Alina Butu
Research Scientist I - Applied Biotechnologies
Publications
| Publication | Authors | data | |
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conference
Organic Agriculture As A Future Strategy For Sustainable Farming |
Popa Ramona Ovidia; Rodino Steliana; Butu Alina | Proceedings Of The International Conference On Business Excellence, 2024 | |
AbstractOrganic agriculture, as a holistic system, aims to maximize the productivity of agricultural sector by integrating tradition, innovation and science, helping to improve the quality of agrifood products reaching the market. One of the most rapidly evolving sectors in the EU is the organic manufacturing industry. Due to the increased interest of consumers it has had a significant increase in the last decade. This paper offers a detailed perspective on organic agriculture in Romania in the context of current European development. We present essential information about the organic sector, current legislation and market data, at national and European level. Official data show that organic agriculture has registered an increase in plant and animal production in recent years in Romania. Although it represents a small part of the cultivated area and total production, organic agriculture is attracting attention due to the principles of sustainable development and the associated economic opportunities. |
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conference paper
Recovery Of Critical Metals From Mine Tailings |
Butu A.; Morais P.V.; Butu M.; Avram S.; Rodino S. | Springer Proceedings In Business And Economics, 2024 | |
AbstractThe availability of primary resources correlated with waste production from exploration and mining activities will remain a need to satisfy the growing global demand for raw materials. The present research started with the idea that tailings and wastes from mining can be considered mineral reserves. The project aimed to increase the efficiency of resources through the recycling of residues and their integration into a circular economy concept. Special emphasis is placed on processing mine tailings to turn them into a valuable source of secondary raw materials. This is an important step toward sustainability and reducing the negative impact on the environment. This chapter presents the objectives targeted by the REVIVING research project. Therefore, the aim was to obtain improved models for efficiently recycling metals from residues in selected case study mines, based, for the first time, on the manipulation of the microbiome existing within autochthonous tailings, using molecular data to promote the bioleaching bacterial populations, and innovative hydrometallurgy, using negative pressure. The study aimed to cover the entire cycle of obtaining metals, from secondary sources to the production of a marketable product. It also aimed to enable the efficient recycling of tailings and reduce the residues generated by the mining process, thus contributing to the reconnection of raw materials to society. The ultimate goal of the project was to find alternative sources of critical metals, as these are vulnerable to disruption of supply because their core source is restricted to just one or two regions of the world, and they are difficult to substitute within the specific technologies that use them, being vital raw materials in various new and green emerging industrial processes. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. |
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article
A Bibliometric Analysis Of Organic Farming And Voluntary Certifications |
Bruma Ioan Sebastian; Jelea Alexandra Raluca; Rodino Steliana; Bertea Patricea Elena; Butu Alina; Chitea Mihai Alexandru | Agriculture-Basel, 2023 | |
AbstractOrganic farming, characterised by environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, has gained significant attention throughout the years due to its potential to address critical issues such as food security, environmental sustainability, and public health. Voluntary certification systems play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity and quality of organic products in the market. Understanding the research landscape surrounding organic farming and voluntary certifications is of paramount importance for scholars, policy makers, farmers, and consumers. In this context, the present study utilizes a bibliometric approach to achieve a deeper understanding of the trends, key contributors, and key terms in these domains via a bibliometric analysis in order to contribute to the broader goals of promoting sustainable agriculture and informed consumer choices. The evolution of the field is traced, shedding light on seminal papers, influential authors, and prolific journals. The research type is quantitative, using Web of Science, VOSviewer, and bibliometric study as instruments. The results show that, for both terms organic farming and voluntary certifications, papers usually involve three or more authors and use other sources as the unit of analysis, leaving room for improvement and the filling of a gap in the specialty literature. This insight can guide future researchers and policymakers in focusing on critical areas within organic farming and certification systems, further advancing the field and addressing pressing issues related to sustainability, quality, and consumer awareness. |
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article
Challenges Of Digital Transformation In Agriculture From Romania |
Rodino Steliana; Butu Marian; Butu Alina; Lazar Catalin; Ciornei Laurentiu; Simion Petruta-Simona | Romanian Agricultural Research, 2023 | |
