Blackberry fruit (Rubus spp.) has a powerful antioxidant capacity due to the high levels of anthocyanins and other phenols it contains. In this work, we investigated the physico-chemical characteristics, the bioactive compounds (total phenols, flavonoids, and monomeric anthocyanins), and the antioxidant capacity of seven blackberry cultivars belonging to the Rubus fruticosus L. and Rubus laciniatus L. genera growing in the NW region of Romania. In addition, the wild blackberry cultivar from the same area was also evaluated. Anthocyanins from the blackberry fruit were extracted using SPE (Solid Phase Extraction), and the anthocyanin profile was identified and quantified using HPLC-PDA analysis. In terms of polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, two of the cultivars examined stood out. The majority of anthocyanin found in blackberries was cyanidin-3-glucoside, with the highest amount recorded in the ‘Thorn Free’ cultivar at 329.26 ± 9.36 mg/g dw. Comparatively, ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Thorn Free’ fruits exhibited total phenol contents of 1830.98 ± 13.55 and 1687.14 ± 62.41 mg GAE/100 g dw, respectively. Antioxidant capacities varied significantly among the eight blackberry cultivars, with cultivars ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Thorn Free’ achieving high values in comparison to the others. The findings of the multivariate analysis also supported the experimental results. Knowing the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of different blueberry cultivars, one can use them as fresh, functional foods or for commercial purposes to produce products derived from fruits with a high concentration of bioactive components.

The purpose of this study is to analyze prospective approaches that emphasize the beneficial biofunctional and metabolic effects of different anatomic parts of the Prunus spinosa L. on maintaining human health and improving some pathophysiological processes. Our research is based on recent data from literature on the biology and ecology of P. spinosa L., focusing on its bioactive compounds. Based on such bifunctional parameters, we aim to conceptualize path-breaking approaches that have as a goal the incorporation of P. spinosa L. fruits into certain food products to make use of their potential metabolic benefits in cardiovascular pathologies and other disorders that are prevalent at present and respond to nutritional intake of antioxidants. It is well known that dietary interventions allow the search for mechanisms leading to the development of effective nutritional therapies. This review has mainly focused on the identification of bioactive and functional nutrients of P. spinosa L. that can be incorporated into diverse food formulations. This is because nutrition plays a pivotal role in the development, validation, and recommendation of the nutritional composition of food, with demonstrated impacts on metabolic processes in specific diet-related pathologies.

Monumental trees, defined by their exceptional size, form, and age, are critical components of both cultural heritage and ecological systems. However, their conservation faces increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change, and inadequate public policies. This review synthesized global research on monumental trees by analyzing 204 peer-reviewed articles published between 1989 and 2024 that were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Our bibliometric analysis highlighted Olea europaea and Castanea sativa as the most frequently studied species and identified a surge in publications after 2019, particularly from the USA, Italy, and Spain. Key research themes included conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The methodological approaches varied globally, encompassing ranking systems; GIS mapping; remote sensing; and non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as acoustic tomography and chlorophyll fluorescence. Conservation strategies discussed included vegetative propagation, cryopreservation, and legal risk management. Despite advances in these techniques, significant gaps remain in effectively addressing environmental pressures and integrating multidisciplinary approaches. We concluded that targeted, interdisciplinary strategies are essential to safeguard monumental trees as vital ecological and cultural landmarks.

Natural bioactive compounds found in Momordica charantia including polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, alkaloids, and notably polypeptide-p (often referred to as “plant insulin”)—have shown promising potential in shaping nutritional and therapeutic strategies for managing diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other nutrition-related diseases. Both retrospective and prospective analyses of bitter gourd’s functional properties such as its antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial effects highlight its innovative use as a food ingredient in developing targeted nutritional therapies. Assessing its applicability in the food industry, particularly through the fortification of products with bitter gourd powders, pulp, juice, or extracts, could enhance consumer acceptance and elevate the perceived quality of nutritionally superior foods. The nutrifunctional attributes revealed by its nutritional profile support the strategic integration of bitter gourd into various food formulations, contributing to a broader and more diverse range of dietary options. This diversification is especially valuable in addressing the dietary monotony often associated with diabetic nutrition plans, which continue to present significant challenges. The foundation laid by this review drawing on both theoretical insights and practical applications serves as a springboard for future research into the fortifying potential of bitter gourd-based preparations. Ultimately, such products may be recommended not only as nutritional supplements but also as part of clinical and hygienic-dietetic practices.

In this study, fortified pasta was produced using Allium ursinum L. in three forms: powder (5%, 10%, and 15% of the wheat flour weight); blanched and chopped leaves, used to replace 30%, 60%, and 90% ( w/w ) of the mixing liquid, while keeping the flour content constant; and water residue after...

There is an increasing trend in forest production towards planting rapid-growing trees as attractive, environmentally friendly energy sources. This study aimed to establish an alternative to the traditional propagation of a number of selections of Robinia pseudoacacia L. by developing an in vitro culture protocol. This study’s topic is of great importance, and it reflects an ongoing concern at the University of Oradea’s Faculty of Environmental Protection’s sustainable research program. The explants from four forms (called S1, S2, S3, and S4), selected for their phenotypic characteristics, were inoculated on four culture media (Murashige–Skoog (MS), Anderson, Chée–Pool, and Driver and Kuniyuki Woody (DKW)) with the same phytohormonal balance. DKW medium proved to be the better support of morphogenic activity, and it was further tested under different phytohormonal balances. Different results were observed depending on the hormone content in the DKW environment. In the presence of 0.5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.04 mg/L aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), 91.5% of the explants developed an average of 4.45 ± 0.18 shoots, whereas the average upper shoot height (3.82 cm) was recorded on DKW medium with 0.5 mg/L BAP and 0.04 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Auxin, 0.05 mg/L AIB, promoted root production (5.27 ± 0.15 roots/explant), while 0.1 mg/L NAA promoted root length. In conclusion, the S4 selection produced the greatest outcomes of all environmental variables in terms of both the number of shoots and their heights.