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

Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Elena MIHAI, Daniela ILIE, Alexandra GASPAR-PINTILIESCU, Adriana Florina POPESCU, Mariana POPESCU, Cristina LUNTRARU, Miruna NEAGU, Oana CRACIUNESCU

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) hydrosols in terms of the antioxidant activity and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, in order to be used in novel formulas of biopesticides for preventing aphid infestation of crops. Sage hydrosols were obtained as by-products of steam and reflux distillation, respectively, after essential oil extraction from dried aerial parts of the plant. The hydrosols were analyzed for terpenes and polyphenols composition by GC/MS and HPLC. The antioxidant activity of sage hydrosols was evaluated using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition assay and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC). Their pesticide potential was assessed using an experimental model in vitro and colorimetric measurement of acetylcholinesterase inhibition kinetics. The results showed that sage hydrosols contained significant amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids, exhibiting a positive correlation with the antioxidant activity values. At the same time, sage hydrosols were responsible for acetylcholinesterase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, sage hydrosols are natural effective products recommended for pest management solutions.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Elisabeta Elena POPA, Amalia Carmen MITELUT, Paul Alexandru POPESCU, Mihaela Cristina DRAGHICI, Vlad Ioan POPA, Maria RAPA, Mona Elena POPA

Nowadays, plastic materials have become one of the most widely used materials in all aspects of life, such as in automobiles, household appliances, computers and packaging materials. Because of the environmental issues caused by its disposal and incineration, biodegradable polymeric materials (or biopolymers) were recommended as an alternative to synthetic ones. Most of the disposed packaging come from food industry, especially from fresh and ready-to-eat food products, which are also characterized by high perishability. Meat and derived products represent such perishable food items with quick deterioration under improper storage. Many advances have occurred in the field of smart meat packaging; thus, the aim of this study was to review current advances in the development of novel packaging materials for fresh and processed meat, which are also in support of environmental sustainability.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Elena UȚOIU, Iulia RĂUT, Florin OANCEA

The alcoholic extracts from Passiflora caerulea leaves protect prebiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) against oxidative stress induced by (micro) aerobic conditions. This prebiotic activity is mainly related to the polyphenols accumulated in P. caerulea leaves. Polyphenols are used by prebiotic LAB as electron acceptors of their carbohydrate catabolic chains and promote LAB adaptation to aerobic conditions. Foliar treatment with 108 cfu per ml chlamydospores of a Trichoderma plant biostimulants consortium enhances the accumulation of polyphenols in the P. caerulea leaves. The Trichoderma plant biostimulant consortium includes two strains, T. asperellum T36b, and T. harzianum Td50b. Enhanced levels of polyphenols are related to the enhanced prebiotic effect of the extracts from leaves treated with Trichoderma consortium, compared with the control leaves from P. caerulea non-treated with plant biostimulants. The results are discussed in relation to the known physiological effects of P. caerulea leaves extracts on mood and sleep disorders, which could also be explained by the probiotic bacteria's postbiotic effects, promoted by polyphenols from leaves extracts.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Elena MIHAI (DRAGHICI), Anca OANCEA, Oana CRACIUNESCU, Daniela ILIE, Catalina SANDA, Daniela BALAN, Stefana JURCOANE

Food allergy (FA) is a relatively new food safety issue with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Although FA-related diseases are restricted to a small category of individuals, the number of patients concerned is continuously growing in the last years. A total of eight big ingredients have been identified for most of the allergic reactions: peanuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. The peanuts allergenicity is affected by the whole ingredient composition rather than by a single allergenic protein. In general, Ara h3 accounts for approximately 28% of the total protein fraction, followed by Ara h1 (11%), Ara h2 (10%) and Ara h6 (8%). The aim of our study was to extract the main allergens from peanuts using different methods of extraction. First the fried peanuts samples were defatted by stirring with pre-cooled acetone and 0.07% β-mercaptoethanol and then extracted with different buffers. The identification of proteins was made by Biuret and BCA assay and also by electrophoretic examination.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Teodora-Cristina CIUCAN, Anca OANCEA, Florentina MATEI

Colostrum is the secretion produced by the mammary gland following parturition and transfers the passive immunity gained by the mother to the baby. Colostrum is a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins, growth factors, blood cells and immunoglobulins. Recent studies suggest that in order to improve the biological function of colostrum it is fermented with kefir grains enhanced with selected yeasts, for the development of new nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products. The symbiotic consortia of microorganism produces bioactive peptides with effects against microbial pathogens, cholesterol-lowering capacity and blood pressure-lowering effects, mainly due to inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), antithrombotic and antioxidant activities, opioid, cyto- and immuno-modulatory effects. The present article is a review of the current understanding of the colostrum composition and how it can be improved to an exceptionally safe and useful nutraceutical product.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Georgiana CERCHEZAN, Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING

Legislation in force about wine quality states that concealing defects and alterations of the wines by introducing into their natural content of something that could determines changes in natural composition, aroma and taste could be a counterfeit product. This constitutes fraud and shall be punished according to the law. Synthetic colorants are a kind of additives, which although they are forbidden, may be found in wines. Consumption of them may affect the health of consumers with numerous side effects and toxicity, at both medium and long-terms, allergic reactions, behavioral and neurocognitive effects. To reduce consumers inconveniences and to avoid fraud in the wine sector, sensible analytical methods are required. Identification and quantification of some commonly used synthetic colorants (tartrazine - E102, amaranth - E123, sunset yellow- E110 and erythrosine - E127) is presented in this paper by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with UV detection in an adapted method for wine matrix. The method proves all of specific parameters for validation.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Lavinia-Diana-Nicoleta BARBU, Oana-Alina BOIU-SICUIA, Narcisa BABEANU

The Polygonaceae family includes 800 species of plants, mainly herbaceous, annual, or perennial. These plants are cultivated in temperate regions of the globe. One of the most popular genera of this family is Rumex. About 200 species of the genus are widespread throughout the world. Some species of Rumex are grown as vegetables, while others are used for their biologically active compounds in traditional medicine or pharmaceutical industry. The aerial parts, the leaves, or the roots of Rumex plants contain various biologically active compounds such as anthraquinones, naphthalenes, flavonoids, stilbenoids, triterpenes, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and vitamins. These biological compounds of Rumex plants are involved in certain diseases’ treatment, like diabetes, infections, skin disorders, liver diseases, inflammation, etc. This study is reviewing the biological active compounds extracted from Rumex plants, their biochemical profile, as well as medical uses.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Otilia-Gabriela BĂRBIERU, Bogdan TRICĂ, Naomi TRITEAN, Radian Nicolae NEGRILĂ, Diana CONSTANTINESCU-ARUXANDEI, Florin OANCEA

Large quantities of spent brewer’s yeast are generated as a by-product during beer production, representing a cost-effective, nutrient-rich substrate. Spent brewer’s yeast is especially rich in protein and several methods have been tested in order to maximize the protein extraction and reduce the costs of this extraction. Here we present the optimization of total protein extraction from brewer’s spent yeast by design of experiments (DOE) using a high-pressure piston homogenizer. The yeast was pre-treated with a β-glucanase for one hour at 50°C. A full factorial design with two levels, four factors (yeast amount, pressure, number of passes, enzyme concentration) was used. The model and the data indicated that two parameters (pressure, enzyme concentration) were highly significant (p < 0.05), while the other two parameters (yeast amount, number of passes) were moderately significant and not significant, respectively. The interaction between pressure and enzyme concentration was also marginally significant. Our optimization indicates that efficient extraction of proteins from brewer’s spent yeast could be obtained and up-scaled with minimal costs.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Agnes TOMA (APATEAN), Lucia MOLDOVAN, Oana CRACIUNESCU, Stefana JURCOANE, Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING, Daniela BALAN, Gabriela LUTA

Collagen is a natural biopolymer, widely used in various fields, including medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food industry. It is obtained from terrestrial and aquatic sources. Waste from fish meat processing industry is an important source of collagen. The purpose of this paper was to show the possibility to obtain high quality collagen from the residues of the fish processing industry, the main methods of getting and characterizing it,as well as the possibilities of using it. The main methods of collagen obtaining are chemical methods using acetic acid, sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide and enzymatic methods using pepsin, trypsin or pronase. A more recent method, such as ultrasound improves the yield of collagen and its quality. In the case of hard tissues (bones, scales) it is necessary a decalcification often using EDTA or hydrochloric acid. The soft (meat, skin) and hard tissues are mainly treated with sodium hydroxide, butyl alcohol, acetone, etc. to remove non-collagenous proteins and fats. The obtained collagen is analyzed in terms of yield, hydroxyproline content, amino acids analysis, infrared spectra, molecular weight and denaturation temperature determination.

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Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXV, Issue 2
Written by Oana GHERGHESCU, Cristina STURZOIU (BALAŞ), Delia JITEA (ROMAN), Angela CĂŞĂRICĂ, Mişu MOSCOVICI, Narcisa BĂBEANU, Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING

Microbial lipases present a real interest in the biotechnology field, due to their special properties, efficiency and easy obtaining. These enzymes are characterized by high rates of substrate conversion, versatility, resistance and wide applicability, being produced by many species of bacteria, fungi and yeasts. From a commercial point of view, due to their special abilities to efficiently hydrolyze fats or other esters, they are considered innovative, feasible technology because they can easily cover a complex and multi-branched spectrum of industrial applications.

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