Issue 1 (193)/2023

ABSTRACT

Ornamental vegetable gardens have many benefits. They are aesthetic, educational, ecological, economical, sanitary, and are a source of fresh food. Small allotments in urban and peri-urban areas do not allow the implementation of utilitarian gardens. Thus, ornamental vegetable gardens are the best choice. Raised beds can be used to enhance the decorative effect of the entire vegetable garden. This type of construction presents, in turn, several advantages both for the user and crop: reduced effort for maintenance work, early heating of the substrate, loose substrate, reduced volume of weeds, efficient use of space for plants, etc. Establishing ornamental vegetable gardens on raised beds is easily achieved using geometric modules, as they can be adapted to various designs. This paper presents several design options for a decorative vegetable garden on private properties. The case studies presented showed different methods of using modular raised beds depending on the property’s area, the owner’s wishes, and the desired area to be planted. Also, depending on the results obtained from the experimental batch, three other variations of modular layouts with different purposes were proposed: focal point, physically closed but visually open space, and relaxation space.

Keywords:

edible landscape; vegetable garden; raised beds; design.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Hangan, A.-M.-R.; Cojocariu, M.; Dascălu, D.-M.; Chelariu, E.-L.; Stoleru, V. Ornamental vegetable garden design possibilities using modular raised beds. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561081

AMA Style
Hangan AMR, Cojocariu M, Dascălu DM, Chelariu EL, Stoleru V. Ornamental vegetable garden design possibilities using modular raised beds. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561081

Chicago/Turabian Style
Hangan, Ana-Maria-Roxana Mirela Cojocariu, Doina-Mira Dascălu, Elena-Liliana Chelariu, and Vasile Stoleru. 2023. “Ornamental vegetable garden design possibilities using modular raised beds” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561081

ABSTRACT

The pre-slaughter handling and transport of pigs can cause stress and negatively affect the quality of meat. This article aims to investigate the impact of pre-slaughter stress on meat quality. The literature suggests that pre-slaughter stress has a significant impact on meat quality, resulting in lower meat pH, increased drip loss, and decreased meat tenderness. When the body experiences stress, cortisol triggers the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, which provides energy for the body to respond to the stressful situation. Both serum cortisol and blood glucose levels increased post-slaughter, with a post-slaughter mean value of 7.28 µg/dl for serum cortisol (compared to the initial mean value of 6.08 µg/dl), while the blood glucose values revealed a highly catabolic state, with mean post-slaughter values of 143.24 mg/dl compared to 129.11 mg/dl mean pre-slaughter results. The study highlights a direct relationship between increased serum cortisol levels and blood glucose values when comparing the pre- and post-slaughter values with the normal reference ranges, with a highly significant correlation between the mentioned parameters (p<0.01). The article also explores potential pre-slaughter indicators such as cortisol and blood glucose levels for predicting stress and meat quality in pigs. Improving pre-slaughter handling and reducing stress can lead to improved meat quality and economic benefits for the pork industry. In terms of pH24, a trust coefficient of 5.46–5.50 revealed the impact of pre-slaughter stress on meat pH, resulting in possible inferior meat in terms of quality. The study results showed a highly significant correlation between the cortisol and blood glucose values recorded post-slaughter and pH24 (p<0.05), emphasizing the impact of stress on meat quality and suggesting that both serum cortisol and blood glucose values can be used as specific indicators of meat pH and ultimately meat quality.

Keywords:

blood glucose; carcass evaluation; cortisol; pork; post-slaughter processing; stress.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Arsenoaia, V.N.; Mălăncuș, R.N. Indicators of pre-slaughter stress in pigs and their impact on meat quality. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 15-23.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561082

AMA Style
Arsenoaia VN, Mălăncuș RN. Indicators of pre-slaughter stress in pigs and their impact on meat quality. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 15-23.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561082

Chicago/Turabian Style
Arsenoaia, Vlad Nicolae, and Răzvan Nicolae Mălăncuș. 2023. “Indicators of pre-slaughter stress in pigs and their impact on meat quality” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 15-23.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561082

ABSTRACT

Green facades are gradually gaining popularity and may become a modern architectural solution for higher microclimate quality and better urban comfort in densely populated urban areas. This study aimed to monitor the behaviour of Cineraria maritima planted in green facade systems oriented towards four cardinal points in the specific climatic conditions of northeastern Romania in order to test its adaptability and growth in this system. Comparisons were made of its behaviour between the facades of the experimental structure, and between the facades of the experimental structure and the traditional ‘planted in soil’ variant (control variant). Cineraria maritima exhibited good adaptability to vertical cultivation, maintaining its aesthetic properties throughout the growing season. All specimens that overwintered on the facades successfully survived the cold season of 2021–2022 without requiring any cutting or protection measures.

