In recent years there was a preference for healthy natural products hence an increased interest in functional food including fermented dairy products occurred. Dairy products contain nutrients essential for health, of which vitamins could help reduce the risk of certain diseases. Cheese is a highly nutritious food that can play an important role in a wellbalanced diet. The aim of this research was to investigate the vitamin composition of various types of cheese and to evaluate the vitamins intake provided by cheese as part of the daily diet. The determinations were performed on traditional Romanian cheese, meaning cow, sheep, goat and buffalo Telemea and some Kashkaval types purchased from local supermarkets. The samples were subjected to vitamins B1, B2, B12, A and E analysis using spectrofluorometric, spectrophotometric, HPLC and microbiological methods. The results showed a higher content of vitamins B2 and E in Telemea cheese while Kashkaval types were distinguished for vitamin B1, B12 and A. Regarding the vitamin content depending on raw material used for obtaining the different types of cheese, those made from goat milk recorded the highest level of the analyzed vitamins, followed by those from sheep milk, while lowest amounts were found in products obtained from cow.

Protein hydrolysates are widely used in agricultural crops for improving plant nutrient uptake, growth, yield, and fruit quality. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important vegetables consumed around the world both for its good taste and rich content in vitamins, minerals, lycopene, and β-carotene. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of new stimulant products based on protein hydrolysates obtained from animal tissue by-products on tomato seedlings. Given the increased intake of amino acids, it is expected that this treatment will exert beneficial effects on the development of certain vigorous seedlings, representing the premise for obtaining superior tomato plants and the improvement of the production and quality of tomato fruit. Two variants of protein gels based on gelatin and keratin hydrolysates were obtained by processing bovine hide and wool and were used for periodical root applications on tomato seedlings cultivated in a greenhouse. During the experiment, the biometric characteristics of seedlings were measured weekly. The content of photosynthetic pigments, dry weight, sugars, and polyphenols were analyzed, and the antioxidant activity was assessed in the leaves. The research performed showed that applied biostimulant treatments increased the content of photosynthetic pigments by 10%, the content of sugars by 75%, and the content of polyphenols by 16% compared to the control untreated variant. Between the variants of protein gels tested, the best results were obtained by applying a mixture of bovine gelatin and keratin.

This study aims to establish the effect of biostimulatory protein gels on the quality of tomato. One of the most consumed vegetables, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is a rich source of healthy constituents. Two variants of protein gels based on bovine gelatin and keratin hydrolysates obtained from leather industry byproducts were used for periodical application on the tomato plant roots in the early stage of vegetation. The gels were characterized by classical physicochemical methods and protein secondary structure was obtained by FTIR band deconvolution. After ripening, tomato was analyzed regarding its content of quality indicators (sugars and organic acids) and antioxidants (lycopene, β-carotene, vitamin C, polyphenols). The results emphasized the positive effects of the protein gels on the quality parameters of tomato fruit. An increase of 10% of dry matter and of 30% (in average) in the total soluble sugars was noted after biostimulant application. Also, lycopene and vitamin C recorded higher values (by 1.44 and 1.29 times, respectively), while β-carotene showed no significant changes. The biostimulant activity of protein gels was correlated with their amino acid composition. Plant biostimulants are considered an ecological alternative to conventional treatments for improving plant growth, and also contributing to reduce the intake of chemical fertilizers.

Rosa canina L. fruit have been used internally as tea for treatment of viral infections and disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract. Also, it was reported that the R. canina fruit, with its high ascorbic acid, phenolics and flavonoids contents, have antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and thus protect the organism. Research studies conducted on this topic have shown that natural antioxidants are involved in protection against many diseases: cancer, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Different processing and storage methods of the fruit could affect the bioactive nutrients while preserving the antioxidant capacity of them is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage in a dry or frozen state on the antioxidants content of R. canina fruit. The evaluation involved determination of carotenes, ascorbic acid and total polyphenols using spectrophotometrically methods. Analysis performed on the R. canina fruit showed significant changes in the antioxidants content in fresh, dried and frozen fruit during storage.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal used for food, feed, and industrial applications. This study assessed genetic diversity and biochemical variability among 49 maize genotypes to identify promising material for grain quality improvement. RAPD profiles were used to calculate Jaccard similarity coefficients and construct the UPGMA dendrogram. Total nitrogen, crude protein, starch, crude fat, and β-carotene were measured using standardized ISO/EN ISO procedures, Soxhlet extraction, and spectrophotometry. RAPD markers generated 42 amplified DNA fragments, of which 39 were polymorphic. Mean RAPD PIC values ranged from 0.187 to 0.424, with OPC-2 showing the highest value. RAPD-based clustering suggested two main groups of genotypes. Biochemical traits varied significantly among genotypes, with genotype means ranging from 8.67 to 13.72 g/100 g for crude protein, 62.50 to 74.50 g/100 g for starch, 2.61 to 5.06 g/100 g for crude fat, and 0.55 to 1.32 mg/100 g for β-carotene. HSF hybrids exhibited higher mean crude fat and lower mean starch than commercial cultivars, while crude protein and β-carotene showed no significant differences at the genotype level. These analyses identified maize genotypes with promising grain composition for further breeding evaluation aimed at improving nutritional quality. Their responses to environmental stress and the stability of their grain composition require assessment in dedicated stress experiments and multi-environment trials.

Alternative protein sources are examined as sustainable substitutes for conventional animal-based proteins, driven by global population growth and environmental pressures. This article is a review of original research and review articles published between 2015 and 2026 on major alternative protein sources, using specific keywords related to alternative proteins. It examines plant-based, fungal, insect, algae/microalgae, cultivated meat, and fermentation-derived proteins, focusing on their nutritional value, health effects, environmental sustainability, safety, and regulatory considerations. Evidence indicates that many alternative protein sources provide high-quality proteins, often with added benefits such as fiber and reduced saturated fat. Additionally, most exhibit significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and resource demands than livestock production. While challenges remain, such as consumer acceptance, processing efficiency, and regulatory considerations, alternative proteins represent a promising pathway toward a more sustainable, secure, and health-conscious global food system.