Volume 24, No. 3 (2023)

IDENTIFICATION AND TOXICITY TEST OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS EXTRACTED FROM Caulerpa racemosa USING THE ULTRASOUND ASSISTED EXTRACTION (UAE) METHOD

RIONG S. PANJAITAN(*), ANGELINA F. SITURU, CINDY M. N. SILAEN

Caulerpa racemosa is a green macroalga, also known as sea grapes, which has various bioactive compounds such as pigments. The aim is to isolate pigments of Caulerpa racemosa collected at Senapan Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia, and assay their toxicity against Artemia salina Leach larvae. Pigments were isolated from Caulerpa racemosa using the Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE) method with a mixture solvent, namely acetone-methanol (7 : 3; v/v). In addition, the pigment extract was identified using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The pigment spots were also separated using column chromatography and characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 400 – 800 nm. Furthermore, these pigments were tested for their toxicity using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) method. This result showed six pigment spots in the TLC analysis. Moreover, the major pigments of Caulerpa racemosa were identified using column chromatography and UV-Vis spectrophotometry as pheophytin a, chlorophyll a, and β-carotene. Moreover, chlorophyll-a and β-саrоtеnе pigment have no toxic towards Artemia salina Leach according to BSLT method with LC50 is > 1000 ppm. This study provides the pigments composition of Caulerpa racemosa and their toxicity where is no toxicity activity given.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ANTIOXIDANT EXTRACTS RICH IN β-CAROTENE FROM THE RESIDUAL BIOMASS OF ARTHROSPIRA PLATENSIS

ALINA BEŞLIU(*), OLEG CHISELIȚA, NATALIA CHISELIȚA, NADEJDA EFREMOVA, ELENA TOFAN

This study aimed to optimize the process of obtaining antioxidant extracts rich in β-carotene from the remaining biomass of Arthrospira platensis. Optimal extraction procedures using ultrasound, homogenization and temperature were investigated at the laboratory level. The results demonstrated that the highest yield of β-carotene in the extracts was obtained using 96 % ethylic alcohol at a temperature of +45 °C for 30 minutes and a biomass/solvent ratio of 1 : 50 g·mL-1 and 1 : 10 g·mL-1. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase varied depending on the extraction method, and the highest activity was obtained in the experimental variants that were placed at the temperature of +35 °C and +45 °C. Considering the valuable biochemical composition and enzymatic activity, the antioxidant extracts obtained have a relevant potential for implementation in various fields such as animal husbandry, medicine and food.

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOIDS ISOLATED FROM ECHINOPS GRACILIS O. HOFFM

CASTRO F. L. WÉYÉPÉ(1*), WILLIAM F. FEUDJOU(2), CAROLE A. AMBONO(3), HERMIA N. IKOME(2), MARIUS M. BALEMAKEN(4), PIERRE J. ABDOU(5), THÉODORA K. KOPA(2), GABRIEL A. AGBOR(1), ALEMBERT T. TCHINDA(2)

Apigenin-7-O-(4′′-feruloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) were isolated from the methanol extract of aerial part of Echinops gracilis, together with apigenin-7-O-(4′′-trans-p-hydroxycinnamoyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3). Compound (1) previously displayed antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The present study aims at evaluating the antiproliferative potential of flavonoids, isolated from the aerial part of E. gracilis O. Hoffm. The effect of compounds (1), (2) and (3) on the viability of HeLa cells was determined by the method of 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at different concentrations. The ability of compounds to induce the cell death was evaluated by using acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) staining. Compound (1) induced an effective change in the cell viability of HeLa cells with IC50 concentration value of 27.36 µg·mL-1. Induction of cell death alteration in cell morphology and cancer cell population was observed in cells treated with compound (1), which makes it behave as a potent synergistic antiproliferative agent against HeLa cells.

BREWING WITH BUCKWHEAT AND SORGHUM: IMPACT ON BEER QUALITY

MARIUS EDUARD CIOCAN(1), ROZÁLIA VERONIKA SALAMON(2), ÁGOTA AMBRUS(3), GEORGIANA GABRIELA CODINĂ(1), ANCUȚA CHETRARIU(1), ADRIANA DABIJA(1*)

In the process of obtaining gluten-free beer, various non-conventional raw materials were used. Some of these have shown real potential in obtaining quality finished products appreciated by consumers. In addition to health issues, several factors also play a role in the choice of these raw materials, one of which is the climate changes that are occurring around the globe. The paper summarizes our own research on the use of two of these non-conventional materials, buckwheat and sorghum, in unmalted form in the technological process of obtaining beer at microbrewery equipment. Through the research carried out, it was aimed to establish optimal conditions for mashing-saccharification and fermentation-aging processes that would lead to a quality finished product. The best results in terms of sensory and physico-chemical characteristics were achieved by beer obtained from 50 % unmalted buckwheat and 50 % unmalted sorghum.

