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National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences

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Carmen Constantin

Research Scientist - Applied Biotechnologies

Publication	Authors	data
article The Impact Of The Growing Substrate On Morphological And Biochemical Features Of Salicornia Europaea L.	Constantin Carmen Gabriela; Zugravu Mihaela Maria; Georgescu Mihaela; Constantin Mugurasi Florin; Mot Andrei; Paraschiv Maria; Dobrin Aurora	Applied Sciences-Basel, 2023
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Maria Paraschiv Applied Sciences-Basel 10.3390/app131910835 Abstract Nowadays, intensive agriculture correlated with the impact of climate change has led to nutrient soil depletion and the salinization of agricultural lands, making them unsuitable for conventional agricultural crops, with a direct impact on the food industry. Therefore, it is necessary to find sustainable alternative solutions that satisfy the needs of both consumers and food production. One such solution may be represented by salt-tolerant species that can fulfill food requirements. One of the most promising salt-tolerant plant species that can be used is Salicornia europaea L. The present work was conducted in greenhouse conditions, and the adaptability of the species on different cultivation substrates was investigated by means of monitoring the plant indicators such as cuticle, epidermis, parenchyma, polyphenols content, and minerals. Moreover, the correlation between the polyphenol and mineral contents was highlighted. Therefore, three cultivation substrates with different levels of salinity/electrical conductivity were used. The reference (I) for biochemical indicators was represented by the plant grown in natural salinity conditions in the Southeast region of Romania. The results indicate that Salicornia europaea L. can be grown on different cultivation substrates other than salted soils, the plant showing the capacity to accumulate bioactive compounds similar to natively grown ones.
article Cassis Fruits - Natural Source Of Food And Antioxidants Throughout The Maturation Period	Constantin Carmen-Gabriela; Dobrin Aurora; Paraschiv Maria	Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture, 2021
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Maria Paraschiv Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture Abstract The paper presents the biological variation in biochemical compounds of fruits belonging to Ribes nigrum L. species during the maturation process. The fruits from two varieties were collected in the following phenological stages: early first fruits (SIII), advanced first fruit (SIV), harvesting maturity (SV), and consumption maturity (SVI). The extracts were subjected to analysis. Total phenolic content (TPC) expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE), total flavonoid content (TFC) expressed as rutin equivalent (RE), and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) expressed as mg/mL ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE), and gas-chromatographic profile were determined. The phenolic content differed considerably during the maturation process. Thus, the maximum value of TPC was achieved by 'Kzvana' fruits in the SV stage with 7.36 mM GAE/ml extract. The flavonoid content was highlighted in 'Roxia' fruits in the SVI stage with 1.24 mM RE/mL extract. With regard to FRSA, 'Kzvana' fruits have better activity. Also, the aromatic profile was characterized using gas chromatographic analysis.
article The Presence Of Chromium In Agricultural Systems. A Comprehensive Review	Constantin Carmen Gabriela; Dobrin Aurora; Mot Andrei; Cimpeanu Carmen; Paraschiv Maria; Badulescu Liliana	Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture, 2021
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Maria Paraschiv Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture Abstract Currently, the entire world is facing major challenges related to agricultural practices and heavy metals contaminations of agricultural systems and food production. On the other hand, the structure, texture, and properties of the soil have deteriorated as a result of intensive conventional agriculture based on the addition of different inputs. Along with these, toxic metals affect agricultural soils, crops, food chain, becoming a major threat to living systems. Among these is chromium (Cr), an element naturally occurring in rocky soils and volcanic dust. The increased use of chromium in several multiple activities causes soil and water contamination. Differently from other heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and copper, chromium presents different degrees of toxicity depending on its chemical form. In the present review, we present data regarding chromium abundance in agricultural systems, factors favouring the absorption in the plant and bioaccumulation in different organs and tissues, bioaccumulation and translocation factors, its toxicity in plants, animals, and human through the food chain, and how it can be quantified using different types of analysis.
