e milk and yogurt products assortment has expanded by their enhancement with herb extracts, bres extracted from byproducts of the fruit processing industry and also fresh spices. e aim of the present study was to test to what extent the addition of di erent herb extracts in yogurt will improve its qualitative characteristics and antioxidant activity. e aqueous extracts obtained from the four plants are considered in this study, respectively, thistle (Silybum marianum L.), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), sage (Salvia o cinalis L.), and marjoram (Origanum vulgare L.). It was examined the e ect of aqueous extracts prepared from four herbs (0.25/1%) (w/w) on yogurt's qualitative characteristics (pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, water holding capacity, antioxidant activity, colour parameters, and rheological parameters) on both one day and 28 days after preparation. e nal results show that the physicochemical and rheological properties of the yoghurt with herb extracts addition were improved compared to the control sample after 28 days of storage. e best results in terms of antioxidant properties were obtained when marjoram extract (Origanum vulgare L.) was incorporated. According to the data obtained, the best quality in terms of the physicochemical and rheological properties were in the case of the sample with 0.5% thistle extract (Silybum marianum L.) addition, while from point of view of the nutritional value, the best quality was in the case of the sample with 1% marjoram extract (Origanum vulgare L.) addition. e present study leads to the conclusion that yogurts enhanced with natural extracts may serve as functional food products, with signi cant health bene ts.

This study evaluated the effect of the addition of four different types of dietary fibers on the rheological, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of yogurt. The four types of fibers (inulin, pea, oat and wheat) were added in the yogurt formulation in different proportions (1%-2.5%) using classical technology adapted to laboratory conditions. The obtained results showed that, the most viscous samples were obtained with wheat fibers addition (1% and 1.5%), while the best viscous characteristics were obtained for the samples with oat fibers addition (2% and 2.5%). The lowest syneresis value (38.86 ± 0.2) were observed for the samples with 1.5% pea fibers addition. Yogurt samples with the highest acceptance scores were samples with 2% wheat fibers and respectively with 2.5% pea fibers addition. All the tested fibers were compatible with the yogurt-manufacturing process. Therefore, the fibers addition in yogurt could be considered an alternative to incorporate dietary fibers in the human diet.Valoración cualitativa de yogurt enriquecido con distintos tipos de fibra RESUMEN El presente estudio se propuso evaluar los efectos que provoca la adición de cuatro tipos distintos de fibras alimenticias en las características reológicas, fisicoquímicas y sensoriales del yogurt. Así, utilizando tecnologías clásicas adaptadas a las condiciones de laboratorio se agregaron distintas proporciones (1%-2.5%) de cuatro tipos de fibra -inulina, arveja [guisante], avena y trigo-durante la formulación del yogurt. Los resultados obtenidos indican que las muestras más viscosas se consiguieron con la adición de fibras de trigo (1% y 1.5%), mientras que la adición de fibras de avena (2% y 2.5%) produjo las mejores características de viscosidad. El valor de sinéresis más bajo (38.86±0.2) se observó en las muestras en que se adicionó 1.5% de fibras de arveja. La puntuación de aceptación más elevada se obtuvo en las muestras de yogurt adicionadas con 2% de fibras de trigo y 2.5% de fibras de arveja. Todas las fibras evaluadas son compatibles con el proceso de elaboración del yogurt. Por lo que, se concluye que la adición de fibras en el yogurt puede considerarse como una alternativa para incorporar fibras alimenticias en la dieta humana. ARTICLE HISTORY

Natural plant protection products (known as biopesticides), derived from natural materials (plants, bacterial strains, and certain minerals) that can be used to control pests, are an alternative to plant protection chemicals (known as pesticides) due to certain advantages: less toxic to humans and the environment, no release/leaching of harmful residues, and usually much specific to the target pests. This review focuses on the systematization of information highlighting the main advantages related to the natural plant protection products used, the extractive methods of obtaining them, their physical-chemical analysis methodology, the specific constituents responsible for their pesticide effects, the mechanisms of action, and methods for direct application on vegetable crops or on seeds stored in warehouses, in order to eliminate the adverse effects occurred in the case of plant protection chemicals use. Special attention has been accorded to natural plant protection products from the spontaneous flora of Moldova (Romania’s macroeconomic region NE), which can be considered a resource of valuable secondary metabolites, especially in the form of vegetable essential oils, with biological effects and biopesticide routes of action. All presented information concludes that biopesticides can successfully replace the chemical plant protection products on small farms and especially in silos (seeds and cereals).

Emerging pollutants such as pharmaceutical active compounds were detected worldwide in different environmental compartments. Nowadays, multiple studies are focused on the investigation of their environmental fate, as well as to find new, efficient and sustainable removal technologies. Several studies demonstrated that heterogeneous photocatalysis is one of the most promising techniques used for water purification. Thus, the aim of our work was to evaluate the photodegradation efficiency of a refractory emergent compound, named clofibric acid, under UV light in aqueous solution. We report that photodegradation and mineralization efficiency are strongly dependent of the catalyst used. Results showed that the photodegradation was enhanced in the presence of TiO2 Aeroxide. The complete elimination was achieved for an initial pollutant concentration of 1.5 mg/L after 30 min of irradiation, the degradation rate following the pseudo-first order kinetics. It was also observed that the rate constant for the photodegradation process is affected by the concentration of catalyst. Process efficiency is enhanced by increasing the light intensity. The simultaneous reduction of pollutant concentration and dissolved organic carbon demonstrates the mineralization of the target molecule. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the addition of nitrate to the system increases the pollutant degradation rate, while the carbonate reduces its removal, suggesting that this last ion can act as a hydroxyl scavenger. Preliminary phytotoxicity tests were also carried out and showed the capacity of the heterogeneous photocatalysis to reduce the toxicity of reaction intermediates generated during the photocatalytic reaction.