Pascari X201

Yoana Stoyanova, N. Lazarova-Zdravkova, Dimitar Peshev

This study explored the batch membrane filtration of 40% ethanol extracts from spent lavender, containing valuable compounds like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and luteolin, using a polyamide-urea thin film composite X201 membrane. Conducted at room temperature and 20 bar transmembrane pressure, the process demonstrated high efficiency, with rejection rates exceeding 98% for global antioxidant activity and 93–100% for absolute concentrations of the target components. During concentration, the permeate flux declined from 2.43 to 1.24 L·m−2·h−1 as the permeate-to-retentate-volume ratio increased from 0 to 1. The process resistance, driven by osmotic pressure and concentration polarization, followed a power–law relationship with a power value of 1.20, consistent with prior nanofiltration studies of rosmarinic acid solutions. Notably, no membrane fouling occurred, confirming the method’s scalability without compromising biological activity. The antioxidant activity, assessed via the DPPH method, revealed that the retentate exhibited double the activity of the feed. Antibacterial assays using broth microdilution showed that the retentate inhibited Escherichia coli by 73–96% and Bacillus subtilis by 97–98%, making it the most active fraction. These findings validate the effectiveness of the X201 membrane for concentrating natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents from lavender extract under sustainable operating conditions.

Alexis Pascaris, Tyler Swanson, Carrie Seay-Fleming, Andrea Gerlak, James McCall, Greg Barron-Gafford, J. Macknick

X. Pascari, Irene Teixido-Orries, F. Molino, S. Marín, Antonio J. Ramos

Abstract The use of mycotoxin binders in feed products is currently the most efficient method to mitigate the harmful effects of mycotoxins. The unprecedented growth of aquaculture in recent years has led to an increased use of plant-based ingredients in fish feeds, thereby raising the risk of mycotoxin exposure. This study investigates the in vitro adsorption efficiency of a tri-octahedral bentonite against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in simulated gastric (pH = 1.2) and intestinal (pH = 6.8) fluids at 25 °C, the usual body temperature in aquaculture fish species. The binder was highly effective, removing over 98% of AFB1 from both media. FB1 was completely adsorbed at pH = 1.2, while its adsorption at pH = 6.8 reached a maximum of 46.3%. ZEN binding was consistent across both pH levels, ranging from 56.1% to 69.7%. Nine equilibrium isotherm functions were fitted to the experimental data to elucidate the adsorption mechanisms. A Sips model isotherm best characterized AFB1 adsorption in simulated gastric fluid, whereas that of ZEN was best described by the Freundlich model. In simulated intestinal fluid (pH = 6.8), monolayer adsorption described by the Langmuir model provided the best fit for all three mycotoxins.

Yoana Stoyanova, N. Lazarova-Zdravkova, S. Pietsch-Braune, S. Petrin, A. Štefanová, Stefan Heinrich, Dimitar Peshev

The present study explores the possibility of combining membrane concentration, spray drying, and low-temperature precipitation into a single process for the valorization of spent lavender biomass as a source of ingredients rich in antioxidants. Lavender spent plant material was subjected to solid-liquid extraction, and the obtained hydroalcoholic extracts were further concentrated using a dead-end membrane filtration cell (METcell) with a polyamide-urea thin-film composite X201 membrane. The feed and the obtained retentate were subsequently spray dried using a Nano Spray Dryer B-90 (BÜCHI) under different temperature conditions (120 °C and 85 °C). Low-temperature precipitation was further applied for the retentate. An eight-fold concentration of the extracts was achieved, with membrane rejection coefficients of 100% for antioxidant activity and 98.5% for dry solids content. The permeate flux ranged from 2.25 to 0.201 L·m-2·h-1. Spray drying at a lower inlet temperature resulted in minimal losses for antioxidant activity (below 6%). The low-temperature storage of the membrane concentrate led to clear phase separation, allowing for the recovery of a precipitated fraction. The obtained results demonstrate that the integrated approach may support the sustainable and scalable valorization of lavender by-products.

D. Pascari, I. Arsene

This article explores the historical evolution of physical exercise, tracing its transformation fromprimitive survival activities to the structured and scientifically grounded training methods of the modern era. Physical activity has always been an essential component of human life, initially linked to basic survival tasks such as hunting, gathering, and self-defense in primitive societies. These movements, though unstructured, laid the foundation for what would later evolve into organized physical education.As societies progressed, physical exercise began to acquire social, cultural, and even spiritualsignificance. In ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome, physical training wasassociated with military preparation, aesthetic ideals, and philosophical values. The Greeks, inparticular, emphasized the harmony between body and mind, establishing physical education as a key part of their educational systems.During the Middle Ages, physical activity was often linked to combat training and chivalry, especiallyamong the nobility. However, it was in the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods that physicalexercise regained importance, inspired by the rediscovery of classical ideals and the rise of scientificthought. In the 19th and 20th centuries, with the development of modern pedagogy, sports institutions, and medical knowledge, physical education became formalized in school curricula and professional training programs.The article also highlights how perspectives on health, fitness, and physical well-being have evolved,shifting from purely utilitarian functions to a broader understanding of physical activity as a vitalcomponent of personal development and public health. Today, exercise is recognized not only for itsphysiological benefits but also for its psychological, educational, and social roles in building a healthysociety.