Volume 26, No. 2 (2025)
Articles
LIPASE PRODUCTION FROM MUCOR SP. B6 ISOLATED FROM COCOA PROCESSING PLANT EFFLUENT IN ILE OLUJI, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
RUTH T. OMOJOYEGBE(1), OLAOLUWA OYEDEJI(2*), SAMUEL A. ADEDIRE(2), WILLIAMS ADESINA(3)
The lipolytic activities of fungal isolates from a cocoa processing plant effluent were assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The fungus with the most appreciable lipolytic activity was selected and characterized morphologically. The optimum parameters for lipase production by the fungus were determined by studying the influence of carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, and incubation period, on production. Six fungal strains from the cocoa processing plant effluent which showed lipolytic activity were screened. The fungus with the most appreciable lipolytic activity was identified as Mucor sp. B6. Maximum enzyme production was obtained when the medium was incubated for 168 h, at a temperature of 30 ºC, and pH 6.0. Olive oil and yeast extract were observed to be the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the fungal isolate could be a promising organism for the large-scale production of the industrially important lipase.
DESIGN OF RHAMNOLIPID-ETHYL THIOSULFANILATE NANOPARTICLES, PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
NATALYA SHCHEGLOVA(1), ALLA PROKOPALO(1,2*), VIRA LUBENETS(3), OLEKSANDR RESHETNYAK(2), OLENA KARPENKO(1)
Nowadays, the urgent task of pharmacy and chemistry is to increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of medicines to overcome the resistance of pathogens. Nanoparticles based on biologically active substances have a special potential for solving this problem. The purpose of this work was the synthesis of nanoparticles of ethyl thiosulfanilate (ETS) with rhamnolipids (RL), establishment of physicochemical properties and antimicrobial action, comparison of the activity of nanoparticles and ETS-RL compositions. Using the methods of dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, it was established that aqueous solutions of the obtained ETS-RL compositions and nanoparticles formed spherical micelles, with hydrodynamic radii of 138 nm and 109 nm, respectively. The influence of the size of nanoparticles on their properties is shown, in particular, solutions of nanoparticles have a higher emulsifying and wetting ability compared to compositions. Solutions of ETS-RL compositions and nanoparticles show antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida tenuis. The obtained results testify to the effectiveness of the developed compositions and nanoparticles of ETS-RL and confirm the perspective of their use in pharmacy.
ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF ROMANIAN GRAPE VARIETIES
MIHAELA MULȚESCU(*), IULIA-ELENA SUSMAN
This study explores the application of the photochemiluminescence assay in two distinct extracts, hydrophilic and lipophilic, alongside the DPPH method to evaluate the antioxidant potential of three grape varietis (Chasselas, Romanian Muscat, and Muscat Hamburg). The results revealed significant phenolic compound concentrations, ranging from 21.68 to 43.44 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of fresh weight. Flavonoid content was between 4.26 and 8.86 mg rutin equivalent per 100 g of fresh weight, while anthocyanin content varied from 0.16 to 7.02 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per 100 g of fresh weight. Among the tested grapes, Muscat Hamburg demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity using DPPH method. In terms of antioxidant capacity, Chasselas exhibited the highest value in the hydrophilic system, while Muscat Hamburg showed the greatest antioxidant capacity in the lipophilic system.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL OBTAINED BY HYDRODISTILLATION AND STEAM DISTILLATION
SILVIYA MOLLOVA(1), STANKO STANEV(1), IVAILA DINCHEVA(2), IRA TANEVA(3*), NADEZHDA MAZOVA(4), YANA KOLEVA(5), ALBENA STOYANOVA(6)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is mainly found in yards and gardens. Still, for several years, attempts have been made to cultivate it in the experimental field of the Institute of Rose and Essential Oil Crops, Kazanlak. The present study aimed to compare essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation and steam distillation from vegetatively propagated rosemary of Iranian origin. The chemical composition of the essential oils was identified by GC/MS analysis. The major components (over 2 %) were the monoterpene hydrocarbons α-pinene (41.09 and 51.53 %) and verbenone (9.40 and 1.13 %), and the monoterpene oxygen derivatives 1,8-cineole (10.22 and 14.24 %), camphor (9.27 and 5.05 %), bornyl acetate (5.67 and 4.05 %), and borneol (5.34 and 2.63 %). The antioxidant activity of both oils was also determined by two methods, DPPH (0.653 and 0.616 mM TE·mL-1) and ABTS (0.630 and 0.605 mM TE·mL-1). The antioxidant activity exhibited is the basis for including the oils in various food and cosmetic products, subject to further studies.
