Aneta Ocieczek

The global water situation is deteriorating not only due to the progressing climate change but also to irrational consumer behaviors, which are driven by attitudes. Given the above, it seemed essential to identify attitudes toward the issue of access to freshwater in households, considering sustainable development guidelines. The aim of this study was, therefore, to develop a research tool for the identification of respondents’ attitudes toward this problem and then to determine its validity and reliability. The object of the study was an original questionnaire serving as a research tool for identifying the specified attitudes. The data required for this study were acquired through a critical review of the literature and a questionnaire survey method. The study was conducted in one of the Polish urban agglomerations using the Paper-and-Pencil Interviewing (PAPI) technique. An in-depth analysis of the validity and reliability of the tool, carried out using a statistical procedure, confirmed it to be a viable means to identify these attitudes in Poland. Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to assume that, following the application of the procedure presented in this manuscript, the developed tool may also be used to identify the specified attitudes when implemented in a different population.

The global water situation is deteriorating not only due to the progressing climate change but also to irrational consumer behaviors which are driven by attitudes. Given the above, it seemed essential to identify attitudes toward the issue of access to freshwater in households considering sustainable development guidelines. The aim of this study was, therefore, to develop a research tool for the identification of respondents’ attitudes toward this problem and then to determine its validity and reliability. The object of the study was an original questionnaire serving as a research tool for identifying the specified attitudes. The data required for this study were acquired through a critical review of the literature and a questionnaire survey method. The study was conducted in one of the Polish urban agglomerations using the Paper-and-Pencil Interviewing (PAPI) technique. An in-depth analysis of the validity and reliability of the tool, carried out using a statistical procedure, confirmed it to be a viable means to identify these attitudes in Poland. Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to assume that, following the application of the procedure presented in this manuscript, the developed tool may also be used to identify the specified attitudes when implemented in a different population.

Climate change caused by CO₂ emissions, the depletion of oil resources, and their unequivocal association with road transport constitute the primary factors behind the development of the electromobility sector. Simultaneously, existing infrastructure limitations and specific aspects of the social perception of electric vehicles may pose significant barriers to this sector’s growth in Poland, one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. Therefore, this study aims to identify the level of diffusion of expert opinions regarding battery electric vehicles (BEVs) among vehicle users, in the context of user convenience (functionality) and their environmental impact, and to analyse the variability and determinants of these opinions. The obtained results are intended to serve as a basis for initiating actions to identify the limitations in the development of this automotive sector in Poland. Our study results indicate that the level of diffusion of expert opinions regarding BEVs among respondents is high. In contrast, opinions about these vehicles’ usability are more consistently internalised than those concerning their environmental impact. Moreover, this study demonstrates that limited financial resources and low levels of education among potential car buyers constitute barriers to developing this segment of the automotive market in Poland.

Plant powders with high protein concentration are of growing interest to consumers. The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between sorption properties and the chemical composition and physical parameters of high-protein powders from pumpkin, pea, sunflower, rice, and hemp. Sorption...

Water resources in the European Union are diverse. For example, Croatia has almost 18 times the water resources that Poland has. Although the key factor causing water shortages is population growth, in Poland this crisis is primarily determined by dynamic development manifested in the country’s urbanization and industrialization. These changes are particularly troublesome in urban areas. Therefore, sound remedial and adaptive actions related to the development of the “sponge city” concept are necessary. The implementation of this concept contributes to a reduction in rainwater losses and the heat-island effect. The success of this concept implementation is largely determined by the opinions of city residents towards it, which makes the results of this research important. This article presents opinions of respondents about innovative technical solutions surrounding the “sponge city”. This research was conducted by means of a survey method. The statements were formulated based on a critical analysis of the literature. The research was carried out in one of the Polish agglomerations, using the CAWI technique. The results achieved are discussed after their detailed statistical analysis. The respondents’ opinions on the impact of implementing innovative technical solutions for the development of the “sponge city” concept were not strongly differentiated. The level of their knowledge was relatively low. Therefore, it is important to undertake activities aimed at both education on this problem and marketing activities in promoting its importance for both the environment and quality of life.

