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Several processed food products may contain toxic compounds considered risk factors for human health. Known for its possible carcinogenic effects, acrylamide is an organic compound periodically analyzed by the entities responsible for consumer safety. Knowing the acrylamide content of food offers the possibility of implementing corrective measures when needed, targeted at lowering its level. The aim of the paper was to screen for the presence of acrylamide in four products consumed almost daily in Romania and calculate acrylamide exposure by consuming one serving. Expressed in µg/kg coffee has the highest average acrylamide content (199), followed by potato chips (134), pretzels (120), and bread (14). Results regarding the acrylamide content in one serving showed the highest levels of acrylamide in pretzels (10.20 µg/serving), followed by potato chips (4.00 µg/serving), coffee (2.20 µg/cup), and bread (0.40 µg/slice). The calculation of the acrylamide content for one serving of the studied products will facilitate the following studies on the dietary acrylamide intake of the Romanian population, studies which, to our knowledge, have not been performed so far.

Complexes of cooper (II) and iron (II) with flavonoid quercetin have been synthesized. The structure of compounds has been confirmed by means of UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The antioxidant activity of the flavonoid complexes has been evaluated by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. These complexes of flavonoids are much more effective free radical scavengers than the free flavonoids, an aspect which recommends them for further studies on possible therapeutic applications.

Ethnopharmacology is a new interdisciplinary science that appeared in Europe of the ‘90, in France, as a necessity claimed by the return to the traditional remedies of each nation. The aim of this study is to identify and quantify the active ingredients of the species Viscum album and Allium sativum, in order to provide a complex chemical characterisation, which is necessary for the use of these plants’ extracts as natural ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. The following methods were used: (1) the plant material was harvested from the west-side of Romania (Europe) in July 2014; (2) it was dried quickly and the main active principles were extracted using ethylic alcohol solution (50%); (3) the quantitative analyses of the flavonoids and polyphenols were performed according to a procedure described in the Romanian Pharmacopoeia. FT-IR results showed that the Viscum album extract had the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, for both flavonoids and polyphenols. This is the reason why it can be concluded that alcoholic extracts of mistletoe must be used as supplements for diabetics who require diets with flavonoids or for patients with cancers, degenerative diseases, and particularly cardiovascular diseases, who need an increased amount of polyphenols.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v4i5.22861 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, April 2015, 4(5): 382-385

The objective of this study is to determine flavonoids and polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of extracts of figs growing in Romania. The content of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds was determined according to the Romanian Phar?macopoeia, the 10th edition, using the standard rutin for flavonoids, catechol for polyphe?nols and HPLC for flavonoids quantification. Determination of antioxidant activity was done by DPPH scavenging method and at cellular level by attenuation of oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. The experimental results reveal that Ficus carica extracts may be a potential source of natural antioxidants.