Gheorghe-Adrian Martău

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Jonathan), beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), and plum (Prunus domestica L.) pomaces are among the major by-products generated by the juice processing industry in Europe, particularly in producing countries such as Poland, Germany, Spain, and Romania. Conventionally discarded or utilized as animal feed or bioenergy pellet production, these matrices hold potential as high-value functional food ingredients. Supporting circular bioeconomy goals, this study evaluated the potential of industrial pomaces generated during continuous juice pressing as high-value functional food ingredients following their conversion into powders by air-drying and milling. The pomace powders were characterized for proximate composition, color, individual phenolics and carotenoids, and in vitro antioxidant capacities. Carrot pomace presented a high content of carotenoids (84.37 ± 0.08 µg/g dw) and ash (7.78 ± 0.41% dw), providing natural orange-yellow coloration and contributing to the mineral content. Beetroot pomace recorded the highest dietary fiber (17.20 ± 0.55% dw), as well as betalains, ideal as a natural red colorant and emulsion stabilizer. Plum pomace demonstrated the strongest overall antioxidant capacity, driven by tentatively identified 3-caffeoylquinic acid (712.36 ± 0.31 μg/g dw), flavonols, and anthocyanins (264.16 ± 0.5 μg/g dw). Apple pomace provided a carbohydrate-rich matrix (77.71 ± 0.65% dw) featuring positively identified chlorogenic acid (463.16 ± 0.35 μg/g dw) and tentatively identified dihydrochalcones. These findings support the targeted valorization of these pomaces as functional food ingredients within a circular bioeconomy framework.

Background and Objectives: Magnesium-based biomaterials are increasingly investigated due to their biodegradability, bone-like elastic modulus, and potential osteogenic properties. However, alloy composition may influence degradation behavior and local tissue response. This study aimed to assess and compare the local biocompatibility, degradation characteristics, and bone regenerative response induced by Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca and Mg-Nd-Y-Zr-Zn magnesium alloy powders. Materials and Methods: Two magnesium alloys were evaluated through physicochemical characterization, in vitro osteoblast cytocompatibility and antimicrobial assays, and in vivo testing in Sprague–Dawley rats. Standardized cylindrical defects were created in the medial femoral condyle and filled with either Mg-Nd-Y-Zr-Zn or Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca alloy powders, while untreated defects served as controls. Bone remodeling and defect healing were assessed by micro-computed tomography, allowing three-dimensional qualitative and quantitative evaluation of newly formed bone. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze surface morphology and degradation features, while histopathological examination assessed inflammation, osteogenesis, and tissue integration at the implant site. Results: Both magnesium alloy powders showed antimicrobial potency and elicited no cytotoxic effects in vitro, while animal studies revealed progressive biodegradation over time, associated with new bone formation within and around the defect area. Micro-CT analysis demonstrated active bone remodeling in experimental groups, with differences in bone distribution and defect-filling patterns between Mg-Nd-Y-Zr-Zn and Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca implants. SEM revealed alloy-specific degradation morphologies. Histological evaluation showed a moderate early inflammatory response that decreased at later time points, together with ongoing osteogenesis and favorable tissue integration. No severe local adverse reactions or persistent inflammation were observed. Conclusions: Both Mg-Nd-Y-Zr-Zn and Mg-Zn-Mn-Ca alloy powders were locally biocompatible and supported bone regeneration in a rat femoral condyle defect model. Differences in degradation behavior and tissue response emphasize the relevance of alloy composition in developing magnesium-based biomaterials for bone defect treatment.

Mental health disorders affect almost one in eight individuals worldwide, underscoring the need for accessible, nutrition-based approaches capable of influencing the gut–brain axis. Psychobiotics have gained increasing attention for their ability to affect microbial and neurochemical pathways, and in parallel, sea buckthorn (SB) is recognized as a rich source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant potential. This study investigated the synergistic integration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299 V with SB (fresh or freeze-dried) in oat-based cereal bars to enhance bioactive stability and support the development of a stable delivery system. A lipid-rich chocolate coating was applied to improve the protection and retention of bioactive compounds during storage. SB incorporation enhanced antioxidant activity, with the freeze-dried coated formulation maintaining 70% of its initial DPPH radical scavenging activity (3.68 to 2.58 mmol TE/g DW) and 87% of ABTS activity (12.71 to 11.04 mmol TE/g DW) after 70 days. Sensory assessment confirmed good consumer acceptability for the optimized formulation. Overall, these findings indicate that oat-based cereal bars are promising carriers of the psychobiotic strain L. plantarum 299 V and SB bioactive compounds.

