Volume 27, No. 3 (2026)

EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF ICE CREAM CONTAINING GRACILARIA CORTICATA (RED MACROALGAE) DURING STORAGE

Sara Akhoundi, Sepideh Bahrami*, Maryam Moslehishad

The Gracilaria corticata (red macroalgae) is a valuable source of nutrients for producing functional food products. This study aims to investigate how different concentrations of Gracilaria corticata affect the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of ice cream during a 60-day storage period. In this study, powders from Gracilaria corticata were used at concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 1 % in ice cream preparation. Results showed that adding algae powder significantly increased dry matter, protein, overrun, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity (p < 0.05), while it did not significantly change carbohydrate, fat content, and melting rate (p ≥ 0.05). Despite their acidity, samples with algae powder had a higher pH than the control, although pH decreased and acidity increased during storage (p < 0.05). The powder reduced the melting rate and altered color properties, with L* and a* decreasing and b* increasing (p < 0.05), although storage time did not significantly affect color (p ≥ 0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated that flavor and aroma scores increased, while color scores decreased (p < 0.05). Storage time did not significantly impact flavor and aroma (p ≥ 0.05), but it did reduce other sensory parameters (p < 0.05). Overall, the addition of 0.5% macroalgae of the species Gracilaria corticata could be acceptable, considering the product's physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance.

View article DOI

FROM LUXURY TO RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION: NUTRITIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE PRODUCTION OF SIBERIAN STURGEON CAVIAR (ACIPENSER BAERII, BRANDT, 1869)

Cătălina Teodora Cîrmaciu (Florea), Laurian-Cristian Cojocariu, Cătălin Emilian Nistor*, Gabriel Vasile Hoha*, Benone Păsărin

Caviar is a fish-based food product of high gastronomic and economic value, traditionally associated with luxury cuisine, but increasingly examined in the context of sustainability and responsible aquaculture. This review paper summarizes current information on the consumption of caviar derived from the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869), from nutritional, technological, and ecological perspectives. The chemical composition and biological value of caviar are analyzed, with an emphasis on proteins, Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), essential vitamins and minerals, as well as their effects on human health. The paper highlights the biological characteristics of sturgeons and their implications for sustainable caviar production. It also presents the main stages of the technological process for obtaining and processing caviar, as well as the influence of modern aquaculture systems on product quality and the conservation of natural resources. The review also addresses issues related to food safety, contaminants, traceability, and the environmental impact of intensive farming practices. Furthermore, it discusses the main challenges and prospects for the caviar industry, including the development of sustainable technologies and the reduction of pressure on wild sturgeon populations. The reviewed literature highlights that modern caviar production can integrate the product’s nutritional and gastronomic value with the principles of sustainable development and the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.

View article DOI

FORMULATION DE FARINES INFANTILES INSTANTANÉES ENRICHIES À L’OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM, AU PARKIA BIGLOBOSA ET AU CURCUMA LONGA POUR LES ENFANTS DE 6 À 24 MOIS. FORMULATION OF INSTANT INFANT FLOURS ENRICHED WITH OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM, PARKIA BIGLOBOSA AND CURCUMA LONGA FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 24 MONTHS

Carine C.F. Houssou (1, 2), Abel B. Hotegni (1*), Carole N.A. Sossa-Vihotogbe (2), Valère Dansou (1), Paul A.F. Houssou (1)

The study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensory properties of instant infant flours formulated from available, low-cost local raw materials (maize, soya, African basil, baobab pulp, turmeric and African locust bean powder). Four different instant infant flours (A, B, C and D) were formulated based on local resources. The physicochemical characterization of the flours was determined using the standard methods. Then, a sensory evaluation of the flours among 30 nurses was carried out. The result showed that the water contents of these flours were very low (˂ 5 %) with the water activity (aw) of these flours was between 0.6 and 0.62. The ash contents of the flours were all between 2.87 % and 3.13 %. The protein contents varied from 14.46 to 15.55 %. The pH of the flours varied to 5.93 to 6.24. No significant difference (p > 0.05) existed between the matter content, ash, protein contents and Aw of the different formulated flours. But pH showed significant differences (p < 0.05) within the samples of flours. Sensory evaluation showed that the flours A (93.33 %) and C (82.99 %) were irrespectively the most appreciated. Based on the results of the analyses carried out, instant infant flours A and C produced from local resources have a high nutritional potential and can be used as complementary foods for infants.

View article DOI

HERBICIDE AND FOLIAR FERTILIZER EFFECTS ON CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE VOLATILES

Dimitar R. Dimitrov (1*), Neli N. Prodanova-Marinova (2), Nikolay I. Iliev (2), Dushko D. Nedelkovski (3)

The influence of combined treatment with herbicides and foliar fertilizers on the volatile composition (by GC-FID) of four harvests (2021 – 2024) red wines of the Cabernet Sauvignon variety from the region of Central Northern Bulgaria was studied. The strongest influence (in two of the harvests – 2022 and 2023) on the accumulation of high final levels of total volatile compounds and the highest total accumulation of esters in the wines was exerted by the single treatment with herbicides (variant V2). It was found that the treatments with herbicides and foliar fertilizers alone or in combination led to the synthesis of higher levels of total higher alcohols in the experimental variants, compared to the untreated control. This indicated for an influence on improved amino acid metabolism in the grapevine plant, and from there the synthesis (by metabolic degradation of amino acids by yeast) of higher levels higher alcohols in the young wines. The main higher alcohols were 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol. Ethyl acetate and isopropyl acetate dominated the ester fraction, and there were no clear trends in terms of terpenes.

