Magnolia officinalis, a tree known for its bark, leaves, and flowers, contains phytochemicals that have garnered significant attention in recent research. Modern medicine increasingly incorporates plant extracts, rich in various classes of phytochemicals, either as replacements for traditional treatments or as complementary additions to enhance efficacy and minimize side effects. This study focuses on the extraction of oil from the leaves of M. officinalis, which was analyzed using GC-MS, revealing a predominance of monoterpenes (notably linalool and its derivatives) and sesquiterpenes (such as caryophyllene). These compounds are investigated for their potential therapeutic effects across a range of conditions, with a particular emphasis on their mechanisms of action. In addition to chemical analysis, the leaves were examined macroscopically and microscopically. The antimicrobial properties of the extracted oil were tested against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. To address the challenges of oil degradation over time and its limited bioavailability when taken orally, the oil was encapsulated using the coacervation method, a quick and cost-effective technique. The encapsulation protects the oil's properties and improves its bioavailability. Future research will focus on evaluating the bioavailability of the encapsulated oil through oral administration and monitoring its stability during storage.

Organic products have grown ever more popular in recent years due to increased concerns regarding one’s health, the environment, and sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this growth, prompting producers to adapt to a rapidly growing market while maintaining the same standard of quality. We have conducted a questionnaire-based pilot study on 190 organic food consumers from Bihor county, Romania, in order to analyze the main factors influencing customers’ beliefs regarding organic food consumption, as well as assess the extent to which their consumption frequency changed after the pandemic. A principal component analysis was performed, dividing the factors into two categories referring to intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of the products, respectively. It was noticed that the most important cues were ranked the same by our 190 respondents, regardless of their socio-demographical background. At the same time, people who consumed organic products more frequently before the pandemic have either maintained or increased their consumption, while more indifferent consumers maintained or decreased the proportion of organic foods in their diet.

Applications of the Drosophila melanogaster (D.m.) research model have an important means both for genetic investigations and for the study of metal toxicity, because D.m. has physiological mechanisms comparable to those in human organisms. In this research, the toxic effect of lead (Pb²⁺) and copper (Cu²⁺) on four D.m. genotypes—the wild genotype (Oregon-R, used as control) and three mutant genotypes (white, brown, and white-vestigial)—was compared. Five replicates were made to observe the development progress of monitorized genotypes exposed to five different concentrations 0, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 2.00 mM of copper (CuSO₄) and lead Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂. Proliferation rates of larvae, pupae, and adults depend on genetic factors, metals used (copper or lead), and their concentrations. The white-vestigial mutant genotype showed the greatest sensitivity at IC₅₀ concentration (inhibition of proliferation of more than 50% compared with the control sample) at doses of 1.00 mM for Cu²⁺ and 2.00 mM for Pb²⁺. In contrast, the control genotype (Oregon-R) showed only an inhibition IC₅₀ concentration of 2.00 mM for Cu²⁺. The white-vestigial mutant genotype showed the greatest sensitivity at IC₅₀ concentration (inhibition of proliferation of more than 50% compared with the control sample) at doses of 1.00 mM for Cu²⁺ and 2.00 mM for Pb²⁺. In contrast, the control genotype (Oregon-R) showed an inhibition at the IC₅₀ concentration of 2.00 mM for Cu²⁺. The results conclude that (i) the dose influences the prolificacy rate in a directly proportional way, (ii) the comparative analyses between Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ revealed a more acute effect of Cu²⁺, and (iii) differentiated prolificacy values according to genotypes were recorded. Those reflect the importance of using D.m. as a research model in the comparative studies of the interactions between genetic factors and metal toxicity. Also, this study provides significant information on non-toxic maximum doses for organisms.

Agritourism is increasingly recognized as a driver of sustainable rural development, yet research has often focused on ecological and economic outcomes while neglecting the human capital that sustains service quality. This study introduces the concept of human sustainability capital and links it with the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) framework and emotional labor theory, using case studies from Maramureș and Bucovina, Romania. Data were collected in summer 2025 through two surveys: one of 120 tourists assessing satisfaction, challenges, and improvement needs, and one of 45 agritourism hosts and employees examining emotional labor, job satisfaction, and ESG-related practices. Tourists reported high satisfaction with hospitality, food, landscapes, and cultural authenticity but noted shortcomings in infrastructure, activity variety, and crowding during peak seasons. Hosts and employees showed strong motivation and cultural pride, with genuine engagement more frequent than surface acting, yet many reported fatigue, low pay, and limited access to training. Social and cultural benefits were evident, environmental practices were modest, and governance emerged as the weakest pillar. Strengthening governance through professional development, fair labor conditions, and infrastructural support is crucial to maintain authenticity, protect cultural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of agritourism.

Magnolia officinalis is a tree whose parts (bark, leaves, flowers) are characterized by a content-rich in phytochemical compounds of great interest nowadays. Modern medicine relies on the replacement of conventional treatments or the completion of treatment schemes with plant extracts rich in different phytochemical classes for greater efficiency and to reduce side effects. In this work, the oil was extracted from the leaves of Magnolia officinalis, which was characterized by GC-MS, highlighting

Drosophila melanogaster serves as a important research model both for genetic investigations and for the study of metal toxicity, facilitating the elucidation of physiological mechanisms comparable to those of human organisms. In our research, we evaluated the toxicity effect resulting from exposure to various concentrations of lead and copper on the prolificity rates throughout the life cycle (egg-adult) of four genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster: wild-type (control), white, brown, and white-vestigial. During our study, the prolificity rates were examined across three repetitions under the impact of exposure to concentrations of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 mM of copper (CuSO₄) and lead (Pb(C₂H₃O₂₎₂). Prolificity rates throughout the life cycle exhibited variations as a direct consequence of genetic factors, the concentration of exposure, and the specific type of metal, either copper or lead. The mutant white-vestigial genotype revealed an IC₅₀ concentration for prolificity inhibition at lower doses of 2.00 mM for copper and 4.00 mM for lead, in contrast to the control genotype (wild-type), which exhibited an inhibition concentration rate >IC₅₀ of 4.00 mM only in the case of copper. Our results concluded that the (i) dose influences the prolificity rate in a directly proportional manner, (ii) comparative analyses between copper and lead revealed that copper displayed toxicity across all genotypes within the concentration range of 0.50 mM to 2.00 mM. In contrast, lead exhibited toxicity within the concentration range of 1.00 mM to 4.00 mM, highlighting a (iii) more acute toxicity characteristic in the case of copper. Thus, the results of this research reflect the importance of using Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model in the comparative study of the interaction between genetic factors and the toxicity of metals, offering significant insights into monitoring their impact and defining the maximum permissible doses on organisms.