Research activity:

I. Determination of mineral components:

• macroelements: Mg, Ca, K;
• microelements: Cu, Zn, Fe, Se, Cr, Mn, V, Ni, Co;
• toxic elements: Pb, Cd, Hg, As

in food (also in functional food, dietary supplements), cosmetics, medicines and biological material (e.g. blood, hair, cancer tissue) using:

- flame or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method - AAS (Hitachi Z-2000 Instrument);

- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry - ICP/MS (NexION 300D, PerkinElmer);

- mercury (Hg) analysis using equipment AMA 254 (Leco).

We participate in a quality control program for trace element analysis supervised by the National Institute of Public Health.

II. Chemical food and herbs composition using GC/MS (Clarus 680 PerkinElmer), HPLC/MS (Flexar, PerkinElmer)

III. Quantitative, qualitative and food safety analysis:

• honey bee – methods in accordance with European Standards;
• meat analysis (fat, water, protein, salt and collagen) using near infra red spectroscopy (NIR) with artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models by FoodScan Lab (FOSS) equipment;
• determination of total dietary fiber content by AOAC method (equipment – FOSS);
• nitrate and nitrite;
• salt content;
• nitrogen and total protein determination by the Kjeldahl method (Büchi).

IV. The role of nutrition in prevention of health disorders

• body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis system InBody 720 (BioSpace);
• analysis of diet, dietary habits and their influence on nutritional status.

V. Cell culture analyses: 

• anticancer activity of natural products and food ingredients;
• isolation and identification of glioma cells from patients with different grade of gliomas;
• cytotoxicity (MTT, LDH tests);
• DNA synthesis (using [H3]thymidine incorporation);
• Western Blotting;
• Gelatin zymography;
• ELISA;
• Cell cycle, defragmentation DNA (Nucleocounter, NC-3000, ChemoMetec).

VI. Microbiological analyses:

1. Determination of antimicrobial activity of food ingredients and new preservatives

• minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC);
• minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC);
• preservation test.

2. Microbiological analysis of food products.

The offer of patent conclusion on the new preservatives for food and cosmetics:

“The use of sodium picolinate as a preservative of food and cosmetics” 

  (Polish patent No of exclusive rights: 212851).

„The preservative system for cosmetics”

  (Polish patent No of exclusive rights: 215352).

Publications:

Borawska M.H., Naliwajko S.K., Moskwa J., Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Puścion-Jakubik A., Soroczyńska J. Anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects of Polish propolis combined with Hypericum perforatum L. on glioblastoma multiforme cell line U87MG. BMC Complement Altern. Med., 2016; 16:367.

Michalska-Mosiej M., Socha K., Soroczyńska J., Karpińska E., Łazarczyk B., Borawska M.H. Selenium, Zinc, Copper, and Total Antioxidant Status in the Serum of Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis. Biol Trace Elem Res., 2016; 173(1):30-4.

Fedor M., Socha K., Urban B., Soroczyńska J., Matyskiela M., Borawska M.H., Bakunowicz-Łazarczyk A. Serum Concentration of Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, and Cu/Zn Ratio in Children and Adolescents with Myopia. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2016 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print].

Witkowska A.M., Socha K., Kochanowicz J., Karpińska E., Jakoniuk M., Zujko M.E., Wilkiel M., Borawska M.H., Mariak Z. Serum Levels of Biomarkers of Immune Activation and Associations With Neurological Impairment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients During Remission. Biol Res Nurs., 2016;18(1):113-9.

Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Moskwa J., Gromkowska-Kępka K., Laskowska E., Laskowska J., Tomczuk J., Borawska M.H. Bakery products as a source of total dietary fiber in young adults. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig., 2016; 67(2):131-136.

Jablonska E., Raimondi S., Gromadzinska J., Reszka E., Wieczorek E., Krol M.B., Smok-Pieniazek A., Nocun M., Stepnik M., Socha K., Borawska M.H., Wasowicz W. DNA damage and oxidative stress response to selenium yeast in the non-smoking individuals: a short-term supplementation trial with respect to GPX1 and SEPP1 polymorphism. Eur J Nutr., 2015 Dec 10. [Epub ahead of print].

Moskwa J., Borawska M.H., Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Puścion-Jakubik A., Naliwajko S.K., Socha K., Soroczyńska J. Polish natural bee honeys are anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic agents in human glioblastoma multiforme U87MG cell line. PLoS ONE,  2014: 9, 3, s. e 90533.

Socha K., Kochanowicz J., Karpińska E., Soroczyńska J., Jakoniuk M., Mariak Z., Borawska M.H. Dietary habits and selenium, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant status in the serum of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Nutr J., 2014; 13:62.

Sahin K., Orhan C., Tuzcu M., Borawska M.H. , Jabłoński  J. , Guler O. , Sahin N. , Hayirli A. . Berberis vulgaris root extract alleviates the adverse effects of heat stress via modulating hepatic nuclear transcription factors in quails. British of Journal Nutrition 2013: 110, 4, s. 609-616.

Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Naliwajko S.K., Bartosiuk E., Moskwa J., Isidorow V., Soroczyńska J. , Borawska M. H.  Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of beebread, and its influence on the glioblastoma cell line (U87MG). Journal of Apicultural Science 2013: 57, 2, s. 147-157.

Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Borawska M.H., Fiedorowicz A., Naliwajko S.K., Sawicka D., Car H. Propolis changes the anticancer activity of temozolomide in U87MG human glioblastoma cell line. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine 2013: 13, s. 50-56.

Borawska M.H., Kapała J., Puścion-Jakubik A., Horembała J., Markiewicz-Żukowska R. Radioactivity of honeys from Poland after the Fukushima accident. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2013 : 91, 5, s. 489- 492.

Borawska M.H., Soroczyńska J., Socha K., Łazarczyk B. The content of cadmium and lead in women with tumors and inflammation of salivary glands. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 2013 : 22, 3a, s. 922 – 924.

Orhan C. , Sahin N., Akdemir F., Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Borawska M.H., Isidorow V.A., Hayirli A., Sahin K. The effect of Cirsium arvense extract on antioxidant status in quail. British Poultry Science 2013 : 54, 5, s. 620-626.

Gołąbek T., Darewicz B., Borawska M.H., Socha K., Markiewicz R., Kudelski J. Copper, zinc, and Cu/Zn ratio in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.  Urologia Internationalis 2012 : 89, 3, s. 342-347.

Markiewicz-Żukowska R., Car H., Naliwajko S.K., Sawicka D., Szynaka B., Chyczewski L., Isidorov V. , Borawska M.H. Ethanolic extract of propolis, chrysin, Cape inhibit human astroglia cells. Advances in Medical Sciences 2012 : 57, 2, s. 208-216.

Sawicka D., Car H., Borawska M.H, Nikliński J. The anticancer activity of propolis. Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2012 : 50, 1, s. 25-37.

Socha K., Borawska M. H., Gacko M., Guzowski A. Diet and the content of selenium and lead in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. Vasa 2011 : 40, 5, s. 381-389.

Borawska M.H., Czechowska S.K., Markiewicz R., Socha K., Nazaruk J., Pałka J., Isidorow V.A. Enhancement of antibacterial effects of extracts from Cirsium species using sodium picolinate and estimation of their toxicity. Natural Product Research 2010 : 24, 6, s. 554-561.

Borawska M.H., Socha K. , Konopka M. , Mariak Z., Kochanowicz J. Environmental conditions and selenium status among patients with cerebral aneurysms. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 2010 : 19, 2a, s. 368-371.

Markiewicz R. , Socha K. , Borawska M.H., Gutowska A. Selenium in diets and serum of elderly people from the north-eastern region of Poland. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 2010 : 19, 2a, s. 372-377.

Borawska M.H., Soroczyńska J., Socha K., Łazarczyk B. The influence of dietary habits on content of selenium manganese and zinc of patients with salivary glands tumors and inflammations. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 2010 : 19, 2a, s. 362-367.

Borawska M.H., Czechowska S.K., Markiewicz R., Hayirli A., Olszewska E., Sahin K. Cell viability of normal human skin fibroblast and fibroblasts derived from granulation tissue: effects of nutraceuticals. Journal of Medicinal Food 2009 : 12, 2, 429-434.

Socha K., Borawska M.H., Mariak Z., Kochanowicz J., Markiewicz R. Diet and content of zinc in serum of patients with brain aneurysm. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin  2009 : 18, 10a, 1932-1936.

Gołąbek T., Darewicz B. , Borawska M., Markiewicz R., Socha K. , Kudelski J. Lead concentration in the bladder tissue and blood of patients with bladder cancer. Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology 2009 : 43, 6, s. 461-470.

Borawska M.H., Socha K., Łazarczyk B., Czyżewska E., Markiewicz R., Darewicz B.The effects of diet on selenium concentration in serum in patients with cancer. Nutrition and Cancer 2009 : 61, 5, s. 629-633.

Witkowska A.M., Borawska M.H., Socha K., Kochanowicz J., Mariak Z., Konopka M. TNF-alpha and sICAM-1 in intracranial aneurismal rupture. Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 2009 : 57 (2), s. 137-140.

Borawska M.H., Koczoń P., Piekut J., Świsłocka R., Lewandowski W.Vibrational spectra and antimicrobial activity of selected bivalent cation benzoates. Journal of Molecular Structure 2009 : 919, s. 284-289.

Nazaruk J., Czechowska S.K., Markiewicz R., Borawska M.H. Polyphenolic compounds and in vitro  antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from leaves of some Cirsium species. Natural Product Research 2008 : 22 (18), s. 1583-1588.

Kalinowska M , Świsłocka R., Borawska M., Piekut J., Lewandowski W. Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV) and microbiological studies of di-substituted benzoates of alkali metals. Spectrochimica Acta Part A 2008 : 70 (1), s. 126-135.

