and interfacial barrier characteristics affect flavor stabilization and texture modification through nanoscale regulation of rheology, tribology, and structural dissolution.

This study investigated the effects of untreated, milled, and fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum No. 122 red lentils (Lens culinaris L.) on the quality and safety parameters of wheat bread (WB). The quantity (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 %) and type of lentils added significantly influenced WB specific volume. Bread with 10 % of fermented non-milled (FNM) and 15 % of fermented milled (FM) lentils exhibited lower porosity (average, 52.4 %), while the highest total titratable acidity (1.12°N) was observed in bread enriched with 25 % of (FM) lentils. Enrichment with red lentils increased acrylamide levels in most breads to 14–44 μg/kg. A moderate correlation (−0.415–0.449) was found between acrylamide levels and certain VOCs of WB. Breads containing 10 and 15 % (FM) and (FNM) lentils showed overall acceptability scores (average, 4.1) similar to control bread. In conclusion, adding 5 % of non-fermented/fermented lentils to WB allowed for high acceptability without increasing acrylamide concentrations.

The cultivation of cover crop mixtures with different botanical compositions is an important agronomic measure for maintaining good soil quality. Cover crops improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. A field experiment was conducted in 2024 at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy Experimental Station. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop mixtures of different botanical composition, consisting of 2–13 plant species, on above ground biomass accumulation, the activity of soil enzymes sucrase and urease, the number and biomass of earthworms in the soil, the organic carbon content of the soil, and the soil structure. The above-ground biomass of cover crops ranged from 1.35 to 2.93 t ha-1. The highest above-ground biomass was formed by cover crop mixtures consisting of 8 and 9 short-lived plant species. With increasing plant species diversity in cover crop mixtures, a tendency towards an increase in earthworm numbers and biomass in the soil was observed. The highest soil urease enzyme activity, ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 times higher, was found in soil where 9–13 short-season plant species were grown as cover crops. The activity of the enzyme sucrase increased most significantly in soil where a mixture of 12 short-term plant species was grown as cover crops. The mixtures of cover crops did not have a significant effect on soil structure and organic carbon. A strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation (r = 0.80, P < 0.05) was found between the number of earthworms and the activity of the enzyme sucrase in the soil.

Rose hip processing generates seed-rich by-products that remain underexplored beyond oil extraction, despite their potential as a source of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. This study investigates the effect of bioprocessing (short-term fermentation) on the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of rose hip (Rosa spp.) seed by-products, with relevance to cosmetic-oriented applications related to oxidative stress modulation. Rose hip seeds were obtained after juice production and subjected to short-term fermentation (14 days at 21 °C) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, followed by mechanical separation and drying. Non-fermented and bioprocessed seeds were analyzed for individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and correlation and multivariate analyses were conducted. Bioprocessing reduced total identified phenolics from 15.79 to 10.72 mg/g DW (≈32%), primarily due to a decrease in epigallocatechin (10.89 to 6.50 mg/g DW). In parallel, the relative contribution of phenolic acids increased, including gallic acid (0.50 to 0.60 mg/g DW) and salicylic acid (0.98 to 1.20 mg/g DW), indicating a selective compositional redistribution accompanied by partial degradation. Antioxidant activity decreased after bioprocessing (DPPH ~340 to ~250 μmol TE/g DW) but remained substantial. Correlation analysis identified epigallocatechin as the main contributor to antioxidant capacity. These findings show that rose hip seeds behave as a process-sensitive phenolic matrix in which bioprocessing alters the balance of individual compounds without complete loss of antioxidant activity. The results indicate that seed-derived by-products retain functional potential for further valorization in cosmetic-oriented applications

