Violeta Alexandra Ion
@usamv.ro
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV)
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
A. Stan, M. Butac, V.A. Ion, I. Bezdadea-Cătuneanu, M. Frîncu, and L. Bădulescu
International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
Marios Maroulis, Sevasti Matsia, Georgios Lazopoulos, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Oana-Crina Bujor, Joshua Cabell, Anne-Kristin Løes, and Athanasios Salifoglou
MDPI AG
Brown algae and fish waste contain high-value compounds with potentially beneficial effects on plant growth. Several commercial fertilizer products are currently available, but the characteristics of the materials are usually not well-described. Fish and seaweed residues originating from the Norwegian coast are available, after industrial processing, which may be combined into complete fertilizers exerting additional effects on crop plants (biostimulants). In this study, raw samples of fish and seaweed residues were investigated using ecofriendly technologies (drying, leaching), targeting search and isolation of potential biostimulants, followed by physicochemical characterization (elemental analysis, UV–visible, FT-IR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, electrical conductivity, pH, etc.). Organic solvent extractions were employed to determine the available mineral content, micro- and macro-nutrients, antioxidant compounds, and amino acid content by chemical hydrolysis. The in vitro biotoxicity profile (cell viability, morphology, migration) of the generated extracts was also perused, employing Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) along with sensitive neuronal eukaryotic cell lines N2a58 and SH-SY5Y, to assess their time- and concentration-dependent efficacy as antimicrobials and agents counteracting oxidative stress. The analytical composition of all raw materials showed that they contain important nutrients (K, P, Ca, N) as well as organic compounds and amino acids (Gly, Asp, Glu, Leu, Phe) capable of acting as plant biostimulants. Concurrently, the inherently high conductivity values and salt content necessitated leaching processes, which result in Na+ and K+ decreasing by more than ~60% and justifying further their use in soil treatment formulations. The aforementioned results and assertions, combined with physical measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, etc.) on naturally occurring and dried samples as well as green solvent extracts, formulated a physicochemical profile reflecting well-defined inorganic–organic species that might function as biostimulants. The collective physicochemical and biological properties support the notion that appropriate mixtures of marine organism residues may be efficient fertilizers for crop plants and concurrently possess biostimulant characteristics.
Andreea Barbu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Mihai Frîncu, Nicoleta Defta, Viorica Lagunovschi-Luchian, and Liliana Aurelia Bădulescu
MDPI AG
In recent years, people have become increasingly interested in adopting a healthy diet, which also extends to healthy snacks, such as chips. Understanding the interplay of factors that influence the preference decisions concerning food products is very helpful in market segmentation for identifying specific groups of consumers with similar needs. This study aims to obtain a better understanding of Romanian consumers’ preference for organic vegetable chips vs. classic potato chips. The research involved a transversal, cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory, and correlational design. Data were collected based on a questionnaire (1060 participants) and processed with the SPSS 22 program, using the Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression as statistical procedures. Significant differences were found regarding the distribution of the respondents who prefer organic vegetable chips vs. classic potato chips based on socio-demographic characteristics. The results of the binary logistic regression analysis (χ2 = 102,906, df = 22, N = 909, p < 0.001) indicate that education level and frequency of consumption have a statistically significant impact on the preference for organic vegetable chips. The obtained results can contribute to a better understanding of Romanian consumers’ preferences, acting as a knowledge stage in the adoption of a healthy eating style.
Ailin Moloșag, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Adrian Constantin Asănică, Raluca Soane, Andrei Moț, Aurora Dobrin, Mihai Frîncu, Anne-Kristin Løes, Joshua Cabell,et al.
MDPI AG
An outdoor experiment was performed for six months to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers obtained from marine residual materials on strawberry plants. Three types of organic fertilizers were used, i.e., cod (Gadus morhua) bone powder, common ling (Molva molva) bone powder, and pellets obtained by mixing small cod bone powder and rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) residues. A tabletop system for strawberry cultivation was designed, in which two bare-root strawberry plants of cultivar ‘Albion’ were planted in a peat substrate in each pot. Five treatments were applied, i.e., cod bone powder (F1), common ling bone powder (F2), small cod bone powder and rockweed residue pellets (FA), chemical fertilizer (E), and a control (C). The number of leaves and their nutrient content, fruit yield and quality characteristics of the strawberries grown using the organic fertilizers were similar or better than those corresponding to treatments E and C. Organic fertilizers derived from the residues of fish and macroalgae could be a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers in strawberry production.
