The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the nutritional, phytochemical, rheological, technological, and sensory properties of wheat flour dough and bread under a replacement of lupin flour at level 10, 20, and 30%. In this sense, the proximate composition, fatty acids profile, the content in total polyphenols content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and flavonoids content (TFC) of lupin; wheat and flour composites; and the bread obtained from them were determined. The rheological properties of the dough using the Mixolab system were also evaluated. The results showed an improvement in the nutritional properties of bread with addition of lupin in the composite flour, especially in terms of proteins, lipids, and mineral substances and a significant increases of functional attributes, such as TPC, TFC, and AA, which recorded the highest values in the bread with 30% lupin flour (76.50 mg GAE/100 g, 8.54 mg QE/100 g, 54.98%). The decrease of lupin bread volume compared to wheat bread ranged between 0.69–7.37%, porosity between 6.92–35.26%, elasticity between 63–70%, and H/D between 3.17–19.05%. The rheological profile of the dough obtained with lupin flours indicates a moderate stability and proper kneading behavior. The sensory analysis was also performed in order to identify the consumer’s acceptability regarding this type of bread. According to a 5-point hedonic scale, the most highly appreciated was the bread with 10% lupin flour, which obtained mean scores of 4.73 for general acceptability as compared with control bread (4.43).

Biofilms are structured microbial communities that pose significant challenges to food safety and quality within the food-processing industry. Their formation on equipment and surfaces enables persistent contamination, microbial resistance, and recurring outbreaks of foodborne illness. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on biofilm formation mechanisms, genetic regulation, and the unique behavior of multi-species biofilms. The review evaluates modern detection and monitoring technologies, including PCR, biosensors, and advanced microscopy, and compares their effectiveness in industrial contexts. Real-world outbreak data and a global economic impact analysis underscore the urgency for more effective regulatory frameworks and sanitation innovations. The findings highlight the critical need for integrated, proactive biofilm management approaches to safeguard food safety, reduce public health risks, and minimize economic losses across global food sectors.

SUMMARY: Infections by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are widely prevalent in humans and other animals worldwide. However, information from eastern European countries is sketchy. In many eastern European countries, including Romania, it has been assumed that chronic T. gondii infection is a common cause of infertility and abortion. For this reason, many women in Romania with these problems were needlessly tested for T. gondii infection. Most papers on toxoplasmosis in Romania were published in Romanian in local journals and often not available to scientists in other countries. Currently, the rate of congenital infection in Romania is largely unknown. In addition, there is little information on genetic characteristics of T. gondii or prevalence in animals and humans in Romania. In the present paper we review prevalence, clinical spectrum and epidemiology of T. gondii in humans and animals in Romania. This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection were assessed among pregnant women in Western Romania. T. gondii seroprevalence was evaluated in 208 pregnant women by demonstration of serum antibodies using the commercial Vitros anti- Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM assays. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information regarding the risk factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Chi-squared tests, Fisher exact test, and Stata 9.2 (Statacorp, Texas) were used to evaluate differences between T. gondii positive and negative women. T. gondii antibodies were demonstrated in 116 (55.8%) of 208 pregnant women. Lower level of education and working with meat were found to be risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity. Pet owners (cats and/or dogs) had a higher T. gondii seroprevalence than those who did not report having any pet ( p = 0.032). Women with ≥4 live births were more frequently T. gondii seropositive than those without previous births ( p < 0.002). Women with histories of spontaneous abortions were more frequently T. gondii seropositive than those without such a history ( p = 0.036). Our results indicate a high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in pregnant women in Romania. Risk factors for T. gondii past infection were being in the older age group, working with meat, having pets, a lower level of education, higher gravidity, and history of spontaneous abortions. This survey provided the first data regarding risk factors for T. gondii infection in pregnant women from Western Romania.

This study evaluated the potential of two dried processing by products, obtained from large and cherry tomatoes (LT and CT) after juice extraction to improve the oxidative stability of pork sausages during refrigerated storage for 20 days. For this purpose, reformulated nitrite-free sausages were manufactured by supplementation of raw sausage samples with dried large and cherry tomato processing byproducts (DLTB and DCTB) at a dose that provides a level of polyphenolic compounds equally with 50, 90, 180 and 270 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg of processed meat. The developed sausage formulas were subjected to heat treatment, such as smoking and drying and, smoking and scalding, respectively. The reformulated nitrite-free sausages were compared with control samples of sausages with or without the addition of sodium nitrite. Large and cherry tomatoes and their raw and dried processing byproducts were investigated for total and individual polyphenols content as well as lycopene content. The sausage formulas were evaluated in terms of proximate composition. Additionally, the progress of lipid oxidation developed in sausage formulas was assessed by specific indices, such as peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), TOTOX value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA), after 1, 10 and 20 days of storage at 4 °C. Based on the values of PV, p-AV, TOTOX and TBA, it can be stated that the dried tomato processing byproducts applied at doses that ensure a level of polyphenolic compounds of at least 180 mg GAE/kg of processed meat for DCTB and 270 mg GAE/kg of processed meat for DLTB, showed promising potential to replace sodium nitrite in meat products for both dried and scalded sausage formulas. For the same dose of tomato processing byproducts, it was noted a stronger inhibitory effect against lipid oxidation in the case of smoked and scalded sausages compared to smoked and dried ones.

Serum samples from 197 clinically healthy dogs residing in the Banat Region, the western historical part of Romania, were assayed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test for the presence of anti-Babesia canis antibodies. Overall, the seroprevalence was 19.8% (39/197). The percent of seropositive dogs in rural areas (28.4%; 19/67) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to dogs living in urban areas (15.4%; 20/130). Seroprevalence of B. canis infection in hunting dogs was also found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to canines with other lifestyles, but no significant difference was found between companion and kennel dogs. The statistical analysis showed that no significant differences (P > 0.05) were present between the seroprevalence of infected animals associated with age, gender, or breed. The hunting lifestyle was the only factor (OR = 4.57; 95% CI = 2.1–10.2; P = 0.002) positively associated with seroprevalence in dogs and can be considered the risk factor in the acquisi...