Publicatii USAMV Cluj-Napoca (University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine / Universitatea de Ştiinţe Agricole şi Medicină Veterinară din Cluj-Napoca)
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Sustainable Ingredients and Selected Herbs By-Products for Food Industry
Get PDFThis review presents sustainable ingredients from selected herbs by-products, processing, and extractions of bioactive compounds exploring the potential for utilization as novel “green” food ingredients used in food technology. To increase the sustainability of the food chain, the valorisation of food by-products and wastes has emerged as a key study area. Herbs by-products have recently been discovered as sources of a variety of phytochemicals, many of which have significant biological activity that could be useful for food industry by applying the appropriate extraction method. For the recovery of bioactive, new extraction methods including pulsed electric field and ultrasonic are generating a lot of interest in herbs by-products. Supercritical fluid extraction, a green and environmentally-friendly procedure for preparation of some herbs by-products is described in this review in the context of sustainable extractions to eliminate or reduce solvent consumption
Evalation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Crataegus monogyna
Get PDFAntioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity are tremenously importance process that possess the ability to protect the body from damage and infection caused by free radicals and bacteria. The bioactive compounds of Crataegus monogyna were evaluated in order to valorize these products as sources of natural additive. Analytical techniques such as extraction, determination of total polyphenols and flavonoids, demonstrative antioxidant and antimicrobial of extracts from C. monogyna were done in order to evaluate conservation capacity. Polyphenols are the major source of bioactive compounds obtained from the small red fruits of the hawthorn plant. Hawthorn fruit extracts could inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein. Due to increased interest in fruit consumption and growing of it products, there is positive effect on fruit polyphenols on human healt
The Need to Restore Post-Industrial Ecosystems: Importance and Functions of Riparian Brownfields
Get PDFHealthy riparian areas are of unique importance for delivering a variety of valuable ecological services. Here, we evaluate to which extend the restoration of urban riparian brownfields could increase the amount of ecosystem services provided by this type of habitat. The research was conducted on a post-industrial site located in Baia Mare city, Romania, historically polluted with heavy metals (HM). The ecosystem services provided by this disturbed ecosystem were assessed according to the list of ecosystem services proposed by the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES), and considering the local plant species diversity. Our results showed a limited number of ecosystem services delivered by the disturbed ecosystem analyzed and a species composition mostly formed by non-valuable species. While some groups of plant species identified are native for the riparian habitat, a high percent from species compositions is occupied by the invasive alien species Reynoutria japonica Houtt., impacting the importance and functions of this site. Based on these findings we proposed a list of plant species which could be used in the restoration of this post-industrial ecosystem. This research highlighted the importance of restoration actions on the range of ecosystem services delivered by riparian post-industrial sites
Sambucus graveolens Willd As A Medicinal Plant
Get PDFCurrently, Sambucus is becoming increasingly important due to the property of acting on acute respiratory viral infection (Harnett et al., 2020; Weng et al., 2019). Since folk medicine, certain vegetative parts of shrub varieties elder have had important pharmacological actions and also with immediate positive effects. A few pharmacopoeias have for quite a long time included elderflowers of elderberry, and various perceived course readings and monographs have portrayed the therapeutic utilization of elderberry bloom. This review on edible berries and flowers of Sambucus graveolens is focusing on nutritional, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as health effects
Therapeutic Effects of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.)
Get PDFValerian is a plant that is endemic to mild parts of the America, Europe and Asia. It is used as an opiate, especially in the cure of restlessness, and almost all herbal sleep aids contain valerian. Valerian contains many compounds who act synergistically. Preparations containing valerenic acid may be regulated. This species is spreading in spontaneous flora, in humid and cloudy areas (woods, wet meadows), especially in hilly and mountainous areas. It was taken and broad in culture and in the present the raw material of valerian comes, mostly, from cultures. Valerian essential oil is known for its calmative and anxiolytic activity, whereas valepotriates are known to apply a regulative effect on the autonomous nervous system. This medicinal plant used to help various health problems including insomnia, anxiety, heart problems and more others; has been used pharmaceutically for at least of 2000 years in the cures of brain disorders and also as treatment of varied nervous disorders, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and hysteria. The present review presents the biological evidence of this plant which is very helpful in combating sleep problems and has no negative effects on long term. Although, the valerian tea is known to not have negative impacts, overdosing may lead to intestinal issues
E-agriculture Framework for Improving Agricultural Productivity among the Smallholder Farmers in Rural Kenya
