Dasha Mihaylova
University of Food Technologies - Plovdiv, Biotechnology, Faculty Member
- Biotechnology, Health Sciences, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Environmental microbiology, Biology, and 11 moreMedicinal Plants, Antioxidants, Natural Products, Ethnomedicine, Polyphenols, Anticancer Drugs, Flavonoids, Reaction Mechanism, Healing with herbs and meditation, Polyphenol in Foods, and Medical Plantsedit
Dietary proteins are no longer just nutritional ingredients in our food. During hydrolysis, some of the released peptides may possess properties that favor the health of the human body. In our study enzymatic hydrolysis of lupin proteins... more
Dietary proteins are no longer just nutritional ingredients in our food. During hydrolysis, some of the released peptides may possess properties that favor the health of the human body. In our study enzymatic hydrolysis of lupin proteins was performed using papain. Three enzyme-to-substrate ratios were set for three different duration times. The SDS-PAGE of the samples was performed. Each hydrolysate was studied for the degree of hydrolysis (DH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities (AOA, according to four spectrophotometric methods). The DH varied from 9.06 ± 0.20 to 27.97 ± 0.37%. According to the results, the best AOA was measured by the ABTS method (from 0.76 ± 0.03 to 1.15 ± 0.46 M TE/100 g protein). All the hydrolysates displayed AChE inhibitory activity (IC50), which varied between 155.58 ± 1.87 and 199.63 ± 0.41 mg/g protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of ...
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Sustainability, becoming essential for food processing and technology, sets goals for the characterization of resources considered as food waste. In this work, information about the GC-MS metabolites of peach peels was provided as a tool... more
Sustainability, becoming essential for food processing and technology, sets goals for the characterization of resources considered as food waste. In this work, information about the GC-MS metabolites of peach peels was provided as a tool that can shed more light on the studied biological activities. In addition, distribution patterns and contribution of the chemical profile and free and bound phenolic compounds as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzymatic clusters in peach peels of different varieties of Bulgarian origin were studied. The two applied techniques (alkaline and acid hydrolysis) for releasing the bound phenolics reveal that alkaline hydrolysis is a better extraction approach. Still, the results indicate the prevalence of the free phenolics in the studied peach peel varieties. Total phenolics of peach wastes were positively correlated with their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity results certainly defined the need of an individual interpretation for each vari...
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Research on food-derived bioactive peptides is expanding and the need for a convenient online platform that combines a foolproof and intuitive user interface with a reliable database and tools for prediction and analysis is rising. In... more
Research on food-derived bioactive peptides is expanding and the need for a convenient online platform that combines a foolproof and intuitive user interface with a reliable database and tools for prediction and analysis is rising. In this regard, this paper presents an open-access web-based platform PepLab (Peptides Laboratory). The database contains 2764 peptide sequence entries, grouped into sixteen classes according to their biological activity and into seven classes according to the source from which they were derived. Moreover, it includes bioinformatic tools for their processing and analysis. The DMpep tool allows extracting information about a number of physicochemical characteristics of a peptide or a set of peptides, including those that are not recorded in the database. The main advantages of PepLab are a user-friendly interface, a responsive design, and optimized search engines for better visibility on the Internet. Prediction of non-reported activity is available based ...
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This work aimed to study the flux behavior, rejection and concentration factors, and energy demand to establish the optimal conditions during ultrafiltration of sweet buttermilk to produce ice cream. The experiments were conducted with a... more
This work aimed to study the flux behavior, rejection and concentration factors, and energy demand to establish the optimal conditions during ultrafiltration of sweet buttermilk to produce ice cream. The experiments were conducted with a UF25-PAN membrane at a transmembrane pressure of 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 MPa, and a volume reduction ratio (VRR) of 2, 3, 4, and 5. Total protein, fat, ash, and dry matter contents, phospholipid composition, and acidity of retentates and permeate were determined. The increase in the VRR led to a decrease in the permeate flux and an increase in the energy demand, rejection, and concentration factors of the main components of sweet buttermilk. The highest values of rejection and concentration factors established for fat were 98.65% and 4.93, respectively. The permeate flux and energy demand increased with the rise in the transmembrane pressure. The total phospholipids increased 2.8 times at VRR 5 compared to the initial buttermilk. The use of VRR 3 gave the...
