Publicatii USAMV Cluj-Napoca (University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine / Universitatea de Ştiinţe Agricole şi Medicină Veterinară din Cluj-Napoca)
Not a member yet
2222 research outputs found
Sort by
Role of Medicinal Plants in Crop Protection: Antifungal Potential of Essential Oils
Get PDF
Phytopathogenic fungi are among the most serious threats to global crop production, particularly for major staple crops such as wheat, rice, and potato. For decades, agriculture has relied heavily on chemical fungicides to limit the damage caused by these pathogens. Although these products have demonstrated strong efficacy in controlling plant diseases, their intensive and often uncontrolled use has generated significant environmental and public health concerns. Chemical fungicides contribute to soil and water degradation, increase the risk of toxic residues in food products, and pose long-term hazards to human health. Additionally, repeated applications have accelerated the emergence of resistant fungal populations, gradually undermining the effectiveness of conventional disease-management strategies
Glycosylated anthocyanins from chokeberry characterization and in vitro antiproliferative potential
Get PDFAnthocyanins from berries have demonstrated promising anticancer potential. In this study, we purified anthocyanin-rich extract from chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and evaluated its antiproliferative effects on human melanoma (A375) and normal human fibroblast (HS-27) cell lines. HPLC-MS analysis identified five glycosylated cyanidin anthocyanins: cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (75.5%), cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside (19.7%), cyanidin-3-O-xyloside (3.0%), cyanidin-3-O-(6"-acetyl-galactoside) (0.9%), and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (0.9%), with total content of 1228 mg/100g FW by HPLC. Antioxidant activity measured by ABTS (170.2±8.1), FRAP (311.9±16.7), and CUPRAC (93.5±6.7 μmol Trolox equivalents/100g FW) confirmed strong radical scavenging capacity. The purified extract exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative effects on A375 human melanoma cells with an IC50 of 86 μg/mL, while showing no cytotoxicity toward human normal HS-27 fibroblasts at concentrations up to 50 μg/mL (viability >100%). These findings suggest that Aronia glycosylated anthocyanins exhibit antiproliferative activity against melanoma cells, highlighting their potential as natural compounds for cancer prevention strategies
Comparative Research of the Developmental Stages of Tenebrio molitor L.
Get PDFThis study focuses on the developmental stages of Tenebrio molitor L., namely the larvae, pupae, and adult stages when fed oats and carrots. The goal is to examine the influence of nutrition on growth rates, survival, and general development, focusing on the insect's potential as a sustainable protein source and its contribution to food security and the circular economy through the use of agricultural waste. We carefully observed the insects for 131 days, during which they went through a 94-day larval phase, 19 days of pupation, and an 18-day adult stage. During this time, we diligently tracked their morphological changes and growth parameters. The study found that larvae fed a mix of oats and carrots had faster development and greater survival rates. These findings underline the importance of food choices on T. molitor's developmental efficiency. The study supports the idea that T. molitor can be a feasible alternative for sustainable protein production, contributing to food security and encouraging agricultural waste recycling for insect farming, which aligns with the ideals of a circular economy.  
Entomofauna of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as Pests of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants in Romania
Get PDFAphids are a group of insects considered to be major pests of many cultivated plant species. They are small, soft bodied, colonial, polymorphic insects with complex development cycles, very prolific, vectors for pathogens that cause serious plant diseases. They have sucking mouthparts and feed on plant sap, causing deformation and twisting of leaves in the form of pseudogalls, shortening of shoots, discoloration and yellowing, honeydew coating with the development of sooty mold and stunted growth. The aphids also affect aromatic and medicinal plants, damaging them and causing significant economic losses. This review study presents the species of aphids harmful to the most important aromatic and medicinal plants in Romania, most of which are polyphagous (12) and only 4 specific. Aspects of spread, morphology, bioecology, host plants and mode of damage are presented
Transfer Capacity of Some Pollutants - Heavy Metals from Soil to Prunus sp.
