Maria Tofană

In‐tube Extraction and GC–MS Analysis of Volatile Components from Wild and Cultivated sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. Carpatica) Berry Varieties and Juice

INTRODUCTION The health benefits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) are well documented due to its rich content in bioactive phytochemicals (pigments, phenolics and vitamins) as well as volatiles responsible for specific flavours and bacteriostatic action. The volatile compounds are good biomarkers of berry freshness, quality and authenticity. OBJECTIVE To develop a fast and efficient GC-MS method including a minimal sample preparation technique (in-tube extraction, ITEX) for the discrimination of sea buckthorn varieties based on their chromatographic volatile fingerprint. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve sea buckthorn varieties (wild and cultivated) were collected from forestry departments and experimental fields, respectively. The extraction of volatile compounds was performed using the ITEX technique whereas separation and identification was performed using a GC-MS QP-2010. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to discriminate the differences among sample composition. RESULTS Using GC-MS analysis, from the headspace of sea buckthorn samples, 46 volatile compounds were separated with 43 being identified. The most abundant derivatives were ethyl esters of 2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylbutanoic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid and butanoic acid, as well as 3-methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl 2-methylbutanoate and benzoic acid ethyl ester (over 80% of all volatile compounds). Principal component analysis showed that the first two components explain 79% of data variance, demonstrating a good discrimination between samples. CONCLUSION A reliable, fast and eco-friendly ITEX/GC-MS method was applied to fingerprint the volatile profile and to discriminate between wild and cultivated sea buckthorn berries originating from the Carpathians, with relevance to food science and technology.

Determination of Volatiles in Hops from Romania by Solid Phase Fiber Microextraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to evaluate the variability of the essential oils of hops harvested in two consecutive years using in-tube extraction with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The second objective was to assess the possibility of using the volatile profile to characterize and discriminate hop cultivars based on a chemometric approach. Three hop varieties from Transylvania, Romania were studied. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to differentiate hop varieties and to identify discriminant varietal markers. Forty-nine volatiles were separated from hop cultivars, with forty-seven identified. The main components of hop essential oils included monoterpenes (β-myrcene) and sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene and α-humulene). The results indicated that even though the composition of hop essential oil may be influenced by environmental factors, volatile profiles may be employed to identify cultivars.

Food Wastes as Valuable Sources of Bioactive Molecules

Food industry produces worldwide millions of tons of plant‐derived wastes which can be exploited as sources of high‐value components: proteins, fibres, polysaccharides, flavour compounds or different phytochemicals. These bioactive compounds can be valorised as functional ingredients in food, pharmaceutical, health care, cosmetic and other products. Using the recovered bioactive molecules as functional ingredients represents a sustainable alternative of food wastes exploitation as inexpensive source of valuable compounds, while developing innovative food and non‐food products with health‐promoting benefits and at the same time contributing to an efficient waste reduction management. This chapter gives an overview of the main classes of bioactive compounds recovered from food wastes and their potential applications as functional chemicals, without being exhaustive.

Risk Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption Among Romanian University Students- Preliminary Research

Young people’s consumption of alcohol is an ongoing problem. Many young adults binge-drink alcohol excessively, with serious negative consequences thereafter. This preliminary research assessed risk factors associated with alcohol consumption, drinking problems and related consequences among university students. The study was carried out on a total of 1056 students from UASVM Cluj-Napoca, Romania. University students claimed altered states of health after drinking episodes: vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness (43.1%), forgetfulness after drinking (3.1%). Furthermore, students who drank over the limit reported physical and violence-related problems (2.7%) and were more likely to develop risky behaviors, like driving under the influence of alcohol (13.9%) or car accidents (0.2%). The participants in the study were not heavy social drinkers, 50.9% of the respondents reported no consequences after drinking alcohol.

Determination of Volatile Markers from Magnum Hops in Beer by In-Tube Extraction—Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT A chromatographic method was developed for the identification of volatile markers from Magnum hops in two types of beer. The study was initially performed with Magnum hop pellets and hop essential oil and subsequently with traditional and flavored beer during the primary fermentation. The volatile compounds were isolated employing the in-tube extraction (ITEX) technique followed by identification and quantification through gas-chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC-MS) operating in scan mode. The main authentication markers identified in traditional beer were from aromatic compounds, aldehydes and alcohol esters. The most predominant authentication marker compounds in beer flavored with Magnum hop essential oil were obtained from terpenoids, followed by acid esters, alcohol esters and alcohol classes. A unique feature of this study was represented by the discriminant markers for the authentication of Magnum hop variety, identified in hop pellets, hop essential oil and flavored beer. The application of this methodology can be used for optimization of brewing technology and process parameters in view of prolonging fruity hop flavor stability of Romanian beers.