Marcel Danci

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of hormonal balance on in vitro multiplication and rooting in two Fragaria species (Fragaria vesca and Fragaria × ananassa). The biological material consisted of plants derived from seeds, cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various combinations of growth regulators. Four hormonal variants were tested for the multiplication stage: V1 – BAP 2 mg/L + IAA 0.5 mg/L; V2 – BAP 4 mg/L + IAA 0.5 mg/L; V3 – TDZ 1 mg/L + IAA 0.5 mg/L; and V4 – TDZ 2 mg/L + IAA 0.5 mg/L. For the rooting stage, shoots were transferred onto MS media with the following variants: R1 – MS without hormones; R2 – MS + NAA 1 mg/L; and R3 – MS + NAA 2 mg/L. The results revealed significant differences between the two species regarding shoot proliferation rate and root formation, depending on the type and concentration of growth regulators. In general, TDZ-containing media induced higher shoot multiplication, particularly in Fragaria × ananassa, whereas NAA-supplemented media promoted root initiation, especially in Fragaria vesca. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing the hormonal balance to develop efficient micropropagation protocols for Fragaria species.

The Silphium L. species are indigenous to the fields, prairies, and forests of eastern and central North America. The genus Silphium (L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae, order Heliantheae. In Europe, Silphium perfoliatum was introduced in the 18th century and was initially utilized as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks in Germany, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Micropropagation represents an alternative means of propagation that can be employed for the mass multiplication of plants in a relatively shorter time frame. The objective of this study was to develop and optimize a protocol that can be readily implemented in field culture. The study demonstrates that the sterilization of seeds with a CuSO₄ solution, followed by their immersion in a phenolic biostimulant solution prior to placement on a simple MS culture medium, yielded the most optimal results in the production of Silphium perfoliatum explants.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) belongs to the Cactaceae family and is a species cultivated for fruit consumption due to its rich content of vitamins, minerals and an excellent source of antioxidants (betacyanin), but also vegetable albumin, vitamins and water-soluble fibres. The best method for rapid plant multiplication is cell and tissue culture, so in this study we followed the influence of different growth hormones on micropropagation and rooting, in two varieties of pitaya (Vietnamese White dragon fruit and Red Jiana Dragon Fruit). Thus, the shoots obtained from the seeds were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture medium supplemented with two types of cytokinins: 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) – 2.5 mg/l and kinetin (KIN) – 2 mg/ l, respectively naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) – 1 mg/l, for multiplication, and for the rooting of the shoots, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA, respectively the medium without growth regulators, was used. The results obtained were different depending on the variety, but also on the type of growth regulators used.

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.