About the Journal
The Romanian Biotechnological Letters journal (hereinafter RBL), published by the University of Bucharest was founded by Prof. IOAN I.F. DUMITRU and has now become one of the most important international scientific journals in the field of biotechnology and related disciplines published in Romania.
The Journal publishes original research articles, reviews and short communications. The main thematic areas of publications supported by RBL are: cellular and molecular biology, applied microbiology (microbial ecology, industrial microbiology, medical microbiology, immunology), functional genomics, metabolic engineering, physiology, ecology, nanotechnology, agriculture and farming improvement techniques, development of experimental methodology in medical, materials, life sciences and biotechnology.
The RBL editorial committee is formed by academic and research scientific personalities from Romania, Ireland, England, Germany, Turkey, Serbia, India, USA and Canada.
The RBL journal is included in the UEFISCDI (Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation) list of the ISI - indexed Romanian journals on the basis of indexation in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), being also indexed in other major databases or regular periodicals of scientific information with an old tradition in the international scientific community.
Current Issue
This journal is dedicated to publishing original research papers, reviews, rapid and short communications (not exceeding 3 printed pages). The covered topics and subjects include biotechnology (i.e., green, red, white, blue, bioinformatics) and interdisciplinary research in medicine, neuroscience, agriculture, animal husbandry, ecology and environmental protection
Full Issue
Articles
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Cellulolytic activity of biodeteriogenic Aspergillus sp. strains
Abstract
During history, wooden buildings exposed to various agents, either biotic or abiotic, have suffered damage under the influence of living organisms like fungi. The main strategy for degrading wood polymers- cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin is by secreting enzymes that break down the main constituents through lysis.
This study investigates the enzymatic activity of various Aspergillus sp. strains identified on the walls of Boz wooden Church in Hunedoara County, Romania, by analysing the influence of different parameters on the production of the cellulolytic enzymes and confirming the presence of a cellulase coding gene fragment. The research primarily examines the total cellulase activity of three Aspergillus species—Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus sclerotiorum—isolated from medieval wooden churches in Transylvania, Romania. Variations of several parameters was analysed, such as the incubation time, the influence of incubation temperature on enzymatic digestion, influence of citrate buffer pH, influence of substrate concentration. Additionally, a phylogenetic analysis has been performed based on similarities between the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions for the investigated strains. -
Studies on the determination of the photo protective capacity of the mixture of camelina oil and grape seed oil
Abstract
Camelina sativa is an annual plant, belonging to the family Brassicaceae, native to S-E Europe and South-West Asia, from whose seeds an oil of superior quality in composition is obtained. It has a saponifiable fraction represented by fatty acids, of which polyunsaturated ones are found in a proportion greater than 55%, and a non-saponifiable fraction represented by sterols and tocopherols. Camelina oil currently has multiple uses, from uses in the field of biofuels, it can be purified through specific technological processes and used to obtain products with different destinations: food supplements, ingredients for animal feed, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Previous studies have shown that camelina oil also has an appreciable photoprotective capacity, which led to the desire to continue studies in this direction. This paper aims to analyze the photoprotective capacity of the mixture of camelina oil and grape seed oil, in different proportions, to obtain formulations of cosmetic products. Two samples were prepared – sample A (camelina oil 25g, grape oil 75g) and sample B (camelina oil 75g, grape oil 25g). Spectrophotometric analysis of 10 hexane solutions, with a concentration of 1%-10%, from each sample, at wavelengths between 290 and 320 nm. The sun protection factor determined by the equation Mansur et al (1986) has values between 3,097 and 21,156 for sample A, respectively between 3,153 and 24,089 for sample B, which indicates the possibility of using the mixture of camelina oil and grape oil in dermatologic formulations for solar protection.
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Fractionation of proteins from natural coagulant from common bean on ion-exchanger AmberliteTM IRA 900 Cl and comparison with AmberliteTM IRA 958 Cl
Abstract
Turbidity reduction in water and wastewater treatment typically involves chemical coagulants like alum, iron salts, and acrylamide. While natural coagulants offer benefits, their main drawback is the organic load in treated water, which can be addressed through purification. In this work, proteins from a crude extract obtained with 0.5 mol L-1 NaCl from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds were first precipitated by ammonium sulfate and then redissolved and purified on the anion exchange resin AmberliteTM IRA 900 Cl in batch mode. Prior to their purification, optimization of adsorption conditions and elution was performed. The purification on AmberliteTM IRA 900 Cl was then compared with purification on AmberliteTM IRA 958 Cl. AmberliteTM IRA 900 Cl showed twice the adsorption capacity of AmberliteTM IRA 958 Cl. The organic load in treated water was over five times lower when the fraction purified on AmberliteTM IRA 900 Cl was used as a coagulant compared to when the crude extract was used.
