This study rigorously investigates the bioactive properties and characteristics of extracts derived from the flowers and bark of four distinct Magnolia species: Magnolia champaca, Magnolia denudata, Magnolia grandiflora and Magnolia officinalis. The primary objective is to evaluate the potential application of these extracts in cosmetics and other relevant industries. We used ethanol to extract compounds from these plants and conducted various tests, including spectrophotometry, HPLC, GC-MS, and microbiological analyses. The extracts, particularly rich in polyphenols (55.18 mg GAE/g), displayed significant antioxidant capabilities, with IC 50 values ranging between 9.99 mg/mL and 23.23 mg/mL. We quantified different compounds: phenolic acids (6.259 to 27.883 mg/g dry weight), aglycone flavonoids (61.224 to 135.788 mg/g dw), glycosidic flavonoids (17.265 to 57.961 mg/g dw), and lignans (150.071 to 374.902 mg/g dw). We identified 76 volatile compounds, predominantly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which contribute to the antibacterial effectiveness of the extracts. These extracts showed greater inhibitory potential against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria. The diverse chemical compounds and their demonstrated activities suggest these extracts could be valuable in the cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry, or other industries.

Purple-fleshed potatoes (PFP) are varieties of Solanum tuberosum L., which recently have been recorded to be more and more cultivated and consumed in all European countries, including Romania, as they are promoted for their content in bioactive compounds and benefits to human health. This paper presents a micropropagation protocol study for PFP varieties already traded into the Romanian market, namely Blue Danube (BD), Salad Blue (SB), Violet Negretin (VN), and Violet Queen (VQ). These varieties were tested for in vitro micropropagation also considering asepsis, initiation, callus formation, and microtuberization. To establish the optimum asepsis treatment, a preliminary experiment was performed and, the best results were obtained by using 70% EtOH (1 min) followed by 20% (v/v) Domestos^® (20 min). The MS formula (Murashige and Skoog 1962) was tested as the basic culture medium without growth regulators for all tested stages except for callus initiation and its further multiplication stages. The effect of glycine on direct organogenesis and shoot multiplication was evaluated for propagated micro-cuttings. We emphasize that the addition of glycine at a concentration of 15 mg/L to the culture medium induced a better plantlet vigor for all four varieties. Regarding the indirect organogenesis, culture medium supplemented with NAA (5.00 mg/L), GA₃ (1.00 mg/L), TDZ (1.00 mg/L) and glycine (15.00 mg/L) induced the best results for shoot cluster regeneration as well as turning of white callus from control to purple callus. Further, the microtuberization was successfully produced when sucrose was supplemented at 8% (w/v) into the culture medium. Among all four tested PFP varieties, SB has proven to give the best results regarding the adaptability for in vitro cultivation.

Syngonium podophyllum Schott. cv. ‘White Butterfly’ is recognized as a valuable ornamental plant, and today it is also an important plant species of medicinal interest due to its high contents of phenolic compounds. The purpose of this article is to review the main scientific publications from our laboratory with regard to new scientific achievements dealing with Syngonium species or topics of interest, such as callus formation and further de novo shoot regeneration. The principles and stages necessary to start an industrial-level micropropagation protocol are discussed based on our experience. Different media compositions induced different morphogenetic responses inside the callus—particularly those related to the development of xylematic elements in the organogenetic areas, such as those for rooting, protocorms, and de novo shoot formation. The re-evaluation of old histological images revealed for the first time that xylematic elements are constantly closely positioned to all organogenetic centers, and that their development is closely dependent on the composition of the culture medium. Separate protocorms can be identified only when xylematic tracheary elements are well developed and closely connected to them. The formation of protocorms is strongly dependent on the mineral composition of the culture medium and the balance of plant growth regulators.

The scourge of food waste (FW) is a significant global challenge, impacting climate change, food security, and the sustainability of agrifood systems. The objective of this paper is to identify, analyze, and understand the factors influencing household consumer behaviors in Romania regarding the reduction of FW. Three primary research objectives were established to assess food consumption behaviors within households, to explore attitudes toward FW, and to understand the motivations for reducing FW along with the measures implemented by households to address this issue. Methodology: Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, designed to investigate consumer behaviors related to the avoidance of FW. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and a linear regression model was developed to evaluate a composite index measuring Romanian consumers’ behavior towards FW reduction. Results: The resulting model identifies key predictors that drive concrete actions to minimize FW, including the desire to mitigate the environmental impact, household conversations about FW and strategies to reduce it, established food routines, the influence of one’s social circle, individual ecological and social responsibility, and the effectiveness of awareness campaigns addressing the consequences of FW. Practical and social implications: The findings highlight the necessity of education and awareness initiatives to shift attitudes and behaviors concerning FW. Future research is warranted to deepen understanding and enhance interventions. Originality: This study represents a pioneering and innovative inquiry into FW behavior in Romania, filling a gap in the existing literature and contributing to the broader discourse on this pressing environmental issue.

Crops drought tolerance is a trait of outmost importance for agriculture especially today when climate change is affecting more the production for food and feed. The scope of this article is to evaluate in vitro drought stress response of Nicotiana tabacum L., “Baladi”. The experiment was set up for four successive stages starting with in vitro seedling development, hypocotyl cultivation, three generations of micropropagation, pre-acclimatization and acclimatization. The effect of abscisic acid (ABA) and/or polyethylene-glycol 6000 (PEG) on tobacco hypocotyl caulogenesis and micropropagation were investigated. Superoxide-dismutases (SODs) and peroxidases (POXs) are more active and different isoforms patterns have been identified compared to the control for cualogenesis. A decrease of internodes length and a higher shoots multiplication rate were observed. However, under PEG treatment plantlets expressed hyperhydration and ceased rooting. Pre-treatments effects study of ABA and/or PEG were finalized in acclimatization phase for 18 tobacco clones. A summary of our results revealed that ABA and/or PEG induce among others a higher oxidative stress compared to the control in the first stage that is not maintained for all clones until acclimatization. Certain clones expressed a lower SOD activity compared to the control during acclimatization but maintaining higher POX activity.

Modern biotechnology entered the world science arena after 1972, and in less than 22 years the first genetically modified crop was placed on the market. The analysis of relevant biosafety portals and official and scientific documents was applied in this study to reveal positive and negative issues of the Romanian biosafety framework before and after the European Union (EU) accession. The success in cultivating highly productive GM soybean was rapidly embraced by Romania between 1999 and 2005. Before 2007, Romania was cited among the Mega Biotech Countries, with a cultivation of 87.500 ha. After the accession to the European Union, Romania stopped any GM crop cultivation. There was an immense effort to harmonize with the EU regulatory framework between 2005 and 2007. The monitoring system for GM crops has been in place since 2007. Public research on aspects of GMOs started before 1996 and continues to develop. The analysis of our results supports the idea that Romania is a perfect example of a country committed to embracing GM crop cultivation for 7 years, followed by almost complete phasing out of GM crop cultivation to comply with all requirements for EU accession in less than 1 year.