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In the modern health concept, food quality is becoming more and more important. People are increasingly looking for added value to their diet through the presence of bioactive substances. Usually, the latter are sensitive molecules; they... more
In the modern health concept, food quality is becoming more and more important. People are increasingly looking for added value to their diet through the presence of bioactive substances. Usually, the latter are sensitive molecules; they are unstable in processing and consumption. In addition, problems with unpleasant organoleptic characteristics clean labelling and high production costs can occur. To overcome these problems, a solution can be sought in microencapsulation techniques. Although these techniques have been known for a long time, nowadays their meaning and significance are gaining new dimensions. In this regard, this review aims to provide up-to-date information on currently used microencapsulation techniques, limitations, and prospects.
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Katzarova, (2014). Influence of the concentration of ethanol in the solvent on the composition and stability of Alchemilla mollis extracts. Scientific works of University of Food Technologies, Plovdiv, vol.LXI, part I, 217-221 2. Petar... more
Katzarova, (2014). Influence of the concentration of ethanol in the solvent on the composition and stability of Alchemilla mollis extracts. Scientific works of University of Food Technologies, Plovdiv, vol.LXI, part I, 217-221 2. Petar Nedyalkov, Maria Kaneva, Stefcho Kemilev, Georgi Kostov, Kristina Micheva, Petya Poneva, (2015). Influence of the temperature and the duration of extraction on the composition and the properties of extracts from Alchemilla mollis,
Nowadays, food is no longer just for nutrition. Consumers are more demanding and expect to get health benefits from their daily meals. Various areas of the food industry are in great demand of functional chemicals to enhance the taste and... more
Nowadays, food is no longer just for nutrition. Consumers are more demanding and expect to get health benefits from their daily meals. Various areas of the food industry are in great demand of functional chemicals to enhance the taste and nutritional value of their products. Probiotic bacteria have already been part of the human’s routine for good gut microbiota maintenance in terms of pharmaceutical products. Their incorporation in food however is a challenging task that offers great opportunities but has limitations as well. Specifically, the purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of probiotics in food, to assess their survival through gastrointestinal tract, and to highlight the recent advances in approaches for their improved viability.
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Nowadays, medicinal plants used in folk medicine are being increasingly studied and used on pharmaceutical, food and nutraceutical fields. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is widely used in both folk and official medicine. Therefore, in... more
Nowadays, medicinal plants used in folk medicine are being increasingly studied and used on pharmaceutical, food and nutraceutical fields. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is widely used in both folk and official medicine. Therefore, in the present paper different extracts of yarrow inflorescences and upper leaves were investigated for their total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity using several reliable assays, namely DPPH-, ABTS-, FRAPand CUPRAC assays. The phytochemical profile of the extracts was assessed by RP-HPLC methods as well in order to evaluate the influence of the single constituents. The total polyphenolic content of the extracts was established to be in range 2.74 ± 0.01 and 7.92 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g dw. Among the four applied techniques for extraction the decoction seems to be still the most effective ones. However, the results revealed that the extracts of the Achillea millefolium could be used as easily accessible source of natural antioxidants, but also as a...
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Hisarya town is one of the famous Bulgarian resort with mineral springs and SPA-centers attracting thousands of tourists where is installed one of the newly wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) designed on the base of... more
Hisarya town is one of the famous Bulgarian resort with mineral springs and SPA-centers attracting thousands of tourists where is installed one of the newly wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) designed on the base of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology. In recent years, SBR has been applied as an efficient technology for wastewater treatment. Monitoring and control of SBR is a very attractive field of research nowadays. Present study are dealt with monitoring of physicochemical characteristics viz. BOD 5 , COD, suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) and performance evaluation of SBR municipal wastewater treatment at WWTP-Hisarya. Significant reduction (p<0.05) in the physicochemical characteristics of the SBR treated wastewater was established. The average removal of BOD 5 (95.1±0.6 %), SS (95.1±0.6 %), COD (93.2±0.7 %), TN (80.3±8.0 %) and TP (53.4±7.2 %) were recorded. The values obtained of ...
