Grape seeds are a by-product of the wine industry. They represent 38–52% of grape pomace and about 5% of the weight of grapes. The main objective of this study is to establish some important characteristics of grape seeds from red varieties cultivated in Romania. The analyzed grape varieties were Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Burgund Mare, Cadarcă, Syrah, Novac. The grape seeds were dried and ground and the following determinations were made: determination of total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, antiradical capacity and determination of phenolic compounds. The analyses were performed on the first day after obtaining the grape extract, on the 14th day and the 30th day. The obtained results demonstrate that all the analyzed samples have a high content of polyphenols and show antioxidant and antiradical capacity. The highest values were obtained on the first day after separation, drying, grinding and extraction of the grape seeds and began to decrease almost constantly in time, so that for 30 days from storage the values obtained could ensure good operating yields. The seeds from the Novac grape variety obtained the best results throughout the analysis period. In the case of the total polyphenol content, the average value of the three samples Novac was 394.57 mgGAE/g dry extract and the average value of antioxidant capacity was 284.35 mgAAE/g dry extract. The greatest antiradical capacity was presented by the seeds of the Syrah and Novac varieties. The average value of the three samples from the Syrah variety was 62.1%, and in the case of the Novac variety was 61.33%. The paper demonstrates the opportunity of superior capitalization of seeds from the seven grape varieties cultivated on the territory of Romania due to the characteristics it possesses. At present, there is a major interest of consumers in the most natural products, with a major contribution to increasing the body’s immunity. The use of natural compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industry can be an important alternative.

Pinus mugo Turra is a shrub-like conifer with multiple healing properties. P. mugo extracts are rich in active ingredients such as volatile compounds, tannin, higher alcohols, vitamins, and minerals. In this study, we identified and quantified the secondary metabolites from buds and needles of P. mugo harvested from three different mountain areas in Romania. The main volatile compounds contained in the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and the most significant were pinene, germacrene, limonene, and caryophyllene. The total polyphenol content (TPC) was in the range of 46.77 ± 0.3 and 77.99 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g and the total flavonoid content (TFC) 24.90 ± 0.1 and 54.78 ± 0.3 mg QE/g. The content of ascorbic acid ranged between 12.21 mg/100 g and 27.34 mg/100 g, concentrations that are recommended for natural sources of ascorbic acid. Moderate antimicrobial activity on yeasts and molds was not dependent on plant origin. By highlighting the rich content of active compounds, and moderate antioxidant and antifungal activity, this study is an argument for the beneficial use of P. mugo bud and needle extracts, regardless of the habitat of origin on the Romanian territory, in the fields of medicine and the food industry or in the implementation of eco-friendly practices.

This paper focuses on studying the antibacterial effect ofHibiscus sabdariffaextracts, a plant known in traditional medicine for its beneficial effects on the body.Hibiscus sabdariffaextracts were done in pure water, 50% ethyl alcohol, and 96% ethyl alcohol; the concentrations used to determine antibacterial activity were 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, noted cu 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The antibacterial effect of the extracts was tested using the impregnated disk-diffusion method on bacteriaEscherichia coliATCC 25922,Salmonella typhimuriumATCC 14028,Enterobacter clocaeATCC 13047,Klepsiella pneumoniaeATCC 13833,Staphylococcus aureusATCC 29213,Yersinia enterocoliticaATCC 9610. We ascertained that the most efficient extracts were those obtained using 96% ethyl alcohol, 1:1 concentration onEscherichia coliATCC 25922 andEnterobacter clocaeATCC 13047 strains, where the inhibitory action presented average values between 5.43 mm and 3.43 mm. In the case ofKlepsiella pneumoniaeATCC 13833 andYersinia enterocoliticaATCC 9610 strains, the extracts recorded minimum or zero values. The antibacterial activity ofHibiscus sabdariffadepended on their concentration, on the solvent used, as well as on the resistance of the bacteria under study to the bioactive compounds in them.

ABSTRACT:The present study aims at investigating aroma compounds in three wine varietals (Pinot gris, Traminer roz, Riesling) from Apold, the county of Sibiu, production of 2014, and their importance in realizing the sensorial profile of wines. Thus, it is ascertained that Traminer roz contains the highest amount of esters -583.846 mg/L, a value that leads to the sensorial identification of floral and fruity notes. Higher alcohols determined through chromatography imprint specific traits to Pinot gris wines: bittersweet, floral notes validated through the determined amount (479.449 mg/L). Another wine trait is the concentration of higher fatty acids which reach an amount of 252.667 mg/L in Riesling wines, conferring distinctive floral notes. The concentration of aldehydes reaches 38 mg/L in Pinot gris wine, 32.996 mg/L in Traminer roz wine; these balanced, low values do not have a negative influence on sensorial traits of these wines. Terpenes compounds are represented by nerol and α-terpineol, whose values confer rose, lemon verbena and fruity notes, especially in the case of Traminer roz.

Three species of Stachys genus (S. byzantina, S. officinalis, S. sylvatica) were investigated in the present study in terms of aromatic profile and total polyphenol content, as well as antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity. Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) was used for exploration of the herbal alcoholic extracts. Using statistical analysis, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and total phenolic chemical fingerprints were compared in order to describe differences and identify putative signature traits of the three Stachys species. The results showed that the analyzed Stachys extracts have a total polyphenol content being between 197 ± 0.27 mg GAE/g for S. sylvatica and 232 ± 43 mg GAE/g for S. officinalis. The antioxidant activity was between 444 ± 58 mM Trolox/g (S. sylvatica) and 602 ± 75 mM Trolox/g (S. officinalis). The volatile compounds identified were mostly sesquiterpenes, followed by monoterpenes and secondary compounds. The most abundant in all three species was germacrene D (21.9% 28–25.2%). The multivariate analysis demonstrated the potential of using plant tissue VOC profiles to discriminate between different Stachy species, with a total of 31 VOCs being identified from all three species. Although there were strong similarities among the three species’ VOC profiles, distinctions can be made using chemometric analysis. The microbiological results showed an antimicrobial capacity of all three extracts, especially on Gram-positive bacteria. In addition to increasing consumers’ understanding regarding the health benefits of these Stachy species, this investigation contributes to defining and preserving a precious genetic and cultural-historical biodiversity.