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Study on behavior of some perennial flowering species used in vertical systems for green facades in Eastern European climate
Get PDFThe negative effects of urbanization such as urban overheating, pollution, high population
density and so on are being experienced by city inhabitants more than ever, thus motivating a high
number of researchers to find viable solutions to mitigate these effects. The present paper aims to
identify an assortment of ornamental plants appropriate to be successfully used in various facade
covering systems for buildings located in Eastern European countries. For this purpose, throughout a
vegetation season, the project’s team thoroughly monitored the percentage of survival, the coverage
degree, and the behavior (biometric aspects and visual quality) of ten flowering species planted
vertically and being oriented towards all four cardinal points. At the same time, the team conducted
a thorough monitoring of some parameters of the soil (pH, humidity, and temperature) and of the
outside environment (light intensity and temperature). Two experimental structures were built,
insulated on the inside and covered at the top with thermal insulating panels, to simulate the same
conditions of an insulated and unheated construction. The monitoring results showed that Heuchera
x hybrida ‘Fire Alarm’, Heuchera x hybrida ‘Marmalade’ and Festuca galuca had a healthy appearance
throughout the year, regardless of the cardinal orientation while providing a good coverage of the
vertical surface
Antifungal and Anti-Virulence Activity of Six Essential Oils Against Important Candida Species – A Preliminary Study
No full textOpportunistic infections with Candida species are becoming more problematic, considering their increasing virulence and resistance to antifungal drugs. Aim: To assess the antifungal and anti-virulence activity of basil, cinnamon, clove, melaleuca, oregano and thyme essential oils (EOs) on five Candida species (C. albicans, C. auris, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. guillermondii). Methods: The MIC, growth rate, antibiofilm activity, regulation of gene expression (ALS3, SAP2, HSP70) and germ-tube formation were evaluated by specific methods. Results: Most EOs inhibited Candida species growth and reduced the expression of some virulence factors. Cinnamon and clove EO showed the most significant inhibitory effects. Conclusions: The tested EOs are promising agents for facilitating the management of some Candida infections
Soil phosphorus and potassium solubilization in an experiment with field crops in the Great Brăila Island
No full textAlong with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the most important nutrition elements for plants; they are to be found
in all their organs, are components of the needed substances for vital processes, and have important roles in many
biochemical reactions. Accessible fractions for plant nutrition are but small fractions of the total phosphorus and
potassium soil contents. The influence of soil reaction (pH), humus content, and total forms upon phosphorus and
potassium solubilization in the ammonium acetate lactate solution at pH 3.7, down to a 50 cm soil depth, was studied in
an agro-chemical experiment carried out in six farms of the Great Brăila Island, with seven field crops diversely fertilized
with nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and – for only one of the crops and in small quantities – potassium; phosphorus
available contents for plants were also computed as in neutral – slightly alkaline soils as it is the case they are not the
same with the contents analytically determined in the used extractant. Phosphorus and potassium solubilization degrees
were very significantly influenced by soil reaction and in the case of potassium by the organic matter content too. Because
of the neutral – slightly alkaline soil reaction phosphorus soluble in the ammonium acetate lactate solution and the one
available for plants, found out by computing, were differently influenced. Effects registered under each crop were very
significant for phosphorus and less for potassium following the diverse fertilization systems
Simularea fenomenului de poluare a râurilor
Get PDFThe main factor in reducing the volume of drinking water in Romania is the phenomenon of pollution. Drinking, industrial and agricultural water consumption is not limiting because natural resources are recoverable, but the use of water sources becomes limited due to pollution. The forecast of water quality along a river, in case of accidental pollution, can be simulated by using modern software. The paper also proposes the development of new simulation models, more accessible as a way of working and with a shorter analysis time. The simulation carried out on the Moldova River in sections characterized by the existence of various sources of pollution in nature confirms the effectiveness of these models
Influence of slope aspect on the soil macronutrients on the Moldavian Plain
No full textCurrent trends are increasingly based on the adoption of sustainable agriculture, through the implementation of farming
practices designed to protect the environment and at the same time ensure the food needs of a growing population. The
rational application of fertilizers and liming materials in agriculture is one of the most important practical technological
actions that efficiently exploit the roles of fertilizing elements and substances in crops. In the current concept, the
application of chemical and organic fertilizers must be done with discernment, depending on the specific local soil
conditions, its nutrient supply, the nutrient requirements of the plants and the expected yields. The benefits of nutrients
in chemical fertilizers are evidenced by their quantitative participation in biomass production and their specific roles
in essential plant metabolic processes. The researches were conducted in the lands managed by S.C. FARMBĂLȚAȚI
S.R.L., located on the territory of Balțați commune, Iasi County. In order to determine the state of soil supply in
macronutrients accessible to plants, 4 average agrochemical samples were taken from the depth range 0-20 cm using
the equipment consisting of ATV HONDA 750 + auger sampler WINTEX 1000. The results obtained identifies the
range of variation of the soil reaction, i.e. pH 6.9-8.0, resulting in a neutral to slightly alkaline soil reaction. The
nitrogen index value on which we evaluate the nitrogen supply status of soils ranging between 1.4–3.9%. The
accessible phosphorus content varies between 16-29 ppm, so the level of phosphorus in soil is low to medium, and the
available potassium content has values between 247-299 ppm, indicating that the soils are very good provided with
potassium. The highest value of humus content is 3.9%, indicating a medium content
The influence of salt stress on stomatal conductance of bitter cucumber (Momordica charantia L.)
