Vioara Miresan

Characterization of pine bud syrup and its effect on physicochemical and sensory properties of kefir

This study aimed to develop a value-added kefir by the addition of pine bud syrup. For this purpose, different concentrations of pine bud syrup [2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% (w/w)] were added to kefir formulation after the fermentation. The pine bud syrup used for kefir fortification is rich in polyphenols and terpenes and has a high antioxidant activity. The study was designed to evaluate the influence of pine bud syrup on the physicochemical and sensory properties of kefir. The addition of pine bud syrup resulted in an increase in total solids and a decrease in fat content, proteins, and pH. The kefir sample with 10% pine bud syrup was the most appreciated by sensory panelists. Its overall acceptability score was higher (6.71 points) than regular kefir (5.57 points). The addition of 10% pine bud syrup improved the texture and consistency of regular kefir.

Physical–chemical parameters and the level of heavy metals in cow milk in the Baia Mare area

Heavy metals are important pollutants in the environment and can cause problems for the organisms, and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the food chain can have adverse effects on human health. Regulations on the legally accepted amounts of heavy metals in food and in the body are very precise. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the level of heavy metals in cow milk from different localities in the Baia Mare area, considered a very polluted area. The physical–chemical parameters and heavy metals in milk were determined. The determination of heavy metals in milk was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or ICP– MS used to identify and quantify the Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn elements. The highest concentrations of Pb were observed in samples collected in Firiza locality with an average value of (43.22±0.62) (μg/L) and the lowest concentrations are for the samples analyzed in Săcălăşeni (11.53±0.33) (mg/L) (μg/L). Cd in milk did not show very large variations between localities, so the lowest concentrations were recorded in Săcălăşeni (4.32±0.13) and the highest ones were observed in the locality Firiza (10.93±0.39) (μg/L). The highest concentrations were observed for the Zn in milk, with an interval between (2255.20±7.14) (μg/L) in Săcălăşeni and (3855.80±5.11) (μg/L) for the analyzed samples from Firiza. Keyword: milk, fat, proteins, Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb.

A new record of Ratan goby - Ponticola ratan (Nordmann, 1840) (Pisces: Gobiidae) in the Black Sea, Romanian coastal waters

In August 2015 we managed to capture a specimen of ratan goby ( Ponticola ratan) in the Romanian coastal waters of the Black Sea, near the locality of Sf. Gheorghe (Tulcea County). This is the 7 -th signaling for this species in Romanian coastal waters. The previous 6 specimens were recorded in the period 1960-1993, between Mangalia (ConstanA£a County) and Sulina (Tulcea County). The species was identified by means of meristic characters (number of scales on medial line, number of spiny and soft rays), and morphological particularities (cycloid scales on the nape area and pectoral fin joint). Also, the measurements made, confirmed that the ratio between the head length and total length, which was 33% (TL=8.70 cm vs. Head Length=2.61cm). Another morphological character, specific to this species, is the lower jaw, which exceeds in length the upper jaw. Being a Ponto-Caspian endemite, with low population along the Bulgarian and Romanian coastline, we considered it important to point out this new record. Noting that, being known the trend of sporadic migration of this species, would not be excluded that global warming causes a shift from its normal distribution area, from northern and northeastern (Black Sea) to south-west. Therefore, future research may bring more notifications regarding this species in south-western area of the Black Sea

Correlations Between Age of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Female and Their Fertility Indices

From the perspective of economic efficiency and the increase of productivity and product quality in romanian trout farms, we propose to do an analysis of the impact of breeding age in rainbow trout females and its effects on fertility indices.