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The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical, chemical and rheological characteristics of vegetable milk of soybean and almond (homemade prepared, and some types of plant milk purchased from Romanian supermarkets). Vegetable milk is a colloidal solution obtained in the form of water extract from swollen and ground soybeans or other grains (rice, oats, almonds a.o.). The vegetable milk samples (soymilk and almond milk) were prepared from analyzed grains and then a set of chemical and physical characteristics of the milk were assessed. The present study paper investigated the moisture and total dry content substance (TDC), total mineral content - ash content, macronutrients content (fat, protein and carbohydrate content) for soybeans, almonds and vegetable milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is the ubiquitous substance in nature (in all existing materials on the earth and every living creature) and is an essential substance for life. Water plays an essential role in the physical and chemical functions of living organisms. The water content is important for the processing and handling of the following product categories: food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, household products, etc. Also, water has an important role in various industries such as in the various branches of the food industry, the pulp and paper industry, the pharmaceutical industry, etc. The water content of certain materials can be very difficult to determine due to the complexity of the water molecule and its strong intermolecular bonding capabilities. Most of the time, the measuring water content is better defined by measuring moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we aim to present the current trends in the development of techniques for encapsulating probiotic microorganisms to maintain cell viability in dairy products with special reference to yogurt. The use of probiotic microorganisms in dairy products is difficult because there are several factors responsible for the loss of cell viability during production (fermentation), processing (low pH, oxygen, fermentation / incubation temperature, cooling rate, food matrix composition, nutrient availability). and storage (packaging materials, storage methods, temperature). Gastrointestinal tract conditions (low pH of the gastric juice and the presence of bile salts in the small intestine) can also affect the viability of probiotics. All this has necessitated the development of appropriate technologies to maintain cell viability. Of all the existing technologies in this study, the following encapsulation techniques were analysed: extrusion, emulsion, and spray drying. All these methods have both advantages and disadvantages in encapsulating probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal teas are a popular beverage, that can be prepared very easily (by pouring hot water on various dried herbs). It is very important to monitor and develop a screening methodology for detecting the metal content of both tea plants and herbal tea. This research aimed to estimate the distribution of metals in different types of herbal teas used in diet therapy. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to determine the concentration trance elements (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) of macroelements (Ca and Mg), in various native herbal teas. We used herbal teas collected from Gorj County. These plants are Tilia cordata, Hypericum perforatum, Ocimum basilicum, and Rosa canina. The study aimed at the determination of the mineral composition of medicinal herbs for evaluation of the coverage of the recommended daily intake of mineral elements by tea. The concentration of these bio-minerals in medicinal herbs shows significant variations determined by the nature and type of herbal tea and bio-elements investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fats are one of the three major categories of foods. They provide our body with a very concentrated source of energy. Fats contain many of the essential fatty acids for health. The intake of fatty acids in food is essential for a healthy diet. An optimal ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is 0.8, and between omega 3 and omega 6 acids are 1.2. Hypercholesterolemia occurs above these values , and the products are easily oxidizable. The fatty acid content of twelve pastries is analyzed by the gas chromatographic method. The distribution of eight fatty acids present in various pastries was studied, the ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. These characteristics are essential for nutritional information and have shown significant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper was to evaluate the colostrum quality and changes in composition during the first three days postpartum. Researches were carried out on five Romanian Black and White primiparous cows. Samples of colostrum were collected at calving and at 4-hour interval for three days. Samples were analyzed for immunoglobulin concentration using a ELISA test. The colostrum was analyzed in order to measure immunoglobulin type IgA and IgM concentrations. The maximum concentration of immunoglobulin Ig A in colostral milk was found as expected at the first milking 4.2 mg/ml. The concentrations of immunoglobulin type Ig M decreased in the first day after calving from 4.9 mg/ml at first milking to 4.2 mg/ml at the sixth milking. The concentrations of immunoglobulin type Ig A decreased in the third day after calving from 1.9 mg/ml at thirteenth milking to 1.5 mg/ml at the eighteenth milking. The concentrations of immunoglobulin type Ig M decreased in the second day after calving from 2.9 mg/ml at thirteenth milking to 2.1 mg/ml at the eighteenth milking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper was to study the evolution of the immunoglobulin type IgG concentrations during the first three days postpartum in Romanian Black and White cows. Researches were carried out on five Romanian Black and White primiparous cows. Samples of colostrum were collected at calving and at 4-hour interval for three days. Samples were analyzed for immunoglobulin concentration using ELISA test. The colostrum was analized in order to mesure immunoglobulin type IgG concentrations. The maximum concentration of immunoglobulin Ig G in colostral milk was found as expected at the first milking 44.2 mg/ml. At the third, fourth, fifth and sixth milking from the second day after calving, respectively at 36, 40, 44 and 48 hours after calving immunoglobulin type Ig G concentration decreased to 32.8, 31.1, 29.6 and 26.8 mg/ml. At the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth milking from the third day after calving, respectively at 64, 68, and 72 hours after calving immunoglobulin type Ig G concentration decreased to 22.6, 17.5, and 15.3 mg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the fact that, for a few years now, our focus is more and more concentrated on safety and security of meat and vegetable products, this study's aim is to evaluate the quality of certain well - known meat products (sausages, dry salami, and half-dried salami), purchased in a supermarket, from Timisoara. Microbiological tests were made especially on sanitary microbiological indicators (Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella). These tests emphasize hygiene in processing ang handling of products. In some cases, it higtlights how various heat treatments (pasteurization type) apply to food products. It also establishes