Lucia Mihalescu

Developing the nutritional profile of food through the fermentation produced by lactic acid bacteria is part of sustainable development, but it also helps to improve public health. Thus, the objective of the study was to obtain synbiotic juices of fruit origin, which can successfully substitute well-known probiotic dairy products and also be introduced into the diet of vegetarians or people with certain intolerances to animal products. In this regard, two fermented blueberry juices were obtained: NC, using kefir cultures, and NP with Lactobacillus plantarum inoculation. Two more simple blueberry juices were used as controls: NCM, thermostatted at 24 °C and NPM, at 37 °C. The four types of juices were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analyses. The results show that NP juice is the best substitute from a physicochemical point of view, presenting the highest polyphenol content and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity even after refrigeration for 5 days. Additionally, the microbiological results of the analyzed juices can recommend these products for industrial production.

The main purpose of the study was to obtain symbiotic juices of fruit origin, which can successfully substitute the well-known symbiotic dairy products and thus be introduced into the diet of vegetarians or people with certain intolerances to animal products. In this regard, 2 fermented blueberries juices were obtained: NC, using kefir cultures and NP with L. plantarum inoculation. In the analysis of these functional products, 2 more simple blueberries juices were used as control products: NCM, thermostated at 24°C and NPM, at 37°C. The 4 types of juices were physicochemical and microbiological evaluated. Thus, it can be concluded that NP juice corresponds the most from the physicochemical point of view, presenting the highest polyphenols content and the highest antioxidant activity after the refrigeration storage of 5 days. Also, the microbiological results of the analyzed juices can recommend these products for industrial production.

Genetic diversity in crop plants is the conditio sine qua non for sustainable agriculture and long-term food security. Our research carried out the morphological, agronomic, and physico-chemical characterization and resistance to late blight of 35 tomato landraces from seven countries. These landraces have been approved and appear in the Official Catalog of Varieties. The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors have been used to describe the tomato’s morphological and agronomic characteristics. For the physico-chemical characteristics, the dry matter, the pH, and the carotenoid content (lycopene, lutein, and β-carotene)) were analyzed. Carotenoids were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the morphological diversity of landraces was very high. Three landraces of remarkable commercial value have shown increased resistance to late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans, one of the most damaging diseases of tomato. Also, six landraces had a lycopene content exceeding 100 µg/g sample. The carotenoid content ranged between 0.769 (Marmande-FR 166) and 140.328 mg kg⁻¹ FW (Răscruci). The landrace with the highest β carotene content was PT 308 with 65.499 mg kg⁻¹ FW, while the lowest values were registered for Marmande-FR 166 with 0.105 mg kg⁻¹ FW. The present study provides essential information on the morphological and agronomic qualities of these tomato landraces and their lycopene and other carotenoid content. The results are discussed in light of the importance of tomato landraces in meeting the preferences of different producers and consumers, the choice of the most suitable landraces for specific pedoclimatic conditions, and the supply of carotenoid pigment sources for the pharmaceutical industry. Our research responds to humanity’s great global challenges: preserving agricultural biodiversity, protecting the environment by identifying pest-resistant varieties, and also protecting consumer health by finding important sources of antioxidants.

In this study, our goal was to survey the influence of the climate conditions, the behavior of the Centenar and Anna Spath varieties on the attack of the Polystigma rubrum fungi during the two experimental years (2013, 2014), in order to make recommendations for new plantations. Nine fungicides were tested, being determined their biologic efficiency, in order to identify the most efficient products. The experimental research was performed during 2013 and 2014, in a fruit tree farm belonging to SC Pomicola SA trade company in Somcuta Mare, Maramures county. The attack was calculated by determining the frequency, intensity and the attack degree. The agrometeorological data were recorded using the AgroExpert system, for surveying the biology of fungi. The linear-interrupted laying method was used, each made up of 5 plants/variant in three repetitions/product. The biologic efficiency of the tested products was lower at the Anna Spath variety than at the Centenar variety due to its sensitivity; the recommended products: Folicur Solo 250EW, Dithane M45 and Syllit 400 SC were the most efficient in the fungi combating.

In this study our goal was to analysis the influence of different concentrations of lead on the process of water accumulation in the roots and stems of bean seedlings. In the experiments, the Borlotti variety are used. The seeds (100) were soaked in the corresponding lead acetate solutions: V1 – distilled water; V2 - 0.001%; V3 – 0.005%; V4 – 0.01% and V5 – 0.1%. and were put in germinators. The roots and stems of 10 seedlings of each experimental variant were used for determining the quantity of humid and dried substance. The control had high quantity of humid substance, which proves that the water contained in the vegetal material was important for the growth of these organs. The most significant decrease was recorded at concentrations above 0.1%, being highly inhibited.

In this paper we studied the emergence and development of pear scab (Venturia pirina), as well as the combat methods, testing a couple of fungicides. The aim of the research has been to highlight the resistance, respectively the sensitivity of some pear varieties against the fungi attack, in order to make recommendations for the new plantations, as well as the testing of 7 fungicides, remarking the product with the highest biological effectiveness. The researches were conducted in the years 2013-2014 at the company SC Mecanochim Lapusel, Maramures County. The experiments were conducted on plots planted with the Olivier de Serres and Bergamotte Crassane varieties. The attack was calculated determining the attack frequency, intensity and degree. The linear-interrupted method was used, comprising 3 variants of 5 trees each. Analyzing the climate data, it has resulted that in 2013 scab had favourable development and attack conditions. The Olivier de Serres variety was noted for its resistance to fungus attack, with a frequency of 0.2-1.3% on fruits and insignificant frequency on leaves, for all 7 tested product variants. The Bergamotte Crassane variety was placed on the other end, with a higher frequency and intensity, both on fruits (2-3%) and on leaves (2.5-3.5%). The infections diminished in 2014 due to the unfavourable climatic conditions. Three products had better results, from the seven tested products, thus: Alcupral 50PU, Stroby DF and Chorus 50 WG.

Study of Chlorophyll Pigments in Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in terms Of Heavy Metal Complexation with Various Forms of Sulfur, in Order to Reduce Their Toxicity