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Simple Summary Shortening the inter-calving interval is the most important problem in buffalo breeding, especially on organic farms, where the use of hormones is prohibited. The demand for herbal preparations that stimulate the activity... more
Simple Summary Shortening the inter-calving interval is the most important problem in buffalo breeding, especially on organic farms, where the use of hormones is prohibited. The demand for herbal preparations that stimulate the activity of ovaries, as well as the choice of an appropriate time for their application, remains essential today. This study provides the results of the positive effect of the herbal product, which identified a wide range of bioactive substances—carotenoids, flavonoids, and fatty acids, including esters of trienoic fatty acids, on the resumption of the cyclic ovarian activity in early postpartum buffaloes. Overcoming postpartum anestrus in buffaloes is highly cost-effective due to cost savings for keeping dry, unproductive animals. Abstract This study evaluates the phytochemical composition and ability of herbal preparation AyuFertin, supplemented shortly after calving, to resume the cyclic ovarian activity in postpartum Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes. In total, ...
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The antioxidant activities of nine Bulgarian plants have been investigated, in the light of recent scientific developments, throughout the world due to their potent pharmacological activities and food viability. In the present study, the... more
The antioxidant activities of nine Bulgarian plants have been investigated, in the light of recent scientific developments, throughout the world due to their potent pharmacological activities and food viability. In the present study, the possible radical scavenging activity of Clinopodium vulgare L., Cotinus coggygria Scop., Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha peperita L., Origanum vulgare L., Salvia officinalis L., Sideritis scardica Griseb. and Thymus vulgaris L. was investigated using different antioxidant methodologies: radical scavenging activity by DPPH and ABTS radicals and reducing power. The extracts have been performed of the dried powered samples using heat-reflux extraction with 96 % ethanol and methanol, respectively. The total polyphenol content of the extracts was investigated as well. The experiments conducted revealed that the investigated plant species are potential sources of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity.
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The operations of the relatively new wastewater treatment plant of Hisarya, Bulgaria were evaluated in the present paper. The bacterial diversity of activated sludge from aeration basins of cyclic type (SBR-method) during the seasons was... more
The operations of the relatively new wastewater treatment plant of Hisarya, Bulgaria were evaluated in the present paper. The bacterial diversity of activated sludge from aeration basins of cyclic type (SBR-method) during the seasons was studied. The Cyclic Activated Sludge System is one of the most popular sequencing batch reactor (SBR) processes. The hydrobiological characteristic of the activated sludge was performed with regular observations by using light microscopic examinations, but also by evaluation of the flocculation ability and settleability. The presence of positive bioindicators - Aspidisca and Epistyllis species during the investigated period of time (2012 Year) was established, which confirmed the gut purification of the wastewater and the carrying out of the nitrification process. Moreover, the results obtained demonstrated that the performance of the SBR maintained high level, and the SBR system remained stable during this study.
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The rich world of herbs, with thousands of varieties and species, exhibiting multiple biological effects, including antioxidant activity, demands extensive studies. Melissa officinalis L., a representative of the Lamiaceae family, is a... more
The rich world of herbs, with thousands of varieties and species, exhibiting multiple biological effects, including antioxidant activity, demands extensive studies. Melissa officinalis L., a representative of the Lamiaceae family, is a wellknown herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders, and multiple studies have been conducted to identify its healing properties. The essential oil obtained by microdistillation of aerial parts of Melissa officinalis L. (Bulgarian origin) was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Thirty-seven compounds were identified, representing 92.27 % of the total oil. The major components were terpenes with citronellal18.45 %, and geraniol15.22 % as the dominant representatives. Two water extracts were prepared to evaluate the radical-scavenging ability of M. officinalis decoction and infusion. The antioxidant activity was determined using four spectrophotometric methods (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC). The TEAC values of the herb ranged fr...
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Plants have been intensively used as sources of biologically active compounds. Recently, the attention was directed to spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) as a promising source of antioxidant compounds. In the present study, the... more
Plants have been intensively used as sources of biologically active compounds. Recently, the attention was directed to spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) as a promising source of antioxidant compounds. In the present study, the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Triticum spelta glycerin extracts were determined. Three different extraction techniques were performed – conventional, microwave- and ultrasound- assisted extractions. Best polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were resulted when heat reflux extraction was applied. Moreover, nourishing and regenerating cream (NRC) formulation was prepared by incorporating 1 % glycerin spelt extract. The physicochemical stability of this formulation was assessed as well as sensory and skin penetration caracteristics.The cosmetic preparation exhibited good emulsion and colour stability at all temperature tested (-10 °C; 25 °C and 40 °C) during 90 days. 85 % of volunteers assessed the skin penetration of NRC as good. T...
