The Growth and Development of the Potato According to their Variety in the Central Area of Romania

In Europe, the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was first cultivated in botanical gardens. Currently, in our country, special emphasis is placed on potato cultivation, especially in the central area of ​​the country. In Romania, potato consumption is high, being considered ”the second bread” by the entire population. In this study, the capacity of growth and development for some potato varieties was observed, to highlight their suitability in the central area of Romania. Four varieties of potatoes as certified seed tubers were used in this study (`Productiv`, `Alouette`, `Salad Blue` and `Paradiso`). Varieties were provided by the Potato Research - Development Station from Romania. During the vegetation period, the following criterias were monitorized: the height of the main stem, the number of principal stems, the number of leaves on the main stem, the length of the median leaf on the main stem and the chlorophyll content of the leaves. The three potato varieties (`Alouette`, `Salad Blue` and `Paradiso`), were grown under the same conditions as the control (`Productiv`), in Sibiu county, Romania. Following the measurements and their interpretation from a statistical point of view, it was demonstrated that the `Alouette` variety had the best growth and development

Valorisation of Oregano Essential Oil to Improve the Quality of Whey Cheeses

Although whey has long been considered a by-product of no major value, today it is recognized for its rich nutritional content and the ability to add diversity and benefits to the daily diet. Modern technologies and innovations in the field of whey processing allow turning it into a valuable product, providing nutritional benefits and a delicate taste that can be easily integrated into a variety of products. The objective of this research was to obtain an innovative product, a whey cheese with sensory properties and a high nutritional value by incorporating oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare) in the cheese obtained, the analysis of the product and the evaluation of the preservation effect of oregano essential oil. Three types of whey cheese (’’urda’’cheese) were produced: the control ’’urda’’ cheese with no addition (UM); ’’urda’’ cheese with 0.01% addition of oregano essential oil (UO1); and ’’urda’’cheese with 0.02% addition of oregano essential oil (UO2). Analyses of the finished product concerned fats, acidity, E. coli, the number of yeasts and molds and coagulase-positive staphylococci. The sample with 0.02% oregano essential oil was found to be the most appreciated, followed by the control sample, which took second place, and finally, the sample with 0.01% oregano essential oil. The control sample recorded a greater increase of acidity relative to UO2, which is due to the antimicrobial activity of oregano essential oil. After determining the fat content and the total dry matter, lower values were determined in the sample with added essential oil (0.02%) compared to the control sample. For yeasts and molds, a much more moderate increase is observed in the sample with the addition of 0.02% essential oil

Preserving Medicinal Plant Biodiversity: Climate Change Impacts, IUCN Red List Insights and Conservation Strategies

Medicinal plants are a great source of active compounds that are used as raw materials to make medicines. They are also utilized extensively in phytotherapy and in food to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle. Beyond these factors, medicinal plants are a natural resource that is extremely important to the phytocenoses to which they belong. They help to maintain ecological balance and plant biodiversity. Plant species are either extinct or placed on red lists, which are categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature based on their sozological category, as a result of overexploitation, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species. In order to preserve the equilibrium of the ecosystem, our study, which is an analysis of the specialized literature, outlines the primary threats to medicinal plants, the significance of protecting plant resources with therapeutic qualities, and some future perspectives that take into account the shared interests of all people in order to preserve the biodiversity of medicinal plants

Chlorophyll Content Evolution of Wheat Triticum aestivum L. var. Alex under Different Salinity Doses

Salinity stress has effects on plants as harmful as those caused by drought. This research aim was to evaluate the changes in wheat total chlorophyll content estimation under salinity stress. The experiment was set up on October 15, 2022, by sowing wheat seeds var. Alex in field conditions, in mezo-phyto-cosmos, under six treatments, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl. The total chlorophyll content estimation of leaves, flag leaves, and spikes was measured with a chlorophyll meter. The assessments were taken periodically for leaf greenness during in (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) BBCH 11, 14, 51 and at the end of the experiment for flag leaves and spikes greenness. The highest values for leaves total chlorophyll were registered at all treatments except 75 mM NaCl at the fourth evaluation. For flag leaves chlorophyll content, measured at the end of the experiment, the highest value was registered in the control treatment, significantly higher compared to the 15, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl by 38%, 86%, 88%, and 91%. The spike chlorophyll content showed no significant differences between all the treatments. Higher doses of saline treatment significantly affect the leaves chlorophyll content, decrease the flag leaf, and spike greenness

The Suitability of New Spring Barley Varieties (Ioana and Dumbrăvița) in the Beer Industry

The Ioana and Dumbrăvița spring barley varieties are intensive varieties, adapted to soils with high fertility and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. They are analysed in the context of agriculture and the beer industry. The hilly and pre-hilly regions of Transylvania, Moldova, and southern Banat are ideal for growing these varieties, which stand out for their vegetative vigor, good tillering capacity, and large grains, contributing to high agricultural yields. The connection of these varieties to the beer industry is significant due to the chemical composition of the barley grains. The proteins and starch in barley are essential in the malting process, influencing the amount of fermentable sugars and, consequently, the alcohol content of the beer. Beta-glucans, a type of fiber present in barley, affect the foam stability and clarity of the beer, while the minerals and vitamins in barley contribute to yeast health and fermentation efficiency. Thus, the quality of barley grains directly influences the taste, texture and clarity of beer, making these barley varieties essential for the production of high-quality beer

