Abstract:The oil content and fatty acid composition of total lipids (TLs) and main lipid classes (NLs-neutral and PLs-polar lipids) in seeds of two wild Sambucus species (S. nigra and S. ebulus) from Transylvania (Romania) were determined by capillary gas chromatography (GC-MS). In addition, the positional distribution of fatty acids in seed triacylglycerols (TAGs) was determined by hydrolysis with pancreatic lipase. The seeds were found to be rich in fat (22.40-24.90 g/100g) with high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ranging from 68.96% (S. ebulus) to 75.15% (S. nigra). High ratios of PUFAs/SFAs (saturated fatty acids), ranging from 7.06 (S. nigra) to 7.64 (S. ebulus), and low ratios of n-6/n-3, ranging from 0.84 (S. nigra) to 1.51 (S. ebulus), were determined in both oils. The lipid classes/subclasses analyzed (PLs, MAGs-monoacylglycerols, DAGs-diacylglycerols, FFAs-free fatty acids, TAGs and SEs-sterol esters) were separated and identified using thin-layer chromatography. The fatty acid compositions of the TAG fractions were practically identical to the profiles of TLs, with the same dominating fatty acids in both analyzed species. SEs and FFAs, were characterized by high

BackgroundMost epidemiological studies on tick-borne pathogens involve collection of ticks from the environment. An efficient collection method is essential for large sample pools. Our main aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a new method, where traditional flagging was enhanced by the use of CO2 dispersed into the white flannel. The CO2 was spread through a rubber hose network inserted into the flag blanket. The research was conducted in spring, in March-April 2011 in two locations from Cluj County, Romania.MethodsThe research was conducted in March-April 2011 in two locations from Cluj County, Romania. The flag to be tested contained a fine silicone rubber hose network which dispersed the CO2 in the shaft. On each collection site n=30 samplings were performed. Each sampling consisted in the simultaneous use of both flags (with and without CO2) by two persons. The CO2 concentration level on the flag canvas surface was measured. The efficacy of the method was determined by counting comparatively the total number of ticks and separate developmental stage count.ResultsUsing the CO2 improved flag, 2411 (59%) Ixodes ricinus and 100 (53.8%) Dermacentor marginatus ticks were captured, while the CO2-free flag accounted for the collection of 1670 I. ricinus (41%) and 86 (46.2%) D. marginatus ticks. The addition of CO2 prompted a concentration difference on the surface of the flag ranging between 756.5 and 1135.0 ppm with a mean value of 848.9 ppm.ConclusionThe study showed that the CO2 enhanced sweep flag increased the ability of I. ricinus (p < 0001) but not of D. marginatus to be attracted to the flag blanket.

An increasing market demand concerning lavender essential oil is reported. Identification and characterization of the main compounds of this oil is needed, in order to identify chemotypes. This information is useful for further uses of the produced oil. Essential oil extracted from two Lavandula angustifolia L. varieties, cultivated in different areas of Transylvania, Romania, was analysed from the point of view of qualitative and quantitative composition, using gas-chromatography. Basic statistics was used for calculation of essential oil compounds means and dispersion parameters, while the profile of the essential oil composition was emphasized using Box-Plot diagrams and cluster analysis. Nine compounds, in different amounts were quantified, and two chemotypes, corresponding to ‘Mailette’ and ‘Vera’ varieties were established (linalool, and linalyl acetate, respectively). Differences in essential oil composition are recorded in ‘Vera’ variety corresponding to ‘Vera’ linalyl acetate chemotype, function of specific condition of lavender cultivation area.

Abstract:Colostrum is a natural product, issued by both mammals and humans in the first week of lactation. Among different species, donkey colostrum is considered to have, in addition to a valuable composition in nutrients and immune factors, an outstanding similitude with human colostrum. In this context, and taking into account the scarcity of available data concerning the interaction between climate factors and colostrum quality, a trial was conducted aiming to identify the possible influence of environmental factors on donkey colostrum nutritional traits. A stock of 175 jennies from 7 farms located in Cluj and Sălaj Counties was analyzed over a 7-day postpartum period. During the experimental period, the daily temperature, humidity, and wind velocity data were collected. Strong positive correlations are reported between the studied colostrum nutritional traits (fat, protein and lactose). Testing the impact of some environmental parameters upon nutritional content of donkey colostrum indicated three factors that have an influence on the nutritional quality of donkey milk colostrum, labelled as: colostrum nutritional traits, environmental air traits and some colostrum nutritional traits, and climatic traits and some colostrum nutritional traits.

The aim of our study was to clarify the effect of ozone exposure on several phytopathogenic fungi on stored apple fruits under different storage conditions. The study was conducted at Bistrita, Romania, in the storehouse of an experimental apple orchard in 2002 and 2003. Two widely grown apple cultivars (‘Jonathan’ and ‘Golden Delicious’) were used. General microbial examination of the fruits was made during storage in order to identify the most important storage pathogens. Efficacy of six ozone treatments was evaluted on fruit decay caused by phytopathogenic fungi. Monthly observations (January, February, March and April) were made of the degree of decay and three measurements were assessed (disease frequency, disease intensity and degree of attack). Our results showed that the most important phytopathogenic fungi during storage was blue mold, caused by species of Penicillium. Disease frequency of apple fruits was very high on cv. ‘Jonathan’, much higher than on cv. ‘Golden delicious’. Ozone treatments (25 ppm ozone for 0.5 and 1.5 hours in November) caused significantly lower disease incidence on stored apple than all other ozone treatments. For longer storage, it seems that additional ozone treatments in February increased treatment efficacy. Cv. ‘Golden delicious’ seemed to be more resistant to storage diseases than cv. ‘Jonathan’ both on the untreated and treated fruits. The effect of the ozone treatments was also the most effective when 25 ppm ozone was applied for 0.5 and 1.5 hours in November.