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Haberlea rhodopensis (Gesneriaceae) is a less explored endemic plant within a very small group of poikilohydric angiosperms that are able to survive in an almost completely dehydrated state. The purpose of the present study was to obtain... more
Haberlea rhodopensis (Gesneriaceae) is a less explored endemic plant within a very small group of poikilohydric angiosperms that are able to survive in an almost completely dehydrated state. The purpose of the present study was to obtain extracts from Haberlea rhodopensis leaves using alternative technique- microwave-assisted extraction and to determine the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extract by applying reliable methods: reducing power and ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Different extraction conditions- microwave power and extraction times were investigated. Total phenolic content was determined using a spectrophotometric technique based on the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and calculated as mgGAE/gDW (leaf dry weight). The results from the total phenolic assay and the antioxidant activity tests were significantly correlated. Major phenolic acids and some flavonoid- aglycones and - glycosides were analyzed by HPLC. Luteolin (3307.08 μg/gDW), myricetin...
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Sorbets are healthy ice cream alternatives and desired frozen desserts by vegetarians and vegans. This study focuses on assessing the effects of sorbet recipe alteration through the addition of different percentages of Zizyphus jujuba... more
Sorbets are healthy ice cream alternatives and desired frozen desserts by vegetarians and vegans. This study focuses on assessing the effects of sorbet recipe alteration through the addition of different percentages of Zizyphus jujuba powder. Stevia rebaudiana was used as a sugar substituent. A control sample and five variables were developed. Peaches from the “Laskava” (native Bulgarian) variety were used as the main ingredient. The new sorbet matrices were characterized based on their moisture and ash content, overrun, melting behavior, melting rate, water holding capacity, pH, nutritional data, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The microbial load and CIELAB color of the sorbet alternatives was also evaluated. A sensory evaluation revealed the most preferred variant. Panelists evaluated the appearance (n = 6), aroma (n = 5), flavor (n = 5), mouthfeel (n = 7), and aftertaste (n = 5). The soluble solids co...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Food Science, Sugar, Foods, Aroma, and 3 moreStevia rebaudiana, Sweetness, and aftertaste
The aim of this study is to characterize the bioactivity of mycelial biomass and crude exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Trametes versicolor NBIMCC 8939 and to reveal its nutraceutical potential. The EPS (1.58 g/L) were isolated from a... more
The aim of this study is to characterize the bioactivity of mycelial biomass and crude exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Trametes versicolor NBIMCC 8939 and to reveal its nutraceutical potential. The EPS (1.58 g/L) were isolated from a culture broth. The macrofungal biomass was rich in protein, insoluble dietary fibers and glucans. The amino acid composition of the biomass was analyzed and 18 amino acids were detected. Three mycelial biomass extracts were prepared and the highest total polyphenol content (16.11 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g DW) and the total flavonoid content (5.15 ± 0.03 mg QE/g DW) were found in the water extract. The results indicated that the obtained EPS were heteropolysaccharides with glucose as the main building monosaccharide and minor amounts of mannose, xylose, galactose, fucose and glucuronic acid. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the complex structure of the crude EPS. Five probiotic lactic acid bacteria strains were used for the determinati...
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Recently, there has been a considerable interest in finding natural antioxidants from plant materials to replace the synthetic ones. The edible flowers represent a valuable alternative source of bioactive compounds and have been used as... more
Recently, there has been a considerable interest in finding natural antioxidants from plant materials to replace the synthetic ones. The edible flowers represent a valuable alternative source of bioactive compounds and have been used as food and herbs with increasing interest. The antioxidant properties of 7 edible flowers of the South Bulgaria, including Viola tricolor L., Cucurbita pepo L., Sambucus nigra L., Calendula officinalis L., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Rosa damascena Mill., and Allium ursinum L. were evaluated. The contents of flower chemicals, such as total phenolics and total flavonoids content, were determined as well. By comparing decoction and infusion as methods of extraction, the decoction ones revealed to be the most appropriate in respect of the evaluated compounds. The results showed that the highest antioxidant activity was found in the Rosa damascena and Viola tricolor ones. The established total polyphenol content and total flavonoids in the decocts of Rosa d...