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Preparation of artificial reeds from natural waste materials for habitat structure of fish breeding and conservation: Experimental and simulation modelling studies
Abstract
Artificial reefs are commonly created with the goal of enhancing fish populations. Currently, the degradation of natural reefs is also causing a decrease in fish productivity. As a result, the marine department is prioritizing the creation of artificial reefs to boost the fisheries. In Palk Bay, artificial reefs that were subject to research were placed in 2019 at Adaikkathevan Seashore (Bay of Bengal), which is located in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Because of a wide range of possible alternative materials and their parameters, research activities involve detailed analysis of all aspects of their influence on the new material’s parameters. Durability can be considered one of the most significant parameters of building materials, having a direct impact on the lifetime of the material itself as well as the lifetime of the whole reef. Natural recycled materials used in this research work include fly ash, seashells, rice-husked ash, silica fumes, granite powder, paper pulp, and coconut fiber. The compressive strength of artificial reef concrete was evaluated on various days (7, 14, 28, 56, and 90), and the findings indicated that it surpasses the strength of conventional concrete. It was found that the compressive strength of AR2 and AR3 for 90 days of curing is 0.91% and 3.83% was almost equal to conventional concrete. The purpose of the AR initiative is to enhance the fish population through the establishment of a viable marine ecosystem, thereby ensuring a dependable means of subsistence for indigenous fisher communities. This study demonstrates that the designed artificial reef mimics natural reef properties, fostering algae growth that supports fish breeding. The numerous holes provided in the artificial reef also offer protection for fish against predators.
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The protective effects of glutathione plus silymarin on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injuries produced in the kidney and lung tissues
Abstract
Here we examine the efficacy of pretreatment with glutathione (GSH) plus silymarin (SM) on kidney and lung injury as a distant organ after hepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR). Rats were randomly separated into five groups: Sham, IR, GSH-IR, SM-IR, and SM plus GSH-IR. The treatment groups took 100 mg/kg of GSH, SM, or a combination of GSH plus SM 60 minutes prior to IR. The groups excluding sham were exposed to 30 minutes of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion. The rats were euthanized after 24 hours; blood, kidney, and lung specimens were gathered to perform analyses and pathology studies. As a result, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly elevated in the IR group compared to sham. GSH administration prior to hepatic IR statistically declined IR-induced elevations of creatinine and BUN; likewise, creatinine and BUN were lower by an average of 19.8% and 54% in the SM plus GSH-IR group compared to the IR group, respectively. GSH, SM, and SM plus GSH pretreatments significantly reduced the kidney histopathological damage. Lung histopathologic damage scores on hepatic IR-induced lung injury were higher in the IR group than in the sham group, but lung pathological damage scores in the SM plus GSH-IR group were statistically low according to the IR group. Application of GSH plus SM before liver IR may be a potential therapy to mitigate remote injury of the kidney and lung resulting from hepatic IR.
Review
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Therapeutic Approaches in Monkeypox Infections
Abstract
Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, has emerged as a significant global health concern following recent outbreaks in non-endemic regions. While previously confined to Central and West Africa, monkeypox virus has been recently detected worldwide, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and effective countermeasures. Moreover, no currently approved treatment for specific use in monkeypox infections exists. In this context, there is an urgent need to develop novel treatment options and strengthen global preparedness against monkeypox virus with innovative antiviral agents. Therefore, this paper provides an overview of the most recent therapeutic approaches aiming to deal with monkeypox virus infections. Notably, emerging synthetic-, natural-, and nanotechnological-based treatment strategies have been reviewed, creating an updated framework of use for future research studies.
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Controlled Release of Essential Oils: Mechanisms, Biocompatibility, and Application Perspectives
Abstract
The efficient control of essential oils (EOs) active compounds release is essential, especially in pharmaceutical formulations, where the stability and bioavailability of active compounds are critical. The use of an encapsulation matrix with specific properties allows for the adjustment of solubility differences, diffusion, and controlled degradation, ensuring optimal and prolonged release of active substances. On the other side, the biocompatibility and safety of materials used for medical applications, the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients, the preservation of food and their use in the cosmetics industry are essential factors. The functionalized materials should neither be toxic, nor cause inflammatory or other pathogenic processes. Therefore, a thorough control of the mechanism of release of the active principle, as well as the factors influencing biocompatibility, possible side effects that might occur as a result of biodegradation of the material, must be carried out, and all this is possible by performing biocompatibility tests.
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Microorganism’ response to disinfectants: A review
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a pressing global health issue, contributing significantly to patient morbidity and mortality while imposing severe economic and logistical pressures on healthcare systems. These infections are often caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, complicating both prevention and treatment. Surface disinfectants are critical in mitigating pathogen transmission and curbing antimicrobial resistance within healthcare environments. However, the increasing prevalence of biocide resistance among pathogens necessitates a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms that counteract the effects of disinfectants. This review explores the various responses of microorganisms to disinfectants and delves into current known bacterial strategies that overcome disinfectants activity. Understanting these microbial responses is essential for the development of more effective disinfection protocols in order to ensure an efficient control of hospital-acquired infections.
