Sea buckthorn is a promising species that, under the conditions of Eastern Europe, has shown high productivity and is also a good and possible source of a wide range of bioactive compounds that have a positive effect on the human body, especially polyphenols and carotenoids. Due to the content of biologically active substances in sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), the species is of growing interest to scientists, the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the cosmetics industry and consumers. The aim of this study is to investigate the productivity and the correlation between the chemical composition and the antibacterial effect of four cultivars of sea buckthorn (Clara, Dora, Cora, Mara), cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. Sea buckthorn fruits were harvested at the stage of full ripening. Berry samples were frozen at minus 25 °C, stored for 6 months and whole fruits of sea buckthorn were studied. All quantitative characteristics were calculated in terms of absolutely dry raw material (dry weight). The sea buckthorn cultivars tested were found to have a different carotenoid contents (1.79–48.92 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid contents (74.36–373.38 mg/100 g), organic acids (malic acid 5.8–13.4 mg/100 g, citric acid 0.08–0.321 mg/100 g, succinic acid 0.03–1.1 mg/100 g), total dry matter contents (16.71–24.54%), titratable acidities (2.15–8.76%) and pH values (2.73–3.00). The antimicrobial activity of sea buckthorn, evaluated by the diameter of the inhibition zone, constituted for Bacillus pumilus 3.70–15.91 mm/g⁻¹ for whole sea buckthorn fruits and 13.33–26.67 mm/g⁻¹ for sea buckthorn purees.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an underutilized source of phytonutrients and easily digestible protein, containing all essential amino acids, highlighting its potential for food applications. This study aimed to produce alfalfa protein concentrates (APC) from frozen aerial parts and evaluate how conventional extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) affect the extraction yield, physicochemical properties, functional attributes, color parameters, phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity. The influence of extraction pH and the type of acid used for isoelectric precipitation was also evaluated. Paired t-tests (p ≤ 0.05) showed that UAE (37 kHz, 25 °C, 15 min) increased the extraction yield by 20.5–39.7%, the protein content in APC by 2.5–12.1% and the in vitro protein digestibility by 5.6–11.03%, depending on the extraction conditions. Ultrasound treatment decreased the levels of chlorophyll and carotenoids, modified the color parameters and increased the total polyphenols and flavonoids content. Improvements in the textural, foaming and emulsifying properties of APC were also observed. UAE also reduced the scavenging capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. However, the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•⁺) scavenging activity significantly increased in aqueous APC extracts, reaching 3118.8 mg TE/100 g DW. Overall, UAE proved effective in improving the yield and functionality of APC, supporting its application in the development of alfalfa-based protein ingredients.

The utilization of fruit-processing by-products is a practical approach to develop sustainable, value-added meat snacks. Sea buckthorn pomace, rich in colored and acidic compounds, is expected to influence dehydration behavior, appearance and storage stability of deshydrated meat products. The study was designed to investigate how different inclusion levels of sea buckthorn pomace powder (SBPP) - 0.75%, 1.25%, and 2.5% (w/w) - influence the quality and safety attributes of fermented and dehydrated meat snack products. The samples underwent fermentation at 25 ± 1 °C for a period of 12 hours, followed by dehydration at 50 ± 5 °C for 6 hours. Subsequent analyses comprised the assessment of key physicochemical parameters (moisture content, pH, and water activity), instrumental color measurement using the CIELab system, sensory profiling, determination of lipid oxidation through peroxide value, and evaluation of microbiological indicators. Increasing SBPP level decreased moisture (15.79% to 7.93%), water activity (0.455 c.u. to 0.358 c.u.) and pH (6.16 to 5.65), indicating enhanced shelf-stability. Color shifted toward a darker red-orange profile (L* 47.85 to 20.64; a* up to 27.09). Peroxide value remained low and unchanged (1.60 to 1.70 mEq O2/kg). Coliforms, moulds/yeasts and Salmonella were not detected. SBPP is therefore a clean-label ingredient enabling differentiated ripening-dehydrated meat snacks while supporting circular valorization of processing residues.