Get PDFThe economy of Kenya depends mainly on agriculture where smallholder farming has a significant role as it employs 65 percent of the work force and contributes 32 percent of Kenya’s GDP. However, the agricultural industry in Kenya is currently facing difficulties in low productivity. The rural areas have the largest concentration of poverty and food insecurity. Majority of the farming activities in Kenya are on small scale and the problems of these farmers are multifaceted including sub-divisions and small farm sizes, leading to diseconomies of scale and low productivity. The goal of this research was to develop and validate an E-agriculture Framework for Improving Agricultural Productivity among the Smallholder Farmers. Descriptive research design was used. The study was carried out in South Eastern Kenya. The target population comprised 224 meteorological staff, 421 agricultural extension officers, 208 ICT personnel and 3,833 farmers. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, observation and interviews and analyzed using SPSS. The study found that challenges faced farmers were cost, illiteracy and ICT skills among others. Further, the study established that farmers required specific information such as soil management, pest management etc., for mainly improving their productivity. The researcher proposed an e-agriculture framework for improving agricultural productivity through promoting innovative use of ICT tools to bridge the distance between the farmers and the research communities. The proposed e-framework could be used by government policy makers and stakeholders on ICT on agricultural services in other developing countries to implement policies that speeded up the use of ICT on agricultural information
Barley (Hordeum vulgare), A Cereal With Medicinal And Health Benefits
Get PDFNowadays, alternative medicine plays an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, due to consumer awareness in using alternative medicine and avoiding the chemical industry. Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare L.) offers an alternative to the prevention of such afflictions as cancer, diabetes, obesity, dermatitis, heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Young green barley leaves (H. vulgare L.) are highlighted by their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, anti-depressant, anti-atherosclerotic and anticancer properties. Therapeutic and medicinal qualities in terms of health benefits have also been demonstrated. This review attempts to provide new information about barley grass, which could be used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, based on its chemical and nutritional value. The bioactive compounds and the properties listed impart the status of a functional food with multiple benefits for the human body. The aim of this review is to synthesize the main uses of barley grass for therapeutic and medicinal purposes, administered as extract, powder, tablets, capsules, juice or as functional food useful for health
The Benefits of Walnuts Consumption on Human Health
Get PDFThe oldest writings about walnuts attest that they were consumed thousands of years before Christ in Persia, where they were specially cultivated for the royal family. Following the Silk Road, traders brought walnuts from Central Asia, China, to ancient Greece. Nowadays, the countries that can be proud of the impressive production of walnuts are China, the United States of America takes the second place, and Iran is the third largest producer of walnuts. Walnuts are a food that can be used in drinks and salty and sweet dishes and are also the basis of many cosmetic products. In addition, it is suitable for people of all ages. There are no restrictions in this regard. Due to the composition rich in minerals and vitamins, walnuts offer a generous series of external and internal benefits to the body. The studies undertaken in recent years have highlighted the positive effects that the consumption of nuts has on human health, such as: in brain functions, heart health, and reducing the risk of cancer
Potato as a Complex Plant with Medical Benefits
Get PDFAlthough the ”potato’s journey” from its discovery to its introduction into culture took a long time and was skeptical, but now it is ultimately one of the largest crops worldwide. Also being an accessible food and due to the complex of nutrients found in the tubers, are considered both nutritional and medical qualities. Currently, various studies are found in the literature confirming the role and importance of using potatoes in different medical treatments or to improve the health of people. These results and recommendations are based on potato composition rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins by baked or boiled, using also the flesh and the peel. It has been proven that many of the essential components are found in potato peel at a much higher concentration than in the flesh. Also, the peel resulting from the peeling tubers is used in animal feed, but can be used as a solid substrate in various processes (fermentation or the powder as gluten-free flour). In traditional medicine, raw potato are usually used for different treatments like gastrointestinal disorder, gastroduodenal diseases, to reduce fever and hot topical pack are used for pain or for softening furuncles. Potato juice protein concentrate (PJPC) was used to observe its selective activity on different type of cancer cell line
The Nutraceutical Role of Wheat Grains
Get PDFWheat is one of the most important food crops worldwide due to its wide use. Often, it is perceived only as a food instrument, but the biochemical properties of the wheat grain recommend it as a nutraceutical tool. Starting from the morphology and structure of the wheat grain, in addition to the major composition of the endosperm which is rich in protein and starch, the outer layers of the grain represent a rich variety of biochemical constituents that can have beneficial effects on health. The outer pericarp consists mainly of cellulose, arabinoxylan and lignin with carbohydrate and phenolic acid compositions, a high concentration of ferulic acid has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. On the other hands, at the test level there is a significant source of lignin that has both an antioxidant role and a protective role against the development of various diseases and viral infections. Aleurone layer, as the main wheat bran contains a wide variety of biochemical compounds and vitamins with a role in the biofortification of the human body. The wheat embryo contains a good level of tocopherols, phytosterols, policosanols, thiamin, riboflavin and other bioactive compounds with significant role in prevention of diseases such as colon and breast cancers, cardiovascular disease, obesity and gastrointestinal diseases