Fruit pomace derived from traditional distillation has emerged as a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds in sustainable food systems. This study investigated the nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of plum, peach, sour cherry, and quince pomace generated during the production of traditional Romanian fruit distillates. Samples were characterized in terms of proximate composition, color parameters, mineral composition, and B-complex vitamin content. Carbohydrates were the predominant macronutrients (59.97–69.30 g/100 g dw), while quince and peach pomace exhibited the highest fiber contents, reaching values of 27.47 ± 0.55 g/100 g dw and 27.37 ± 0.50 g/100 g dw, respectively. Sour cherry pomace showed the highest protein (10.83 ± 0.20 g/100 g dw) and ash levels (5.41 ± 0.11 g/100 g dw), whereas peach pomace was richest in lipids (2.98 ± 0.06 g/100 g dw). Color analysis revealed distinct chromatic characteristics among samples. Potassium, calcium, and magnesium were the dominant minerals, with plum pomace presenting particularly high potassium and calcium concentrations. In addition, peach pomace exhibited the highest levels of vitamins B2 (1987.73 ± 20 µg/100 g dw), B7 (906 ± 8 µg/100 g dw), and B9 (14.18 ± 0.1 µg/100 g dw). These findings support the valorization of fruit pomace as a nutritious functional ingredient within circular economy frameworks.

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was the chemical design, synthesis, and evaluation of the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potentials of 20 novel thiazolyl-methylthio-thiadiazole hybrid compounds (6a–j and 8a–j). Methods: The compounds were designed as structural analogues of halicin with two points of variation and were synthesized through a process with multiple condensation steps. The compounds were evaluated in vitro through MIC determinations for the antimicrobial activity and percentage of biofilm inhibition, and in silico, respectively, through molecular docking, druggability, and ADMETox prediction. A 2D-QSAR study was conducted for antimicrobial activity using the Free-Wilson model. Results: In terms of antibacterial activity, all compounds displayed important activity on the tested strains (MICs = 15.62–250 μg/mL), except against Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding the antifungal activity, the effect against Candida albicans was similar to fluconazole in most cases (MIC = 15.62 μg/mL). With respect to the antibiofilm activity, the most effective activity was registered against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm. The in vitro results for the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli were correlated with the observations drawn in the molecular docking study on the ATPase domain of the GyrB subunit of E. coli. The in silico predictions of the molecular properties concluded that all compounds have good druggability properties, while the ADMETox predictions concluded that the compounds could have low gastrointestinal absorption and blood–brain barrier permeation capacity, but raised safety flags (e.g., hepatotoxicity and high acute oral toxicity). The 2D-QSAR study concluded that the thiazolyl-methylthio-thiadiazole scaffold had the highest contribution to antimicrobial activity in almost all cases. Conclusions: The two series of compounds highlight the impact of structural modulations of the scaffold and its substituents on the investigated biological activities.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a structurally complex, cobalt-containing micronutrient essential for neurological maintenance, cognitive function, and erythropoiesis. Although traditionally obtained from animal-derived foods or via chemical supplementation, the growing demand for sustainable, natural sources has intensified interest in microbial fermentation as an alternative production route. Current knowledge remains fragmented regarding the comparative performance of microbial species, the bottlenecks in de novo corrinoid biosynthesis, and the integration of waste-derived substrates into scalable systems. This review critically integrates recent advances in vitamin B12 bioproduction, focusing on genetic and metabolic engineering strategies that reconfigure the pathways, optimize precursor availability, and redirect metabolic flux toward cobalamin synthesis. Methodological developments in controlled fermentation, downstream purification, and bioavailability assessment, including intestinal uptake mechanisms, are evaluated to identify persistent technological gaps. Particular emphasis is placed on multi-actor approaches that couple microbial biotechnology with food processing and the valorization of agro-industrial by-products, thereby enabling cost-effective production aligned with circular bioeconomy principles. By consolidating mechanistic insights, engineering innovations, and sustainability-driven process integration, this review delineates emerging opportunities for industrial-scale manufacturing of natural vitamin B12 and highlights future research directions needed to enhance yield, functionality, and applicability in health-promoting foods.

