Developing the nutritional profile of food through the fermentation produced by lactic acid bacteria is part of sustainable development, but it also helps to improve public health. Thus, the objective of the study was to obtain synbiotic juices of fruit origin, which can successfully substitute well-known probiotic dairy products and also be introduced into the diet of vegetarians or people with certain intolerances to animal products. In this regard, two fermented blueberry juices were obtained: NC, using kefir cultures, and NP with Lactobacillus plantarum inoculation. Two more simple blueberry juices were used as controls: NCM, thermostatted at 24 °C and NPM, at 37 °C. The four types of juices were subjected to physicochemical and microbiological analyses. The results show that NP juice is the best substitute from a physicochemical point of view, presenting the highest polyphenol content and the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity even after refrigeration for 5 days. Additionally, the microbiological results of the analyzed juices can recommend these products for industrial production.

The influence of different forms of Nigella sativa (seeds, powder, alcoholic extract, and oil) on the traditional sheep curd was investigated by comparison with a control simple curd considering a series of sensorial, physical–chemical, and microbiological aspects. The analysis was performed on curds freshly prepared and after 10 days of refrigeration. The sensory analysis of the curds was performed using a variety of methods such as scaling method, the method of quality describing, the method of ordering by rank, “triangle” method, and “duo-trio” method. The analyzed curds were assessed and classified according to their sensory characteristics and typicality. The N. sativa supplementing of the sheep curds improved their physical–chemical characteristics by raising the fat content with 0.88–2.82% and decreasing the titratable acidity with 1.42–2.32% compared to the control curd without additive. After 10 days of refrigeration, the titratable acidity increased with 1.58–3.25% and moisture decreased (8.43–13.17%). The microbiological quality of the curd samples was influenced by the addition of black cumin in different forms, with variations in the total number of bacteria (TNB) between 4.33 and 4.39 log CFU/g compared to the control sample 5.03 log CFU/g, Enterobacteriaceae (2.53–2.58 log CFU/g) compared to the control sample 2.60 log CFU/g, and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) 2.30–2.68 log CFU/g compared to the control sample 2.75 log CFU/g. After 10 days of refrigeration, the number of microorganisms decreased, TNB (4.13–4.31 log CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae (2.34–2.53 log CFU/g), and CPS (2.02–2.55 log CFU/g), while for the control sample the values increased. The most obvious antimicrobial effect was observed in the case of the cold-pressed oil addition (1%), followed by the alcoholic extract (1%), seeds (3%), and powder (3%).

The increasing of the organic foods consumption to prevent the loss of cultural and social traditions that have survived for centuries, requires a proper assessment of the safety and quality of these products. The purpose of this study was the microbiological analysis of smoked cheese and non-smoked cheese, in order to assess the antimicrobial effect of smoke, as well as the determination of water-soluble phenolic compounds. The microbiological analyzes that were performed are: total number of aerobic mesophilic germs, coliform bacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, total number of yeasts and molds. The Folin–Ciocalteu test was chosen to measure total phenolic content of smoked cheese extracts. Microbial activity is reduced in smoked cheese types compared to non-smoked. The registered values were below the maximum admissible limits in the case of the total aerobic germs and shown coliform absence and inhibation in the growth of coagulase-positive staphylococci. Yeast and molds have been also inhibited through the smoking process. The total content of phenols varied from one assortment to another, with higher values in traditionally smoked cheese. The study shows that the microbiological quality of the cheese is greatly influenced by the hygienic conditions of processing and storage.

Phytosociological studies have been carried out to estimate species richness and species diversity in area where shepherding is an ancient custom. Our research has been conducted on the Gutai Mountains meadows, on an area of 130 hectares, aiming to monitor the diversity of plant species and the pastoral value of the grazing lands, used to feed the animals. Data processing was done based on botanical sampling, the pastoral value has been calculated, and the diversity has been estimated with the Shannon (H'). Thus, we have observed that after annual grazing, and lack of the pasture improvement measures, the floristic diversity suffers. Values Shannon index (H') are between 1.17 and 2.63, as the meadows is being invaded by low forage value species (eg. Nardus stricta) that occupy a considerable area. The pastoral value of the pasture was also calculated, that was of 0.85 points; this low value being influenced by overgrazing, soil compaction, tendency of invasive plants with low nutritional value. The influence of uncontrolled grazing on mountain pasture results in a decrease in pasture productivity due to reduced diversity of grassy carpet, where acidophilus species have appeared, and weeds have invaded the grazing land area. It is well to remember that the long-term exerted anthropogenic pressure on grasslands affects the ecosystem diversity.

This paper presents karyology aspects of the diploid and polyploid species frequency on the mountain pastures in the southwestern Gutai Mountains as well as the calculation of the diploid index. The phytocoenosis of the five plant associations identified on pasture were studied: Violo declinatae-Nardetum, Simon 1966, Agrostietum stoloniferae, (Ujvárosi 1941) Burduja et al. 1956, Scirpetum sylvatici, Ralski 1931, Maloch 1935 em. Schwick 1944, Calthetum laetae, Krajina 1933, Campanulo abientinae-Vaccinietum myrtilli, (Buia et al. 1962) Boşcaiu 1971. Karyotypes were taken for all encountered vegetal species to achieve an accurate cytoaxonomic analysis. The frequency of polyploid species was found in the five vegetal associations that were identified and studied in karyology terms. The number of polyploids, comprised between 52.94-75%, is ahead of the diploids number comprised between 25-43,75%, in the vegetal associations phytocoenosis of the mountainous region. Diplo-polyploid plants and those with an unknown karyotype have lower participation. The calculated value of the diploid index decreases with the increasing of the altitude, with subunit values between 0.33 - 0.82. Diploid index (DI) indicates instable character of vegetal formations of above-mentioned area, reflecting completely station conditions of the grassland. The genetic structure of the phytocoenosis and vegetal associations studied seen from the perspective of karyotypes, indicates a drop in the dioloid index value with the increasing of the anthropo- zoogen factor (excessive grazing).

Abstract. In Maramures County, meadows are used in a traditional system. They are dominate by Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra, with a mixed-use (grazing and mowing). The objectif of our paper is to identify and describe species composition and assessment response to agronomic factors of the Agrostis capillaris L. - Festuca rubra L. grassland type, from „Dealul Crucii” meadow. The grassland of Agrostis capillaris L. - Festuca rubra L. has a floristic composition comprised of Poaceae (45.85%), Cyperaceae and Juncaceae have a small presence and Fabaceae, valuable species in terms of fodder, have a percentage of 3.37%. Species from other botanical families occurred in a proportion of 41.34%. From constancy point of view, most species are accidental and only three of them are dominant. This type of grassland has a mesophilic, micro-mesothermal, euriionic character. From agronomic point of view, predominate species medium resistant of mowing and in terms of plant resistance to grazing, most of the species are sensitive to grazing environment and medium resistance to stepping. This is due to the improper agricultural practices and lack of pasture improvement works. The bonitation coefficients indicate that this is an medium category type of pasture with a pastoral value of 1.9 points and supports a load of 0.81 to 1.00 LU/ha.