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Fallopia japonica (FJ), commonly known as Japanese knotweed, is now recognized as one of the most invasive plants in Europe and globally. Despite its widespread presence in Europe and its significant nectar production, there is currently limited scientific data on the unique unifloral honey derived from it. This study examines the physicochemical composition of Fallopia japonica honey (FJH) samples collected from various regions in Romania. Additionally, the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of FJH were assessed. The sensory analysis revealed a honey with a brown-caramel color and an intense flavor, characterized by fine, consistent crystals during crystallization. The results indicated that FJH has a high carbohydrate content (fructose: 35.12–40.65 g/100 g; glucose: 28.06–37.79 g/100 g); elevated electrical conductivity (387–692 µS/cm), diastase activity (9.11–17.01 DN), and acidity (21.61–42.89 meq/kg); and substantial total phenolic (89.87–120.08 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (18.13–39.38 mg/g) contents. These findings highlight FJH's favorable nutritional properties, aligning with the standard codex for honey. The antioxidant profile of FJH demonstrated strong DPPH and ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP) activities, comparable to those of buckwheat honey, underscoring its potential health benefits and commercial value. These results provide new insights into how this invasive plant can be harnessed as a valuable resource for sustainable beekeeping practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fallopia japonica (FJ), an invasive plant species known for its rich bioactive compounds, has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite its significant beekeeping potential, this aspect of FJ remains underexplored. This research aims to investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of FJ plants and honey. Notably, this study is the first to identify individual phenolic compounds in both FJ plant tissues and FJ honey, highlighting resveratrol as a marker of FJ honey. The study tested inhibitory activity against seven bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enteritidis, and the yeast Candida albicans. Disk diffusion and microdilution methods were used to assess antimicrobial activity, while the crystal violet staining test evaluated antibiofilm activity. Results showed that FJ plant tissues and honey exhibited strong inhibition, particularly against Gram-negative bacterial strains. The most significant inhibition of biofilm formation, by both FJ plant tissues and honey, was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A significant positive correlation was found between antimicrobial activity and individual polyphenols, especially resveratrol. The antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of FJ plant tissues and honey suggests promising applications in sustainable beekeeping. Further research is necessary to evaluate the bioactive compounds found in FJ honey and their health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the suitability of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains—Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Apilactobacillus kunkeei—for use as probiotics in apiculture. Given the decline in bee populations due to pathogens and environmental stressors, sustainable alternatives to conventional treatments are necessary. This study aimed to assess the potential of these LAB strains in a probiotic formulation for bees through various in vitro tests, including co-culture interactions, biofilm formation, auto-aggregation, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistance to high osmotic concentrations. This study aimed to assess both the individual effects of the strains and their combined effects, referred to as the LAB mix. Results indicated no mutual antagonistic activity among the LAB strains, demonstrating their compatibility with multi-strain probiotic formulations. The LAB strains showed significant survival rates under high osmotic stress and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The LAB mix displayed enhanced biofilm formation, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial efficacy against different bacterial strains. These findings suggest that a probiotic formulation containing these LAB strains could be used for a probiotic formulation, offering a promising approach to mitigating the negative effects of pathogens. Future research should focus on in vivo studies to validate the efficacy of these probiotic bacteria in improving bee health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the udder that causes important economic losses in the animal breeding and dairy product industries. Nowadays, the conventional livestock antibiotic treatments are slowly being replaced by alternative treatments. In this context, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of natural products in alternative treatment of bovine mastitis.

