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The aim of this work was to characterise the biological and sensory profile of biscuits enriched with green (1 and 3%) and black tea (1 and 3%) powders. Biscuits without the addition of tea were used as a control. Phenolic concentration, flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically. Amino acid composition was determined using automatic amino acid analyser AAA 400 and crude fibre content using an Ancom analyser. Sensory profiles were evaluated by comparison of enriched and control biscuit samples. The enriched biscuits showed higher phenolic and flavonoid concentration and antioxidant activity estimated by DPPH and phospholybdenum method in comparison with levels in the control group. The best results for antioxidant activity estimated by DPPH and phosphomolybdenum methods were achieved in biscuits enriched with black tea powder (3%): 2.25 and of 32.64 mg TEAC·g , respectively. Total phenolic concentration was 1.16 mg GAE·g , and total flavonoid concentration was 0.13 mg QE·g . These biscuits had higher concentration of crude fibre in comparison with the control group and the highest concentration (0.64%) was found in biscuits with addition of 3% green tea powder. The amino acid composition in samples, including in the control sample was balanced, with slightly higher concentration of threonine, serine, and methionine in enriched samples, but this parameter was not statistically significant. Biscuits enriched with green and black tea had higher sensory scores for taste, smell and aftertaste.

Temporal changes in population densities and species richness of three main pollinator groups—moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera); bees, wasps and sawflies (Hymenoptera); and hoverflies, horseflies, tachinids and bee flies (Diptera)—were investigated in the Carpathian Basin. Maintaining pollinator diversity is a crucial factor for preserving our biodiversity and ecosystems; furthermore, several pollinator species have a strong economic role in maintaining crop and fruit cultures. Our conclusions are based on our three and four decades of faunistic surveys in various regions of the Carpathian Basin. Analyzing and comparing our data with the historical data of the last 50 years, we concluded that densities of some pollinators declined during the past decade and a half (Symphyta, hoverflies), although populations of several species of Mediterranean origin grew (Aculeata) and new species even migrated from the warmer regions. In numerous cases, this decrease was dramatic: more than 90% decline of certain butterfly species were detected. On the other hand, the composition of pollinator fauna significantly changed due to the disappearance of some mountainous or mesophile species. The main reason for the decrease in pollinator communities is due partly to climatic change and partly to anthropogenic factors. Different groups of pollinators react differently: some groups like Syrphidae, Tachinidae, most of the butterfly families and bumblebees suffered a strong decline in the last two decades; other warm-loving groups like most of Aculeata and horseflies and bee flies showed a significant increase in population densities. Our conclusion: in our region, the pollinator crisis is present but moderate; however, there is a clear sign of the gradual transition of our pollinator fauna towards the Mediterranean type.

Malaise traps and sweep nets are commonly used to study sawfly faunas, seasonality and communities. Here we analyse a large dataset obtained with these methods in Slovakia and Hungary over the last two and a half decades. The dataset included collections from twenty-one sites, each covering the entire growing season, eleven of which were obtained with the Malaise trap and ten with the sweep net. We conclude that both methods are suitable for faunistic studies of sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta), although they may lead to certain biased results for some Symphyta groups. Special attention should be paid to Siricidae, Orussidae, Xiphidriidae and Cimbicidae, which were only weakly recorded with both methods. Argidae, Blennocampinae, Dolerinae and Tenthredininae were underrepresented in the Malaise trap samples and Allantinae in the sweep net samples. Both methods gave equally good results in measuring species richness in an one-year study. Ideally, they should be used together as they complement each other well. The net method has a great advantage in determining the exact population density. In contrast, the Malaise trap collections were often heavily dominated by only a few species, with males being preferentially trapped. Use of Malasie trap should be preferred for the study of seasonal flight activity.