BrainMap

Romulus Horatiu Puscas

- INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Researcher

Expertise & keywords

Organic vs. Conventional agriculture? – Applications of isotopic techniques in vegetable traceability assessment Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-0934 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/ru159/index.htm

Abstract:

The main objective of the project is the implementation of new techniques / multi-isotopic methods, for vegetables authentication and traceability, corroborated with metal content and pesticide residues, in order to control the quality and traceability of such products. Besides the main scientific objective of the project a special interest is given to the formation of a young researcher team in the field of food security and also, the accreditation extension of our laboratory for isotopic analysis for vegetables authentication and traceability assessment. IZOGREEN project will use the isotopic fingerprint for independent checks or fill of gaps on quality, traceability and proper labeling of vegetables commercialized on Romanian market. The project aims the identification of most suitable markers or association of markers that allows differentiating between organic vegetables and vegetables obtained through conventional agriculture and also, that could distinguish between vegetables grown in greenhouses and those from field. Thus, this project will implement, for the first time in Romania, isotopic fingerprinting of Transylvanian vegetables, using isotopic ratios of stable light isotopes. The project will have a major role in the transfer of know-how, training of young researchers and the optimization of the latest analytical methods in the field. Founding this project, would allow the formation of a young research team in the field of food safety.

DEVELOPMENT OF INOVATIVE METHODS, IMPLEMENTATION OF FUNCTIONAL AND DEMONSTRATIVE MODELS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ON THE UNIQUE MARKET THE TRADITIONAL CHEESES MANUFACTURED IN TRANSYLVANIA Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-2067 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE STIINTE AGRICOLE SI MEDICINA VETERINARA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); COMPANIA DE INFORMATICA APLICATA S.A. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: http://www.cianet.ro/tradfood

Abstract:

Part of the interdisciplinary applied research, the TRAD_FOOD project aims to develop innovative ways to certify molecular and biochemical markers specific for traditional dairy products obtained in Transylvania, in order to use them for authenticity certification of these products on the European market. The methods of processing the traditional dairy products are an integrated part of the folklore of the region that imposes its particularities through geographical printing. The nowadays consumers’ require traditional dairy products obtained in safety and quality conditions, healthier and more nutritious, adapted to the modern society. The lack of innovative methods currently implemented in Romania for geographical printing of dairy products leads to the insufficient exploration of this domain by the traditional producers found in regions with specific character.

In order to facilitate the maximum exploitation of this significant area of production and to help out the producers, the purpose of this project is to test and implement biochemical and molecular methods to certify the authenticity and origin of products, taking as study model various cow and sheep cheeses obtained in Transylvania. These methods will be used further for certifying other similar products obtained in other regions of the country. Thus, the project will implement for the first time in Romania, the isotopic print of cheese obtained in Transylvania by using the reports of easy stable isotopes (2H/1H, 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O). The isotopical print of animal dairy product by using complementary methods such as IRMS and ICP-MS techniques is new for Romania and also worldwide. This project is also aiming to test and validate molecular techniques – such as PCR to certify the DNA of the species – and the IEF technique to identify the milk protein specie-specific. These methods are currently the safest techniques to establish and confirm the species and the authenticity of food products; however they are not used in our country. The quality of the raw material and of the end-products will be assessed through the PCR technique. By implementing these methods in the dairy production chain, in every stage of milk processing, a data base will be formed which can develop the knowledge of the producers, as well as of the control authorities. The analytical methods of the gathered biochemical data will be based on chemometrical testing, this way assuring the accuracy of the evaluation.

The complexity of this project is also given by its interdisciplinary character, various competences being needed in fields like physics, food chemistry, biology, pedology and hydrology. The methods used in determining the Romanian cheeses’ uniqueness are of high precision, in full development in the UE, so that the project can be considered an interdisciplinary one of high complexity. The added value of the project resides in the development of traditional rural production from Transylvania area by conceiving a methodological model of authentication and by submitting for accreditation validated methods for certifying the traditional cheeses in order to commercialize them on the unique market. The results are validated through: the elaboration of a practical guide for authentication; elaboration of innovative methodological models transposable in other production food chains; identification and proposal of patentable ideas along with the publication of articles in ISI indexed journals. Along the scientific impact of this project brought by originality and complexity, we underline the social-economical dimension through the development of small traditional producers and the protection of the honest workers as well as the educational dimension, by involving and training for research the PhD students, post-doctoral students and the ones found in the continuous college learning programs.

Methane fluxes at the lithosphere-atmosphere interface in hydrocarbon-prone areas. Implications for the greenhouse gases atmospheric budget Call name:
PNCDI II 31094/2007 2007 - 2010

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia Roma (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://enviro.ubbcluj.ro/site%20flux/flux%20baciu/flux%20engleza.htm

Abstract:

The aim of FLUX project is the measurement in a rigorous and systematic manner of the geogenic methane emissions in hydrocarbon-prone areas and the comparison with natural sinks, in order to assess the balance of this important greenhouse gas. The main methane sources and sinks have been identified and quantified in numerous published papers and IPCC reports. Recent researches developed in several countries, with the consistent contribution of the present consortium, have shown that the geogenic methane emission, concentrated as visible macroemissions, or diffuse microemissions in soil, is significantly contributing to the atmospheric methane budget.

The geogenic methane emissions, according to the actual estimations, are in the order of 35-44 Tg y-1 CH4, out of a total of 270 Tg y-1 CH4 natural emissions, comparable to sources considered to be very important, as oceans, methane hydrates and termites. However, the rigorous measurements available today are very scarce, and the present project represents an important contribution in documenting the importance of the geologic source in the methane atmospheric budget.

Preliminary measurements ran by the consortium suggest the Transylvanian Basin is an ideal location for implementing a complex measurements program, in order to estimate the amplitude of the geogenic emission in a hydrocarbon-prone area. In areas without emissions, the microbiologic processes consume atmospheric methane, generating a negative flux. In hydrocarbon-prone areas, the quantities of methane generated by geogenic emissions are exceeding the consumption in soil, generating a positive flux.

The main contribution of the project will be the re-evaluation of the balance resulting from the combination of the two fluxes. In this way, important data will be obtained, useful for assessing the importance of geogenic sources in the atmospheric methane budget. These data will be submitted to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and to the international scientific community.

The study of the biodiversity of spruce and fir forests from Natura 2000 protected areas through multidisciplinary modern methods Call name:
PNCDI II 31-015/2007 2007 - 2010

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE CLUJ FILIALA A INCDSB BUCURESTI

Project partners: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE CLUJ FILIALA A INCDSB BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI SI AMENAJARI SILVICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI BIOLOGICE CLUJ FILIALA A INCDSB BUCURESTI (RO)

Project website: http://www.icbcluj.ro/proiecte/proiecte-incheiate/conbiodiv

Abstract:

The project focused on the study of floristic, phytocoenologycal, phytohistorical, genetic, geochemical, enzymologic and fauna diversity at local and regional levels, using modern multidisciplinary methods, at European level; we have worked to substantiate scientifically the development of the protected area network Natura 2000. The achievement of these objectives requires a large number of specialists and development of human resources. The results have a great degree of applicability, scientifically but also practical and socio-economical. The study of intra-specific biodiversity is nowadays one of the main research targets at European and also world level. Through the planned research activities, we targeted the solving of complex problems connected to forest ecosystems evolution as a result of climatic changes and human pressure. We have selected two taxa, spruce and fir, of great scientific and economical importance, dominant in mountain ecosystems of the Romanian Carpathians.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects