1. New aspects in biomass wastes valorization: spruce bark as plants growth regulators
Presenting Author: Talmaciu, A. I.1,
Co-Authors: Tanase, C.2, Bâra, C.I.3, Volf, I., Popa, V.I1
1“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, D. Mangeron 73, Iasi, Romania
2 ‘’University of Medicine and Pharmacy” of Tirgu Mureș, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, , Târgu Mureș, Mureș, Romania
3 “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, 20 A, Bvd. Carol I, Iași , Romania

2. 1. Introduction – short background
Table 1: Wastes generation UE*
Waste (tones)
Total waste
Chemical and medical
Animal and vegetal
Mixed ordinary wastes
European Union
Turkey
Germany
France
Romania
United kingdom
Fig. 1: Biomass categories for bioenergy** *
** Gavrilesu M., 2008, Biomass power for energy and sustainable development ,
EEMJ Vol.7, No.5,

3. 1. Introduction – Aim and objectives
Biomass waste (forestry)
Valorization and minimization
Conversion (Extraction)
Bio-products
Plant industry/science or agriculture
Resources
Target
Via
For
Uses

4. Ocimum basilicum L. seeds
2. Methods and material
Spruce bark
Wood processing waste
Humidity = %
dm = 0.6 mm
Basil seeds
SC. Agrosel SRL, Campia Turzii, Romania
Sterilization, HCl 20 %, 5 min
Picea abies bark
Ocimum basilicum L. seeds

5. 2. Methods and material Extraction methods
Biological tests on basil seeds
Hot water extraction
10 g spruce bark
125 mL distilled water
Water bath
Temperature 70 – 80°C
Extraction time 45 min
4 repetitions
Ultrasound assisted extraction
Ultrasound water bath (35 kHz)
Temperature 70°C
Extraction time 15 min
Seeds germination tests
- Seed germination energy and capacity
Biometrical and physiological tests
Vegetative organ's elongation
Biomass accumulation
Photoassimilating pigments content
Cytogenetic tests
Mitotic index
Chromosomal aberrations
Histo-anatomical tests
Internal structure

6. 3. Results and discussions
3.1 Extract characterization
Table 1: Detailed spruce bark extracts composition
Spruce bark extract
Organic matter content
(g/L extract)
TPC
(mg GAE/g)
TTC
TFC
(mg RE/g)
TFnolsC
Aqueous extract obtained by hot extraction*
0.42±0.03
5.20±0.45
1.64±0.51
0.22±0.01
0.08±0.01
Aqueous ultrasonic extract
0.72±0.11
6.57±0.70
1.30±0.02
1.18±0.19
0.84±0.06
*Tanase et al., 2013; RSD < 1.2 % (n = 3); TPC – total polyphenolic content; TTC - total tannins content;
TFC – total flavonoids content; TFnolsC – total flavonols content.
Table 2: Spruce bark phenolic solutions investigated as growth regulator on basil seeds
Working solution
Abbreviation
Concentration
(g/L)
TPC
(mg GAE/mL)
aqueous extract obtained by hot extraction
SB1 5
0.06±0.01
SB2 10
0.13±0.05
aqueous ultrasonic extract
SB3
0.35±0.08
SB4
0.65±0.04

7. 3. Results and discussions
3.2 Seeds germination tests, vegetative organ’s elongation, biomass accumulation and photoasimilatory pigments content
Fig. 1 Influence of spruce bark extracts on Ocimum basilicum L. seed germination
energy and capacity
Fig.2 Influence of spruce bark extracts on vegetative organs elongation of
Ocimum basilicum L.
Fig. 3 Influence of spruce bark extracts on biomass accumulation of
Ocimum basilicum L.

8. 3. Results and discussions
3.2 Seeds germination tests, vegetative organ’s elongation, biomass accumulation and photoasimilatory pigments content
Table 3. The amount of photo-assimilatory pigments synthesized in Ocimum basilicum L. primary leaves
Chl a
µg/g
Chl b
Chl a+b
Chl a/b
Carotens C
123.68±2.23
29.96±0.51
153.64
4.12
62.22±0.73
SB1
133.98±2.47
38.72±0.63
172.69
3.46
80.42±0.86
SB2
96.63±1.45
26.08±0.22
122.71
3.70
88.46±0.81
SB3
127.94±2.65
34.84±0.55
162.78
3.67
83.41±0.79
SB4
108.76±2.01
25.11±0.21
133.87
4.33
61.83±0.53

9. 3. Results and discussions
3.3 Cytogenetic test
Fig.1 Mitotic index variation in root apex cells of Ocimum basilicum L. under the influence of tested solution
Fig. 2 Frequent mitotic cell division phases in Ocimum basilicum L. root apex under the influence of tested solution

10. 3. Results and discussions
3.3 Cytogenetic test – chromosomal aberrations
a) Ana-telophase with late chromosomes
b) Ana-telophase with expelled chromosomes
c) Ana-telophase with multiple bridges

11. 3. Results and discussions
3.4 Histo-anatomical tests
Fig. 1 Internal structure of Ocimum basilicum L. root - control sample (absorbents bristle presence)
Fig. 2 Internal structure of Ocimum basilicum L. root – spruce bark sample (SB2)

12. 4. Conclusion

13. Future projects… …and acknowledgments
Biological tests in culture vessels and land
Antibacterial and antifungal activity tests on antibiotic-resistant strains
Biological activity tests on plant cell culture and tissues
…and acknowledgments
Lect. Dr. Corneliu Tanase
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures 
Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmaceutical Botany - Cell Biology
Lect. Dr. Csilla Iuliana Bara
“ Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi
Faculty of Biology
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iaşi
Assc. Prof. Dr. ing. Irina Volf
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Protection and Management
Prof. Dr. ing. Valentin i. Popa
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers