Mariana Popescu

Microwave assisted extraction of essential oils from enzymatically pretreated lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller)

In this study, microwave assisted a hydrodistillation process (MWHD) of essential oils from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) was investigated. In order to examine any potential differences in essential oil extraction, the lavender flowers underwent enzymatic pretreatment.A 23 factorial design of experiments, combined with statistical methods of data analysis were used to optimize enzymatic pretreatment and to evaluate the influence of major variables (enzyme concentration, temperature and pH) on the performance of the microwave assisted extraction.Under optimal conditions, an extraction yield of 24 mg oil g−1 substrate was achieved (an increase by approximately 25% in comparison with the classic extraction conditions of conventional hydrodistillation).The main compounds of the essential oils obtained were analyzed and identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Analyzing the data obtained indicated that the content of main compounds (linalool and linalyl acetate − 73%) was greater than that obtained by conventional extraction (67%).

Synthesis Optimization and Characterization ofMicroencapsulated N-P-K Slow-Release Fertilizers

Abstract Slow-release microencapsulated N, P, and K fertilizer synthesis was optimized and the products exhaustively characterized. Four NPK formulations with nutrient mass ratios of 1:0:0, 1:1:0, 1:1:1, and 2:1:1 were characterized following European Council Regulation 2003/2003 for fertilizers as well as ICP-AES, 1H-NMR, FT-IR, HPLC, elemental analysis, XPS, SEM, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, activity index, and leaching rate. These fertilizers have good slow-release properties and decrease waste and crop contaminants, improving environmental protection. Compared to classic granulated fertilizers, plant nutrient availability was improved allowing reduced application. Nutrient leaching parameters describing four different kinetic models were evaluated. Graphical Abstract

Bioconversion of Oilseeds into Bioproducts for Cultivated Plants Nutrition and Protection

Abstract Natural by-products from vegetable oil industries and spent edible oils from domestic or public food spaces should be recycled to obtain new added value products. Present paper proposed a technical solution for complete valorisation of inedible oilseeds or spent edible oils into bioproducts for nutrition and protection of plants cultivated in conservative organic agrosystems. Pressed cakes resulted from mechanical cold extraction of mustard oil contain residual oil and bioactive compounds which were released using an enzymatic cocktail 1:1 cellulase with proteases coupled with azeotropic solvents into a single Soxhlet extractor. From mustard meal, a solid fraction with glycerol derivatives of fatty acids (56.23% oleate and 17.47% linoleate) decanted from syrup (41.78% xylopyranoside and 48.48% trilinolein) and from mustard cake (76.44% linoleate) in the supernatant, the same oligosaccharide (29.64%) and proteinates (30.18%) in the solid fraction. The total extract was simultaneously concentrated and converted into a bioactive potassium salt emulsion able to encapsulate insectofungicidal natural compounds as bioproducts with agronomical applications.