Keywords:

Cineraria maritima; urban design; green facades; vertical decor.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Cojocariu, M.; Chelariu, E.-L.; Chiruță, C. Growth analysis of Cineraria Maritima plants in green façade systems: Northeastern Romania climate study. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 25-39.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561083

AMA Style
Cojocariu M, Chelariu, E-L, Chiruță C. Growth analysis of Cineraria Maritima plants in green façade systems: Northeastern Romania climate study. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 25-39.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561083

Chicago/Turabian Style
Cojocariu, Mirela, Elena Liliana Chelariu, and Ciprian Chiruţă. 2023. “Growth analysis of Cineraria Maritima plants in green façade systems: Northeastern Romania climate study” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 25-39.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561083

ABSTRACT

Large amounts of chemicals with useful properties can be found in by-products of the processing of grapes. Consumer interest in functional foods has increased recently, with dairy products dominating this market. Constituents from grape-based by-products that are naturally occurring in grapes have the potential to enhance the functional qualities of dairy products and lessen environmental damage. As a result, the goal of this research is to provide crucial information on the use of grape skin powder as a helpful ingredient in the manufacture of cheese. In this study, grape skin powder (GSP) was added to cheese to increase its bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content (TPC) was significantly greater in the enriched cheese (5.483±0.443 mg C3G/100 g DW). Adding 2% grape skin powder to the cheese formulation gave an increase of 0.295 mg CE/g DW of TFC and 2.046 mg GAE/g DW of TPC. The GSP-supplemented cheese also showed greater antioxidant activity than the control. This study demonstrates that grape by-products can effectively transfer beneficial compounds to cheese.

Keywords:

food; functional; grapes by-products; quality.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Rațu, R.N.; Usturoi, M.G.; Radu-Rusu, R.M.; Veleșcu, I.D.; Lipșa, F.D.; Arsenoaia, V.N.; Postolache, A.N.; Crivei, I.C.; Cârlescu, P.M. Effect of grape skin powder addition on chemical, nutritional and technological properties of cheese. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 41-58.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561084

AMA Style
Rațu RN, Usturoi MG, Radu-Rusu RM, Veleșcu ID, Lipșa FD, Arsenoaia VN, Postolache AN, Crivei IC, Cârlescu PM. Effect of grape skin powder addition on chemical, nutritional and technological properties of cheese. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 41-58.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561084

Chicago/Turabian Style
Rațu, Roxana Nicoleta, Marius Giorgi Usturoi, Răzvan Mihail Radu-Rusu, Ionuț Dumitru Veleșcu, Florin Daniel Lipșa, Vlad Nicolae Arsenoaia, Alina Narcisa Postolache, Ioana Cristina Crivei, and Petru Marian Cârlescu. 2023. “Effect of grape skin powder addition on chemical, nutritional and technological properties of cheese” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 41-58.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561084

ABSTRACT

Currently, global environmental concerns about heavy metal pollution are driven by rapid urbanization and industrial development. Therefore, a field study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu) in orchard soils and its transfer to two plum varieties (Stanley and Anna Späth) at Adamachi Farm – Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS). In addition, heavy metal transfer (MTF), daily metals intake (DIM) and the index of health risk (HRI) were evaluated. The concentration of Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu in soil and plum leaves samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion with a mixture of HNO₃ (65%), HCl (37%) and HClO₄ (60%). Metal concentration patterns occurred as follows 130.65>76.6>30.36> 21.69>13.26 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Co in soil samples and 20.16>10.00> 2.10>1.68 mg/kg for Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb in plum leaves, while Co residue was not detected. The maximum heavy metal concentrations were found at the soil surface (0 – 30 cm depth) due to soil organo-mineral content and antifungal treatments. The health risk index predicted (HRI) for adults as well as children was in the sequence Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn, suggesting no health risk with values that did not exceed the safe limit (1). Therefore, it is essential to manage the causes and sources of heavy metal transfer prudently and effectively in order to prevent environmental contamination.