Lately, there have been increasing efforts to stimulate the strategic role of the bees in biodiversity protection, in agriculture & horticulture. European Union (EU) has invested in the beekeeping sector in the last years by funding Farm to Fork strategy. The aim of this strategy is to protect them and preserve their contribution in sustainable environmental models. Biodiversity is decreasing by using intensive agriculture, chimization and automatization and consequently a decline in ecosystem services in many parts of the world, most representatives being pollination. Over the past three decades, there was an increasing in atmospheric temperature. Because of changes in plant flowering times patterns, the interaction between pollinators and their food sources is also affected. The challenges facing bee health have multiple sources, including poor nutrition due to less nectar source, heat stress resulting from global warming, agrochemicals used in agriculture, and pathogens becoming increasingly resistant to conventional treatments. However, thermal stress can negatively affect hive activity, which can affect foraging activity, immunocompetence, reproductive capacity, and the growth and development of bees. This, in turn, will affect pollination services and hive production overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major challenges that global society is facing nowadays is finding sustainable and safe methods for crop growth and development. Besides the traditional crops cultivated worldwide (tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, strawberries, etc.), there is a general trend in the exploitation of polyvalent plants. Mulberry (Morus spp.) faced no exception; with its undeniable proprieties, it became suitable not only to be used in the sericulture industry, but in the food chain, the pharma industry, and environmental safety. Spare parts of the plants can be used in a very wide range, starting from introducing mulberry leaves in supplements to increase the protein content of a meal to extracting biologically active compounds from fruits and roots to be used in phytotherapy. However, the outstanding proprieties of this plant come with some requirements related to space availability and watering; requirements that can be easily surpassed by using vertical farming methods, such as hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems. The present paper aims to evaluate vertical farming techniques' applicability to mulberry propagation in a controlled environment and their prospects for a more sustainable and safer agricultural practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we investigated the structural and biological properties of phosphate glasses (PGs) after the addition of V2O5. A xV2O5∙(100 − x)[CaF2∙3P2O5∙CaO] glass system with 0 ≤ x ≤ 16 mol% was synthesized via a conventional melt-quenching technique. Several analysis techniques (dissolution tests, pH, SEM-EDS, FT-IR, and EPR) were used to obtain new experimental data regarding the structural behavior of the system. In vitro tests were conducted to assess the antitumor character of V2O5-doped glass (x = 16 mol%) compared to the matrix (x = 0 mol%) and control (CTRL-) using several tumoral cell lines (A375, A2780, and Caco-2). The characterization of PGs showed an overall dissolution rate of over 90% for all vitreous samples (M and V1–V7) and the high reactivity of this system. EPR revealed a well-resolved hyperfine structure (hfs) typical of vanadyl ions in a C4v symmetry. FT-IR spectra showed the presence of all structural units expected for P2O5, as well as very clear depolymerization of the vitreous network induced by V2O5. The MTT assay indicated that the viability of tumor cells treated with V7-glass extract was reduced to 50% when the highest concentration was used (10 µg/mL) compared to the matrix treatment (which showed no cytotoxic effect at any concentration). Moreover, the matrix treatment (without V2O5) provided an optimal environment for tumor cell attachment and proliferation. In conclusion, the two types of treatment investigated herein were proven to be very different from a statistical point of view (p < 0.01), and the in vitro studies clearly underline the cytotoxic potential of vanadium ions from phosphate glass (V7) as an antitumor agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize raw honeys from different geographical origins in Romania, in respect of chemical composition, microbiological examination and evaluate their probiotic potential. The physico-chemical determinations were performed in APHIS-DIA Laboratory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, using standard validated methods. Bacterial identification was performed for each sample and each colony type using Vitek® 2 Compact 15 system and PCR amplification using 16S rDNA bacterial universal primers (27F, 1492R), species being confirm by sequences analysis. In five raw honey samples, we have identified probiotic bacteria, such as: Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus velezensis. Generally, all honey samples meet the standard values for chemical composition. However, one sample having 7.44% sucrose was found to have also probiotics bacteria from the genus Bacillus because sucrose is a substrate for probiotics development. In conclusion, the Romanian raw honey can be a potential reservoir of probiotics, which confer a health benefit for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has prompted the development of alternative therapies, including the use of natural products with antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties of Zantaz honey produced in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated and analyzed using chemometric tools. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. aureus were the lowest (112.5 ± 54.5 mg/mL), revealing that this species was most sensitive to Zantaz honey. P. aeruginosa showed an intermediate sensitivity (MIC= 118.75 ± 51.9 mg/mL), while E. coli was the most resistant to treatment (MIC = 175 ± 61.2 mg/mL). Content of monosaccharides, certain minerals, and phenolic compounds correlated with antibacterial activity (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis of physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial activity indicated that the parameters most associated with antibacterial activity were color, acidity, and content of melanoidins, fructose, epicatechin, methyl syringate, 4-coumaric acid, and 3-coumaric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombyx mori is one of the most studied species of Lepidoptera by the scientific community, being a permanent model organism especially for life sciences. Two major proteins named fibroin and sericin are found in silk thread used in the cocoon. Fibroin is widely used as a biomaterial due to the high biocompatibility, mechanical strength and biodegradability. Besides the great economic importance, over the past decade, Bombyx mori has received major attention as a bioreactor for large scale production of recombinant proteins. One of the greatest advantages of silkworms is the number of genes which are homologous to human genes, but also it is important to mention their short generation time and the rich genetic resource. In this article, we summarized a review of using the transgenic silkworm as a bioreactor to produce recombinant proteins. The recombinant proteins are currently used to optimize the biomaterials, which have a significant impact for the progress of human and veterinary medicine. For example, sericin hydrogels, containing human acidic fibroblast growth factor supporting wound healing, have been developed. Also, to improve cell adhesive properties, silk fibroin/hyaluronic scaffolds for human mesenchymal stem cell culture have been produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to present the microscopic techniques used in botanical origin determination of honey samples, shortly melissopalynology. This technique is used for microscopic examination of pollen grains to determine the botanical origin of honey. It is known that a certain number of pollen grains must be recovered from sediment of honey solution, and the presence of small amounts of pollen may be related to falsification. Identification of pollen structure is generally made using light microscopy; phase contrast microscopy may be also used. Fluorescence microscopy is also a powerful method in palynology. Confocal laser scanning microscopy is effective in revealing the ultrastructure of pollen outer layer and shape of the pollen. The determination of the botanical origin of honey using palynology is based on the relative frequency of the pollen belonging to nectariferous plants. Honey is considered monofloral if the pollen from the sediment comes predominantly from a named botanical origin and overpasses 45% from the total count of pollen grains counted on the microscopic slide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, the honeybees faced a significant decline worldwide. Despite many biotic and abiotic stressors, one of the leading causes of honeybee colony loses is Varroa destructor, followed by Nosema spp.. Given the importance of honeybee in agriculture and a significantly increased resistance to treatments identified in Varroa destructor, a more sustainable method to counter this mite is needed. One of these sustainable methods is breeding for resistance to Varroa destructor. Due to the rising number of honeybee populations with potential resistance to Varroa destructor, a new promising breeding plan for natural selection was proposed. This breeding plan was adapted and implemented on a local population of honey bees in Transilvania, with the primary objective of obtaining resistant colonies to Varroa destructor. Development of these colonies was observed, and analysis of Varroa infestation level and Nosema spp. was performed to assess the health status of the population or the cause of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the scientific community has been focused on developing feasible platforms to obtain recombinant proteins in order to meet the high demand. There is a wide range of bioreactors that are currently used for this purpose, as bacteria, yeast, mammalian, plant or insect cells. In this regard, decades of dedicated research have shown that the insect biotechnology field is showing the most promising results. In this direction, Bombyx mori exhibits a great potential as a bioreactor to produce target proteins as it possesses various advantages. As expression host, Bombyx mori cells provide optimal post-translational modifications and display a remarkable ability to produce in a short period a great amount of proteins. In this review we discuss progress and we highlight the potential of using transgenic Bombyx mori as a biotechnological platform to obtain both target proteins and to produce enhanced silk fibres. The versatility and the feasibility of transgenic Bombyx mori have been outlined by studies that reported the successful production of human proteins like adiponectin, animal proteins, virus-derived proteins and enhanced silk threads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey, a complex product made by bees, represents a rich natural source of simple carbohydrates. The characteristic flavor, health benefits, and high economic value of honey depend on its origin and production methods. Therefore, labels have been developed to recognize honey quality linked to origin or production method, in order to inform consumers about these specific determinants. This review aims to deepen the knowledge of honey quality linked to the origin and to present an overview of the literature concerning the methods to determine its authenticity. Legislative aspects and the general parameters required for honey generic quality are presented, as well as honey quality control methods with emphasis on the profiling determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]