Olimpia Alina Iordănescu

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) are widely cultivated due to their storability, adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, versatility, and affordability. In addition to these agronomic advantages, apples are a significant dietary source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, a major class of phytochemicals with several beneficial health effects. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peel and flesh of eighteen traditional old apple cultivars from the Banat region of Romania, evaluate their antioxidant activity, and characterize the colour parameters and individual phenolic profiles of two selected cultivars. The results showed considerable variation among cultivars, with ‘Caslere’ and ‘Măr de Jupani’ exhibiting the highest contents of bioactive compounds. Across the 18 cultivars, phenolic contents ranged from 218.17–1497.35 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry matter (DM) in the peel and 323.54–1111.65 µg GAE/g DM in the flesh, while flavonoid contents ranged from 1157.43–4796.05 and 1426.01–3697.16 µg rutin equivalents (RE)/g DM, respectively. Antioxidant activity ranged from 33.55–99.51% in the peel and 44.41–88.88% in the flesh, highlighting pronounced tissue-specific differences in bioactive compound distribution. Positive correlation was found between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed cultivar-specific phenolic profiles, with rosmarinic acid and resveratrol among the predominant compounds, while epicatechin was particularly abundant in the peel of ‘Caslere’ cultivar. Colour analysis further demonstrated distinct differences between the two cultivars, reflecting variation in peel pigmentation and biochemical composition. These findings highlight the nutritional and functional value of traditional apple cultivars and support their conservation and valorization as valuable genetic resources and sources of health-promoting phytochemicals.

Carya illinoinensis (pecan) has recently emerged as a promising oilseed crop in Eastern Europe; however, its oil has not been systematically characterized under regional growing conditions or directly compared with that of the established nut crop, Juglans regia (walnut). This study evaluated the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, and short-term oxidative stability of oils from six pooled sample groups, comprising three pecan and three walnut composite samples collected from Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Oils were extracted by hot pressing, kernel composition was determined using standard official (AOAC) methods, fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and oxidative stability was assessed by peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during 20 days of storage. Romanian pecan oils contained 67–68% total fat and were rich in linoleic acid (55–57%), whereas walnut oils contained 59–61% fat and were dominated by oleic acid (57–58%). The PNC composite sample exhibited an oleic acid-dominant profile that differed from those of the other two pecan samples. Because cultivar identity, genotype, and environmental variables were not determined, the cause of this difference cannot be established from the present study. All samples remained below the Codex Alimentarius PV limit (3.0 meq O₂/kg). TBARS changes differed among the analyzed composite oils; however, these differences cannot be attributed solely to fatty acid composition because antioxidant constituents were not measured. Oleic and linoleic acids were strongly and inversely correlated (Pearson r = −0.9998, p < 0.001). These findings provide the first comprehensive characterization of pecan oil produced under Eastern European conditions and demonstrate compositional variation among the analyzed composite samples, although the factors responsible for this variation could not be determined.

The sustainable management of urban pruning residues is increasingly important for promoting circular bioeconomy practices and reducing green waste disposal. This study evaluated the composting potential of pruning biomass from 18 urban tree species (11 deciduous and 7 coniferous) and assessed the effects of biomass type and feedstock ratio on compost quality. Plant residues were composted with fresh cow manure using two compost ratios: V1 (700 g manure + 100 g plant biomass) and V2 (700 g manure + 700 g plant biomass). Compost quality was evaluated through pH, macroelement (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and total microelement (Mn, Cu, and Zn) and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, and Ni) concentrations. The composting ratio was the primary factor controlling compost properties. V1 produced alkaline composts (pH 7.96–9.42) with higher nutrient concentrations, whereas V2 generated composts with pH values closer to neutrality (7.39–9.44). Increasing the proportion of plant biomass reduced macronutrient concentrations, with total N ranging from 2.23% in V1 to 0.72% in V2, and potassium decreasing by 50–80% relative to V1. In contrast, micronutrient concentrations increased in V2, reaching 1142.7 mg·kg⁻¹ Mn and 481.1 mg·kg⁻¹ Zn. Total heavy metal concentrations also increased with greater biomass incorporation, although values generally remained low; the highest Ni concentration (15.77 mg·kg⁻¹) was recorded in Paulownia tomentosa compost. Species-specific responses were observed for nutrient release and metal accumulation, highlighting differences between deciduous and coniferous feedstocks. The findings demonstrate that compost quality is primarily determined by the manure-to-biomass ratio, while tree species influence nutrient dynamics and trace element accumulation. Composts with higher manure proportions are suitable for nutrient enrichment and acidic soil amelioration, whereas biomass-rich composts provide enhanced micronutrient contents but require monitoring of heavy metal accumulation.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is one of the most valuable horticultural crops worldwide, due to its significant economic and nutritional contribution. This paper analyzes the importance of strawberry cultivation in the European Union and Romania, by evaluating the cultivated area, production, geographical distribution and socio-economic impact. The study combines statistical analysis of official data (Eurostat, 2023; INS, 2023) with a review of the specialized literature (Anttonen et al., 2006; Voca et al., 2008; Maltoni et al., 2009), targeting both the productive dimension and the quality of the fruit and technological adaptation. The results show that the main producing countries in the EU are Poland, Spain, Italy and Germany, due to favorable climatic conditions and the use of modern cultivation technologies. In Romania, strawberry cultivation occupies an area of ​​about 6,000 ha, concentrated in the counties of Argeș, Prahova and Dâmbovița, with a production of approximately 20,000 tons annually (Eurostat, 2022; INS, 2023). The average production, of 6,795 kg/ha, is below the European average, being influenced by pedoclimatic factors, lack of investment and deficient agricultural infrastructure. The SWOT analysis highlighted strengths such as the diversity of varieties, local tradition and pedoclimatic potential, but also limitations related to climate volatility and the high costs of modern technologies. The conclusions highlight the need to adopt sustainable practices, modernize production infrastructure and strengthen short supply chains. Strawberry cultivation can become a strategic vector of rural economic development, with long-term benefits for the Romanian agricultural economy.