Purpose: This study focused on identifying and comparing properties of the raw material, the knowledge of which will help reduce food losses during storage and transport. Its aim was to establish cornerstones for determining differences in pepper quality and safety as affected by storage and transport conditions. Design/methodology/approach: It entailed the comparison of selected hygroscopic parameters of pepper samples using two sorption models and identifying a correlation between product type and its storage stability. To achieve this aim, the pepper samples were analyzed for water content and water activity, and water sorption isotherms were determined. Findings: The study results indicate that both the site of pepper cultivation and the processing technology used differentiated its sorption properties and, thereby, its stability in storage and transport conditions. It is recommended to maintain air humidity at 16-27% during transport and storage of pepper. Research limitations/implications: Findings should be deemed a starting point while planning and implementing pepper transport, and a cornerstone for storage recommendations. Practical implications: The conducted research yielded results of practical importance. The presented recommendations can be used during the transport and storage of pepper to reduce its losses resulting from the hygroscopic properties of the raw material. Social implications: Over than 30% of food is wasted annually. In times of dynamically growing population, reducing food losses and waste is important. Significant reductions in it are possible by identifying critical loss points and undertaking targeted actions to optimize production, storage and transport, which was done in this work. Originality/value: The article presents practical recommendations for spice carriers regarding their transportation and storage conditions. The obtained research results can be the basis for managing the logistics process. Keywords: pepper; hygroscopicity; BET and GAB models; storage stability; food losses. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterise the nutritional behaviour of Gdynia Maritime University students in terms of consuming various types of drinks as a water source. Moreover, the aim was to analyse the determinants of these behaviours in the context of selected socioeconomic parameters that differentiate the studied group of respondents. Design/methodology/approach: The tool used to conduct the study was a survey questionnaire. The questions concerned the nutritional behaviour of students regarding the consumption of beverages as a source of water and the conditions for their diversity. Findings: The main source of water for students was mineral water. Unfortunately, it is associated with environmental pollution related to the packaging of this water (PET bottle). The second important source of water was tap water. This should be considered a manifestation of a developing trend in health-promoting, ecological and economic behaviours among the students. None of the socioeconomic factors differentiated students' behaviours when choosing bottled water. Research limitations/implications: Students constitute a specific group of respondents. It should be expected that their current behaviours will reflect the behaviour of a wider society group, but only in the future. Therefore, the results obtained in this study can be considered limited, especially in the short term. Thus, this study should be conducted in a group of older respondents. Then, the following study should be repeated on older respondents in the distant future. On this basis, it is possible to verify how the change behaviours of respondents over time. The obtained results should allow us to verify the assumption that students' behaviours can be treated as indicators of the behaviours of the future society. Practical implications: Consumers' eating behaviour regarding water consumption has health and environmental consequences. This approach to analysing water consumption is strategic because it concerns the direct and indirect impact on human health and quality of life. Originality/value: The study results were used to formulate conclusions regarding behaviours that determine human health, the state of the environment and, consequently, quality of life. Keywords: eating behaviour, bottled water, tap water, determinants of water choice, impact on the environment, freshwater deficit. Category of the paper: Research paper

It is estimated that the transport of plant-based food may be responsible for 50% of total CO₂ emissions. The situation becomes highly unfavourable when the transported cargo deteriorates. Therefore, the optimisation of storage conditions during transport is a part of the concept of reducing food loss and waste. Moreover, it is an essential element of sustainable development. This study aimed to compare the stability of selected quality parameters of pomegranate juice under simulated conditions imitating maritime transport. The content of polyphenols and the ability to reduce free radicals were considered the critical quality parameters of this juice. The Folin–Ciocalteu method (polyphenols content) and the Brand-Williams method (ability to reduce free radicals) were used during the study. The simulation of maritime transport conditions consisted of different juice storage conditions. The differentiation was conducted regarding temperature, type of gas that filled the packaging, and mixing related to the ship’s motions during transport. The highest quality of pomegranate juice was ensured by modifying the atmosphere with nitrogen and lowering the temperature. It is also important that mixing the juice does not reduce its quality but stabilises it.

Freezing is the most commonly used method of preserving stone fruits. However, it is not the cheapest method. An alternative could be the pickling of fruits. Unfortunately, there is not much information in the literature on the effect of pickling on the health-promoting potential of stone fruits, including plums and cherries. This work focuses on assessing the impact of fruit pickling and storage on changes in the pro-health potential. Health-promoting properties were determined based on the content of anthocyanin dyes, vitamin C, total polyphenols, and the ability to inhibit free radicals. A substantial effect of pickling and storing pickled fruits on their health-promoting properties was observed. Pickling caused a decrease in the content of anthocyanins and vitamin C in the tested fruits. At the same time, the content of total polyphenols and the ability to reduce free radicals increased. It was also found that the content of bioactive compounds and the ability to reduce free radicals decreased during the storage of pickled cherries and plums. However, after 180 days of storage, pickled plums contained more polyphenols than fresh ones.