Despina Bordean

The blueberry is part of the Ericaceae family and is known for its expansion in different areas of the globe, due to the quality of the fruits and their beneficial properties on human health. In this work, in addition to the biological action (antimicrobial, antioxidant, therapeutic effects, possible toxic effects of the leaves), the differences in the content of metabolites from varieties, hybrids or wild plants from different regions are evaluated. The leaves are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, especially chlorogenic acid, and isoquercetin. The fruits are rich in antimicrobial compounds, with anti-inflammatory and neuronal activity. It was found that there are differences in the level of phytochemical compounds depending on the tested variety. An important aspect that must be taken into account are the potential toxic compounds, especially if the aim is to use certain parts of the plant in food or as food supplements. The fruits have high antioxidant capacity, due to the content in biocompounds. The content of flavonoids and anthocyanins is very high. Some studies have shown that wild blueberries are characterized by a higher content of phenolic compounds, compared to cultivated blueberries. It is believed that the differences between hybrids or varieties are the result of climate, cultivation area and genotype.

Agaricus bisporus, the most widely consumed mushroom species globally, was the focus of this study. Mushrooms are widely recognized as important sources of dietary fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. However, they also have the capacity to accumulate toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. Due to the presence of polysaccharides, peptides, essential amino acids, glycoproteins, nucleosides, triterpenoids, fatty acids and lectins, Agaricus bisporus has been reported to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hyper-cholesterolemic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and hepatoprotective activities. We aimed to determine the mineral profile of Agaricus bisporus samples available on the Romanian market using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. The results regarding the mushrooms samples minerals content (mg/kg dry weight), obtained by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, are ranging between: K (31443-50579), Ca (1229-4838), Fe (337-580), Mn (105-130), Zn (113-312), Cu (25-86), Se (0-11). The analysis of obtained data was made using Excel, Statistica 11 and MVSP programs. These findings are consistent with previous studies indicating that potassium is the predominant mineral in mushrooms, followed by calcium. Therefore, regular mushroom consumption can contribute to meeting the daily requirements for these essential elements, alongside other nutritional benefits.