The commune of Giarmata (Timiș County), located on the last branches of the Vinga Plain and in the Bega River basin, presents a pedological mosaic dominated by vertic chernozems, vertosols and gleiosols with tendencies of gleyization/salinization in depth, along with alluviosols and eutricambosols on smaller areas. The temperate-continental climate with sub-Mediterranean influences (precipitation of 600–650 mm/year; sunshine duration of 2,200–2,300 hours/year; hot summers and relatively mild winters) confers a notable agricultural potential for strawberry cultivation, a species with moderate heat requirements, sensitive to excess water, salts and compaction. In the paper, the properties of local soils (fine texture, shrinkage/swelling, poor internal drainage, high local water table, risks of salinity/alkalinity) were correlated with the requirements of strawberry cultivation and technological recommendations were made: land modeling (raised beds), drainage and mulching, drip irrigation with EC monitoring, chemical corrections (gypsum on alkaline soils), organic matter supply and early cold rain protection systems. Under favorable pedo-climatic conditions (well-drained chernozem/eutricambosol, pH 5.5–6.5, EC<1 dS/m), the production potential in open field is 15–25 t/ha, and in intensive system with foil/solariums 25–40 t/ha, with fruit qualities (TSS, firmness) competitive for the local market. The integration of water conservation practices and salinity control is essential in years with irregular rainfall and episodes of drought/excessive rain. In conclusion, the soils of Giarmata are suitable for strawberry on surfaces not affected by excess humidity/salinity, provided that a rigorous pedo-hydric management and a technology adapted to local soil types are implemented

The main mycotoxin found in apples is patulin (PAT), mostly produced by Penicillium expansum, during the storage of fruits. It is very difficult to control the quality of every fruit that enters the processing line, so there is a high probability that apple juice, applesauce, apple cider, even products intended for babies, contain moldy fruits, with PAT content. This review paper provides detailed information about the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect PAT prevalence in apples. Extrinsic factors, such as temperature, air composition in the storage room or packaging material, play a key role in infection with P. expansum and PAT accumulation. Lower temperatures often prevent fungal growth and the production of the mycotoxin, whereas higher or unstable temperatures can promote the buildup of the toxin in infected fruits. Controlled atmosphere storage appears to inhibit the accumulation of PAT in apples. In terms of internal composition, variations in the pH of the fruits and flesh firmness significantly impact fungal growth and PAT production in the fruits. The presence of ethylene, sucrose and polyphenols are some of the decisive chemical components that regulate PAT buildup. Susceptibility of different cultivars is also genetically driven, but the size of the decay area and the toxin-producing capacity of the fungal strain have noteworthy influence as well. Knowledge of these elements helps to understand the mechanisms of PAT production.

Juglans regia L. is an edible fruit tree cultivated worldwide for its fruits and wood and as an urban tree. Globally, there is growing concern for preserving the genetic diversity of trees with high economic and ecological value. This study investigates the genetic diversity of J. regia in urban landscapes and assesses the quality of its walnut kernels as a local food product. An inventory of 150 trees from five populations in public green spaces in Lugoj, Caransebeș and Jupa, as well as two semi-natural hilly ecosystems in the Banat Region, was conducted. Molecular analyses showed that Directed Amplification of Minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD) markers were more effective than Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers, with a higher average polymorphism of 56.26%, compared to 49.44%. DAMD07 achieved 100% polymorphism and DAMD05 showed a strong balance between P.I.C. (0.35) and polymorphism (54.54%). Chemical analysis revealed the following contents in walnut kernels: protein (12.81% to 16.80%), lipids (60.39% to 69.08%), total polyphenols (5484.66 to 10,788.4 mg GAE/kg), copper (3.655 to 8.532 mg/kg), manganese (14.408 to 28.618 mg/kg), zinc (19.813 to 46.583 mg/kg), lead (1.204 to 2.27 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03451 to 0.08065 mg/kg). These findings are critical for conservation efforts, urban forestry management and ensuring the quality and safety of walnut products derived from J. regia.