Phase I of the ConTrAl project, “Integrated analytical approach for identifying plants producing tropane alkaloids and assessing contamination in herbal teas” (21TE/2025), focused on the collection and characterization of plant samples, optimization of Bar-HRM and LC-MS/MS methods for the identification of tropane alkaloids (TAs) producing species, initiation of phytochemical analyses, initiation of the consumer risk assessment related to the intake of tropane alkaloids, as well as the implementation of dissemination activities (communication plan, website, logo, flyer, presentations).

The output indicators proposed for the first 12 months of the ConTrAl project were fully achieved. Among the results, the following can be mentioned:

• Report (inventory list) of the collected plant material samples (reference material and herbal teas);

• Report on the most efficient DNA isolation protocol for various types of plant material;

• Report on the sample preparation protocol for LC-MS/MS and its validation;

• Report on the phytochemical screening of the selected plant species producing tropane alkaloids;

• Project communication and dissemination plan;

• Fully functional ConTrAl project website;

• Project logo;

• Leaflet/Flyer;

• First scientific and financial report submitted to the contracting agency (UEFISCDI);

• Presentation of the project at two scientific meetings.

Preliminary results of the ConTrAl project were presented at the following scientific events:

Simpozionului National Petrodava, VI edition: Piatra Neamt, 13-15 mai 2025. Organisators: Complexul Muzeal Național Neamt. Title of the prezentation: Suplimente alimentare pe baza de plante: aspecte privind siguranta consumatorului (Book of abstracts published by Editura „Constantin Matasă” Piatra-Neamț 2025. ISSN 2668-3237). Authors: Ruxandra-Mihaela CRETU, Mihael Cristin ICHIM, Madalina Oana POPA, Oana Teodora APREUTESEI, Valentin GRIGORAS, Ancuța Cristina MANOLICĂ- RACLARIU 

International Scientific Symposia: Advanced Biotechnologies - Achievements and Prospects. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,  17-19 September 2025- https://biotech2025.usm.md/

Title of the prezentation: Advanced analytical approaches for the detection of tropane alkaloid contamination in hebal teas – insights from “ConTrAl” project (Abstract book published by Editura USM, Republic of Moldova, http://doi.org/10.53040/abap7.2025)

Autori: RACLARIU-MANOLICĂ Ancuța Cristina, BADEA Georgiana-Ileana, TRIFAN Adriana, POPA Mădălina Oana