Anaerobic decomposition generates CH4, a GHG with a GWP 28 times that of CO2 per unit mass over a 100-year horizon (Yip, Cook et al. 2025).The food recovery hierarchy provides a well-established framework for prioritizing foodwaste management strategies based on environmental, economic, and social benefits placing prevention and food donation at the top of preferred interventions. Within this framework, the healthcare sector offers a representative example of practical implementation challenges, as food waste from patient services and retail operations can account for up to 20-30% of total hospital waste. Evidence from hospital food services (Yip et al., 2025) shows that the GHG emission reduction potential varies substantially across management options, with donation offering the highest relative benefits but is constrained by the availability of surplus edible food, whereas composting and anaerobic digestion enable the treatment of large and heterogeneous waste streams underscoring the need for integrated strategies that balance environmental performance with operational constraints (Yip, Cook et al. 2025).Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are emerging as transformative tools for reducing food waste generation and management. While traditional lean management approaches like "Value Stream Mapping" have been useful for expert-driven diagnostics, AI extends these capabilities through real-time, scalable, and automated analysis across supply chains (Girotto and Beggio 2025). Digital and analytical innovations operate across multiple, interconnected levels, supporting prevention and redistribution decisions, industrial process optimization, and fine-scale tuning of valorization operations. However, widespread adoption remains hindered by fragmented data infrastructures, elevated costs, and uneven digital readiness.Where data availability or system complexity limits the application of advanced machine learningbased optimization tools, advanced mathematical modeling approaches still play a crucial role in optimizing upcycling processes. However, in specific applications, AI-assisted approaches have been shown to enhance process optimization beyond conventional statistical methods. Xiao et al. (2025) applied an artificial neural network-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) framework to optimize extraction parameters for plant protein recovery from safflower seed meal, outperforming RSM (Xiao, Wang et al. 2025). Similar data-driven optimization principles are increasingly being explored across other valorization domains, including biological and energy recovery technologies.Frontier technologies are expanding the possibilities for energy recovery from the organic waste fraction. Bioelectrochemical and solar-driven reforming technologies are emerging as pathways for energy recovery from organic food waste, enabling the conversion of organic substrates into hydrogen or electricity. Despite their potential for low-carbon energy production, these technologies remain largely at the pre-commercial stage, facing challenges related to scaleup, process stability, and techno-economic feasibility (Girotto and Beggio 2025). Traditional waste-to-energy approaches, including anaerobic digestion, continue to evolve, while insect-based upcycling enables the biological conversion of organic waste into protein-and lipid-rich biomass for feed, biofuels, and high-value compound recovery (Girotto and Beggio 2025).Lignocellulosic residues from fruit and vegetable processing, including peels, pomace, husks, wheat straw, and bagasse, have strong potential as reinforcing agents in polymer or cementitious matrices, contributing to improved mechanical performance and enhanced end-oflife degradability (Frumuzachi, Nicolescu et al. 2025, Girotto andBeggio 2025). This potential can be further optimized through chemical or physical treatments of natural fibers and the incorporation of nanofillers, which enhance interfacial adhesion with matrix materials and improve tensile strength, impact resistance, and thermal stability. As a result, these biocomposites are increasingly explored for applications in sustainable packaging, automotive interior components, construction materials, and 3D-printed prototypes. However, the absence of unified material standards limits commercial adoption (Girotto and Beggio 2025). Proteinaceous by-products such as feathers, fish scales, and dairy residues represent additional renewable resources, providing keratin, casein, and collagen as functional additives or reinforcing agents.The conversion of slaughterhouse by-products into biomaterials for regenerative medicine represents a paradigm shift in waste valorization. Corridon et al. (2025) proposed a hypothesis-driven strategy for developing sustainable keratoplasty models by repurposing bovine, porcine, or ovine corneal tissues and bladder-derived urine stem cells (USCs) from meatprocessing waste. This strategy addresses the critical global shortage of donor corneas, with only one donor cornea available for every 70 patients requiring transplantation worldwide (Corridon, Mobin et al. 2025). (v) investigation of cascade approaches that anticipate and valorize secondary waste streams generated during primary valorization processes.

Phenolic compounds are key bioactive constituents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties relevant to food applications. This study provides a multicriteria comparison of conventional solvent extraction and green-assisted technologies for the recovery of phenolics from Ficus carica L. agro-industrial residues. Conventional solid-liquid extraction using solvents of different polarity was compared with ultrasound-assisted extraction and homogenisation-ultrasound-assisted extraction. Extracts were characterised in terms of phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity, while process sustainability was evaluated through life cycle and life cycle cost analyses. The highest phenolic recovery was achieved using 40% ethanol-water under homogenisation-ultrasound-assisted extraction (36.5 mgGAE/gDW; 28.6 mgQE/gDW), with antioxidant activity strongly correlated to phenolic content (R2 > 0.85), while extracts exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. Life cycle assessment revealed a reduction of up to 90% in environmental impact for ultrasound-assisted extraction, rendering an efficient and relatively low-cost alternative for food-grade phenolic recovery.