ISSN 2285-1364, ISSN CD-ROM 2285-5521, ISSN ONLINE 2285-1372, ISSN-L 2285-1364
 

Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Horia-Matei BARDEANU, Cristinel-George POPESCU, Stefana JURCOANE

The purpose of this research is to identify the influence of trace elements concentrations in fermentation tanks on the biogas yield and plant efficiency. In order to make Anaerobic Digestion more efficient and optimized, measures of the process are often made. In this way the biogas plant managers are trying to produce as much biogas from the given substrate as possible, while at the same time maintaining a reasonable level of process stability. Trace elements (ex. Cobalt, Iron, Selenium, Zinc, etc.) are needed for the growth of the microorganisms involved in biogas biosynthesis. This is mainly related to the fact that most of them are situated in active parts of enzymes, thus having a strong influence on their activity. Maintaining a normal concentration of those elements inside the Fermentation medium is a vital part of the Anaerobic Digestion process and adding supliments of trace elements in the biogas fermenter has often proved beneficial by increasing the biogas production, resulting in a more stable and efficient methane production. The importance of the biogas production and its components are well known because they are strictly related to the operation of the Cogeneration Module which uses it as a fuel. Also very important is to increase the CH4 percentage contained in one cubic meter of biogas in order to have a superior calorific power and a good cogeneration efficiency.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Caterina Tomulescu, Misu Moscovici, Alexandra Ghiorghita, Maria Petrescu, Mariana Vladu, Radu Tamaian, Adrian Vamanu

This paper presents the results of preliminary experiments in order to obtain biologically active substances through biosynthesis, by using microorganisms isolated from various biotopes in Romania. The main research objective is defined by a bioprospecting study on some bacterial, yeast and fungi strains, aiming at the selection of those with biotechnological potential in producing lipolytic and amylolytic enzymes. After collecting and processing the various nature originated samples (soil, sand, mud, water, plant material) for the isolation of industrial importance microorganisms, a total of 104 microbial strains, including 70 bacteria, 10 yeasts and 24 fungi, were obtained. For the isolation and identification of the microorganism groups/species, the decimal serial dilutions technique on specific agar media was used; some bacterial strains were identified by MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry. In order to select lipase and amylase producing microorganisms, some screenings were performed, using different solid media formulas containing inductors such as Tween80 and Tributyrin, starch respectively. Positive results were noticed for 66 strains - clear or opaque areas were observed around the colonies, formed due to enzymatic hydrolysis. Further experiments are to be conducted only with those microorganisms that demonstrated enzymatic activity (considering the diameter of the clear or opaque areas of hydrolysis) for all of the culture media compositions.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Hafize FIDAN, Tana SAPUNDZHIEVA

Carob pods are the fruits of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L. Fabaceae). They are used for various purposes, including pharmaceutical industry, decoration, for human nutrition and for animal feed. Grafted carob fruits and one of the traditional products, produced from it- carob flour, were evaluated for their mineral composition. The carob consists of two parts, including pulp and seeds. The pulp represents 90% of the fruit. Carob powder is used as an ingredient in cakes and cookies and as cocoa substitute. Among the analyzed major minerals, Mg (859.0 mg/kg dry weight) was the most abundant element, and the pulp and seeds were also rich in Fe and Zn. Carob flour contained these elements in high amounts. This study has corroborated the notion that carob fruit and flour are rich sources of minerals and the seeds generally have higher amount of macro and micro minerals than the pulp.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Stelian BARAITAREANU, Doina DANES, Gabriela Victoria DUMITRESCU, Lucia Elena IONESCU, Alexandru Filip VLADIMIRESCU