IMPACT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON THE SHELF LIFE AND SENSORY QUALITY OF SET YOGURT WITH BIOPROTECTIVE CULTURE
BILJANA TRAJKOVSKA(1*), LJUBICA TRAJKOSKA(1), GJORE NAKOV(2), ZLATIN ZLATEV(3)
Bioprotective cultures like Lactobacillus rhamnosus naturally inhibit spoilage fungi through nutrient competition and antifungal metabolite production, offering a clean-label alternative to synthetic preservatives. This study investigated the impact of bioprotective cultures on set yogurt quality under storage temperatures of 5, 10, and 25 ºC. Physicochemical and sensory parameters were monitored over storage. The pH decreased gradually across all temperatures. Titratable acidity (°SH) increased over time, with higher values observed at elevated temperatures. Sensory analysis revealed higher overall acceptance (SE = 8) at lower temperatures during early storage. Statistical models demonstrated that temperature influenced more than 70 % of the variations in pH, ºSH, and sensory acceptance, with coefficients of determination (R²) ranging from 0.72 to 0.85. Yogurt with FQ9 stored at 10 ºC exhibited an extended shelf life of up to 40 days. This study highlights the effectiveness of bioprotective cultures in improving yogurt shelf life and quality while meeting clean-label demands, offering sustainable solutions for the dairy industry.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ALCOHOLIC PHYTOEXTRACTS FROM WILD CARROT (Daucus carota L.) WITH POTENTIAL APPLICABILITY AS ACTIVE IN COSMETICS
CLAUDIA MAXIM(1), OANA TEODORA APREUTESEI(2), RUXANDRA MIHAELA CRETU(2), ALEXANDRA CRISTINA BLAGA(1), DELIA TURCOV(3), DANIELA SUTEU(1*), ANA SIMONA BARNA(1)
The paper addresses the case of Daucus carota L. extract, obtained by liquid-solid extraction methods (heat reflux, Soxhlet extraction and maceration) using ethanol solution of different concentrations as extraction reagent. The performance of the extraction methods was assessed based on the extraction yield value. The extracts obtained were characterized qualitatively by HPLC and quantitatively by determining the content of polyphenols and flavonoids. Two O/W emulsions based on Daucus carota L. extract were also prepared and were preliminarily characterized in terms of stability and homogeneity.
EXPLORING THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND SENSORIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME ROMANIAN RED FRUITS TEA INFUSIONS
LUMINIȚA GROSU, OANA-IRINA PATRICIU, IRINA-CLAUDIA ALEXA(*)
Red fruits represent an important source of natural antioxidants possessing health-promoting properties. Infusions of red fruit teas are gaining interest and popularity among consumers. The physico-chemical characteristics and phytochemical screening of some red fruits tea infusions were analyzed in the present study using fast and accessible electrochemical and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. As well, sensorial analysis was carried out through the 7-points hedonic scale method. Our research revealed that the quality of the infusions and the overall acceptance, respectively, are influenced by the brewing time and the proportion of red fruit tea and water used in their preparation. Following the results for the overall degree of satisfaction, the most preferred infusions by consumers were those obtained from Forest fruit tea and Carpathian tea using two bags, and 10 minutes of brewing time. The color intensity, the proportion of red, as well, the content of vitamin C and phytochemical profile of analyzed infusions are correlated with the degree of global satisfaction. The results obtained in the present work delivered valuable information about red fruits tea infusions based on their physico-chemical, phytochemical and sensorial characteristics.
NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF SMOKED MEAT PRODUCTION OBTAINED FROM FARMED AND WILD EUROPEAN CATFISH (SILURUS GLANIS)
BOGDAN-VLAD AVARVAREI(1), CRISTINA SIMEANU(1*), MONICA ANGELICA DODU(2*),RĂZVAN-MIHAIL RADU-RUSU(1), EMANUEL MĂGDICI(1), DANIEL SIMEANU(1)
Silurus glanis is a freshwater fish native to Europe and Western Asia. Its meat is highly appreciated by consumers. By smoking it, food products with particularly good sensory qualities are obtained. To carry out this study, comparisons were made between fish originated from aquaculture (A group - Aquaculture group) and from the natural environment (Prut river, Romania) (C group - Capture group). Fillets of the studied fish were smoked and stored at a temperature of +2 °C ÷ +5 °C. The samples were analyzed for sensory and physicochemical traits at 5, 15, 25, 30, 35 and 40 days of storage. The smoked catfish presented particularly good sensory qualities, and the origin of the meat did not significantly influence it. The products were considered optimal for consumption up to 30 days of storage. The chemical analysis revealed moisture loss at the end of the analyzed period by 4.78 % (A) and 4.70 % (C), whilst the dry matter compounds concentrated at a reversed pace, accordingly. The high values for PUFA (34.97 % in A and 30.68 % in C), make smoked European catfish meat an important source of “good fats”, a fact also highlighted by the values of Polyunsaturated Index (33.86 in A and 45.23 in C), Atherogenic Index (0.41 in A and 0.35 in C) and Thrombogenic Index (0.22 in A and 0.27 in C).
USE OF WHITE, RED, AND BLACK QUINOA IN UNCONVENTIONAL BREWING MASH MATRICES - A TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH
MARIANA-LILIANA PĂCALĂ(*), ANCA ȘIPOȘ
The growing demand for gluten-free, low- and non-alcoholic beer, has led to increased research into the incorporation of non-traditional cereal substrates in the brewing process, such as the pseudocereal quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, Willd.). This study investigates the brewing potential of three quinoa varieties - white, red, and black - as adjuncts for the development of health-oriented and diversifying beer assortments. Three unconventional quinoa-based mashes were formulated using Pilsner barley malt, quinoa varieties, and acid barley malt at proportions of 54:40:6 % (w·w-1). The ratio of cereal ingredients to mashing water was 1:4.5. The mashing protocol involved a stepwise temperature increase of 1 °C·min-1, with rests at 45 °C for 30 minutes, 63 °C for 20 minutes, 72 °C for 30 minutes, and 78 °C for 10 minutes. Boiled malt worts with Amarillo hop pellets for 30BU were fermented with lager and top yeasts culture. The mashing, lautering, and fermentation performance of the purpose quinoa-based brewing matrices were briefly monitored according to the Analytica-EBC methods. The results demonstrated that the studied quinoa varieties could represent alternative substrates to conventional brewing mashes and revealed distinct technological characteristics and varying brewing behaviors among the quinoa varieties, indicating that each variety may influence the brewing process differently.
A RECENT REVIEW ON ETHNOMEDICINAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF MAJOR ASTRACEAE FAMILY PLANTS IN THE MĂCIN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, ROMANIA
AHMED A. ZEINHOM(1), RODICA MIHAELA DINICA(2*), MARIANA LUPOAE(3*), FANICA BALANESCU(3), ANDREEA NISTOR(2), ANNA BUSUIOC(2), ANDREEA BOTEZATU(2), BIANCA FURDUI(2), CATERINA DUMITRU(3)
Măcin Mountain National Park is a large, protected area in Tulcea County, Dobrogea, Romania. This park represents Romania's ancient geological, scientific, and archaeological sites, making it one of the top-ranked tourist destinations in the country. On this small territory (0.05 % of the country's surface), and in an area of 11,000 hectares, more than half of the Romanian flora can be found. This region stand out by its impressive fauna and flora. 72 plant species are protected as vulnerable and rare species, and 27 species are considered endemic plants. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the most recent and significant reports from literature data with regards to plants from Asteraceae family. Thus, the focus was on analyzing the importance of these species in traditional phytotherapy and modern medicine. Emphasis was given to biological properties, which were validated through scientific research. Consequently, multiple cosmetology and food industry applications were highlighted. Last but not least, studies concerning the safety uses and biotechnological research were presented.