The purpose of the study was to analyse the effect of changes in the composition of raw material and agglomeration on sorption properties of a multi-component food, in the example of a powdered cocoa beverage. The basic composition of the mixtures was 20% of cocoa and 80% of sucrose. A change in raw material composition involved partial or total replacement of sucrose with a mixture of glucose and fructose, or with maltodextrin. Analysis of sorption properties demonstrated variability in the course of isotherms of water vapour sorption for components of the powdered cocoa beverage. Limiting water activity (aw) was determined for the value of 0.529. The conducted analysis detected no significant effect of agglomeration on water content in the tested products. However, a significant change in the raw material composition was demonstrated.

The population dynamics of Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite – TSSM) are influenced by environmental factors, which were investigated to identify methods limiting the development and harmfulness of this pest. This paper presents findings from a laboratory study on the effect of spraying with water-based extracts of Mentha piperita and Tagetes patula plants on the growth rate of TSSM larvae and nymphs. The time required for the transformation of the larvae into protonymphs was longer for T. patula water- based extracts than extracts from M. piperita. Differences in the time of transformation from the nymphal stage to adult TSSM were also observed depending on the plant waterbased extracts, their concentration, and the host plant on which nymphs were developing. The use of 100 g ∙ l-1 French marigold extract was associated with longer transformation time of nymphs on discs of pea leaves than all tested concentrations of French marigold extract applied to sugar beet leaves. Ten percent of the extracts from peppermint plants had a stronger limiting effect on TSSM nymphs on pea leaves than on bean or sugar beet leaves.