the microbial load on the microscopic field and the colony forming units, by a culture method in plates, at 37° C for 48 hours. Based on the obtained results, it has been established that, concerning the microbial load and the presence or absence of coliform bacteria, studied products fall into the quality permitted by applicable law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper belongs to a more complex study one that aims the correlation of the myrosinase enzymatic activity from Armoracia rusticana, determined by two modern techniques (UV-VIS spectrometry and Reverse Phase -High Performance Liquid Chromatography, RP-HPLC). The myrosinase activity from horseradish (unrubbed and rubbed out) under different conditions of: temperature (25°C + 75°C), pH (7) and reaction time (30 + 390 minutes) was measured by: spectrophotometrical analysis of the glucose concentration yielded upon sinigrin glucosinolate hydrolysis, and by determination of the sinigrin concentration in extract and consumed upon enzymatic reaction by RP-HPLC technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to present our researches regarding the determination of total polyphenols content of seventeen medicinal plants from Romania using NIR Spectroscopy. For this it were performed correlations between the values obtained for total polyphenols content (mM/g) using a chemical method with Folin Cioealteau reagent and the reflectance values of frequencies from NIR spectra. To obtain the main parameters of the regression model for total polyphenols content determination using NIR Spectroscopy it 2 was used PLS-Laverage method of UNSCRAMBLE software. The correlation coefficient R² obtained for regression equation was equal with 0.994752. The good quality of prediction of obtained PLS-Leverage model was done by the small values of the deviation, between 6% and 8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal teas are a popular beverage and are used as therapeutic vehicles in many forms of traditional medicine. As tea is a popular drink and its preparation is remarkably simple (pour hot water on various dry herbs), it is very important to monitor and develop a screening methodology for detecting metals content in herbal tea. The number of articles exploring the efficacy and clinical safety of teas and herbal teas is small, even though herbal materials are the basis of the discovery of medicines and teas are some of the most popular drinks. This research was aimed to estimate the distribution of some bioelements in different types of herbal teas used in diet therapy. We used atomic absorption spectrometry in order to determine the concentration of Ca, Mg (macroelements), Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu (trance elements) in various indigenous herbal teas. In our work we collected herbal teas from county Gorj. These herbals are chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), peppermint (Mentha piperita), marigold (Calendula officinalis), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Plantain (Plantago lanceolata). Preliminary results of this study reveal an uneven distribution of the concentrations of these bioelements. Bioelements distribution in analysed herbal teas presents generally, the following trend: Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. The study aimed at the determination of the mineral composition of medicinal herbs for evaluation of the coverage of the recommended daily intake of mineral elements by tea. The concentration of these bioelements in herbal teas shows significant variations determined by the nature and type of herbal tea and bio-elements investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to determine the distribution of some heavy metals from the soil in root vegetables, cultivated in a plain area of Banat: Cenad place, area considered unpolluted with such metals. The physico-chemical properties of the soils and surface waters, also the climatic factors specific to this area, allows ecological production and encourages the cultivation of vegetables with a normal content of heavy metals. The concentrations in Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from the soil (total and mobile forms) and from some root vegetables (total concentration) were determined: carrot, parsley, celery and potatoes. The obtained results of the heavy metals determination, made by atomic absorption spectrometry in acetylene-air flame method (FAAS), shows that their distribution in soil and vegetables is non-uniform, depending on the nature of the metal and also vegetables. The analysis of heavy metals contents from carrots, parsley, celery and potatoes show that the vegetables contain significant amounts of essential mineral elements and insignificant contents of toxic or potentially toxic metals. Translocation of heavy metals from soil to the plant is conditioned by a series of factors, among which the most important are the nature of the heavy metal, the physicochemical soil properties, the mineral needs of the plant. Considering the accessible concentrations (mobile forms) of heavy metals in the soil and the average heavy metal concentrations in the vegetables (average values for the four analyzed vegetables) it can be stated that fraction of metal translocated from soil to vegetables has the following values (%): 13.79 (Fe), 3.82 (Mn), 91.99 (Zn), 24.73 (Cu), 70.83 (Co), 62.32 (Ni), 76.32 (Cr), 2.98 (Pb) and <15 (Cd). For a healthy nutrition it is very important to know these contents. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples and in the analyzed vegetables are below the toxicity limits provided by the legislation. Therefore, vegetables grown in this area do not present a risk of contamination with heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was carried out with 27 piglets from birth to the age of three days, of which 11 healthy piglets and 16 piglets with diarrhoea. All piglets were weighed. In piglets with diarrhoea, the blood was collected in the day when the diarrhoea started. After the serum was examined, it was separated and preserved by freezing up to the moment of hormone dosage. The cortisol and insulin concentration was measured with a HPLC. The glycaemia was measured with an Accucek device. The data obtained were processed statistically through a non-parametric test, the Mann Whitney U Test. Body weight measurements in piglets suffering from diarrhoea and healthy piglets showed that diarrhoea piglets display a lower average body weight starting with the first day of diarrhoea, thus the difference in body weight can not be accounted to dehydration. Glycaemia in piglets with diarrhoea is, starting with the first day of diarrhoea, significantly lower (p<0.05) than healthy piglet glycaemia; similarly, the level of serum insulin (p<0.05) as well as that of serum cortisol (p<0.001) are lower in diarrhoea piglets. What is more, the serum level of the insulin does not correlate significantly with glycaemia (r=0.27; p>0.05), from a statistic point of view. The serum cortisol does not correlate significantly in healthy piglets (r=0.071; p>0.05), statistically, and also not in diarrhoea piglets (r=0.46; p>0.05). On the contrary, there is a strong correlation of the serum insulin with the serum cortisol in healthy piglets (r=0.86; p<0.001) as well as in diarrhoea ones (r=0.92; p=0.0000). The reduction of the serum cortisol level in diarrhoea piglets can represent a facilitating factor in the diarrhoea pathogenesis, or it can be the consequence of subnutrition and diarrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]