Wine lees, the second most significant by-product of winemaking after grape pomace, have received relatively little attention regarding their potential for valorization. Despite their rich content in bioactive components such as β-glucans, industrial utilization faces challenges, particularly due to variability in their composition. This inconsistency impacts the reliability and standardization of final products, limiting broader adoption in industrial applications. β-Glucans are dietary fibers or polysaccharides renowned for their diverse bioactive properties, including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and cholesterol- and glucose-lowering effects. They modulate the immune system by activating Dectin-1 and TLR receptors on immune cells, enhancing phagocytosis, cytokine production, and adaptive immune responses. Their antioxidant activity arises from neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, thereby protecting cells and tissues. β-Glucans also exhibit antitumor effects by inhibiting cancer cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and preventing angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels essential for tumor development. Additionally, they lower cholesterol and glucose levels by forming a viscous gel in the intestine, which reduces lipid and carbohydrate absorption, improving metabolic health. The biological activity of β-glucans varies with their molecular weight and source, further highlighting their versatility and functional potential. This study investigates how grape variety, vinification technology and extraction methods affect the yield and properties of β-glucans extracted from wine lees. The physico-chemical and mineral composition of different wine lees were analyzed, and two extraction methods of β-glucans from wine lees were tested: acid-base extraction and autolysis. These two methods were also tested under ultrasound-assisted conditions at different frequencies, as well as without the use of ultrasound. The β-glucan yield and properties were evaluated under different conditions. FTIR spectroscopy was used to assess the functional groups and structural characteristics of the β-glucans extracted from the wine lees, helping to confirm their composition and quality. Rheological behavior of the extracted β-glucans was also assessed to understand the impact of extraction method and raw material origin. The findings highlight that vinification technology significantly affects the composition of wine lees, while both the extraction method and yeast origin influence the yield and type of β-glucans obtained. The autolysis method provided higher β-glucan yields (18.95 ± 0.49% to 39.36 ± 0.19%) compared to the acid–base method (3.47 ± 0.66% to 19.76 ± 0.58%). FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the β-glucan extracts contain a variety of glucan and polysaccharide types, with distinct β-glucans (β-1,4, β-1,3, and β-1,6) identified through specific absorption peaks. The rheological behavior of suspensions exhibited pseudoplastic or shear-thinning behavior, where viscosity decreased significantly as shear rate increased. This behavior, observed across all β-glucan extracts, is typical of polymer-containing suspensions. These insights are critical for optimizing β-glucan extraction processes, supporting sustainability efforts and waste valorization in the wine industry. Efficient extraction of β-glucans from natural sources like wine lees offers a promising path toward their industrial application as valuable functional compounds.

This review aims to share the history of bees and the use of honey as the only natural sweetener available to mankind for more than 40,000 years. At the same time, the characteristic of the beekeeping sector is presented, highlighting the top honey producers worldwide. The botanical origin of honey is the basis for the characterization of the 14 types of honey presented. Honey standards were analyzed to provide an overview of quality and physico-chemical indices. The data indicated in the national and regional honey standard are identical to the data for the international Codex Alimentarius standard. After the comparative analysis of these 3 sources, no significant deviations were identified. The tendencies of using honey from ancient times as a nutritious food product, as a preservative, as a medicine for treating various diseases and for performing certain rituals, etc. were highlighted. At the same time, the population must be encouraged to consume this incomparable bee product.

The study was conducted to study the sustainability and enhanced nutrition gains obtained from incorporating grape skin powder (GSP) extracted from both Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră grape varieties into yogurt. Grape skins are major leftovers from wineries, having high amounts of phenolic compounds and dietary fiber responsible for their ability to improve the characteristics of food. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of GSP addition at varying concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) on the yogurt’s physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, color parameters, and sensory attributes. Analysis revealed that both Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră GSP increased the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity; however, Fetească Neagră showed greater improvements, with TPC reaching 1.52 mg GAE/100 g and DPPH inhibition up to 26.63%. Although slightly lower, TPC rose to 1.43 mg GAE/100 g and DPPH inhibition increased to 18.93% with Rară Neagră enhancing these parameters conversely. Color changes were observed in fortified yogurts where lightness decreased (L*) and redness increased (a*) due to the pH-dependent anthocyanin stability. Syneresis, indicative of yogurt’s water-holding capacity, was reduced at higher concentrations of GSP from both varieties, suggesting improved textural integrity. Sensory evaluation indicated that consumers generally favored yogurts with lower concentrations of GSP. Yogurts fortified with Fetească Neagră GSP received higher overall preference, while those with Rară Neagră GSP were also well-received for their distinct flavor profiles when used at suitable levels. These results show that GSP from both types of grapes improves the nutritional value of yogurt and complies with the principles of sustainable food production through reutilizing agro-industrial waste.

