Liana Alda

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.