Get PDFThe aim of the present paper is to know the current level of heavy metal contamination, in particular Pb and Cd, in soil and fruit (Prunus sp.) in the area of the glacis and contact piedmont of the Baia Mare Depression. The final aim is to determine the most effective measures to rebalance the affected croplands. The area of interest is an area of approx. 588.8 km2 of the area presented above and, for comparison, a "clean area" in the Maramureș Depression, i.e., the Sighetu-Marmației area. From these perimeters both soil samples from different depths and Prunus fruit samples (ripe, healthy plums from different farms) were taken. Based on the obtained results we are entitled to state that an integrated soil-crop-plant analysis is required. With this paper we emphasize the importance of compliance with food safety standards at international and national level through Codex Alimentarius and Order 975/1998
Antifungal Effects of Essential Oils on Plant Pathogens
Get PDFPathogens from the genera Alternaria, Fusarium, and Aspergillus are known for causing significant agricultural damage. The potential of essential oils in the biological control of pathogens is a topic that inspires curiosity and interest, as it represents an efficient method and a promising future perspective. Being produced by eukaryotic organisms, compared to bacterial infections, fungal infections are more challenging to treat. This paper reviews the antifungal potential of several essential oils, including clove, thyme, tea tree, oregano, lemongrass, lavender, mint, and winter savory. It highlights their active constituents such as eugenol, thymol, and carvacrol. Recent studies demonstrate that these oils inhibit fungal growth through various mechanisms, including disruption of cell membranes and inhibition of spore germination. However, the variety in the content of essential oils and their sensory effects on food items pose substantial barriers to their widespread application. Essential oils are considered viable alternatives because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties, sparking further research in this area
Research on the Mitigation of Environmental Pollution by Pesticides Due to Spray Drift by Agricultural Sprayers and Unmanned Aerial Spraying Systems
Get PDFWhile essential for meeting technological and economical requirements in modern agriculture, it has been shown that plant protection products do not always reach the intended target, so these chemicals contaminate ecosystems through runoff, leaching, and ambient air transport and deposition. Ambient air transport of pesticides relates mainly with spray drift (off-target displacement of pesticide droplets through the air) from agricultural spraying equipment (that involves ground sprayers and unmanned aerial spraying systems – UASS) is a major concern of pesticide pollution. The paper studies the research status on pesticide pollution by spray drift and shows methods, techniques and practices used for its mitigation during pesticide applications by agricultural sprayers and UASS, through comprehensive analysis of the available scientific literature, legal framework, regulations, and international standards on the topic. The analysis show that a synergistic approach is the way to go, being highly efficient to provide built-in features for drift control, integration of precision agriculture capabilities, continuous weather monitoring and optimization, proper pesticide formulation (and the use of drift mitigation adjuvants), field management practices, operational best practices, proper regulatory framework and continuous training and certification
The therapeutic potential of the genus Dahlia – a scientific perspective for future research
Get PDFThe Dahlia species has remarkable therapeutic potential due to its biochemical composition, which includes inulin, phenols, amino acids, and organic acids. This medicinal potential has sparked increased interest among various research groups. Thus, plant extracts of Dahlia sp. are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrating their effectiveness and qualities in this field of research. At the same time, selenium nanoparticles extracted from Dahlia pinnata Cav. have significant anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. Currently, most of the medical research is conducted in the preclinical stage. These medicinal properties and biomedical applications make the genus Dahlia highly studied, not for its amazing phenotypic diversity, but for its therapeutic potential, which is still unknown and can describe new research opportunities in the treatment of severe human conditions such as type 2 diabetes
Valorization of Aronia berries to improve the quality of melted cheese
Get PDFMelted cheese is a product obtained by heating one or more types of cheese with melting salts. By incorporating aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) into the product recipe, the aim was to obtain a range of melted cheeses with superior functional properties and an attractive sensory profile. Aronia was added in different amounts (3%, 5%, and 7%) to the melted cheese recipe. The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties of the products obtained were determined. The results showed a significant increase in polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity without significantly affecting consistency. The optimal addition level was 5%, ensuring a balance among taste, color, and functional value. The basic product is a fine, smooth paste with no fermentation holes or air pockets, and a pinkish-purple color. The paper aims to demonstrate that controlled addition of aronia can improve the biological and antioxidant value of melted cheese, enhance its sensory appeal, and create an innovative, value-added product tailored to current consumer demands
Smart Land Management through GIS–Innovative System of Monitoring Fragmentation and Infrastructure Development
Get PDFThe paper aims to present an innovative land management solution based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for monitoring and improving land use management. The proposed system allows landowners to visualize their properties, each assigned a unique identification code, through an application created in ArcGIS Online. The methodology consists of two main components: the phase of collecting topographical data and the phase of using GIS tools to analyze and monitor both the current state of the land and its potential for future development. This approach facilitates the tracking of land fragmentation, infrastructure development, and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the system provides essential statistical insights that support sustainable land management and informed decision-making in land-use planning