Novel cross-linked hydrogels were synthesized as potential materials for the development of smart biofertilizers. For this purpose, hydrogels were prepared using collagen hydrolysate recovered from tannery waste. The water-soluble polymer poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(SSNa-co-GMAx)) was among others used for the cross-linking reaction that combined hydrophilic nature with epoxide groups. The synthetic procedure was thoroughly investigated in order to ensure high percentage of epoxide groups in combination with water-soluble behavior. The copolymer did not show cytotoxicity against normal lung, skin fibroblasts, or nasal polyps fibroblasts. Through the present work, we also present the ability to control the properties of cross-linked hydrogels by altering copolymer’s composition and cross-linking parameters (curing temperature and time). Hydrogels were then studied in terms of water-uptake capacity for a period up to six days. The techniques Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were applied for the characterization of the synthesized copolymers and the cross-linked hydrogels. Three samples of biofertilizers based on collagen hydrolysate functionalized with P(SSNa-co-GMAx) and starch and having nutrients encapsulated (N, P, K) were prepared and characterized by physical–chemical analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis-Scanning Electron Microscope (EDAX-SEM) in terms of microstructure. Preliminary tests for application as fertilizers were performed including the release degree of oxidable organic compounds.

In order to characterize the sorption kinetics of phenobarbital sodium and amobarbital sodium on natural Na � montmorillonite, the influence of the initial drug concentration and clay particles sizes was investigated. Equilibrium isotherms have been measured and analyzed using a Langmuir isotherm model. The affinity of drugs sorbed onto clay varied in the following descending order: phenobarbital sodium ] amobarbital sodium, respectively 11.2 and 9.1 mg/g. Also, sorption of phenobarbital sodium and amobarbital sodium on Na-montmorillonite was studied as a function of pH. The results show that adsorption of the drugs is highest below the pHZPC due the neutrality of the drugs which adsorbs via an attraction of the positively charged surface sites at lower pH by weak van der Waals forces.

Essential oils were obtained from different parts of Agastache foeniculum (Lophanthus anisatus) plants by means of extraction: green extraction using hydro-distillation (HD) and bio-solvent distillation, BiAD, discontinuous distillation, and supercritical fluid extraction, in two stages: (1) with CO2, and (2) with CO2 and ethanol co-solvent. The extraction yields were determined. The yield values varied for different parts of the plant, as well as the method of extraction. Thus, they had the values of 0.62 ± 0.020 and 0.92 ± 0.015 g/100 g for the samples from the whole aerial plant, 0.75 ± 0.008 and 1.06 ± 0.005 g/100 g for the samples of leaves, and 1.22 ± 0.011 and 1.60 ± 0.049 g/100 g for the samples of flowers for HD and BiAD, respectively. The yield values for supercritical fluid extraction were of 0.94 ± 0.010 and 0.32 ± 0.007 g/100 g for the samples of whole aerial plant, 0.9 ± 0.010 and 1.14 ± 0.008 g/100 g for the samples of leaves, and 1.94 ± 0.030 and 0.57 ± 0.003 g/100 g for the samples of flowers, in the first and second stages, respectively. The main components of Lophanthus anisatus were identified as: estragon, limonene, eugenol, chavicol, benzaldehyde, and pentanol. The essential oil from Agatache foeniculum has antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, the Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Acclimatization of Lophantus anisatus in Romania gives it special qualities by concentrating components such as: estragole over 93%, limonene over 8%, especially in flowers; and chavicol over 14%, estragole over 30%, eugenol and derivatives (methoxy eugenol, methyl eugenol, etc.) over 30% and phenyl ether alcohol over 20% in leaves. As a result of the research carried out, it was proven that Lophanthus anisatus can be used as a medicinal plant for many diseases, it can be used as a spice and preservative for various foods, etc.

Removal of nitrate anions from aqueous solutions is the principal goal of many studies concerning water treatment. The ion exchanger capacity to remove nitrate from water was investigated using commercial type A-520E anion exchange resins. The nitrate and sulfate ion exchanger capacity, in static conditions, depends on the concentration of ions and on the pH value of the aqueous solution. The local structural environment exchanged on A-520E has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive Xray analysis (EDX) and 2D and 3D atomic force microscopy (AFM). All images of the ion exchanger were obtained before and after contact with solutions that contain NO 3 À and SO 4 2À separately as well as mixtures of both.

Adding compost to the soil is an ecological and economical approach to providing the nutrients needed to support crops, improve soil characteristics, and increase the orchard’s durability. Over three years, at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Romania, data regarding the influence of fertilization with municipal sludge and vegetal origin compost (MSVOC, 20 and 40 t ha−1 doses) and vegetal origin compost (VOC, 30 and 40 t ha−1 doses) on berry quality at ‘Jonker Van Tets’ red currant cv. Were recorded. Berry dry matter, soluble solids, sugar, titratable acidity, vitamin C, phenolic, and anthocyanin content are discussed. The correlations between berry quality indicators with climatic factors (temperatures and sunshine hours) and soil chemical characteristics are discussed. Strong correlations have been identified between anthocyanins, vitamin C, and phenolics with average temperature, maximum temperature, and sunshine hours in April. Except for Fe and Mn, berry phenolics were negatively correlated with all other soil quality indicators. In the third after the application, the results indicated that VOC 40 t ha−1 had a beneficial effect, increasing berry weight, and TTA, while VOC 30 t ha−1 significantly increased DW, TTA, and vitamin C content. Therefore, vegetal origin compost can be used as fertilizer in the sustainable growth of red currants.