Mădălina-Elena FRUNZETE, Tatiana RODIDEAL, Marius-Nicușor GRIGORE, Violeta A. ION, Liliana BĂDULESCU, Ramona M. CIOCAN, and Maria-Magdalena ZAMFIRACHE
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca
Taxus L. is accepted in the literature as natural resources of biologically active compounds and volatile oils, with applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and with ecological impact on the natural living environment. In this context, the present work aims to analyze by GS/MS techniques the chemical composition of volatile oil obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves harvested from spontaneous and cultivated female individuals of Taxus (dried and fresh plant material) and to spectrophotometrically evaluate the hydrosols resulting from their hydrodistillation. The compounds with the highest concentrations in the volatile oil obtained from the spontaneous taxon Taxus baccata L. were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (33.03% fresh leaves; 20.09% dried leaves); ar-abietatriene (14.98% dried leaves; 3.03% fresh leaves); phthalic acid, hex-3-yl isobutyl ester (10.51% dried leaves); salicylic acid, benzyl ester (8.11% dried leaves). In the cultivated taxon Taxus baccata the compounds identified with the highest concentrations were 1-octen-3-ol (25.61% fresh leaves); phytol (12.50% dry leaves); geranyl acetone (11.90% dry leaves); manoyl oxide (11.85% dry leaves; 10.86% fresh leaves); 1,9-decadence (7.92% fresh leaves). The compounds with the highest concentrations in the oil extracted from the leaves of Taxus baccata ‘Robusta’ were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (17.81% fresh leaves); pentacosane (11.28% dry leaves); heptacosane (11.27% fresh leaves); tetracosane (11.13% dry leaves); tricosane (8.45% fresh leaves). The chemical composition of volatile oils from yew is influenced by many exogenous factors such as soil, light, and endogenous factors such as age, DNA.
Diana Egri, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Cristian Eugen Răducanu, Suzana Ioana Calcan, Liliana Bădulescu, Roxana Madjar, Cristina Orbeci, Tănase Dobre, Andrei Moț,et al.
MDPI AG
The agronomic benefits of biochar (BC) prepared by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residues, which are produced in large quantities in Romania, were evaluated. Three soil types, i.e., slightly alkaline fluvisol (S1), slightly acidic chernozem (S2), and strongly acidic luvisol (S3), with mean values of pH of 7.99, 6.26, and 5.40, were amended with BC at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80. A greenhouse experiment was performed for 109 days to assess the effects of BC amendment on bell pepper growth. The following treatments were applied: foliar fertilizer, BC, BC + foliar fertilizer (using two concentrations of foliar fertilizer solution), and a control. Strongly alkaline BC (pH of 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant positive effect on the growth performance of bell pepper plants sown in the strongly acidic soil S3. The mean values of height, collar diameter, number of leaves, and root volume of plants grown in BC-amended soil S3 without foliar treatment were significantly higher (13–72% and 14–33%, respectively) than those of plants grown in non-amended soil S3 without and with foliar treatment. This beneficial effect of BC on bell pepper plant growth was due to the changes in the soil properties. BC significantly increased (up to eight times) electrical conductivity, pH, soluble phosphorus, potassium, and ammonium nitrogen concentrations of soil S3, and decreased its bulk density by 51%, resulting in improved water/nutrient uptake and plant growth performance. BC had no favourable effect on the growth parameters of bell pepper plants sown in slightly alkaline soil S1, and slightly acidic soil S2.
Suzana Ioana Calcan, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Cristian Eugen Răducanu, Liliana Bădulescu, Roxana Madjar, Tănase Dobre, Diana Egri, Andrei Moț, Lavinia Mihaela Iliescu,et al.
