Search

Salvia sclarea L. or clary sage is cultivated worldwide in temperate and sub-tropical climates, as an ornamental and essential oil (EO) bearing plant. EO is obtained from fresh spikes in full flowering stage and is recognized as an important commercial product for food, beverage and cosmetic industries. This study investigated the EO composition of S. sclarea grown in Serbia (Southeast Europe) obtained by two different methods, steam (SD) and hydrodistillation (HD). GC-MS analysis identified oxygenated monoterpenes as the main class of compounds for all EOs (between 81.8% and 88.2% depending on the distillation process). The most abundant oxygenated monoterpenes were linalyl acetate and linalool. In addition, in vitro antimicrobial (modified resazurin microtitre-plate assay) and antioxidant activities (DPPH· assay) and total polyphenol content of obtained EOs were also evaluated. According to the assay used for the evaluation of the antibacterial activity, Gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive to S. sclarea EO in comparison to Gram-positive bacteria. EOs exhibited low antioxidant capacity, below 3% neutralized DPPH· radicals, reaching up to approximately 400 µg AAE mL-1. This study also investigated a possibility for predicting retention indices (RIs) of compounds isolated from EOs. In total, 78 experimentally obtained RIs were applied to construct the prediction model. The quantitative structure-chromatographic retention relationship (QSRR) model was used to anticipate the experimentally obtained RIs. Five molecular descriptors were selected by factor analysis and genetic algorithm to predict RIs. The obtained accuracy of the QSRR model reached r2 = .912, which showed that these models might be applied for predicting retention indices. This is the accepted peer-reviewed version of the published article [https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.3684]. Due to publisher`s embargo it will be available after 2 November 2022.

Ecological conditions of the growing areas, growing practices as well as harvest and postharvest processing influence the yield and quality of chamomile. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of chamomile separation methods, as postharvest treatments, on the essential oil quality and content, with a view to improve current primary processing of this valuable medicinal plant. In order to explain the structure of laboratory data that would give deeper assessment of similarities among various samples of chamomile essential oil, PCA was employed. Tested results showed that separation of chamomile plant material, as postharvest and pre-drying treatment, had significant influence on the number of identified compounds in the chamomile essential oil. The highest content of individual essential oil compounds had chamomile flowers with short stems, especially α-bisabolol, chamazulene, Z-spiroether and E-β-farnesene. In the essential oil obtained from chamomile flowers with long stems, content of α-bisabolol and chamazulene were significantly lower, while E-β-farnesene and Z-spiroether contents were significantly higher. Furthermore, in the essential oil obtained from chamomile plant material without separation, the lowest content of α-bisabolol and Z-spiroether, and the highest content of E-β-farnesene were recorded. The correlation analysis was performed to investigate the likeness in the amounts of the active compounds of essential oil from differently processed chamomile samples. All these results indicate the importance of precise and controlled postharvest treatments, since it clearly affects the essential oil quality and content in the primary processing of this valuable medicinal plant. Ekološki uslovi proizvodnog područja, tehnologija gajenja kao i žetva, ali i posležetveni tretmani značajno utiču na prinos i kvalitet kamilice. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio da se odredi uticaj metoda separacije, kao posležetvenog tretmana, na kvalitet etarskog ulja, sa ciljem da se unapredi process primarne prerade ove lekovite biljke. Da bi se objasnila struktura laboratorijskih podataka, procenile i sagledale sličnosti i razlike između uzoraka etarskih ulja kamilice dobijenih primenom različitih metoda separacije, korišćena je PCA metoda. Dobijeni rezultati pokazuju da separacija sirovine kamilice kao posležetveni tretman koji prethodi sušenju, ima značajnog uticaja na broj identifikovanih komponenti u etarskom ulju, ali i njihov udeo. Najmanji broj pojedinačnih komponenti u etarskom ulju je imao uzorak cvetnih glavica sa kratkom drškom, pri čemu je zabeležen najveći sadržaj α-bisabolol, hamazulen, Z-spiroeter i E-β-farnesen. U etarskom ulju dobijenom od biljne sirovine sa većim udelom stabla kamilice, sadržaj α-bisabolola i hamazulena je bio značajno niži, dok je sadržaj E-β-farnesena i Z-spiroetera bio značajno viši. Dalje, u etarskom ulju dobijenom od bioljnog materijala bez separacije, zabeležen je najniži sadržaj α bisabolola i Z-spiroetera, i najveći sadržaj E-β-farnesena. Analiza korelacije je izvedena da bi se ispitala sličnost u sadržaju aktivnih komponenti u etarskom ulju dobijenom primenom različitih procesa separacije kamilice. Svi rezultati ukazuju na značaj primene posležetvenih tretmana, jer se jasno vidi njihov uticaj na kvalitet etarskog ulja ove veoma važne lekovite biljke.

