Maria Dinu

Analysis of nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf and petiole

Two cultivars of sweet potatoes, Pumpkin and Chestnut, were planted in the didactic field of the Faculty of Horticulture, Craiova, and biochemical determinations were carried out from the blades and petioles of the leaves. This study highlights the antioxidant properties of these species, which are not well known in Romania, to encourage consumption of the vegetative parts of the plant, as well as use of the leaves in the future to develop natural antioxidants. The chlorophyll and carotene content in the blade and petiole were determined, highlighting the large amounts of petiole, depending on the cultivar. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and vitamin C content, as well as total dry matter (TDM), reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity, were also measured. The petioles exhibited high antioxidant activity, with 62.186 μmol TE/g FW in Pumpkin and 95.168 μmol TE/g FW in Chestnut. The cultivars also exhibited differences at the blade level, with high values recorded for the Chestnut cultivar. Positive correlations between total polyphenols and reducing sugars (r = 0.89), antioxidant activity and reducing sugars (r = 0.48), and antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds (r = 0.53) were found. This study demonstrates that sweet potato leaves are a potential, inexpensive and beneficial source of natural antioxidants.

Comparative Study of Certain Hot Pepper Genotypes (Capsicum Annuum L.) Cultivated in Oltenia, România

The purpose of this study is to focus on the qualities that some of the local hot peppers varieties have as compared to a variety created, by analysing the content of the main bioactive compounds. The study refers to 7 genotypes of hot peppers, 6 of which, originated from different areas of Oltenia (the Southern part of Romania), are well known and are cultivated by private producers with tradition in the area, and another one, the De Cayenne variety, which has been used as witness. The cultivars of such genotypes have not been treated against diseases, no pest control treatments have been applied due to their natural genetic resistance and they have not been chemically fertilised in vegetation. In the present study the variation of the bioactive compounds has been evaluated in all seven pepper fruit varieties cultivated in Oltenia. The statistical analysis of the results obtained showed significant differences amongst local populations as well as between them and the variety created. The content of ascorbic acid varied compared with the witness sample by 14.3% in case of sample V 3 , by 24.2% in case of sample V 6 and by 38.72% in sample V 7 . The content of carotene recorded variations of the concentration compared with the witness sample by 21.74% in sample V 3 , by 17.98% in case of sample V 6 and 23.29 for sample V 7 . The capsaicin contained by samples showed concentra- tion changes compared with the witness concentration by 18.1% for V 6 , by19.5% for V 7 and by 21.6% for V 5 .

Comparative study between new hybrids of sweet pepper cultivated in unheated greenhouse from Almaj-Dolj County.

The world’s actual trend gives a special importance to the quality of the products from sustainable agricultural perspective. Our experiences reveal that for sweet peeper hybrids, the highest vitamin C content was obtained for crop obtained in unheated greenhouse for hybrids Shy Beauty (110 mg/100g). We obtain the common dimension for fruits, the approximate size (length and diameter) of all hybrids was between 7-11 cm (for length) and 5-9 cm (for diameter). The earlier crop (before first August) reveals good values between 27.11 t/ha for AlbatrosF1 and 32.91 t/ha for Gemini F1. The hybrid Gemini F1 reaches value of 53.07 t/ ha for total crop and Shy Beauty reaches 49.12t/ha.

The use of biologically fertilisers and stimulators for the cucumbers grown

In to vegetable practice, the cucumber grown are very good implemented in the openend fields, in to protected and forced areas and for this reason the researcher’s interest is high, specially for the cucumber crop in to green house. In these areas the fertilisation are every-day and the the residual product can be findet in the final product and can affect the health of consummer. In this study we use the Amour hybrid and the transplant are produced in polystirene box filled with peat, fixed in the wood box. These box were armed with polietylene thin layer and contain nourishing solution. The produced transplant was replanted in to could green house at Didactic and Experimental Resort Banu Maracine in April 27, 2007. The study contain five experimental variants (V1- Reference Variant – unfertilised, V2 – with Bionat 0,15%, V3 – with Cropmax 0,15%, V4 – with omogenised nettle, V5- with Kristalon 0,15%). It was applied three treatment during a seven days, after each treatment were maked the specific observations and analisys. The variants were treated with Cropmax are taller than others and present an increased diameter. A second place after diameter and high criteria was occupied by the V4 and the third place was occupied by treated with Kristalon variant. The treated with omogenised nettle plants prove an intense green colour comparative with V2 (Bionat) that prove a light green colour. The V4 variant (with omogenised nettle) prove strongly resistance against insect and microorganism attack. The experiment cover just the first year and must be continued .The obtained production was encouraging and for this reason the researches to do on. The cucumber average weight was between 66,0-79,3 g and the greattest vallue was registred at untreted Reference Variant . The Reference Variant was followd by V4,V5,V2,V3. Remarkably were V3 and V2 with little fruits – very good for to preserve. The best destination for Reference Variant and V4 and V5 are the consumption in the fresh state.