The aim of the research was to increase the efficiency of the hydrodistillation process and determine the volatile composition, biological activity, and aroma profile of essential oil from celery seeds (Apium graveolens L.). The essential oil was extracted from the plant material by ultrasonic hydrodistillation with higher efficiency when compared with classical hydrodistillation. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the impedimetric method for the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast Candida vini as well as moulds Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (μL/mL) values: 30, 10, 20, 3, 30, 40, and 40, respectively. The oil possessed very weak 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 81.6 g/L. Initial studies of the aroma profile indicated that the perception of the fragrance of the oil could be related to the sex of the panellists. According to women, the fragrance of celery seeds oil was intense herb-like. From the men’s point of view, it had a fresh, mossy, and mushroom scent.

Although sugar beets are primarily treated as a source of sucrose, due to their rich chemical composition, they can also be a source of other carbohydrates, e.g., mono- and oligosaccharides. The study focused on both fresh beet roots and those stored in mounds. Our studies have shown that, in addition to sucrose, sugar beet tissue also comprises other carbohydrates: kestose (3.39%) and galactose (0.65%) and, in smaller amounts, glucose, trehalose and raffinose. The acidic hydrolysis of the watery carbohydrates extracts resulted in obtaining significant amounts of glucose (8.37%) and arabinose (3.11%) as well as xylose and galactose and, in smaller amounts, mannose. An HPSEC liquid chromatography study of the molecular mass profile of the carbohydrate compounds present in the beet roots showed alongside the highest percentage (96.53–97.43%) of sucrose (0.34 kDa) the presence of pectin compounds from the araban group and arabinoxylooligosaccharides (5–9 kDa) with a percentage share of 0.61 to 1.87%. On the basis of our research, beet roots can be considered a potential source of carbohydrates, such as kestose, which is classified as fructooligosaccharide (FOS). The results of this study may be helpful in evaluating sugar beets as a direct source of various carbohydrates, or as a raw material for the biosynthesis of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

Milk of lime (MOL), a suspension of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide, is vital in the purification of sugar beet and cane juices. This study evaluates the application of Fourier Transform Near-Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric models—Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Principal Component Regression (PCR)—for rapid, non-destructive assessment of key MOL parameters: density, total lime content, calcium oxide availability, and sucrose content. Ninety samples were analyzed using both wet chemistry and FT-NIR. The predictive performance was assessed using the coefficient of determination (R²). High predictive accuracy was observed for density (PLS: R² = 0.8274; PCR: R² = 0.8795) and calcium oxide availability (PLS: R² = 0.9035; PCR: R² = 0.9115). Total lime content showed moderate accuracy (PLS: R² = 0.7748; PCR: R² = 0.7983), while sucrose content exhibited low predictive power (PLS: R² = 0.2312; PCR: R² = 0.3747). The weak performance was noted for %CaO (PLS: R² = 0.4893; PCR: R² = 0.2409), likely due to spectral overlap and matrix complexity. Despite these challenges, FT-NIR remains a viable, reagent-free method for monitoring MOL, with the potential to enhance process control in the sugar industry. Future work should focus on refining calibration strategies and addressing spectral interferences to improve predictive accuracy for complex matrices.

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, an acidothermophilic bacterium, is one of the main contaminants in the fruit industry due to its high tolerance to environmental stress and ability to form biofilms. As conventional methods of biofilm elimination may be ineffective, there is a need for safe and sustainable methods for A. acidoterrestris management. The objective of the study was to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of commercial essential oils derived from clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), and peppermint (Mentha piperita (L.) Huds.) against A. acidoterrestris. The effect of the essential oils on the mature biofilms of fifteen environmental A. acidoterrestris isolates subjected to variable pH values (3.0, 4.0, and 5.5), temperatures (25, 37, and 44 °C), and essential oil concentrations (0.5 MIC, MIC, and 2 MIC compared to planktonic cells) was studied. The essential oils showed significant antibiofilm activity against A. acidoterrestris isolates, with the efficiency of biofilm eradication depending on the strain and environmental parameters such as acidity, culture temperature, type, and concentration of essential oil. The greatest antibiofilm potential was observed for clove essential oil regardless of oil concentrations and environmental conditions. Cinnamon oil exhibited lower activity against the tested A. acidoterrestris strains. Peppermint essential oil showed the weakest antibiofilm ability and did not completely eradicate any strain biofilm of the tested strains. Clove and cinnamon essential oils have the potential to be effective alternatives to synthetic disinfectants directed against A. acidoterrestris grown in the form of biofilms.

Food safety has received considerable attention in recent years. Methods for rapid identification of a variety contaminants in both the final product and the manufacturing process are constantly developing. This study used Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-MIR) spectroscopy to identify various contaminants endangering white sugar production. It was demonstrated that inorganic compounds (calcium carbonate—CaCO₃), plastic contaminants (polypropylene), and oily contaminants (compressor sealing and lubrication lubricant) can be identified with a high degree of precision. FT-MIR spectroscopy was proved to be a useful technique for detecting sugar contaminants rapidly and precisely even without the application of a sophisticated spectra analysis. Commercial databases of reference spectra usage significantly simplify and facilitate the application of this method.

The study investigates the efficacy of an enzymatic preparation primarily with α-galactosidase activity for improving the quality of white sugar from poor-quality sugar beets. Focused on overcoming raffinose accumulation challenges in sugar beets, especially those harvested prematurely or stored for extended periods, an innovative exploration of enzymatic application in an industrial setting for the first time was conducted. By integrating theoretical calculations and experimental data, the findings reveal that α-galactosidase preparation notably diminishes raffinose content in beet juice, thus enhancing the sucrose yield and overall sugar quality. A reliable method to process lower-quality beets, promising enhanced efficiency in sugar production, was presented. The study also highlights the economic benefits of incorporating enzyme preparation into the production process, demonstrating a notable return on investment and underscoring the potential of enzymatic treatments to address industry challenges.