A Romanian Woman Has Discovered the Elixir of Youth

In ancient times, ambrosia was considered the food of the gods. The combination of wine and honey was a source of youth and zest for life. And although many people are convinced of the therapeutic powers of the products based on grapes and honey, a lot is

Eugen Cojocariu, 29.04.2012, 18:11

In ancient times, ambrosia was considered the food of the gods. The combination of wine and honey was a source of youth and zest for life. And although many people are convinced of the therapeutic powers of the products based on grapes and honey, a lot is yet to be discovered in this area.

Two original Romanian products won the gold and silver medals at the Invention Show held in Warsaw last November: Antioxi Vita, a strong anti-oxidant, and Propolis Essence. Researchers from 30 different countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia attended the show in Warsaw, which last year celebrated 100 years since Maria Sklodowska Curie won he Nobel prize for chemistry.

Despite participating for the first time in an event of its kind, Simona Bisboaca, aged 32, caused a stir among the researchers attending the show. She received the gold medal and a special prize for the best anti-oxidant from the Inventors Association in South Korea for her product called Antioxi Vita, which is made of the seeds, skin and rachis of grapes. Simona Bisboaca also presented in Warsaw a product called Propolis Essence, a type of water-soluble propolis for which she received the silver medal and a special prize from the Asia Invention Creativity Association.

The young Romanian inventor is a PhD student and a graduate of the Food Processing and Technology Department at the University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj Napoca. She works with her brother Adrian Timar, whom we invited to tell us about the importance of discovering the antioxidant made of grapes. Adrian Timar is a doctor and director of the Department for Food Engineering at the Oradea University:

In ancient times, ambrosia was considered the food of the gods. The combination of wine and honey was a source of youth and zest for life. And although many people are convinced of the therapeutic powers of the products based on grapes and honey, a lot is yet to be discovered in this area. Two original Romanian products won the gold and silver medals at the Invention Show held in Warsaw last November: Antioxi Vita, a strong anti-oxidant, and Propolis Essence.

“This field of research is very important if we want to avoid the use of synthetic additives and enhance bio and food security. The main focus is the use of natural extracts as food additives or food supplements. The food additives used in the meat industry at the moment serve a number of purposes, including blocking oxidation processes during food processing. The most commonly used are nitrites. So far, we haven’t had an alternative to food additives, which add red to meat products and ensure their preservation. After a lot of research, we have obtained products that are made out of red and white grapes and which turned out to have similar qualities, but are more valuable from a toxicological point of view. These products have beneficial effects.

Apart from having a very valuable natural raw material, the manufacturing process can be easily checked and has got a beneficial effect on consumers. In addition, the products have a pleasant taste, which gratifies the senses. Therefore choosing such raw materials is not surprising whatsoever. We are planning to expand our antioxidant research to olive leaves, to red onion and to beet in particular.“

Apart from industrial use, which requires further testing, the product can also be used for personal use as a food supplement. A 100 ml bottle has got the same active principles as 80 litres of Cabernet Sauvignon wine, which is known to have the largest amount of antioxidants. Given the beneficial effects of propolis and the demand for it on the market, Simona Bisboaca created the Propolis Essence, or water-soluble propolis. Simona Bisboaca has further details on the history of this product:

“Propolis Essence has been created because it was in high demand. During various fairs, people kept asking why there was no alcohol-free propolis on the market. I made a number of tests and then I got the patents registered. Propolis Essence was truly a success. We managed to present it during the Fourth Apitherapy Congress, last October. Apitherapists recommended and tested it in various combinations, particularly for children. Propolis is quite useful in boosting up the immune system. There are quite a lot of children with low immunity, and many physicians used to rush into prescribing antibiotics, but more recently they have started to resort to alternative medical solutions. Propolis is good at boosting the immune system and appetite. It has antiviral properties, helps in liver regeneration and has many other uses. Children also like its taste a lot, they say it tastes like vanilla, chocolate or pine tree. Children feel these subtle flavours.”

Simona Bisboaca’s wish is to help people draw closer to nature. She believes that although we have become alienated from nature and we no longer eat natural products or breathe fresh air, nature has cures for all our problems.