Research on Methods to Reduce Water Pollution Due to Phytosanitary Treatments

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the methods of reducing water pollution due to phytosanitary treatments. Thus, the sources of surface water pollution with plant protection products are divided into point sources, which mainly refer to the handling of these products within the agricultural farm, as well as diffuse sources, which mainly refer to the processes related to rainwater runoff from the land surface and soil erosion and due to drift at the time of application of the plant protection products. Methods of reducing surface water pollution are also analyzed, addressing both technological and legislative aspects.       &nbsp

Modern Insights into Breeding of Medicinal Plants for Health and Industry

An essential source of natural medicines, medicinal plants have a long history of usage in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses. Some of the secondary metabolites produced by plants as a defence mechanism against biotic and abiotic challenges are used to treat health affections. Considering the importance of medicinal plants primarily for their therapeutic qualities, this paper reviews the traditional and modern breeding methods of medicinal plants. Most plant cultivars today are products of traditional breeding techniques, such as selection, hybridization, mutagenesis, and polyploidy. Nevertheless nowadays, the use of molecular markers assisted selection or genetic editing techniques are promising tools in improving plant resistance to environmental stress factors and increasing concentrations of bioactive compounds. Integrating modern breeding technologies with ecological cultivation and conservation strategies is the key to the long-term sustainability of medicinal plants. Some examples of these include increasing genetic variety in crops grown for medicinal purposes, protecting natural habitats, and using sustainable forms of agriculture. To maintain the original identity and characteristics of local plants, research must focus on using local genetic resources as the initial material for use in breeding programs. Improved varieties of medicinal plants can hence be created that display increased disease resistance, higher productivity, and/or improved efficiencies in bioactive compound synthesis, which would greatly influence the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries

A Comprehensive Review on Sugarcane Bagasse in Food Packaging: Properties, Applications, and Future Prospects

This comprehensive review examines the potential of sugarcane bagasse as a sustainable alternative in the food packaging industry. The study analyses recent research on bagasse-based packaging materials, focusing on their composition, mechanical properties, biodegradability, and applications. Sugarcane bagasse, primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, offers promising characteristics for developing eco-friendly packaging solutions. The review highlights the enhancement of material properties through the incorporation of cellulose nanofibers and the formation of bio-composites. Various applications in rigid and flexible packaging, as well as active and intelligent packaging systems, are explored. The study also addresses challenges such as raw material variability, processing complexities, and limitations in barrier properties, even as bagasse-based materials demonstrate significant advantages in terms of biodegradability and environmental impact. The study identifies key areas for future research, including standardization of processing methods, improvement of barrier properties, and ensuring food safety compliance. Additionally, the review discusses the potential economic implications of adopting bagasse-based packaging materials and the need for life cycle assessments to fully understand their environmental impact. The integration of bagasse-derived components in advanced packaging technologies, such as antimicrobial and antioxidant systems, is also examined. Overall, this review underscores the significant potential of sugarcane bagasse in revolutionising food packaging, while emphasising the need for continued research and development to overcome existing limitations and optimise its properties for widespread industrial adoption

Molecular Analysis of the Species Dracocephalum moldavica L.

There is a growing global trend in the consumption of cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants and an increasing demand for medicinal plants for the production of herbal medicines, health products, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products. The raw plant material from medicinal plant crops is insufficient to meet the needs of this industry. There is a preference for cultivated plant material because most pharmaceutical companies prefer raw materials that meet the required quality standards. Therefore, expanding the cultivation of medicinal plant and introducing new species into cultivation is becoming an important objective. These efforts are complemented by other advantages of cultivation (e.g., modern mechanized agricultural techniques, irrigation, fertilization, and mechanized harvesting). Molecular characterization of the species Dracocephalum moldavica, was focused on analysing the genetic structure of a cultivated plant population. Genetic analysis can provide important data regarding intra- and interpopulation genetic polymorphism, closely correlated with the adaptive capacity of the species to different pedo-climatic conditions, as well as the biosynthetic capacity of pharmacologically active compounds. This enables the accurate identification and selection of new valuable genotypes. Molecular analysis can be performed using DNA molecular markers, among which SSR (simple sequence repeats) and ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats) markers are frequently used due to their high reproducibility, relatively low cost, and avoidance of radioactivity (as is the case with other molecular markers). In this study, ISSR markers revealed genetic polymorphism of cultivated plants

Grape Pomace Valorisation: Nutritional Properties and Sustainable Applications in Agriculture and Food Technology

The wine industry generates a significant amount of waste, producing over 14 million tons of by-products from wineries in Europe alone. The resulting waste has an acidic composition and high levels of polyphenols. Thus, it is resistant to decomposition, making it an environmental threat. Grape pomace contains important nutrients for valorisation, which are dietary fiber, proteins, lipids, and polyphenols. This review summarizes the nutritional composition of grape pomace and discusses various strategies for its sustainable utilization, including animal feed, composting, advanced extraction techniques of phenolic compounds, fermentation, and food fortification. The current review aims to underline the importance of grape pomace valorisation in terms of environmental sustainability and human health, thereby justifying further research and implementation in this field