MDPI AG
The paper aimed at evaluating the effects of biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residue on soil physicochemical properties and tomato plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 66 days, applying different treatments for 3 soil types, i.e., foliar fertilizer, BC (at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80), BC + foliar fertilizer, and no treatments. Strongly alkaline BC (pH = 9.89 ± 0.01) had a significant beneficial effect on the growth performance of tomato plants sown in a strongly acidic soil (pH = 5.40 ± 0.02). The mean values of height, number of leaves, and collar diameter of plants grown in BC-amended soil without foliar treatment were up to 50% higher than those of plants grown in soil with the other treatments. This positive effect of BC on plant growth is due to the changes in the soil properties. The addition of BC led to increased values of electrical conductivity, pH, soluble and available nutrient concentration. Moreover, BC reduced soil bulk density by about 50%, resulting in improved plant root development and thus enhanced water and nutrient uptake. Accordingly, BC derived from vine pruning residues can improve soil quality and tomato plant growth, as well as reduce biomass residues.
Suzana Ioana Calcan, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Cristian Eugen Răducanu, Liliana Bădulescu, Tănase Dobre, Diana Egri, Andrei Moț, Vlad Popa, and Mihaela Emanuela Crăciun
MDPI AG
The paper aimed at studying the slow pyrolysis of vine pruning waste in a fixed bed reactor and characterizing the pyrolysis products. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted for 60 min, using CO2 as a carrier gas and oxidizing agent. The distribution of biochar and bio-oil was dependent on variations in heat flux (4244–5777 W/m2), CO2 superficial velocity (0.004–0.008 m/s), and mean size of vegetal material (0.007–0.011 m). Relationships among these factors and process performances in terms of yields of biochar (0.286–0.328) and bio-oil (0.260–0.350), expressed as ratio between the final mass of pyrolysis product and initial mass of vegetal material, and final value of fixed bed temperature (401.1–486.5 °C) were established using a 23 factorial design. Proximate and ultimate analyses, FT-IR and SEM analyses, measurements of bulk density (0.112 ± 0.001 g/cm3), electrical conductivity (0.55 ± 0.03 dS/m), pH (10.35 ± 0.06), and water holding capacity (58.99 ± 14.51%) were performed for biochar. Water content (33.2 ± 1.27%), density (1.027 ± 0.014 g/cm3), pH (3.34 ± 0.02), refractive index (1.3553 ± 0.0027), and iodine value (87.98 ± 4.38 g I2/100 g bio-oil) were measured for bio-oil. Moreover, chemical composition of bio-oil was evaluated using GC-MS analysis, with 27 organic compounds being identified.
Amalia Carmen Miteluț, Elisabeta Elena Popa, Mihaela Cristina Drăghici, Paul Alexandru Popescu, Vlad Ioan Popa, Oana-Crina Bujor, Violeta Alexandra Ion, and Mona Elena Popa
MDPI AG
The food industry nowadays is facing new challenges in terms of sustainability and health implications of packaging and processing techniques. Due to their desire for new and natural products coupled with changes in lifestyle, consumers are looking for food products that have been less processed but possess longer shelf life and maintain nutritional and sensorial proprieties during storage. These requirements represent real challenges when dealing with highly perishable food products, such as fruits and vegetables. Thus, in recent years, edible coatings have been intensively developed and studied because of their capacity to improve the quality, shelf life, safety, and functionality of the treated products. Edible coatings can be applied through different techniques, like dipping, spraying, or coating, in order to control moisture transfer, gas exchange, or oxidative processes. Furthermore, some functional ingredients can be incorporated into an edible matrix and applied on the surface of foods, thus enhancing safety or even nutritional and sensory attributes. In the case of coated fruits and vegetables, their quality parameters, such as color, firmness, microbial load, decay ratio, weight loss, sensorial attributes, and nutritional parameters, which are very specific to the type of products and their storage conditions, should be carefully monitored. This review attempts to summarize recent studies of different edible coatings (polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and composites) as carriers of functional ingredients (antimicrobials, texture enhancers, and nutraceuticals) applied on different minimally processed fruits and vegetables, highlighting the coating ingredients, the application methods and the effects on food shelf life and quality.
Liliana Bădulescu, , Oana Crina Bujor-Neniţa, Aurora Dobrin, Andreea Stan, Mihaela Zugravu, Violeta Ion, , , ,et al.
