Publications by authors named "Ramona Burtescu"
Enhancing Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities in Bee-Collected Pollen through Solid-State Fermentation: A Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds.
Antioxidants (Basel)
February 2024
The present study investigates the impact of solid-state fermentation on bee-collected pollen using a consortium of , , and . Another aim is to compare the nutritional and bioactive properties of natural versus fermented pollen, focusing on macronutrient composition, pH, acidity, lactic acid content, and profiles of polyphenolics and flavonoids. Our results indicated significant enhancements in the contents of amino acids, suggesting improved protein content, alongside increases in polyphenolic and flavonoid contents post-fermentation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe extracts of whole plants or specific organs from different plant species are gaining increasing attention for their phytotherapy applications. Accordingly, we prepared standardized gemmotherapy extracts (GTEs) from young shoots/buds of olive (), sweet almond (), and black mulberry (), and analyzed the corresponding phytonutrient profiles. We identified 42, 103, and 109 phytonutrients in the olive, almond, and black mulberry GTEs, respectively, containing amino acids, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, iridoids, carboxylic acids, lignans, terpenoids, and others.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBee bread (BB) is a fermented mixture of bee pollen, is rich in proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, as well as other bioactive compounds, and is considered functional food for humans. In this study, we explored an innovative green synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles, using BB extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. A preliminary chemical characterization of the BB extracts was conducted.
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- The study examined the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of hydroalcoholic extracts from three L. cultivars, focusing on their polyphenolic content.
- Key methods included spectrophotometry and LC-MS to identify and quantify polyphenols, along with DPPH and FRAP assays for antioxidant activity and various methods for assessing antimicrobial efficacy.
- Results indicated high levels of polyphenols, particularly rosmarinic acid, along with significant antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, and selective toxicity towards colorectal cancer cells, suggesting the potential of these cultivars for further research.
L., a perennial species, is a medicinal herb used in traditional medicine, mainly for the treatment of respiratory tract-related pathology. In traditional Chinese medicine, flower buds are preferred; in Europe, the leaves are used; and in some parts of India, the whole plant is utilized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFL. is a species that is widely known for its culinary and medicinal uses. The purpose of the present study consisted of the evaluation of the antiproliferative and antimicrobial effects of -loaded liposomes (L-R).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential of ethanolic extracts obtained from Gentiana asclepiadea L. and Inula helenium L. roots, in relation to their chemical composition.
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- - The study compared two polyphenolic-enriched extracts from the *Lamiaceae* family, one sourced from cultivated plants and another from wild flora, focusing on their effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells under normal and high glucose conditions.
- - The extracts were analyzed for their specific compounds, revealing significant levels of rosmarinic acid, luteolin, kaempferol, and apigenin, which may play a role in protective cellular mechanisms.
- - Results indicated that these extracts significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in hyperglycemic conditions, suggesting their potential as protective agents against endothelial cell damage in diabetes.
Article Synopsis
- L. (common lilac) is a well-known ornamental plant that may also contain bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic benefits, which have not been extensively studied.
- The study analyzed the chemical composition of ethanolic extracts from the flowers, leaves, bark, and fruit of L. using advanced chromatographic and spectral methods while also testing their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects.
- Results showed that extracts from flowers and leaves had abundant beneficial compounds and exhibited notable antioxidant and anti-cancer properties against specific tumor cell lines.
Article Synopsis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder prevalent in industrialized countries, prompting research into herbal remedies due to their lower side effects compared to drug therapies.
- A mother tincture (MT) was developed from fresh branches of a plant and tested for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in both lab settings and on mice with induced colitis.
- Results indicated that administering the MT significantly reduced inflammation in the intestines, likely due to its high levels of beneficial flavonoids and phenolic compounds, suggesting potential for new treatments for IBD.