No full textAmong the environmental stressors salinity is the main factor that calls into question the future of plant cultivation, be it
agriculture, ornamental or medicinal plants. It currently affects almost a billion hectares of lands, of which 77 million
hectares represent arable land. The intensification of stomatal conductance is directly correlated with the mechanical
force involved in the opening of the stomata, which is influenced by the osmotic absorption of water, but also by the
increase in hydrostatic pressure in the stomatal. This research was carried out in order to determine the bitter cucumber
varieties with good resistance to salt stress. The materials used were represented by five varieties of bitter cucumber
(Momordica charantia) of which: two Romanian varieties (Rodeo variety and Brâncusi variety) and three lines (Line 1,
Line 3 and Line 4). The five varieties of bitter cucumber were subjected to salt stress for a 30 days period, during which
they were constantly treated with saline solutions consisting of 100 mM and 200 mM concentration. Stomatal
conductance was measured with SC-1 Leaf Porometer. The device is used to determine the flow of water vapor in and
out of leaf stomata by inducing stomatal conductance
Pesticide residues identified in grape varieties
No full textAs the human population continues to grow there is an ever-increasing demand for food production, which means that
more and more pesticides will be required to meet these needs. This trend is the same in the winemaking industry with
pesticides being used in higher quantities year after year. As pesticides can produce harmful effects on human beings
and the environment it is crucial to accurately understand how pesticides travel through the winemaking process. This
research sought to monitor the pesticides from two grape varieties. The following six pesticides were analysed:
oxathiapiprolin, myclobutanil, iprovalicarb, tebuconazole, chlorantraniliprole, and acetamiprid. Samples were extracted
using the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and analysed for the residues of
pesticides by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results indicated that pesticides content in the grape
samples ranged between 0.89 ng/g and 18.92 ng/g for Feteasca neagra grape variety. Similar for Cabernet Sauvignon
grape values ranged between 0.66 ng/g and 8.24 ng/g. Overall, the recorded levels of pesticides were significantly
below the EU maximum residue levels (MRL’s)
Evaluation of Physically and/or Chemically Modified Chitosan Hydrogels for Proficient Release of Insoluble Nystatin in Simulated Fluids
No full textTo avoid fungal spreading in the bloodstream and internal organs, many research efforts concentrate on finding appropriate candidiasis treatment from the initial stage. This paper proposes chitosan-based physically or chemically cross-linked hydrogels aimed to provide sustained release of micronized nystatin (NYSm) antifungal drug, known for its large activity spectrum. Nystatin was demonstrated itself to provide hydrodynamic/mechanic stability to the chitosan hydrogel through hydrophobic interactions and H-bonds. For chemical cross-linking of the succinylated chitosan, a non-toxic diepoxy-functionalized siloxane compound was used. The chemical structure and composition of the hydrogels, also their morphology, were evidenced by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The hydrogels presented mechanical properties which mimic those of the soft tissues (elastic moduli < 1 MPa), necessary to ensure matrix accommodation and bioadhesion. Maximum swelling capacities were reached by the hydrogels with higher succinic anhydride content at both pH 7.4 (429%) and pH 4.2 (471%), while higher amounts of nystatin released in the simulative immersion media (57% in acidic pH and 51% in pH 7.4) occurred from the physical cross-linked hydrogel. The release mechanism by non-swellable matrix diffusion and the susceptibility of three Candida strains make all the hydrogel formulations effective for NYSm local delivery and for combating fungal infections
Evaluarea unor parametri de calitate la băuturi răcoritoare comercializate
Get PDFSoft drinks (non-alcoholic) are liquids that are consumed to hydrate the body and especially to combat the sensation of heat. Through this study we tried to analyse a series of quality indices for marketed soft drinks, considering their widespread use and consumption by all population groups. Eight well-consumed brands of soft drinks, Cola type or based on orange juice, were selected, and the analyzed indicators focused on pH, titratable acidity and content in nitrite, phosphate, chlorine and sulphite ions. Among the analyzed products, the most acidic proved to be Coca Cola (0.353 g citric acid / 100 mL), Pepsi and Freeway Orange (0.340 g citric acid / 100 mL) and the one with the lowest content in free acids, Santal Orange (0.268 g citric acid / 100 mL). Regarding the content in the analyzed ions, the highest values for nitrites were recorded at Freeway Orange (7.33 mg / L), for phosphates, at Coca Cola (187.82 mg / L), for chlorides, also at Coca Cola (0.164 g / 100 mL), and for sulphites, at Giusto Natura Orange (12 mg / 100 mL)
Improving food product quality and safety by application of the failure modes and effects analysis methodology (for cheese manufacturing)
No full textFailure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) it is a predictive and preventive methodology specific to non-compliance
and risk management. The aim of this study was the application of the FMEA to improve scalding cheese quality.
Among the steps and activities required to apply the FMEA methodology is distinguished as specificity the calculation
Action Priority (AP) depending on the severity (S) of consequences of manifestation of nonconformities to the
consumer, on the probability of occurrence (O) of a potential hazard for food safety and on the probability of its
detection (D). The AP was determined for each category of identified potential hazards: physical (P), chemical (C) and
biological (B) for all ingredients and for all stages of the technological flow for cheese manufacturing. The highest
value of AP (360) was observed for non-compliant pasteurization of milk, for B hazards. Through AP, a quantitative
assessment can be made of the potential food safety problems in a system, and respectively a prioritization of
implementation of preventive actions; the results are clearly the improving of quality and safety of cheese, based on
lowering of potential nonconformities