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Nowadays, the search for food-suitable plant proteins is a great challenge. In addition to their sustainability and nutritional value, the focus is more and more on possible positive interactions with human health. To date, the presence... more
Nowadays, the search for food-suitable plant proteins is a great challenge. In addition to their sustainability and nutritional value, the focus is more and more on possible positive interactions with human health. To date, the presence of bioactive peptides encrypted in the structure of protein opens new perspectives, addressing the food industry’s request for new ingredients with technological properties and also the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors based on multifunctional health applications. Lupinus is a sustainable genus of the legume family Fabaceae, and the lupin seed-derived bioactive peptides have demonstrated different effects including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, and antihypertensive activities. This review aims to discuss the current knowledge on lupin protein and their bioactive peptides, highlighting the documented health claims, but also the possibility of allergenicity and the work to be done for the deve...
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and the fructan content of Bulgarian Carduus thoermeri Weinm. flower heads. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by several reliable methods such... more
The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity and the fructan content of Bulgarian Carduus thoermeri Weinm. flower heads. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by several reliable methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azinobis-3 ethyl benxothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) cation decolorization activity assays, the ferric reducing/antioxidant power method (FRAP) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC) in addition to the total phenolic content evaluation. The reported results could be considered as first detailed investigation on the sugar and inulin content of Bulgarian C. thoermeri. The content of inulin in the plant samples was evaluated to be 0.7% dry weight (dw). In the water extracts besides the fructose, sucrose and nystose, the presence of high molecular fraction of inulin was determined. Based on the established inulin content the use of infusions and tinctures f...
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The Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is an important aromatic and medicinal plant from Lamiaceae family. Its leaves and essentials oils are used in folk medicine for the treatment of fevers and colds, hyperthyroidism, headaches and... more
The Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is an important aromatic and medicinal plant from Lamiaceae family. Its leaves and essentials oils are used in folk medicine for the treatment of fevers and colds, hyperthyroidism, headaches and toothaches. Melissa officinalis is a rich source of volatile oil, flavonoid glycosides and derivatives of caffeic acid (rosmarinic acid). The aim of current study was to evaluate and compare the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of infusions prepared from commercially available lemon balm brands on Bulgarian market. The total polyphenol content was established to be in range from 18.17 ± 0.04 to 64.17 ± 0.52 mg GAE/g dw, the total derivatives of caffeic acid from 3.80 ± 0.05 to 21.66 ± 0.10 mg CAE/g dw, caffeic acid content from 0.16 ± 0.01 to 0.97 ± 0.03 mg/g dw and rosmarinic acid between 2.4 ± 0.02 and 23.1 ± 0.5 mg/g dw, respectively. In vitro radical scavenging activity was evaluated by DPPH method (106.31 ± 9.87-553.51 ± 46.04 mM TE/g d...
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The volatile compounds of eight peach varieties (Prunus persica L.)—“Filina”, “Gergana”, “Ufo-4”, “July lady”, “Laskava”, “Flat Queen”, “Evmolpiya”, and “Morsiani 90”—growing in Bulgaria were analyzed for the first time. Gas... more
The volatile compounds of eight peach varieties (Prunus persica L.)—“Filina”, “Gergana”, “Ufo-4”, “July lady”, “Laskava”, “Flat Queen”, “Evmolpiya”, and “Morsiani 90”—growing in Bulgaria were analyzed for the first time. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and the HS-SPME technique revealed the presence of 65 volatile compounds; the main identified components were aldehydes, esters, and fatty acids. According to the provided principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), the relative quantities of the identified volatile compounds depended on the studied peach variety. The results obtained could be successfully applied for the metabolic chemotaxonomy of peaches.