Due to the content of biologically active substances, sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is of growing interest to scientists, the food industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology and consumers. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the chemical composition (Carotenoid content (CC), Ascorbic acid content (AAC), Total dry matters (TDM), Titratable acidity (TA), pH, Organic acids (OA)) and the Antibacterial effect (AA) (Diameter of the inhibition zone in mm of Bacillus pumilus) of four species of sea buckthorn (Clara, Dora, Cora, Mara), cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. The sea buckthorn species tested was found to have a different Carotenoid content (1.79±0.43 … 48.92±0.61 mg/100g), Ascorbic acid content (74.36±0.60 … 373.38±2.29 mg/100g), Organic acids (malic acid 5.8±0.02 ... 13.4±0.01 mg/100g, citric acid 0.08±0.00 ... 0.32±0.01 mg/100g, succinic acid 0.03±0.00 ... 1.1±0.00 mg/100g), Total dry matters (16.71±0.05 … 24.54±0.09 %), Total acidity (2.15±0.05 ... 8.76±0.00 %), and pH value (2.73±0.02 ... 3.00±0.07). The microbial activity of sea buckthorn, evaluated by the diameter of the inhibition zone, constituted for Bacillus pumilus (3.70…15.91mm/g-1 for whole sea buckthorn fruits and respectively 13.33…26.67 mm/g-1 for sea buckthorn puree).

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of adding aronia (Aronia melenocarpa), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), and strawberry (Fragaria xananassa) in the form of 10% puree to a mixture of cow's and goat's milk in order to reduce the risk of spoilage caused by activity of Bacillus cereus in yoghurt made from a mixture of cow's and goat's milk. During the fermentation process (360 min.), changes in water activity, pH, moisture content, bacterial growth curve were monitored. The results showed a decrease in water activity, pH, and moisture content. Adding aronia puree to yoghurt yielded the most significant results for water activity modification (0.971-0.868), pH (5.31-4.28), moisture content (85.12-81.55 %), and optical density (0.19-0.34). Also, the investigation of the kinetics of the Bacillus cereus grows indicated that the stationary phase was reached at 360 minutes, resulting in a total population of 5.5·1013 c.f.u./g. Microscopic examination revealed Gram-positive strains of lactic acid bacteria, arranged in chains of varying lengths, in an amount of 139·102 c.f.u./g. Antimicrobial activity showed a zone of inhibition with a diameter of 18.5±0.1 mm in aronia yoghurt, a zone of inhibition with a diameter of 16.2±0.2 mm in raspberry yoghurt and a zone of inhibition with a diameter of 15.2±0.1 mm in strawberry yoghurt compared to classic yoghurt which showed a zone of inhibition with a diameter of 12.1±0.2 mm.

Sеа buсkthоrn (Hiррорhае rhаmnоidеs L.) hаs соnsidеrаblе роtеntiаl fоr thе аgri-fооd, рhаrmасеutiсаl аnd соsmеtiс industriеs. This аrtiсlе рrеsеnts аn intеrnаtiоnаl аnd ехреrimеntаl rеsеаrсh соnduсtеd оn рlаntаtiоns in Dubаsаri distriсt, Роhrеbеа villаgе in thе Rерubliс оf Mоldоvа оf thе miсrоbiоtа whiсh is аblе tо аttасk sеа buсkthоrn рlаntаtiоns аnd rеduсе thе hаrvеst. This rеsеаrсh inсludеs сhаngеs in thе microbiota that is able to attack sea buckthorn plants to reduce the harvest and shelf life of the berries. Infоrmаtiоn оn роtеntiаl disеаsеs оf sеа buсkthоrn рlаntаtiоns, thе саusаtivе аgеnt аnd rесоmmеndаtiоns tо rеduсе this risk аrе inсludеd in thе аrtiсlе. Thе infоrmаtiоn рrеsеntеd is imроrtаnt fоr thе dеvеlорmеnt оf sеа buсkthоrn рlаnt сultivаtiоn strаtеgiеs аnd disеаsе mаnаgеmеnt аlsо fоr imрrоving thе quаlity аnd рrеsеrvаtiоn оf роst-hаrvеst fruit.