Calin Hulea

The identification of elite forage germplasm combining superior agronomic performance with enhanced nutritional and functional properties is essential for sustainable livestock production. This study evaluated a collection of 34 wild Lolium perenne genotypes collected from three geographically distinct regions of southwestern Romania and maintained under ex situ conditions. Morphological evaluation using hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) identified five elite genotypes, which were subsequently characterised for proximate composition, mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and their ability to modulate probiotic bacterial growth in vitro. Protein content ranged from 132.2 to 163.2 g/kg, while total phenolic content varied between 8.56 and 10.35 mg GAE/g DW. Antioxidant capacity ranged from 17.73 to 22.34 μmol TE/g DW by DPPH and from 28.61 to 30.65 μmol Fe²⁺/g DW by FRAP. Growth modulation assays revealed marked genotype- and strain-dependent responses, with maximum potentiation coefficients (CPs) of 188.81% for Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, 225.77% for the mixed BB-12/Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 culture, and 349.32% for Lactobacillus casei DG at 1055 µg/mL. Overall, P.14 and P.26 were distinguished by their antioxidant profiles, whereas P.17 showed particular potential in terms of probiotic growth-promoting activity. These findings demonstrate that integrated phenotypic, nutritional, phytochemical, and functional evaluation is an effective strategy for identifying elite wild L. perenne germplasm suitable as parental material for sustainable forage breeding.

This study compares the chemical composition, antimicrobial effects, and antibiotic-potentiating capacity of three Lauraceae essential oils (EO): Cryptocarya agathophylla (CAEO), Litsea cubeba (LCEO), and Laurus nobilis (LNEO). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed distinct chemotypes: CAEO and LCEO were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, while LNEO contained the highest levels of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Antibacterial testing against nine bacterial strains showed strain-dependent growth suppression trends, while true minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were reached only in selected cases. EO–ampicillin interactions were evaluated using MIC-based checkerboard criteria, whereas OD-derived inhibition parameters were used exclusively to describe sub-MIC potentiation trends. In combination assays, LNEO exhibited the most pronounced potentiating effects against Streptococcus pyogenes, Shigella flexneri, and Haemophilus influenzae, while CAEO and LCEO showed moderate or strain-dependent enhancement. Hierarchical clustering highlighted distinct oil- and strain-specific interaction profiles. Overall, although CAEO displayed stronger intrinsic antibacterial effects when tested alone, LNEO emerged as the most effective potentiator of ampicillin activity in a strain-dependent manner. The effects of the major compounds identified in the Lauraceae EO were assessed in silico against protein targets of some microorganisms using the AutoDock software version 4.2.6. The docking scores revealed binding affinities of the bioactive compounds towards Dpr protein (4.3–5.8 kcal/mol), DNA gyrase (4.7–7.1 kcal/mol), mono- diacylglycerol lipase (4.4–6.2 kcal/mol), CYP51 (5.8–8.0 kcal/mol), phage-encoded quorum sensing anti-activator (5.8–8.0 kcal/mol) and Chondroitin ABC lyase I (4.8–6.3 kcal/mol). Two (2) hit compounds (α-Citral, β-Citral) were finely defined by strong hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions with the bacterial and fungal protein targets, respectively.

Background: This study evaluated the polyphenolic composition, antibacterial activity, molecular docking interactions, and pharmacokinetic properties of Romanian oak and fir honeydew honeys. Methods: Spectrophotometric methods quantified total phenolic, flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity, and individual polyphenols were identified via HPLC-MS. Antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was evaluated by determining the bacterial inhibition percentage and minimum inhibitory concentrations. The bioactive compounds identified via LC-MS analysis were used to further delineate the possible antibacterial activities in silico. Molecular docking was carried out to predict the binding interactions and complex formation of the identified compounds against protein crystal structures of the bacteria used in this study. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic profile of compounds with high inhibitory potential was assessed via ADMET (absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, toxicity) predictors to ascertain their value. Results: Fir honeydew honey showed higher total phenolic (844.5 mg GAE/kg) and flavonoid contents (489.01 mg QUE/kg) compared to oak honeydew honey, correlating with more potent antioxidant activity (IC50 = 5.16 mg/mL). In vitro antimicrobial tests indicated a stronger inhibitory effect of fir honeydew honey, especially against Gram-positive strains like S. aureus, S. pyogenes, and L. monocytogenes, alongside certain Gram-negative strains such as E. coli and H. influenzae. Oak honeydew honey displayed selective antimicrobial action, particularly against P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium. The docking outcomes showed rutin, rosmarinic acid, beta resorcylic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid have high inhibitory activities characterised by binding affinities and binding interactions against shiga toxin, riboflavin synthase, ATP-binding sugar transporter-like protein, undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase, putative lipoprotein, sortase A, and immunity protein, making them key contributors to the honey’s antimicrobial activity. Moreover, beta-resorcylic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid revealed interesting ADMET scores that qualify honey to serve as a good antimicrobial agent. Conclusions: These findings support their potential use as natural antibacterial agents and emphasise the value of integrating chemical, biological, and computational approaches for multidisciplinary characterisations.

This study compares three Romanian Hyssopus officinalis species—H. officinalis f. ruber (HOR), H. officinalis f. albus (HOA), and H. officinalis f. cyaneus (HOC)—evaluating their chemical composition and biological activities, specifically protein denaturation, haemolysis inhibition, and antibacterial effects. Chemical profiles were determined using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The species were cultivated at two distinct locations: the Didactic and Experimental Station DESUSVT and the Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin (ARDSL). This study investigates the correlation between chemical composition, biological activities, and local climate data at each site. The results show significant variations in chemical profiles, with species and cultivation location influencing the biological activities. H. officinalis f. albus (HOA) exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. The molecular docking analysis highlighted key compounds, such as cyclohexene,4-isopropenyl-1-methoxymethoxymethyl and elemol, with binding solid affinities to microbial and inflammatory proteins. This study provides valuable insights into the chemical and biological properties of Hyssopus officinalis, emphasising its potential in combating microbial infections, protein denaturation, and haemolysis inhibition.