Three types of monofloral honey (rapeseed honey, buckwheat and lavender) from the Republic of Moldova were analyzed. The results of the palynological analysis showed that the samples had a dominant type of pollen (at least 45%). In the case of lavender honey, the pollen of the plant Lavandula angustifolia is present in an average value of 74.83 ± 0.3; in rapeseed honey - Brassica napus and for buckwheat honey -Fagopyrum esculentum in average values as follows: 56.07 ± 0.3 and 68.08 ± 0.2% respectively. The study of the content of biologically active substances showed that buckwheat honey is the richest in polyphenols (9.00 ± 0.11 mg gallic acid / kg) and carotenoids (4.24 ± 0.57 mg βcarotE / kg), and maximum content of flavonoids is in rapeseed honey (4.52 ± 0.28 mg catechin / kg). Thus, the obtained results confirm that the honey from the Republic of Moldova falls within the limits recommended by the international regulation assuming adequate working conditions, handling, collection and storage of honey by beekeepers from the Republic of Moldova.

The objective of the study was to investigate the potential application of beta-glucans obtained from yeast sediment resulting from the manufacture of local Viorica wine (2018 harvest). To determine the amount of beta-glucans in the yeast sediment, two were used: the calculation method and the laboratory method, obtaining similar quantities, 29.92 ± 0.47 and 28.17 ± 0.32 respectively. The beta -glucans obtained were incorporated in various concentrations (0.1%; 0.2%; 0.3%; 0.4% and 0.5%) in the yogurt obtained from skimmed milk. The effect of beta-glucan addition on the physicochemical properties of freshly prepared yogurts was investigated. The addition of beta-glucans positively influenced the formation of the gel relay resulting in a decrease in the fermentation time of yogurt. The final pH point of 4.5 was reached one hour earlier (in 4 hours) compared to the control sample (in 5 hours). The results showed that there are no significant changes in physicochemical properties (titratable acidity, pH, viscosity and syneresis). The results obtained report that beta-glucans can be used as a thickening agent for low-fat yogurts by shortening the fermentation period and not essentially changing the sensory characteristics. Experimental results showed that the glycemic index of yogurt samples with the addition of beta-glucans have similar values in the range of 28-30. Respectively, the yogurts under study are attributed to food category with low glycemic index.

The article proposes the technology of obtaining grissini type salt-free bakery products. Research has been carried out on reducing the salt content and replacing the water with fermentation products as kefir, whey, and sour borscht, in order to reduce the effect of the lack of salt on the product quality. The results showed that the complete exclusion of salt from the recipe had a negative effect on the dough stability, physicochemical properties and organoleptic characteristics of the baked products. Partial or total omission of salt resulted in higher dough rise ability and lower moisture content in the final product. Grissini made according to the classic recipe with salt, registered high appearance and sensory properties, while reducing the salt content results in products with a less pronounced crust and taste. The use of kefir, whey and sour borscht as water substitutes in the recipe contributed to the improvement of the chromatic parameters, as well as the physicochemical indicators of the baked grissini. However, consumers appreciated less the samples with the addition of kefir and whey. These samples being distinguished by a specific taste and smell, in some extent unusual for panelists. At the same time, grissini based on sour borscht were highly appreciated. According to the results, the sample with sour borscht without added salt recorded similar characteristics to the control sample, but in order to align it with national standards in terms of physicochemical indicators, the dough fermentation period needs to be revised.