Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science 

About: Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Crop yield & Agriculture. It has an ISSN identifier of 1310-0351. Over the lifetime, 1099 publications have been published receiving 4785 citations.

The effect of heavy metals on seed germination and plant growth on alfalfa plant (Medicago sativa).

Abstract: C. AYDINALP, C. and S. MARINOVA, 2009. The effects of heavy metals on seed germination and plant growth on alfalfa plant (Medicago sativa). Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 15: 347-350 The effects of Cd +2 , Cr +6 , Cu +2 , Ni +2 , and Zn +2 on Alfalfa Plant (Medicago sativa) were studied in this research. The doses of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 ppm were used. The seed germination and plant growth were significantly affected by Cd +2 and Cr +6 at 10 ppm, as well as by Cu +2 and Ni +2 at 20 ppm and higher concentrations. Zn +2 did not affect seed germination. The plant roots were exposed to 5 ppm-dose of Cd +2 , 5 and 10 ppmdose of Cr +6 , Cu +2 , Ni +2 , and Zn +2 . Meanwhile, the dose of 5 ppm of Cr +6 , Cu +2 , Ni +2 , and Zn +2 increased the shoot size by 13.0%, 59.0%, 35.0%, and 6.6%, respectively. Zn +2 were only promoted the shoot growth at the doses of

Antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite andpotassium sorbate and their synergistic action in vitro.

Abstract: STANOJEVIC, D., L. COMIC, O. STEFANOVIC and Sl. SOLUJIC-SUKDOLAK, 2009. Antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite andpotassium sorbate and their synergistic action in vitro. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 15: 307-311 The aim of present work was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite and potassium sorbate and their synergistic action (sodium nitrite + sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite + potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate) on selected food- spoiling bacteria and fungi, for a potential use in food industry. The following species of microorganisms were tested: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mycoides, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans, Trichoderma harsianum and Penicillium italicum. The strongest antimicrobial effect was exerted by sodium nitrite (MIC 0.5 mg/ml) in relation to the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Synergistic action was noticed against 40% of the tested species (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus mucoides and Candida albicans) in the case of the sodium nitrite + sodium benzoate combination; and against 30% of them (Bacillus mucoides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) in that of the sodium nitrite + potassium sorbate combination. Escherichia coli manifested the greatest sensitivity to the combined action of preservatives, Aspergillus flavus the greatest resistance.

Biodiesel production from waste sunflower cooking oil as an environmental recycling process and renewable energy

Abstract: Comparison of the optimum conditions of alkaline-catalyzed transesterification process for biodiesel production from pure sunflower cooking oil (PSCO) and waste sunflower cooking Oil (WSCO) through transesterification process using alkaline catalysts was studied. To obtain a high quality biodiesel fuel that comply the specification of standard methods (ASTM D 6751 & EN 14214), some important variables such as volumetric ratio, types of reactants and catalytic activities were selected. The highest approximately 99.5 biodiesel yield acquired under optimum conditions of 1:6 volumetric oil-to-methanol ratio, 1 KOH catalyst at 40(sic)C reaction temperature and 320 rpm stirring speed. Result showed that the biodiesel production from PSCO and WSCO exhibited no considerable differences. The research demonstrated that biodiesel obtained under optimum conditions from PSCO & WSCO was of good quality and could be used as a diesel fuel which considered as renewable energy and environmental recycling process from waste oil after frying.

Blood Metabolic Profile and some of Hormones Concentration in Ewes During Different Physiological Status

Abstract: AntunoviC, Z., J. novoSELEC, H. SAuERWEin, M. SpERAndA, M. vEGARA and v . p AviC, 2011. Blood metabolic profile and some of hormones concentration in ewes during different physiological status. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 17: 687-695 The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of physiological status on blood metabolic profile and some of hormones concentration in the blood of ewes. Investigations were carried out on 45 Tsigai ewes (15 pregnant ewes on the 10 th day prior to lambing, 15 lactating ewes on the 20 th day of the lactation and 15 non-pregnant ewes) during winter feeding season. The ewes were average 3 years old and healthy. Ewes were fed meadow hay and 300 g of feed mixture. Higher concentrations of Cl, urea, total bilirubin, AST and GGT activities were determined in the blood ewes in lactation compared to high pregnant and non pregnant ewes. The opposite trend was observed for concentration glucose, hemoglobin, T3, RBC and ALT activity. In the blood pregnant ewes were determined lower concentrations of glucose and urea in relation to non-pregnant ewes and higher concentrations of total protein, albumin, LDL-cholesterol, hematocrit, leptin and insulin in relation to the ewes in lactation. In the ewe’s blood in lactation were determined higher concentrations of K, a number of PLT and increased LDH activity in relation to pregnant ewes. Higher concentrations of triglycerides and lower PLT were determined in blood pregnant ewes in relation to non-pregnant ewes. Changes in concentrations of biochemical indicators (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea), T3, leptin and insulin levels indicate an energy deficiency of ewes in early lactation. The results obtained blood indicators point out justification of the blood metabolic profile in the assessment of food status ewes and ensuring good health in very demanding physiological states - high pregnancy and lactation.