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Correspondence: Aneta Popova Department of Catering and Tourism, University of Food Technologies, Plovdiv, Bulgaria e-mail: popova_aneta@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of fresh leaves of lemon balm... more
Correspondence: Aneta Popova Department of Catering and Tourism, University of Food Technologies, Plovdiv, Bulgaria e-mail: popova_aneta@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of fresh leaves of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), used as a medical plant and culinary spice, was studied. The aim of the present study was to measure the effect of extraction time on total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity (ABTS , DPPHand FRAP assays). The obtained results demonstrated highest levels of TPC (5.25 GAE/g fresh plant weight), ABTS (72.04 μMTE/g FW), DPPH (81.55 μMTE/g FW) and FRAP (116.58 μMTE/g FW) at 30 min of thermal treatment. A high correlation between antioxidant capacities of fresh leaves of M. officinalis and their total phenolic contents (R=0.97-0.99) was established.
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The aim of the current research is to investigate the effects of edible coatings based on celery pectin singly and in combination with a bacteriocin of Bacillus methylotrophicus BM47 on the quality and storage life of fresh blackberries... more
The aim of the current research is to investigate the effects of edible coatings based on celery pectin singly and in combination with a bacteriocin of Bacillus methylotrophicus BM47 on the quality and storage life of fresh blackberries under refrigeration conditions. In this study three experimental groups were prepared: uncoated blackberries as a control, blackberries with 1% pectin coatings and blackberries with 1% pectin coatings+bacteriocin of B. methylotrophicus BM47. During the storage at 4°C and 75% RH for 16 days, the weight loss, decay percentage, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, organic acids, sugars, total phenolic content, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The results showed that the application of pectin and pectin+bacteriocin coatings led to a reduction in weight loss with 6.3% and 6.7% compared to the control fruit on the 16-th day of storage. A decrease in decay percentage was also noticed, which was most pronounced i...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Food Science, Thin Films and Coatings, Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, and 11 moreFood Science and Technology, Food Security, Surface Coatings, Blackberry, Biopreservation, Surface and Coatings Technology, Natural Biopreservatives, Food sciences and nutrition, Pectin, Bacteriocin Producing Microroganisms, and Edible Coating
In the era of air pollutants, respiratory diseases are a very common diagnosis in children, adolescents, and adults. Disorders of the respiratory system can affect both upper and lower respiratory system, and cause an immense worldwide... more
In the era of air pollutants, respiratory diseases are a very common diagnosis in children, adolescents, and adults. Disorders of the respiratory system can affect both upper and lower respiratory system, and cause an immense worldwide health, economical and psychological burden. Considerable attention is drawn to the use of plant-based products for the prevention and cure of health challenges, with respect of their eco-friendliness and very few side effects. Exposure to nature and active plant interaction is considered beneficial to physical and mental health. Plant-based drugs primarily target the immune and cardiovascular systems. Biologically active substances with different value can be identified from both terrestrial or marine botanicals, whose therapeutic abilities are an efficient control of an array of diseases. In view of the potential of plant agents to positively influence respiratory diseases, this review will provide the reader with recent objective findings in the fi...
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Since ancient times, essential oils are recognized for their medicinal value and are very interesting and powerful natural plant products. The present study aimed at investigating and comparing the microand macroelement content and... more
Since ancient times, essential oils are recognized for their medicinal value and are very interesting and powerful natural plant products. The present study aimed at investigating and comparing the microand macroelement content and volatile oil constituents of Allium ursinum L. and Nectaroscordum siculum ssp. Bulgaricum (Janka) Stearn. These two plant species were traditionally used in folk medicine, and since N. siculum is barely investigated, it is interesting to compare to A. ursinum. The current research represents a first detailed investigation report on the mineral element content and chemical composition of N. siculum. The ramsons essential oil yield was established to be 0.37 %, while the N. siculum – 0.24 %. The main constituents of A. ursinum leaves essential oil as detected by GC-MS were disulphides (44 %), trisulphides (41 %), and tetrasulphides (5 %). In comparison the GC-MS analysis of the N. siculum leaves oil extract revealed mainly the presence of ethyl benzoate (1....
The inhibition of certain digestive enzymes by target food matrices represents a new approach in the treatment of socially significant diseases. Proving the ability of fruits to inhibit such enzymes can support the inclusion of specific... more
The inhibition of certain digestive enzymes by target food matrices represents a new approach in the treatment of socially significant diseases. Proving the ability of fruits to inhibit such enzymes can support the inclusion of specific varieties in the daily diets of patients with diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, etc., providing them with much more than just valuable micro- and macromolecules. The current study aimed atidentifying and comparing the GC-MS metabolic profiles of eight peach varieties (“Filina”, “Ufo 4, “Gergana”, “Laskava”, “July Lady”, “Flat Queen”, “Evmolpiya”, and “Morsiani 90”) grown in Bulgaria (local and introduced) and to evaluate the inhibitory potential of their extracts towards α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase, and acetylcholinesterase. In order to confirm samples’ differences or similarities, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were also applied to the identified metabolites. The results provide important insigh...