Research Institute for Fruit Growing
Andreea Stan, , Mihaela Zugravu, Carmen Constantin, Mihai Frîncu, Aurora Dobrin, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Andrei Moț, Andrei Petre, Roxana Ciceoi,et al.
Research Institute for Fruit Growing
Physico-chemical parameters of Romanian sea buckthorn fresh or dried berries, including titratable acidity (2.28±0.06 g malic acid/100 g FM), pH (2.60±0.08), contents of moisture (75.94±2.14 g/100 g FM), ash (2.83±0.11 g/100 g DM), ascorbic acid (1337.6±37.2 mg/100 g FM), oil (3.82±0.16 g/100 g FM), and macro elements, mainly K (11654 mg/kg DM), Mg (668 mg/kg DM), Ca (645 mg/kg DM), Na (401 mg/kg DM), and P (271 mg/kg DM), were evaluated in this paper. The most abundant volatile compounds found in the volatile fraction of berries were isopentyl isovalerate (30.8%), heptanal (11.7%), ethyl hexanoate (10.5%), ethyl isovalerate (8.1%), hexanal (7.5%), and ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (6.3%). Total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, and antioxidant activity (expressed as DPPH free radical scavenging activity by inhibition of DPPH) of extract solutions obtained from dried berries by MAE using ethanol/water mixture as a solvent were estimated at different ratios of solvent volume/vegetal material mass (15-30 mL/g) and ethanol/water (50/50, 60/40, 70/30, and 80/20 v/v). Inhibition of DPPH (22.61-48.60%) was well correlated with total phenolic content (4.42-10.04 mg caffeic acid equivalents/g DM) and total flavonoids content (5.37-11.14 mg quercetin equivalents/g DM). Keywords: Sea buckthorn, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, oil, volatiles, minerals, total phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity
Tănase Dobre, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Aloïs Jacquemet, and Violeta Alexandra Ion
Informa UK Limited
Adsorption and thermal desorption dynamics of acetone in fixed-bed silica gel were studied experimentally and theoretically. The effect of process factors on adsorption and desorption performances was established. Acetone adsorption from air stream was performed by the dynamic (flowing gas) method in a laboratory setup at two levels of air superficial velocity (0.7 and 1.7 cm s−1), temperature (30 and 40°C), and adsorbent particle diameter (0.21 and 0.54 cm). The values of saturation adsorption capacity (0.147–0.270 g g−1) increased up to 78% and 36%, respectively, with a decrease in air velocity and adsorption temperature. Acetone thermal desorption from spent silica gel was studied in a thermobalance at three levels of process temperature (60, 70, and 80°C) and two values of particle size (0.21 and 0.54 cm). Equilibrium desorption efficiency (63–81%) was up to 14% larger for finer particles and increased with the desorption temperature. Kinetic models with relevant parameters adjusted based on experimental data were adopted to predict the dynamics of acetone adsorption and thermal desorption. The models simulated well the real conditions and could be applied to scale up and operate the adsorption columns used for air remediation.
Violeta Alexandra Ion, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, and Tănase Dobre
Elsevier BV
Abstract Adsorption dynamics of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) vapour from air streams onto fixed bed adsorbent were measured and simulated under various operation conditions. Isopropanol (IPA) and n-hexane (HEX) were selected as representatives of polar and nonpolar VOCs, whereas bacterial cellulose (BC) and BC incorporated with magnetite nanoparticles (M/BC), were tested as adsorbents. An experimental study emphasizing the influence of air superficial velocity (0.7 cm/s and 1.7 cm/s), operation temperature (30 °C and 40 °C), adsorbate and adsorbent type, on fixed bed saturation curves was conducted. Optimal adsorption performances evaluated in terms of saturation adsorption capacity were obtained for the adsorption of polar compound (IPA) onto M/BC composite (0.805 g/g) and of nonpolar compound (HEX) onto neat BC (0.795 g/g), respectively, at high values of air velocity and operation temperature. A mathematical model including mass balance of VOC species, whose parameters were fitted based on experimental data, was developed in order to predict the fixed bed saturation curves. A 2 3 statistical model indicating a significant increase in adsorption performances with process temperature was validated under the experimental conditions.