NATURAL HYDROXYAPATITE AS AN ADSORBENT FOR MICROORGANISMS (MOS) FROM AQUEOUS SYSTEM

KSHAMA PARAJULI(1*), BIBEK GAUTAM(1), BIJAYA LAXMI MAHARJAN(2), GANGA GHARTY CHHETRI(2)

Natural hydroxyapatite (HAp) was isolated from calcination of waste caprine (goat) bone at 750 °C in muffle furnace. As produced material was characterized by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses and ensured the synthesized material was nano rod hydroxyapatite. The pHPZC value of the HAp was 7.2 as determined by pH drift method. Adsorption of four different microorganisms (MOS) (E. coli, A. baumanii, S. aureus and C. albicans) onto natural HAp was investigated and found to adsorb onto HAp with the proportions greater than 25 % within the applied concentration ranges. Adsorption kinetics studies showed the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order kinetics for all investigated MOS. Antimicrobial study revealed that three adsorbed species (E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans) onto HAp remained viable form while HAp showed good antibacterial activity towards A. baumanii. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) values of HAp were found to be 12.5 and 100 mg·mL-1 respectively against A. baumanii. Thus, thermal treatment of waste bone powder is found to be cost-effective and environment-friendly method for the isolation of natural nano HAp and it can be applied as an adsorbent for different MOS from aqueous solution as well as a potential antibacterial agent.

EFFECTS OF THE ADDITION OF CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS MUSHROOMS ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BUTTERMILK

OVIDIU TIȚA, OANA-MARIA POPA(*), MIHAELA-ADRIANA TIȚA, MARIA ADELINA CONSTANTINESCU

The purpose of the work is to obtain buttermilk with the addition of mushrooms and to evaluate some quality characteristics of the final product. Edible mushrooms such as Cantharellus cibarius have a multitude of health benefits. They contain a series of nutrients, ensure efficient digestion, they are very good for increasing immunity. In the proposed research, the evolution of a buttermilk product was followed by the enrichment with mushrooms in different amounts of 10, 15 and 20 grams compared to the normal product. As a section of mushrooms, the attention was focused on the species Cantharellus cibarius often found in Romania. The assortments developed in different concentrations were compared from a physico-chemical point of view in order to note all the aspects that the mushroom species brings to buttermilk product. In order to obtain the products, we started from the technology of obtaining buttermilk products with usual additions, and after the seeding process, before the product was packaged, the mushrooms were added in powder form, in the established concentrations. From the analysis of the obtained results, it appears that the samples showed a decrease in acidity during the analyzed period, due to the appearance of the syneresis phenomenon, the product becoming more fluid. Viscosity analysis shows that the sample with the addition of 20 grams of mushrooms had the highest weight compared to the control sample with the lowest value.

INSIGHTS ON THE PROTEASE ACTIVITY AND ON TOTAL AND SOLUBLE PROTEINS DURING GERMINATION OF WHEAT AND BARLEY

GJORE NAKOV(1,2*), MISHELA TEMKOV(3), VIKTORIJA STAMATOVSKA(4), JASMINA LUKINAC(5)

Malting process leads to changes in the protein content and protease activity of cereal crops. Total protein content and soluble protein content are important indicators of the quality of cereal crops, as they can affect the digestibility and bioavailability of the proteins for human consumption. Protease activity is also important, as it can influence the breakdown and release of amino acids from proteins, which are essential for human nutrition. The study aims to investigate how the total and soluble protein content and protease activity change during the production of malted wheat and barley flours at different germination times (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days). The findings indicated that during malting there was an increase in the amount of soluble proteins and protease activity in both wheat and barley. Although the total protein content did not change significantly, the increased amount of soluble proteins suggests that the malting can improve the nutritional value of the cereal crops. Moreover, the increase in protease activity with the extension of the germination time suggests that there is an optimal time for germination that could maximize the nutritional benefits of the malting process. Investigation revealed barley had a higher content of total and soluble proteins and higher protease activity compared to wheat. The outcomes of this study could be valuable for optimizing the malting process for maximum nutritional benefits, and for developing new better nutritional products.