Agricultural production is increasingly constrained by climate variability, soil degradation, and plant raw material safety concerns, underscoring the need to explore more sustainable solutions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) zoocompost, growing season, and cultivar on the macro- and microelement content of the berries of three blue honeysuckle cultivars. The experiment was conducted during the 2024 and 2025, using different rates (0, 1000, 1500, and 2000 kg ha-1) of BSFL zoocompost for fertilization. The results revealed that BSFL zoocompost significantly increased N content in berries at all application rates, while K content increased significantly at the 1500 and 2000 kg ha⁻¹ application rates in both years. All zoocompost application rates significantly increased P content in berries only in 2024, whereas fertilization had no significant effect on P content in 2025. In both years, fertilization had no significant effect on the Mg content. All fertilization treatments decreased Fe in ‘Wojtek’ and ‘Zojka’ berries in 2024, while increasing this element content in 2025. Fertilization at 2000 kg ha⁻¹ in 2024 and 1500 kg ha⁻¹ in 2025 significantly increased Fe in ‘Indigo Yum’ berries. In both years, fertilization with 1500 and 2000 kg ha⁻¹ of BSFL zoocompost increased Zn content in ‘Zojka’ and ‘Wojtek’ berries. These findings underscore the importance of considering cultivar characteristics, fertilization practices, and climatic conditions to optimize the mineral element content of blue honeysuckle berries, thereby supporting more sustainable and efficient production systems.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is an economically important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Efficient in vitro culture systems based on reliable callus induction are essential for large-scale propagation and future biotechnological applications. The aim of this study was to optimize callus induction in L. angustifolia by evaluating the effects of different plant growth regulators and their cytokinin–auxin combinations on callus formation and biomass accumulation. Leaf and stem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and kinetin under controlled in vitro conditions. Callus development was assessed during three consecutive subcultivations at 28-day intervals. The results showed that callus induction was significantly influenced by both explant type and cytokinin–auxin interaction. Leaf explants exhibited a consistently higher callogenic response and produced significantly greater callus biomass than stem explants. The highest callus mass (up to 1489.2 mg) was recorded after the third subcultivation on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP, 0.5 mg L⁻¹ kinetin, and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ NAA. Higher concentrations of either auxins or cytokinins negatively affected callus proliferation. These findings demonstrate that optimized cytokinin–auxin combinations are crucial for efficient callus induction in L. angustifolia and provide a robust basis for micropropagation and applied plant biotechnology.

Kernza (Thinopyrum intermedium), a perennial grain crop developed by The Land Institute in USA, has gained increasing scientific and agronomic attention as a sustainable alternative to annual cereal species. Unlike conventional wheat systems, which require annual soil disturbance, Kernza establishes a long-lived stand with an extensive and deep root system. This improves soil structure, enhances carbon sequestration, reduces rosion risk and enables more efficient uptake of nutrients and water. These characteristics make perennial grains promising components of climate-resilient agricultural systems, particularly in regions facing soil degradation and nutrient leaching. In Lithuania, cereal production is a dominant sector of arable farming, with substantial proportions of cultivated land occupied by winter wheat, winter rapeseed, and barley. However, intensive annual cropping systems can lead to a decline in soil organic matter, nitrate leaching and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events. Introducing perennial grain crops such as Kernza could offer ecological and agronomic advantages in the Baltic climate, which is characterised by cold winters, variable rainfall and moderately fertile soils. Despite growing international interest, there is limited empirical data on Kernza’s adaptation, overwintering success, yield stability and long-term productivity in Northern European environments. Kernza is being cultivated for the first time in Lithuania since 2023. Experimental trials were conducted at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy to evaluate crop performance in relation to different management regimes (N fertilisation and intercropping with red clover). This study evaluated the establishment, winter survival, grain yield and above- and belowground biomass production, chlorophyll concentration, NDGI index, N content in leaves of Kernza cultivated in field conditions. Additionally, soil parameters and GHG emissions were evaluated. Particular attention was given to overwintering capacity, as winter hardiness is critical to the viability of crops in the Baltic region. Preliminary findings suggest that Kernza can be successfully established in Lithuania and can withstand harsh winters. While grain yields were lower than those of conventional winter wheat, they remained stable across growing seasons. Enhanced soil cover and reduced disturbance could contribute to improved soil aggregation and potential reductions in nutrient losses. These results suggest that Kernza could be important in the integration of Lithuanian cropping systems, although further research is needed to optimise agronomic practices, improve grain yield and evaluate long-term environmental and economic outcomes.

This study evaluates the effects of four pretreatment methods: convection heating, microwaving, ultrasonication, and pulsed electric fields (i.e., PEF), on the chemical composition, color profile, functional properties, phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, fatty acid composition, and protein content of Nigella sativa L. (i.e., black cumin) cold-pressed cake. Seeds were subjected to each pretreatment prior to cold press extraction. Microwave, ultrasonication, and pulsed electric field pretreatments produced the lowest press cake yields (63.61–65.54%), statistically equivalent to one another. Also, the microwave-treated and control samples retained the highest protein content on a dry matter basis (30.81 and 30.79 g·100 g−1, respectively). Ultrasonication yielded the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Analysis of the press cake identified salicylic acid and catechin as the predominant bioactive compounds, suggesting potential antimicrobial and antioxidant applications. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for selecting Nigella sativa L. seed pretreatment strategies that at the same time optimize cold press oil extraction and the nutritional, functional, and bioactive value of the residual press cake. Thus, supporting its utilization as a sustainable by-product for food and feed applications.