Ostrowska L., Stefańska E. , Czapska D., Socha K., Karczewski J., Borawska M. Attempts to assess the correlation between hair chromium content and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with overweight and obesity. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2007 : Vol. 16 no 3A, s. 213-216.

Kalinowska M., Borawska M., Świsłocka R., Piekut J., Lewandowski W. Spectroscopic (IR, Raman, UV,1H and 13C NMR) and microbiological studies of Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ag(I) picolinates. Journal Molecular Structure 2007 : 834-836, s. 419-425.

Witkowska A.M., Zujko M.E., Borawska M.H., Socha K.Antioxidant properties and selenium content of wines. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2006 : Vol. 15 no 2a, s. 208-211.

Karczewski J., Gołdowska E., Socha K., Borawska M. Assessment of vanadium content of the hard dental tissues. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2006 : Vol. 15 no 2a, s.111-115.

Markiewicz R. , Borawska M.H., Socha K., Roszkowska M. Content of selenium and lead in some tissues of animals from Podlasie as an indicator of environmental conditions. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2006 : Vol. 15 no 2a, s. 135-138.

Witkowska A.M., Borawska M.H., Gacko M. Relationship among TNF-alpha sICAM-1, and selenium in presurgical patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Biological Trace Element Research 2006 : Vol. 114 no 1-3, s. 31-40.

Borawska M.H., Zujko M.E., Kulikowski M., Socha K., Markiewicz R., Witkowska A. . Selenium content in placenta, maternal and cord blood from subjects of Podlasie Region. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2006 : Vol. 15 no 2a, s. 14-16.

Koczoń P., Piekut J., Borawska M., Świsłocka R. , Lewandowski W. Vibrational and microbiological study on alkaline metal picolinates and o-iodobenzoates. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2006 : Vol. 384 nr 1, s. 302-308.

Koczoń P., Piekut J., Borawska M., Świsłocka R., Lewandowski W. The relationship between chemical structure and antimicrobial activity of selected nicotinates, p-iodobenzoates, picolinates and isonicotinates. Spectrochimica Acta Part A 2005 : Vol. 61 no 8, s. 1917-1922.

Rostkowska-Nadolska B., Borawska M., Hukałowicz K. Trace elements in nasal polyps. Biological Trace Element Research 2005 : Vol. 106 no 2, s. 117-122.

Borawska M.H., Witkowska A.M., Hukałowicz K., Markiewicz R. Influence of dietary habits on serum selenium concentration. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2004 : Vol. 48 no 3, s. 134-140.

Witkowska A.M., Borawska M.H. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) : an overview. European Cytokine Network 2004 : Vol.15 no 2, s. 91-98.

Witkowska A.M., Kuryliszyn-Moskal A., Borawska M.H., Hukałowicz K., Markiewicz R. A study on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and selenium in patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by vasculitis. Clinical Rheumatology 2003 : Vol. 22 no. 6, s. 414-419.

Popko J., Olszewski S. , Hukałowicz K., Markiewicz R., Borawska M. H. , Szeparowicz P. Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc concentrations in blood and hair of mothers of children with locomotor system malformations. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2003 : Vol. 12 no. 3, s. 375-379.

Serwin A.B., Myśliwiec H., Hukałowicz K., Porębski P., Borawska M., Chodynicka B. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor type 1 during selenium supplementation in psoriasis patients. Nutrition 2003 Vol. 19 no 10, s. 847-850.

Koczoń P., Piekut J., Borawska M., Lewandowski W. Vibrational structure and antimicrobial activity of selected isonicotinates, potassium picolinate and nicotinate. Journal of Molecular Structure 2003, Vol. 651-653, s. 651-656.

Markiewicz R., Hukałowicz K., Witkowska A. , Borawska M. Determination of chromium in women's hair by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization. Chemia Analityczna 2002, Vol. 47 no. 1, s. 159-162.

Borawska M.H., Kapała J., Hukałowicz K., Markiewicz R. Radioactivity of honeybee honey. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2000,  0, s. 617-621.

Borawska M.H., Markiewicz R., Witkowska A. Nitrate and nitrite content in daily hospital diets during the winter season - comparison of analytical and calculation methods. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998 : Vol.52 nr 7, s.489-493.

Car H., Borawska M.H., Wiśniewski K. The effect of vasopressin analogue [d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)2]AVP on memory process in rats with experimental amnesia. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis, Warszawa 1995 : Vol. 55 no 3, s. 207-211.

Borawska M., Kupryszewski G., Witczuk B., Wiśniewski K. Effects of angiotensin II and its fragments: angiotensis II (3-8) - hexapeptide and angiotensin II (4-8) - pentapeptide onr etrieval in passive avoidance situation in rats chronically treated with ethanol. Polish Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacy. 1989 : 41, 3, s. 227-230.

Borawska M. H., Kucharewicz G., Wiśniewski K. The role of dopamine in the facilitary effect of angiotensin II on impaired learning in rats chronically treated with ethanol. Psychopharmacology 1988 : 96, 4, s. 500-504.