Rodica Siminiuc

Prof. Dr. Rodica Siminiuc

Food and Nutrition, Technical University of Moldova, Chisinau, Chişinău, Moldova
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 February 2023 in Frontiers in Nutrition
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
DŢDinu Ţurcanu
Dinu Ţurcanu
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common disorders faced by women of reproductive age. More than 200 symptoms of varying severity associated with PMS have been identified. Because of the broad spectrum of action of PMS and its impact on quality of life, symptom relief is the main challenge of treating PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The review aims to analyze and identify the potential impact of dietary and nutritional therapies on PMS and, respectively, for its better management. The study was conducted by accessing Internet databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus and using relevant keywords such as PMS, symptoms, dietary patterns (DPs), macro and micronutrients, and supplements. The results showed that diet is an essential modulating factor in reducing and managing PMS symptoms. But research on the actual effect of foods and nutrients on PMS is sparse, sporadic, and studied with insufficient scientific rigor. No correlations were identified between the consumption of macronutrients and PMS: protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber, but the effectiveness of micronutrients, especially calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and herbal supplements, was demonstrated. Researchers remain unanimous that the evidence is insufficient and limited to support their use as an effective treatment. Nevertheless, the results could contribute to providing quality information to help women and girls make evidence-based decisions regarding premenstrual health and the adoption of dietary and nutritional therapies.

29 November 2023 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TCTatiana Capcanari
Tatiana Capcanari
ECEugenia Covaliov
Eugenia Covaliov
NCNegoita Catalina
Negoita Catalina
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
Aurica ChirsanovaAurica Chirsanova
Aurica Chirsanova
Dinu ŢurcanuDinu Ţurcanu
Dinu Ţurcanu
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds contain a high concentration of proteins and biologically active compounds. The protein content is even higher in case of lipid part removal in oil production. The remaining part is considered a leftover, usually being used in animal feed. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical composition of hemp seed cake flour, its nutritional quality and its impact on bread quality parameters. The properties of hemp seed cake flour were assessed in terms of protein quality, mineral composition, polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Hemp seed cake proved to be an important source of high-quality protein (31.62% d.m.) with the presence of eight essential amino acids. The biologically active potential of hemp seed cake has been demonstrated by the high content of polyphenols, especially those from the Cannabisin group. Hemp seed cake flour was incorporated in wheat flour at levels from 5 to 40% (w/w) to investigate its influence on bread quality parameters. The addition of hemp seed cake flour increased the total phenol content of bread, thus greatly enhancing the antioxidant activity. The protein content of bread was found to be enhanced from 11.11% d.m (control sample) to 18.18% d.m (for sample with 40% hemp seed cake flour). On the other hand, the addition of hemp seed cake flour led to decreased bread porosity, increased hardness and decreased resilience in the seed cake. Although, all bread samples recorded sensorial attributes ranging between “slightly like” and “like it very much”.

