Claudiu Bunea

Carotenoid and fatty acid profiles of bilberries and cultivated blueberries from Romania

The worldwide consumption of blueberries has increased due to their potential health effects. They contain micronutrients, various phytochemicals and anti-oxidant pigments, represented especially by anthocyanins. In addition to these, carotenoids and fatty acids are also present. The aim of this study was the identification and quantification of carotenoids (by HPLC) and fatty acids (by GC with flame ionisation detection) in two bilberry genotypes (Wild 1 and 2) and three cultivars (BlueCrop, Elliot, and Duke). The main carotenoids identified were lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene, with the average total carotenoid content of 266 μg per 100 g of fruit. The ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was 0.098 for Wild 1 and 0.11 for Wild 2 genotypes and ranged from 0.14 to 0.28 for cultivars. The main fatty acids identified were linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids in all the samples analysed. In Vaccinium myrtillus the amount of carotenoids and fatty acids was higher than in Vaccinium corymbosum species.

The Perception of Viticultural Landscapes as a Method of Promoting and Supporting Local Economic Activities Through Multifunctional Landscapes

Abstract The perception of landscape and consumption behaviour in relation to landscape was estimated using a questionnaire-based survey with 17 photographs: 15 photos from Romanian representative landscape units, 1 photo representing a foreign landscape (Hungary), and 1 marketing photo. The photo documentation was conducted in sixteen vineyards ecosystems from Târnave Viticultural Region - Transylvania (NW-Romania). The most representative landscape was the photo that had the specifications and criteria: low practices intensity with low landscape complexity; and the less representative landscape was the photo that had the specifications and criteria: photo capturing hiking, walking, tourism, and recreational activities in a viticulture landscape. The landscape could influence the following aspects of communities’ livelihood: establishments and development of enterprises, tourism and recreation businesses, and the place to live. The words used by interviewed people to point out the landscape were interpreted from the point of view of the concept of multifunctionality.

Chromatographic Analysis of Carotenoids and Anthocyanins in Sweet Cherry Autumn Leaves Used in Ornamental Landscapes

The pigments composition of sweet cherry leaves (Prunus avium L.) were identified for the first time under condition of Cluj-Napoca city. Five cherry tree varieties (Merchant, Early Red, Lapins, Burlat, Kordia) have been selected in autumn of 2016 in order to identify and quantify the major pigments in these types of leaves. Five carotenoids (lutein, βcarotene, zeaxanthin, cis-β-caroten, α-carotene) and one major anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) were found in cherry leaves. The main carotenoids identified in all cultivars were lutein (340.55 μg/g), followed by β-carotene (147.06 μg/g). Early Red cultivar had the highest content of cyanidin-3glucoside (17.96 mg/100g), followed by Kordia variety (11.46 mg/100g). Cyanidin-3-glucoside is responsible for red coloration of the leaves, meanwhile lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, cis-β-carotene and α-carotene are providing yellow to orange colours of the leaves. The coloration of sweet cherry leaves, given by the accumulation of anthocyanin and carotenoids in autumn, makes this species suitable for ornamental use in urban design.

Researches Regarding the Influence of Special Green Works on Evolution of Ripening in Four Varieties of Grapes for Wine from Vineyard Târnave

This paper was done in order to establish the influence of special green works (grapesthinning, partial deleafing and grapes bagging) on ripening evolution at the varieties: ‘MuscatOttonel’, ‘Neuburger’, ‘Traminer roz’ and ‘Sauvignon blanc’, in ecoclimatic conditions of TA¢rnaveVineyard. The grapes ripening was observed starting with 19th August, after dough ripening. Severaldeterminations were conducted regarding sugars accumulations, acidity and the weigh of 100 berries,at a one week interval (the 19th of August, 29th of August, 5th of September and 12th of September).Out of the methods known for sugars determinations within the must (refractometric method,densymetric method and chemical method) it was used the refractometric one. The principle of themethod is based on the determination of the dry matter percent within the must by using therefratometer. The content of sugars is then calculated with the aid of the corresponding tables. Theresult is expressed in g/l (sugar grams/must litres). Titration in the presence on phenolphthalein wasused to determine the total acidity within the must. The acidity is expressed in g/l H2SO4. Variant 2(deleafed) of ‘Traminer roz’ accumulated the highest sugars content. The acidity decreases with thesugars concentration. An important decrease is observed in the first period of maturation (19th ofAugust- 5th of September), excepting the ‘Neuburger’ variety, which had an acidity decrease duringthe 5th- 12th of September period.