AbstractAgriculture plays a crucial role in Romania's economy, a fact that accelerates the search for ways to maximize production yield and profit. The aim of the paper is to study the characteristics of the transformation of agriculture in the context of digitization. Research methods include scientific and theoretical approaches to assess the state of agriculture and its potential in the context of digitization, such as system and situation analysis. The current stage of agricultural development is characterized by a significant transformation of management and production processes due to the introduction of digital technologies. The experience has convincingly shown that the traditional forms of development of agricultural production have practically exhausted themselves. In the new conditions of financial and economic activity, the scientific and technological progress becomes decisive. In agriculture, the digital transformation has a significant impact on material and human resources, increases the productivity of crops, improves the quality of agricultural and livestock products. The digitization of agriculture is extremely important, because it is a source of agricultural economic growth and can become a strong incentive for the innovative development of the sector. Investments in the development of digital infrastructure in rural areas can improve the living conditions of the rural population, with local authorities solving more efficiently the problems within their competence. Also, the digitalization of agriculture will promote the development of small farms in rural areas and contribute to the diversification of the rural economy. |
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article
Global Research Progress And Trends On Critical Metals: A Bibliometric Analysis |
Butu Alina; Rodino Steliana; Butu Marian | Sustainability, 2023 | |
AbstractIn the perspective of observing the latest worldwide and European strategies toward green transition and delivering a secured access to local resources, the objective of this study was to analyze the research progress on critical materials and, more specific, critical metals and review the future research hot-topics for critical metals. Consequently, a bibliometric analysis for the assessment of the current state of the art research, future trends as well as evolution through time of the critical metals research was performed in the present work. The study included four phases of work: (i) search string selection, (ii) data collection, (iii) data processing, and (iv) data interpretation. A total of 433 publications on critical metals were collected from Scopus database between 1977 and 2023, with an increasing yearly trend and a burst in 2013. The data retrieved showed a significant increase in publications related to the topic in the last 10 years. The results show that research interest is concentrated around six critical areas: (i) bioleaching as an important process of critical metal recovery, (ii) circular economy concepts and recovery of critical metals by urban mining from e-waste, (iii) resource recovery from waste landfills as urban mines, (iv) targeted studies on various critical elements (copper, zinc, gallium, silver, lithium), (v) rare elements as industry vitamins and, (vi) coal deposits and coal ashes as an alternative source of critical metals. This analysis could provide important guidance for further directions on the development of research for recovery of critical metals. |
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article
Sustainable Development Solutions: Growing And Processing Raspberries On Lithuanian Farms |
Ispiryan Audrone; Giedraitis Algirdas; Sermuksnyte-Alesiuniene Kristina; Butu Marian; Atkociuniene Vilma; Butu Alina; Viskelis Jonas; Miceikiene Astrida | Foods, 2023 | |
AbstractThe EU's goals by 2050 are to ensure food security, prevent bio-diversity loss, and strengthen the EU food system's resilience. Recent scientific research and the situation in the global market show that the cultivation and processing of raspberries is currently completely unsustainable. This sector is experiencing a huge decline in Lithuania. Therefore, we chose the sustainability of raspberry growing (from farm) and processing (to fork) as an object. The aim of this article was (i) to analyze the raw material of the raspberry plant for product sustainable processing, (ii) to create a digital sustainability measurement model, and (iii) to present sustainable development solutions for effective raspberry growing and processing on Lithuanian farms using content and descriptive methods. This paper discusses how to help small raspberry growers and processors achieve sustainable economic, environmental, and social performance from field raw material to processed products. Analysis of the scientific literature has revealed qualitative and quantitative sustainability indicators for improving raspberry production. The assessment of the sustainability according to our created model revealed the (un)sustainable factors and the current situation in raspberry farms on a Likert scale from very unsustainable to very sustainable. Based on the evaluation we have determined sustainable development solutions. Raspberry growing and processing in Lithuania can contribute to environmental conservation, economic growth, and social well-being, fostering a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector by investing in R&D, improving productivity, creating employment opportunities and supporting rural communities, establishing a robust waste management system, and embracing renewable energy sources. Raspberry growers and processors can use the digital model we created for the sustainability, efficiency, and development directions of their farm. |
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article
An Overview Of Global Maize Market Compared To Romanian Production |
Dragomir Vili; Bruma Ioan Sebastian; Butu Alina; Petcu Victor; Tanasa Lucian; Horhocea Daniela | Romanian Agricultural Research, 2022 | |