3 October 2022 in Frontiers in Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
Dinu ŢurcanuDinu Ţurcanu
Dinu Ţurcanu
Food security is an important lever for the implementation of rights-based legislation, policies, and programs, while being a public health and socio-economic priority. Foodborne illnesses have a major impact on public health, and nutritional interventions are essential therapeutic strategies to combat them. Gluten ingestion has been linked to several clinical disorders, collectively called gluten-related disorders. The most serious of these is celiac disease. The only way to treat celiac disease is to stick to a gluten-free diet for life. Following a strict diet is also the only way to prevent the long-term consequences of the disease. Public policies are essential to ensure the food security of people with gluten-related disorders. The aim of the research is to assess the level of care for people with celiac disease in the Republic of Moldova, in terms of public policies, to ensure a sustainable sector that effectively satisfies the food security of people with disorders associated with gluten consumption. To assess the level of care for people with gluten-related disorders, the working algorithm was taken, with reference to global public policies in support of people with celiac disease, developed and validated by Falcomer et al., Focused on 6 items. The results of the study showed that the Republic of Moldova does not have adequate policy support to ensure food security for people with gluten-related disorders, which poses major challenges and, as a result, may increase the complications of these problems.
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25 December 2024 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AVAnna Virlan
Anna Virlan
LCLidia Coșciug
Lidia Coșciug
Dinu ŢurcanuDinu Ţurcanu
Dinu Ţurcanu
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
Effective blood glucose management is essential for individuals with type 1 diabetes, particularly when dietary adjustments involve staple foods like rice. As a primary carbohydrate worldwide, rice significantly influences the glycemic index (GI) based on its type and cooking method. This study investigated the impact of rice type and boiling duration on the GI in healthy adults using an in vivo approach aligned with ISO 2010 standards. The glycemic response to four rice types (white round-grain, parboiled medium-grain, white long-grain, and whole-grain long-grain) was measured through postprandial blood glucose levels under both standard and extended boiling conditions to assess their implications for dietary glycemic control. Ten healthy participants (mean age 25 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.0 ± 1.6 kg/m2) consumed rice samples containing 50 g of available carbohydrates, prepared under controlled boiling conditions. Postprandial glycemic response was measured at regular intervals over 2 h following ingestion, with glucose solution as a reference food. The GI was calculated based on the incremental area under the glycemic response curve for each rice sample. Extended boiling significantly increased the GI across all rice types. White round-grain rice exhibited the highest relative increase (+15.8%) in the GI, while whole-grain long-grain rice, despite showing a greater percentage increase (+25.4%), maintained the lowest overall GI due to its high amylose and fiber content. Rice types with higher amylopectin content demonstrated faster glycemic responses and higher GI compared to high-amylose types. This study highlights rice type and cooking time as critical factors influencing postprandial glycemic response. Shorter boiling durations may benefit individuals requiring strict glycemic control, particularly those with diabetes, underscoring the importance of personalized dietary guidance for managing glycemic outcomes effectively.

20 April 2023 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AGAliona Ghendov-Mosanu
Aliona Ghendov-Mosanu
Violina PopoviciViolina Popovici
Violina Popovici
C(Cristina Gabriela Constantinescu (Pop)
Cristina Gabriela Constantinescu (Pop)
ODOlga Deseatnicova
Olga Deseatnicova
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
RSRodica Sturza
Rodica Sturza
Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus) contains a rich concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to rapid oxidative processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of lipophilic extracts from two types of berries, sea buckthorn and rose hips, on sunflower oil. This research included the analysis of sunflower oil oxidation products and mechanisms, including the determination of chemical changes occurring in the lipid oxidation process via LC-MS/MS using electrospray ionization in negative and positive mode. Pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and nonanal were identified as key compounds formed during oxidation. The individual profiles of the carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries were determined using RP-HPLC. The influence of the carotenoid extraction parameters ascertained from the berries on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil was analyzed. The dynamics of the accumulation of the primary and secondary products of lipid oxidation and the variation of the carotenoid pigment content in the lipophilic extracts of sea buckthorn and rose hips during storage demonstrated good stability at 4 °C in the absence of light for 12 months. The experimental results were applied to mathematical modeling using fuzzy sets and mutual information analysis, which allowed for the prediction of the oxidation of sunflower oil.

1 December 2022
Verified
Conference Paper
Open access
PDF file
Dinu ŢurcanuDinu Ţurcanu
Dinu Ţurcanu
Rodica SiminiucRodica Siminiuc
Rodica Siminiuc
TTTatiana Turcanu
Tatiana Turcanu
Digital transformation has radically transformed societies and economies, having an ever-increasing impact on everyday life. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed certain challenges for education systems related to digital skills of the higher education institutions, the use of digital tools and general level of digital competences and digital literacy. Ideally, a University Management System should have several functionalities, such as: management of the professional guidance of students (prospective students), management of the admission process, student management, employee management, finance management, research management, graduate management, management of the university documents and processes, but also academic management. A successful university management system will ultimately ensure the quality of education, will maintain a high level of institution’s image and academic integrity.