View article DOI

COMPARATIVE RESEARCH REGARDING THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND GENETIC FACTORS ON THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE PERFORMANCE OF TWO ROMANIAN BREEDS EXPLOITED FOR MILK

Gabriel Ioan Bărbuță*, Gabriela Amariții, Felicia Țenu (Dascălu), Vasile Maciuc

This paper analyzes the productive and breeding performances of cattle from the Bălțată cu negru românească (BNR) and Bălțată românească (BR) breeds, exploited under a semi-intensive system in Iași county. The results highlight a clear quantitative superiority of the Bălțată cu negru românească breed, with an average production of 10,096.50 kg of milk/lactation, compared to 6,114.92 kg for the Bălțată românească breed. From a qualitative perspective, the Bălțată românească breed exhibits superior parameters, with an average of 4.23 % fat, 3.56 % protein, and a high casein content (30.94 g·L-1 milk), making it optimal for industrial processing. Performance is significantly conditioned by local mesoclimatic factors (temperatures of 10 - 11 °C and precipitation of 500 - 600 mm). During periods of thermal stress, the Bălțată cu negru românească breed records production decreases of up to 15 %, while Bălțată românească demonstrates superior biological resilience, with losses below 5 %. The analysis of breeding indices by lactation number reveals a major advantage for Bălțată cu negru românească in early lactations, with a peak total breeding value of + 47.84 in the second lactation. However, in late lactations (7 - 9), the differences between the breeds become minimal (- 0.07 to + 1.55), suggesting that adaptability to the local environment becomes the determining factor in the long term, narrowing the initial genetic gap.

View article DOI

CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES IN THE VALORIZATION OF FOOD OIL BY-PRODUCTS

Aslıhan Tüğen (1*), Claudia Lavinia Buruleanu (2)

Food oil by-products generated during vegetable oil processing are increasingly recognized as valuable resources within sustainable food systems. This review aims to evaluate current trends and future perspectives in the valorization of food oil by-products, focusing on technological developments, functional applications, and circular economy integration. A systematic literature search covering the period 2010 – 2025 was conducted using Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and 40 studies were included. Findings indicate that oilseed meals, press cakes, deodorizer distillates, lecithin fractions, and refining residues contain proteins, phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, and bioactive lipids with potential applications in food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bio-based materials. Emerging technologies such as green extraction, enzymatic processing, membrane separation, and extrusion enhance functional properties and product quality. However, limitations related to food safety assessment, contaminant risks, and regulatory uncertainties remain significant barriers. Future research should prioritize safety standardization, process optimization, and regulatory harmonization to support sustainable industrial utilization globally.

View article DOI

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AHP AND FUZZY LOGIC FOR CULTURAL LANDSCAPE-BASED EVALUATION OF LAND-USE ALTERNATIVES: A CASE STUDY OF THE KARTAL QUARRY AREA (ISTANBUL)

Beyza Çermikli (1), Elif Tarakçı (2*), Recep Duranay (3)

This study aims to evaluate alternative land-use classes for the defunct Kartal Quarry in Istanbul within the scope of landscape restoration using cultural landscape criteria. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a fuzzy logic-based approach was employed, with expert judgment incorporated through consensus among three experts. The criteria were weighted using AHP, while the land-use alternatives were evaluated using a fuzzy logic-based approach to incorporate uncertainty. Recreational and Sports Areas ranked first in both approaches, followed by Healthcare Facilities and Residential Area. Statistical comparison using Spearman’s rank correlation showed a very high level of agreement between the AHP and fuzzy Priority Rankings (𝜌=0.9956,𝜌 &lt; 0.001), while sensitivity analysis indicated that the overall AHP Priority Ranking remained largely stable under ±25 % and ±50 % variations in criterion weights. The proposed framework provides a structured decision-support approach for cultural landscape-based land-use evaluation of defunct quarries under site-specific planning considerations.

View article DOI

A MADELUNG-TYPE MULTIFRACTAL MODEL FOR ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANT DYNAMICS

Teodor Marian Ionescu (1), Alexandra Iuliana Ungureanu (1*), Victoria-Ioana Pintescu (1), Andreia Valentina Vranceanu Ciobanu (2), Alina Stefania Dobos (2), Decebal Vasincu (1)

This manuscript proposes a Madelung-type multifractal model for atmospheric pollutant dynamics. The formulation preserves the conservative advection-diffusion-reaction-deposition structure used in classical air-quality modelling, while adding a weak, regularized curvature-sensitive correction intended to represent unresolved intermittency, plume focusing, concentration localization, and heterogeneity-driven accumulation. The model defines the atmospheric domain, pollutant concentration vector, atmospheric burden, effective transport velocity, anisotropic turbulent diffusivity, boundary-layer mixing, sectoral emissions, wet scavenging, dry deposition, gravitational settling, reduced chemical transformations, aerosol diagnostics, and observation operators for calibration and validation. A heterogeneity index is introduced to account for orographic confinement, surface roughness, land-use structure, boundary-layer stability, and humidity or heat-island effects. The multifractal contribution is formulated through a regularized concentration amplitude, a curvature-sensitive potential, a mobility-controlled drift, and a bounded diffusivity correction, so that the additional term modifies but does not replace the classical transport core. An illustrative synthetic simulation demonstrates numerical implementability, plume migration under imposed wind, localized accumulation near emission gradients, and exploratory scale-sensitive diagnostics. The proposed framework is therefore best interpreted as a physically constrained modelling extension that requires calibration and independent validation with meteorological, emissions, station, and remote-sensing data before operational use.

View article DOI