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease with high risk of emergence in areas with uncontrolled high population of ixodid or argasid ticks. Disease is caused by a Nairovirus (family Bunyaviridae), one of the three known humans’ pathogenic viruses of the genus, along with Dugbe virus and Nairobi sheep disease virus. Despite the important role played by livestock in the transmission and amplification of the CCHF virus, active surveillance of the disease is not part of the current actions of disease control in several countries. This situation may be due to subclinical evolution in animals and no economic effects on the livestock products. Nevertheless, CCHF virus is a major pathogen for humans, with haemorrhagic manifestations and mortality rate ranging from 5% to 80%. Consequently, implementation of public health measures in areas with high risk is decisive. This review summarized virus identification and immunological methods designed for CCHF and that may be used in active surveillance of disease in ruminants. Diagnostic tests for virus identification in animals can be used for surveillance (virus isolation in cell culture) or for determining the virus-free status (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) In conclusion the front-line tool in diagnosis of CCHF seen to be reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and until the validation of serological methods seems to be the better for active surveillance of CCHF in ruminants.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Petyr PANAYOTOV, Katya YOANIDU, Petya BOYANOVA

The kinetics of enzymatic coagulation of cow’s milk was monitored by automated optical device. The optical method used for analysis and control of the coagulation process is non-destructive, which creates prerequisites for accurate analysis and forecasting process together with the applied numerical differentiation of the results obtained. The use of the optical device is determined by the relative change (%) of the intensity of light permeate flow during the process. In cheese production, the process of the specific enzymatic coagulation of milk begins at temperatures below 20°C. Under these conditions, the coagulation occurs only in the enzymatic phase. In order to achieve the necessary energy levels to continue the process during the remaining phases, an increasing of the temperatures up to 35÷38°C was made. The milk coagulants used in the experiment were: calf chymosin, microbial and camel enzyme, in quantities 30 cm3.10- 2.dm-3, with enzyme activity reduced to 1:10000. Practical implementation of the optical method and device results in refinement of the technological process for production of cheeses, facilitating the examination and the control of the process of enzymatic coagulation, leading to improved quality and typification of the final product.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Ionuț Răzvan DOBRE, Ioana Cristina DOBRE

Water represents the essential natural resource needed for all biological processes in nature, having a particular importance for sustaining life. Nowadays drinking water has as main source, sourface waters and groundwaters that are the source of natural mineral waters. Mineral waters have a very important weight in our alimentation being intended both for daily consumption as for treating certain diseases. In order to satisfy consumers preferences, the producers resort to diversify the assortments of natural mineral water from the market, either by partially or totally degassing or by impregnating with extra carbon dioxide. The study was performed on three assortments of partially decarbonated mineral water, aiming the level of nitrates, nitrites, chromium, copper, nickel by spectrophotometer method, using a UV-VIS SPECORD 205 spectrophotometer, respectively absorbtion spectrophotometer with graphite furnace. After the determinations carried out, reading and interpretation of the results, it was noted that the case of assortment 3 at the studied batch, the level of nitrates (2,01 mg/l) was larger than that shown on the label, and nickel level was considerable higher (0,014 mg/l) compared with the level of other minerals determined. All studied parameters were situated under maximum allowable limits, even if in case of assortment 3 at analyzed batch was noted a higher level of nitrates compared with the one shown on the label. In case of assortments 1 and 2 at analyzed batch the levels of nitrates, chromium, copper, nickel were situated under the values shown on the label. Even if the researched parameters are under the maximum allowable limits by the legislation in force, is needed a carefully monitoring by the competent institutions.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Dorica BOTĂU, Panfil PÎRVULESCU, Ersilia ALEXA, Sorin CIULCA

Because of the high content of active principles and better bioavailability of nutritional compounds, sprouted grain flours are used in functional and dietary foods composition. Using white wheat flour, germinated wheat flour in different percent and Momordica charantia extract (with hypoglycemic effect), we obtained a dietary product, the MOMGERMBISC biscuits, which was characterized in terms of nutritive and energetic contribution. Proximate composition (humidity, protein content, fat content, ash, alkalinity) was determined according SR ISO methods. Also, it was determined the carbohydrate content and energy value of biscuits. The product is distinguished by a protein and lipid content, comparable with simple biscuits, but with an increased intake of minerals. The energy value of the biscuits with the addition of germinated wheat flour falls within the range between 449.1 and 453.44 kcal. The carbohydrate content of the biscuits with the addition of M.charantia and sprouted wheat is between 67.1 and 70.61%. The content of carbohydrates and energetic value is reduced, the product being recommended in hypoglycemic diet.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Sorin Septimiu COMAN