article Optimisation Of Oil Extraction From Halophyte Sp. Seeds	Constantin Carmen; Hadhoum Loubna; Zugravu Mihaela; Constantin Muguras; Dobrin Aurora; Paraschiv Maria; Badulescu Liliana	Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture, 2020
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Maria Paraschiv Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture Abstract The present study is part of a comprehensive study dedicated to the cultivation of halophytes species on salt affected soils, aiming on new value chains development from obtained biomass. The work is conducted on the monitoring the degree of soil purification, the biomass production and seeds yield, and their chemical composition. In this context, the paper contains information related to the oil content of Portulaca saliva sp. seeds, in order to produce 2nd generation biofuels. Extraction of oil from seeds via traditional method (Saxhlet method) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) were carried out. ASE method was applied because requires small quantities of solvent, sample and operating time. ASE appear to be the most suitable method and the optimal conditions were: pressure - 10.34 AlPa, temperature - 105 degrees C, residence time - 10 min, solvent - petroleum ether, extraction ratio of 1:40, dynamic extraction time - 30 min. and 0.3 g diatomaceous earth. The highest oil recovery achieved was 33.4%.
article The Quality Of Soils With Known Electrical Conductivity	Constantin Carmen; Zugravu Mihaela; Constantin Mugurasi; Paraschiv Maria	Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture, 2019
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Maria Paraschiv Scientific Papers-Series B-Horticulture Abstract This paper presents the elemental content found in two saline soil samples with a certain electrical conductivity and the differences between two variants of extraction. The soil samples collected from a region in South-East of Romania affected by salinization process were investigated using a semi quantitative (SMA) inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry analysis (ICP-MS). Thus, the multi-elemental analysis of soil samples was preceded by one-step digestion in a high-pressure microwave system. For matrix destruction two mixtures of reagents were used: A - HNO3, HCl and H2O2 in 3:1:1 (v/v), and B - HNO3, HCl 3:1 (v/v). The electrical conductivity was realized using an adapted method, and the value was up to 10000 dS/m. Following semiquantitative analysis, the results showed that both of extraction methods showed the same elemental composition, the difference being only of the quantity of each element. Regarding the extraction efficiency, mixture A was more suitable for this type of soil.
article Thermal Behaviour Of Some Novel Biologically Active Complexes With A Triazolopyrimidine Pharmacophore	Calu Larisa; Badea Mihaela; Korosec Romana Cerc; Bukovec Peter; Daniliuc Constantin G.; Chifiriuc Mariana Carmen; Marutescu Luminita; Ciulica Camelia; Serban Gina; Olar Rodica	Journal Of Thermal Analysis And Calorimetry, 2017
INCDSB Authors Carmen Constantin Journal Of Thermal Analysis And Calorimetry 10.1007/s10973-016-5515-6 Abstract A new derivative 5-phenyl-7-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (pmtp) was synthesised by [1 + 1] condensation of benzoylacetone and 3-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the pmtp crystallises in monoclinic system, P21/n spatial group. In order to modulate the biological activity, new species M(pmtp)Cl-2 center dot nH(2)O (M: Co, n = 2; M: Ni, n = 3; M: Cu, n = 1; M: Zn, n = 0) were synthesised by one-pot method. Chemical analysis, molar conductivities, IR, UV-Vis-NIR and EPR spectroscopy, as well as magnetic data recorded at room temperature provided useful information concerning the molecular formula, stereochemistry and ligand coordination mode. The modifications at heating and also the thermodynamic effects that accompany them were investigated by thermal analysis. The nature of the gaseous products formed in each step was evidenced by simultaneous TG/DSC/EGA measurements. Processes as water and chloride elimination, fragmentation and oxidative degradation of the triazolopyrimidine derivative were observed during the thermal studies. The final residue was the most stable metallic oxide as X-ray powder diffraction indicates. Zinc (II) and copper (II) complexes exhibited the most significant antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, both reference and clinical resistant ones, in planktonic and biofilm state. The minimal biofilm eradication values were two to four times lower than the minimal inhibitory concentrations demonstrating the potential of the obtained complexes to act as anti-pathogenic agents.