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Since rapeseed and sunflower meals are two of the most representative oilseed crops in the world, this study was focused on ethanol-wash solutes (EWS) obtained as wastes from the protein isolation process of rapeseed and sunflower meals.... more
Since rapeseed and sunflower meals are two of the most representative oilseed crops in the world, this study was focused on ethanol-wash solutes (EWS) obtained as wastes from the protein isolation process of rapeseed and sunflower meals. These meals have been previously valorised; however, the use of the EWS is unexplored. The present study is aimed at the characterisation of their phenolic profile, and antioxidant capacity for preventing lipid oxidation in rapeseed, sunflower, and soybean oil, which has been used as a reference oil. The sunflower EWS exhibited more total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity (119.39 ± 1.13 mg GA/g and 193.97 ± 9.77 mg TE/g, respectively) than the rapeseed one (103.44 ± 5.94 mg GA/g and 89.51 ± 3.17 mg TE/g). The phenolic identification showed hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acid in the rapeseed EWS, and pyrogallol and caffeic acid in the sunflower EWS, as the main representative phenols. Both EWS at 15% increased significantly (p <...
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Rocket plant (Eruca sativa) is a green leafy vegetable with significant levels of bioactive active components. Although, this plant is known in Bulgaria, scanty data concerning chemical composition of representatives with Bulgarian origin... more
Rocket plant (Eruca sativa) is a green leafy vegetable with significant levels of bioactive active components. Although, this plant is known in Bulgaria, scanty data concerning chemical composition of representatives with Bulgarian origin is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the biological potential of Italian and Bulgarian rockets in terms of their antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and total hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. The micro- and macro elements were evaluated as well. The highest content of total phenolic content was detected in Bulgarian rocket – 4.45 mg gallic acid equivalent per g dry weight, while in Italian samples dominated the total hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives – 1.52 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent per g dry weight. The antioxidant activity was not significantly different in both samples. The presence Co and Al was reported for the first time, as in our study their values were higher in a rocket from Italian origin (75.6...
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Bacteriocins are biologically active compounds of proteinaceous nature synthesized by a large number of microorganisms, including members of bacterial genus Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The broad antimicrobial spectrum of... more
Bacteriocins are biologically active compounds of proteinaceous nature synthesized by a large number of microorganisms, including members of bacterial genus Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The broad antimicrobial spectrum of bacteriocins against various spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms stimulated the research efforts for their investigation and potential application in different branches of food industry as natural preservatives. The promising antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins makes them suitable for application as biopreservatives and alternatives of chemical preservatives in dairy industry for production of fermented or non-fermented milk products. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of a bacteriocin isolated from Bacillus methylotrophicus strain BM47 and the possibilities for its application as a potential biopreservative of traditional Bulgarian yogurt. The results demonstrated that the addition of a purified bacterio...
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Folk medicine is quite common for primary health care in Bulgaria, and the tradition of plant usage is of importance for the development of pharmaceutical formulations. The objective of this study was to provide up-to-date information... more
Folk medicine is quite common for primary health care in Bulgaria, and the tradition of plant usage is of importance for the development of pharmaceutical formulations. The objective of this study was to provide up-to-date information regarding trends in herbal usage among citizens in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The study involved 114 respondents for a period of 60 calendar days in 2018. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were the most popular plants among the respondents. The common cold is the most frequent example for seeking herbals and other botanicals. Herbal teas are most preferred when it comes to daily consumption. Answers also revealed plants used in households; reasons for herbal consumption, and opinions on common statements concerning herbal stereotypes.