The goal of achieving a high quality final product of Collagen type 1 suitable for both cosmetical and pharmaceutical industry is a constant battle between the production cost and maintaining a superior improved standard working protocol. The aim of this study is to optimize the production of Collagen type 1 from different waste materials such as eggshells and methanol by using a fermentation protocol with genetic modified Pichia pastoris yeast. In our first experiment we used as carbon sources a mixture of eggshells and a glycerol and methanol feeding solution and a fermentation procedure with oxygen limited strategy. The intermediary product was lyophilized and then capped in sterile bottles. The production method that we tried to optimize regarding the profitability and also the obtaining of high quality final product of Collagen type 1 was successfully achieved. Taking into considerations this result, we believe that the productions costs could be further lowered by adding as a carbon source from marine Black sea algae such as Ulva familae, Porphyra leucostica or Punctaria latifolia.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Radiana TAMBA-BEREHOIU, Ştefana JURCOANE, Nicolae-Ciprian POPA

Global aviation industry is facing some significant challenges on reducing emissions of persistent greenhouse gases and on reducing 33% of total operating costs, represented by oscillating price of fuels. Thus, identifying new sources of biofuels is essential for the future of the industry. One promising research direction is provided by biofuels coming through processing oil, extracted from the seeds of Camelina sativa plant. Camelina sativa presents a lot of interest because of ecological plasticity, low-growing needs (low inputs, minimal nutrients) and the fact that it does not interfere with food resources of the population. The technology of obtaining biokerosen out of Camelina oil is partially similar to that of obtaining biodiesel. Camelina oil is initially subjected to a hydrodeoxigenation operation. Linear alkanes obtained are isomerized and are catalytic selective cracked, in order to obtain branched alkanes. These are more stable in aviation navigation areas, having lower boiling point than diesel biofuel. The last step is the catalytic closure of aromatic rings derived from existing paraffins. It can be avoided the expensive last step, by mixing the branched alkanes with conventional kerosene oil (which contains 25% aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes). Also, by-products appear, such as natural pesticides, additives in the plastics industry, nutraceutical, forages etc. (alkanolamides, fatty alcohols, isopropyl esters, glycerol etc.). Advantages of using kerosene obtained from Camelina sativa oil are: the significantly low level of greenhouse gases coming from burning, compared with burning of fossil fuels, large base of unpretentious crops of Camelina sativa and highly pure biofuels, similar to fossil fuels. Disadvantages of using kerosene obtained from Camelina sativa oil are: high costs of technological equipment, low oil yields relative to plant production/hectare, large amount of hydrogen required, produced by high consumption of fossil energy and also, competition for the same resources as in the production of biodiesel .

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XIX
Written by Maria Dimitrova, Dasha Mihaylova, Aneta Popova, Jordanka Alexieva, Tana Sapundzhieva, Hafize Fidan

Pelargonium graveolens, commonly known as rose geranium, is an aromatic and medicinal plant belonging to the Geraniacea family. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Pelargonium graveolens, as well as to determine the total phenolic content of the studied extracts. Four spectrophotometric assays were used for the radical scavenging ability analysis, namely ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP. The inhibitory activity of the leaves’ extracts was tested against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. coli and Salmonella. The total phenolics ranged from 1.65 to 8.23 mg GAE/g FW. Antibacterial activity, whose zone of inhibition varied from 15 mm to 19 mm depending on the extract quantity, was shown only against L. monocytogenes.

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