Scientific Innovations in Food and Agriculture: Researchers Present New Findings at the Conference on Agriculture, Food Science, and Technology

25/10/2025

As part of the UBT International Scientific Conference, a dedicated edition on Agriculture, Food Science, and Technology was held, bringing together researchers, professors, and field professionals from Kosovo and other countries to discuss the latest developments in food science, sustainable agriculture, and the impact of nutrition on human health.

The presentations emphasized the importance of innovation in food processing, the use of advanced technologies for chemical analysis, and the role of environmental policies in protecting agricultural ecosystems.

During the conference, studies were presented on topics ranging from water quality and traditional food products to the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture and the effects of plant compounds on human health. This scientific event highlighted the academic community’s commitment to a more sustainable approach to food and the environment, contributing to the achievement of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Session I

Chair: Violeta Lajqi Makolli

Co–Chair: Ismet Babaj

Keynote Speaker: Prof. Ali Paşazade (Turkey)

An Overview on Chemical Profile for Oil and Alcoholic Tinctures of Rosmarinus officinalis Plants – Blerina Xhaferaj, Anila Kripa, Sokol Kocia, Lindita Vrushi, Kozeta Vaso, Aurel Nuro
Unique Phytochemical Fingerprint: Comparative Phytochemical Extraction of Leaf and Flower Parts of a Kosovo Endemic Plant Using Soxhlet Apparatus with Different Solvents – Gizem Şari, Cengiz Cesko, Banu Mansuroğlu
The Influence of Concentration and Types of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Growth Parameters and Yield of Greenhouse Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Cultivation – Ismet Babaj, Veton Haziri, Ilmie Vllasaku
BIOAQUA COST Action: Biomolecular Pathways to Sustainable Aquaculture – Transforming European Fish Farming Through Innovation and Collaboration – Besa Shahini
Processes for Oxidation and Removal of Iron and Manganese in Drinking Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) – Abedin Azizi, Sami Makolli

Session II

Chair: Xhavit Bytyqi

Co–Chairs: Flutura Ajazi, Cengiz Cesko

Phenolic Profiles of Rosa canina and Rosa pimpinellifolia Seeds – Hojjat Pashazadeh, İlkay Koca
Evaluation of the Chemical Composition and Nutritional Quality of Traditional Qebap Samples from Prizren, Kosovo – Xhavit Bytyçi, Ylli Krasniqi, Alinda Krasniqi, Medin Zeqiri
Acrylamide in Cereal-Based Foods: Formation, Health Concerns, and Mitigation Strategies – Shpresa Musa
Comprehensive Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Albanian Tomatoes by Advanced Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Techniques (online) – Matilda Likaj
Identification and Assessment of the Acidifying Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Probiotic Products – Arianeta Nura et al.

Session III

Chair: Vlora Rama

Co–Chair: Lumta Dida

The Impact of Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners on Consumer Health through Beverage Consumption – Besa Salihu, Vlora Rama Demiri
Technological Processing of Wheat and Comparative Quality Analysis of Flour Types Produced in 2024 and 2025 – Nora Rrahimi Hasani, Aulona Sfishta, Resul Sahiti
The Role of the Media in Health Education and Disease Prevention – Laura Binxhija Qeska, Diana Sejdiu Shala, Bislim Krasniqi
Aesthetic and Ecological Impact of Modern Garden Roses in Urban Environments – Nexhat Balaj, Hyzer Rizani, Vezir Januzi
Economic Importance and Potential of Food Industry Waste Valorization for Functional Product Development – Djellza Cerkezi, Emine Daci Zejnullahi
Foods with Modified Textures in the Nutrition of the Elderly – Hojjat Pashazadeh, Bahtınur Şirin, Cengiz Cesko, İlkay Koca

Session IV

Chair: Fidan Fekaj

Co–Chair: Valon Durguti

The Study of Landscape Composition and Plant Vegetation in Protected Areas in Kosovo – Hyzer Rizani, Vezir Januzi, Nexhat Balaj
Environmental Consequences of Industrial Legacy in the City of Mitrovica – Besa Veseli, Shqiprim Ahmeti, Vehebi Sofiu, Sami Gashi
Application of Fluorinated g-C₃N₄ Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Food Processing Wastewaters – A. Gashi et al.
Safety and Quality of Drinking Water: Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Parameters in KRU Prishtina – Jone Popaj, Veton Haziri
Research on the Concentration of PM₁₀, PM₂.₅ Particulate Matter and Gases in the City of Pejë – Shkumbin Shala, Mentor Shala, Shpresa Thaqi

Session V

Chair: Pajtim Bytyqi

Co–Chair: Demokrat Nuha

Impacts of Pesticides and Herbicides on Air, Soil, and Water Ecosystems – Ibush Luzha, Smajl Rizani, Jehona Luzha-Beqiraj
ICT-Driven Sustainable Agriculture in Kosovo: A Pathway Toward SDG 2 and SDG 12 – Lumta Dida Çapari, Yllka Poteri Avdiu
The Importance of B Vitamins for Human Health and Ways of Obtaining Them – Shkëlzim Ukaj, Edona Krasniqi, Smajl Rizani, Hyzer Rizani

Poster Session

Sustainable Food Production in Environmental Harmony – Fisnik Shaqiri, Ardonat Blakçori
Assessing the Effectiveness of Flour Fortification with Iron in Kosovo Through Blood Iron Measurement – Rinor Sejdiu, Flutura C. Ajazi, Tahire Maloku Gjergji, Valon Sadiku, Drita Kutllovci Zogaj, Zana Baruti Gafurri, Violeta Lajqi Makolli
Effects of Breed, Diet, and Other Factors on the Quality of Fresh Milk in Physical and Chemical Aspects: Case Study “Vita Dairy” – Ardit Hoti
The Investigation of the Effect of Post-Harvest Period on Fruits of Certain Apple Cultivars – Albulena Qamili Tahirbegolli, Kimete Lluga-Rizani, Sonata Kazlauskaite, Ismet Babaj, Smajl Rizani
Evaluation of the Quality of Bottled Drinking Water Based on Physico-Chemical Characteristics in Kosovo – Alma Mehmeti, Arianeta Nura, Pajtim Bytyçi, Flutura C. Ajazi, Fidan Feka, Veton Haziri
Assessment of Milk Quality from a Physicochemical Perspective in Selected Case Farms in the Municipality of Rahovec – Medin Zeqiri, Valon Derguti, Fidan Feka, Xhavit Bytyçi, Mergim Mestani, Gani Kastrati, Vezir Jonuzi, Egzona Cenbaza, Ylli Bicoku
Comparison of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Packaged Milk in the Kosovo Market – Violeta Lajqi Makolli, Xhavit Bytyqi, Adekina Kadriji, Medin Zeqiri
Impact of Chemical Parameters on Surface Water Quality in Prizren and Sources of Pollution – Sami Gashi, Vehebi Sofiu, Nexhat Balaj, Besa Veseli
The Impact of Apitherapy on Human Health – Vezir Januzi, Albina Jaha, Hyzer Rizani, Nexhat Balaj