Keywords:

concentrations; heavy metals; leaves; plum orchard; soil.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Rusu, M.; Cara, I.G.; Filip, M.; Calistru, A.-E.; Țopa, D.; Jităreanu, G. Transfer of heavy metals in soil in-plum cultivation: a field study in Adamachi Iasi, Romania. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 59-74.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561085

AMA Style
Rusu M, Cara IG, Filip M, Calistru A-E, Țopa D, Jităreanu G. Transfer of heavy metals in soil in-plum cultivation: a field study in Adamachi Iasi, Romania. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 59-74.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561085

Chicago/Turabian Style
Rusu, Mariana, Irina Gabriela Cara, Manuela Filip, Anca-Elena Calistru, Denis Țopa, and Gerard Jităreanu. 2023. “Transfer of heavy metals in soil in-plum cultivation: a field study in Adamachi Iasi, Romania” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 59-74.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561085

ABSTRACT

During an annual cycle, fruit trees go through developmental stages, characterised by a higher demand for some mineral elements, called critical periods, which coincide with the phenophases of bud opening and shoot initiation. Research on mineral nutrition in fruit growing has highlighted that the maximum consumption of nutrients is during the period of shoot growth, fruit development and differentiation of fruit buds. In apple, flowering is influenced more by the time of fertiliser application and the form of nitrogen than by the amount applied, as apple has high requirements for the element phosphorus in the phenophases of intense shoot growth and wood maturation. Fertilisation with NPK increased apple yield for both fertilisation treatments compared to the unfertilised control treatments. After applying 270 kg·ha⁻¹ NPK in the first year of the experiment, very significant production increases were obtained, 4.46t·ha⁻¹, with a content of 16% dry matter, 13.13°Brix soluble matter and a titratable acidity of 0.465 mg malic acid/100 g.

Keywords:

dry weight; soil fertilisation; soluble substance; titratable acidity.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Bolohan, D.E.; Volf, M.; Răus, L. The influence of minimal NPK fertilization on the quantity and quality of apple yields. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 75-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561086

AMA Style
Bolohan DE, Volf M, Răus L. The influence of minimal NPK fertilization on the quantity and quality of apple yields. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 75-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561086

Chicago/Turabian Style
Bolohan, Diana Elena, Mariana Volf, and Lucian Răus. 2023. “The influence of minimal NPK fertilization on the quantity and quality of apple yields” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 75-84.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561086

ABSTRACT

The article focuses on a synthetic presentation of environmental legislation and policies at national and European level, based on the analysis of government strategies that aim to improve living standards through education starting from an early level, through the implementation of waste management resulting from industrial and domestic activities, through the modernization of the rural environment as a result of the financing of water supply, access programme to alternative energy and specifically gas.

Keywords:

environmental regulations/ interventions; human health; pollution.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Diaconu, C.-M.; Trifu, A.; Plavan, G.-I.; Ciobîcă, A.; Cojocaru, S.I. Current aspects of environmental regulations and interventions in Europe – research focus on human health. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 85-100.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561087

AMA Style
Diaconu C-M, Trifu A, Plavan G-I, Ciobîcă A, Cojocaru SI. Current aspects of environmental regulations and interventions in Europe – research focus on human health. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 85-100.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561087

Chicago/Turabian Style
Diaconu, Carmen-Mariana, Alexandru Trifu, Gabriel-Ionuț Plavan, Alin Ciobîcă, and Sabina Ioana Cojocaru. 2023. “Current aspects of environmental regulations and interventions in Europe – research focus on human health” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 1: 85-100.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561087

ABSTRACT

Although retained surgical sponges are rarely reported, their clinical aspect can sometimes vary and therefore, the diagnosis can be challenging. An eight-year-old mixed breed dog was brought in for a skin lesion on the lateral abdominal wall that appeared nine weeks previously, which could not be treated even though both local and general therapy had been carried out. During antibiotic administration, the dog’s condition improved, but once the treatment was completed, the wound and secretions started to reappear. Diagnosis of a retained surgical gauze was based on history, clinical signs, radiological examination and confirmed by surgical exploration. This article aims to describe the clinical and surgical findings of this pathology, which appeared four years after the surgical procedure, in order to disseminate knowledge about the complications that may occur if negligence, disorganisation or lack of emergency protocols exists.