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ABSTRACT
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ABSTRACT
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Allium ursinum L. is widely used as a spice as well as a traditional medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (AMAs) of A. ursinum extract, obtained by pressurised-liquid extraction.... more
Allium ursinum L. is widely used as a spice as well as a traditional medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (AMAs) of A. ursinum extract, obtained by pressurised-liquid extraction. Several reliable procedures such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis-3ethyl benxothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays were carried out. Vegetable oil stability was evaluated by using Rancimat test. Moreover, AMA was performed on different microorganisms. On the basis of the results obtained, it is confirmed that the A. ursinum extract could be used as a natural ingredient in food and/or pharmaceutical industries.
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Changing nutritional demands, in combination with the global trend for snacking, sets a goal for preparing food products for direct consumption with certain beneficial properties. This study was designed to investigate the quality... more
Changing nutritional demands, in combination with the global trend for snacking, sets a goal for preparing food products for direct consumption with certain beneficial properties. This study was designed to investigate the quality characteristics of raw vegan bonbons enriched with lyophilized peach powder. Three types of formulations were prepared in which 10%, 20%, and 30% of lyophilized peach powder were, respectively, added. The newly developed vegan products were characterized in terms of their physical (moisture, ash, color, water activity), microbiological, and nutritional characteristics. Their antioxidant activity, flavonoid, and phenolic content were also evaluated. Considering the content of the bonbons, the reported health claims indicate that they are sources of fiber, with no added sugar, and contain naturally occurring sugars. The color measurements demonstrated similarity in the values. This study showed that there is significant potential in the production of healthy...
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Changing nutritional demands, in combination with the global trend for snacking, sets a goal for preparing food products for direct consumption with certain beneficial properties. This study was designed to investigate the quality... more
Changing nutritional demands, in combination with the global trend for snacking, sets a goal for preparing food products for direct consumption with certain beneficial properties. This study was designed to investigate the quality characteristics of raw vegan bonbons enriched with lyophilized peach powder. Three types of formulations were prepared in which 10%, 20%, and 30% of lyophilized peach powder were, respectively, added. The newly developed vegan products were characterized in terms of their physical (moisture, ash, color, water activity), microbiological, and nutritional characteristics. Their antioxidant activity, flavonoid, and phenolic content were also evaluated. Considering the content of the bonbons, the reported health claims indicate that they are sources of fiber, with no added sugar, and contain naturally occurring sugars. The color measurements demonstrated similarity in the values. This study showed that there is significant potential in the production of healthy...
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Peaches are one of the most preferred seasonal fruits, and a reliable source of nutrients. They possess biologically active substances that largely differ among varieties. Hence, revealing the potential of several late season peaches is... more
Peaches are one of the most preferred seasonal fruits, and a reliable source of nutrients. They possess biologically active substances that largely differ among varieties. Hence, revealing the potential of several late season peaches is of present interest. Three commonly consumed varieties (“Flat Queen”; “Evmolpiya”; “Morsiani 90”) were studied in terms of nutritive and phytochemical content, as well as antioxidant activity with the use of reliable spectrophotometric and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) methods. An analysis of the soil was also made. The phytochemical data were subjected to principal component analysis in order to evaluate their relationship. The “Morsiani 90” variety had the highest minerals concentration (2349.03 mg/kg fw), total carbohydrates (16.21 g/100 g fw), and α-tocopherol (395.75 µg/100 g fresh weight (fw)). Similar amounts of TDF (approx. 3 g/100 g fw) were reported for all three varieties. “Flat Queen’s” peel extract was the richest in mon...
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It has been long recognized that fruits are healthy diet compounds as they are excellent sources of health-beneficial bioactive components (polyphenols, minerals, vitamins, organic acids, etc.). The diversification of the consumer’s taste... more
It has been long recognized that fruits are healthy diet compounds as they are excellent sources of health-beneficial bioactive components (polyphenols, minerals, vitamins, organic acids, etc.). The diversification of the consumer’s taste calls for an expansion of food options and novel ingredients. Puddings are a well-known food choice introduced in the human diet at a very early age because of their easy and high digestion. Four formulations with two types of starch (corn and rice) were selected as object of analysis. Nectarines were incorporated as a purée, and lyophilized powder. The nectarine variety “Gergana”, used for the preparations, is a local variety with proven beneficial properties. The study aimed at analyzing the physical (moisture, ash, color, water-holding capacity, water activity, density and syneresis), textural (firmness, gumminess, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness), nutritional, and sensory characteristics of the nectarine-enriched puddings. The outcomes...