AbstractMaize is one of the most important crops cultivated around the world and can be easily grown in various climate conditions, under conventional and organic system. Maize cultivation has many advantages, such as: high yield, strong stability, great potential for increasing yield, strong disaster resistance, wide application range, and high economic benefits. It plays an important role in food production, and it is also due to the growth of animal husbandry and the food processing industry. This article is an overview of global maize market and maize market and production in Romanian economy, related to trade indicators, with a special target on organic production and analysis on territorial profile of organic maize cultivation. |
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book
Biopesticide Formulations - Current Challenges And Future Perspectives |
Butu M.; Rodino S.; Butu A. | Biopesticides: Volume 2: Advances In Bio-Inoculants, 2021 | |
AbstractModern agricultural production technologies, based on the widespread use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, have made it possible to significantly solve the problem of providing the population with food, and at the same time, they have created numerous environmental and medical problems. At present, the development and application of new plant protection products that are non-toxic to humans, animals and environment is of priority importance. Biopesticides are a specific type of pesticides that derive from natural substances and materials. For example, they can originate from animal, vegetal or mineral materials. The biopesticides are derived in three major categories: biochemical, microbial and bioprotectors incorporated into the plant. They are used to control and combat diseases that occur in the vegetal crops or against pests. In the category of biopesticides are those substances that are naturally found and that fight pests through non-toxic mechanisms. For example, they are able to interfere with the insect mating or attract them in different traps, thus protecting the plants. Microbial pesticides are formulated from microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. They kill different larvae of specific insects or interfere with weeds growth in agricultural fields. This category is also known as biological pesticides. The protectors incorporated in the plants are pesticide substances produced by plants, from genetic material. The present paper is an overview of existing research regarding biopesticide formulations for integrated pest and disease management, both for protection of crops and for post-harvest disease. Other important aspects will be taken into consideration, such as their advantages and forms of packaging. Existing regulatory framework regarding the commercialization and use of biopesticides will also be discussed. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
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conference paper
Mine Tailings-Based Technosols For The Green Infrastructures Sector |
Butu M.; Rodino S.; Miu B.; Fidler G.; Butu A. | International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference Surveying Geology And Mining Ecology Management, Sgem, 2021 | |
AbstractThe European mining industry is an active sector. Mining operations disturb large volumes of land and produce huge quantities of waste. The tailings dams of the mining industry occupy large areas representing a huge cost in terms of operation/maintenance, health, safety, environment and economy. This paper is an overview of the possible sustainable waste management strategies that are targeted on the reuse of residues as secondary resources. Therefore, it is focused on restoring mine tailings as inert materials to be used as technosols in the green infrastructures sector (e.g., green roofs, urban green spaces). Technosols are man-made soils, intentionally “constructed” or modified to meet specific needs like waste management and storage, support of industrial activities, infrastructures foundations, or green infrastructures. Technosols play an important role in a wide variety of ecosystems, being essential for designing sustainable rehabilitation techniques, city planning, and land use management. To make advantage of the land in former mining areas and speed up their ecological restoration, some studies proposed the increase of nutrients in affected soils through amendments such as compost, biochar, different organic wastes or undegraded soils. This review aims i) to investigate the efficiency of organic amendments in increasing the resilience of former mining sites and ii) to provide insight in functional indicators that can be used to assess the ecological compatibility of reconstructed technosols. © 2021 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved. |
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book
Plant Biotechnologies For Processing Raw Products In Phytomedicines |
Butnariu M.; Butu A. | Phytomedicine: A Treasure Of Pharmacologically Active Products From Plants, 2021 | |
AbstractBiotechnologies are involved in the transformation of raw products into foods, providing enzymes for the manufacture of bread, dairy products, and bakeries. Other enzymes are involved in the manufacture of juices, flavors, etc. Biotechnologies make the agrifood industry less polluting. For example, when converting starch into sugar, enzymes allow to reduce water vapor consumption by 30% and waste by 50%, suppressing 90% of unwanted additional products. The application of modern biotechnologies in phytomedicines offers new possibilities for human development and health. The inclusion of new characters contributes to increasing agricultural productivity or to improving the quality of phytomedicines, which thus contributes to improving the health of the population. Regarding the effects on public health, there may be indirect effects, such as reducing the use of chemicals and increasing incomes of agricultural households and increasing the viability of cereals and the safety of raw products in phytomedicines (PRPs), especially in developing countries. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
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