Keywords:

dog; fistula; sponge; gauze; wound.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Burtan, L.C.; Ciubotariu, A. Retained surgical sponge in a dog: clinical aspects and surgical approach. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 101-114.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561088

AMA Style
Burtan LC, Ciubotariu A. Retained surgical sponge in a dog: clinical aspects and surgical approach. Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 101-114.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561088

Chicago/Turabian Style
Burtan, Liviu Cătălin, and Alexandra Ciubotariu. 2023. “Retained surgical sponge in a dog: clinical aspects and surgical approach” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 101-114.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561088

ABSTRACT

The study aims to identify the morphoclinical and paraclinical elements useful in the diagnosis of FIP, given that the symptoms are sometimes uncharacteristic, varied and often similar to those of other diseases. The morphoclinical features of 32 patients diagnosed with FIP were evaluated. In 26 patients (81.25%), the predominant symptomatology was similar: intermittent fever, loss of appetite, weakness, dyspnoea and physical signs of peritoneal fluid collection. The peritoneal puncture fluid was inflammatory, with numerous large phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages), lymphocytes and, in some cases, red blood cells. The cell blood count (CBC) showed the existence of normocytic, hypochromic and hypoplastic anaemia and the presence of an active systemic inflammatory process, confirmed by the presence of aggregated platelets and segmented and vacuolated neutrophils in the stained smear May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG). Biochemical blood examination revealed the evolution of a physiopathological syndrome of hepatocytolysis, increased tissue catabolism and haemolytic anaemia. These results confirm that FIP is usually a systemic disease with polymorphic clinical signs, and biochemical blood tests, unlike CBC, have more prognostic value and lower value for suspecting the disease. However, sometimes, lesions and associated clinical signs in a single organ predominate. Thus, in three patients (9.37%), the predominant symptomatology was hepato-digestive with hepatocellular jaundice; one patient had obvious clinical signs of renal failure, one had signs of cortical syndrome, and one patient showed periosteal lesions (granulomatous osteitis). These results indicate that some less common lesions in cats, such as osteitis granulomatous, should be included in the list of FIP lesions.

Keywords:

peritoneal effusion; osteitis granulomatous; cat.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Boghian, V. Morphoclinical and paraclinical features of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 115-126.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561089

AMA Style
Boghian V. Morphoclinical and paraclinical features of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 115-126.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561089

Chicago/Turabian Style
Boghian, Vasile. 2023. “Morphoclinical and paraclinical features of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 115-126.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561089

ABSTRACT

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are rodents that feed on grassy plants, buds and sprouts, with cheek teeth having specialised abrasive surfaces for plant grinding. In analysing the prehension and trituration ways of guinea pigs, many differences concerning mandible conformation, the positioning of cheek teeth and the morphology of the masticatory muscles compared to other rodents were found. Masticatory muscles of guinea pigs are predominant compared to the mimetic muscles which are reduced. Compared to other rodents, in guinea pigs, inside the tendon thickness of the superficial part of the masseter muscle there are two rounded cartilaginous structures such as sesamoids. The dorsal one is larger, measuring about 3–4 mm in diameter having the role of reducing pressure on the tendon when it passes over the mandible ridge. The other is ventrally placed, about 2–3 mm in size and protects the tendon of the superficial part of the masseter muscle when it passes over the ventral tubercle of the mandible.

Keywords:

guinea pig; mandible; masseter; masticator muscles; skull.

CITE

ALSE and ACS Style
Spataru, C.; Spataru, M.-C. Peculiarities of the masticatory apparatus of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 2023, 56 (1), 127-138.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561090

AMA Style
Spataru C, Spataru M-C. Peculiarities of the masticatory apparatus of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment. 2023; 56 (1): 127-138.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561090

Chicago/Turabian Style
Spataru, Constantin, Mihaela-Claudia Spataru. 2023. “Peculiarities of the masticatory apparatus of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)” Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment 56, no. 127-138.
https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-561090