The purpose of this paper was to compare quality of seeds of two black and yellow soybean and the response of plants developed from these seeds to oxidative stress during vegetation and reproduction period. Content of carbohydrates: cellulose, starch, total and reduced sugars, as well as oil and protein content varied among all varieties, irrespective the colour. Bearing in mind all differences in seed quality, as well as response to oxidative stresses during development, black cultivars could be proposed as an excellent source of phenolic compounds (flavan-3-ols, antocyanins, genistein, glycitein, quercetin, laricitrin and isorhamnetin derivatives). Due to extreme fluctuation in precipitation amounts in the last years, information on the better performance of soybean varieties in oxidative stress conditions is of great importance to organic and conventional production of this cultivar. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR-31022]

The aim of this study was to assess a set of 40 accessions of Hokkaido type pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) in terms of the traits of agronomic importance and the basic fruit flesh quality parameters, with the emphasis on Serbian environmental conditions. The pumpkins are a part of the larger Cucurbita collection belonging to the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops from Novi Sad, where the two-year (2016, 2017) field trial was conducted. The accessions significantly differed in all analyzed parameters. The average values for the traits of agronomic importance were: yield per plant 3.56 kg, fruit weight 1.84 kg, number of fruits per plant 2.03, and anthesis date 180.29. Length of the main stem was in most cases short. Among fruit flesh quality parameters; the average dry weight content was 11.49%, sugars content 43.32 mg/g fresh weight, carotenoids content 50.12 mg/kg fresh weight, proteins content 4.04 mg/g fresh weight, total soluble solids content 8.63 °Brix, refractive index 1.347, and pH 6.98. The highest coefficients of variation for agronomic and quality traits were those calculated for yield per plant and carotenoids content. The pumpkins performed better in the first season of the experiment due to more favorable weather, firstly temperature, conditions. The most pronounced adverse effect of high temperatures occurring in 2017 was the one expressed on the content of carotenoids, which was on average 48.4% lower when compared to 2016. Principal component analysis was employed to clarify the relationships among the investigated parameters, and to distinguish those with the most important contribution to the pumpkin variability. The analysis revealed strong correlations among yield per plant, fruit weight and length of the main stem. Carotenoids content and pH also correlated to yield, while the other quality parameters correlated to each other. Defining both first and second principal components, yield per plant and fruit weight were the parameters with the highest contribution to the variability among the assessed pumpkins. Concerning quality parameters, fruit flesh dry weight contributed the most to the variability. Therefore, the strategy for breeding Hokkaido type pumpkins adapted to Serbian environmental conditions should be based on combining irrespectively selected high-yield and high-quality accessions. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31059: New concept of breeding vegetable varieties and hybrids for sustainable growing systems using biotechnological methods and Grant no. TR 31005: Contemporary biotechnological approach in resolving the problem of drought in Serbian agriculture]

Seeds of seven different genotypes of underutilised oil crop Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) from alternative oil species collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Novi Sad, Serbia), were analysed for their protein, oil, fatty acids, tocopherols and total phenolics contents, with a view to test their diversity and potential as an alternative source of these valuable compounds. Seeds of the tested safflower genotypes had total protein (determined by Kjeldahl method) content from 11.5 to 16.0%, while total oil content (determined by Soxhlet method) ranged from 16.8 to 24.5% of dry matter, on average. Two main unsaturated fatty acids in safflower seeds, oleic and linoleic acids, represent approximately 90% of the total fatty acid content (determined by gas chromatography). Linoleic acid was the dominant fatty acid in all genotypes (61.2-80.2% of oil), while oleic acid was in a negative correlation with linolenic acid content and ranged from 9.6 to 29.5% of oil. The amount of saturated fatty acids ranged from 5.5 to 6.05% for palmitic, and 2.1 to 3.5% for stearic acid. Safflower seed is a source of α-tocopherol (determined by high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection) and its amount ranged from 358.8 to 461.8 mg/L of oil. The content of total phenolics (determined spectrophotometrically) ranged from 4.0 to 6.0 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry weight. This comprehensive screening of valuable chemical compounds of safflower seeds shows the importance of this alternative oil seed crop as a good source of important nutrients and bioactive constituents. Seme sedam različitih genotipova manje gajene biljne vrste Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae), dela kolekcije alternativnih uljanih vrsta Instituta za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo (Novi Sad, Srbija), je analizirano na sadržaj proteina, ulja, masnih kiselina, tokoferola i ukupnih fenola, kako bi se ispitala njihova raznovrsnost i potencijal upotrebe ove vrste kao alternativnog izvora ovih, značajnih jedinjenja. Sadržaj proteina (određen metodom po Kjeldahl-u) u semenu šafranike bio je od 11.5 do 16.0%, dok je ukupan sadržaj ulja (određen metodom po Soxhlet-u), u proseku bio od 16.8 do 24.5% suve materije. Dominantne nezasićene masne kiseline u semenu šafranike bile su oleinska i linolna kiselina, koje predstavljaju približno 90% ukupnog sadržaja masnih kiselina (određen gasnohromatografski). Najzastupljenija masna kiselina u svim genotipovima je linolna kiselina (61.2-80.2% ulja), dok je oleinska kiselina bila u negativnoj korelaciji sa sadržajem linoleinske kiseline i bila je u rasponu od 9.6 do 29.5% ulja. Količina zasićenih masnih kiselina kretala se u rasponu od 5.5 do 6.05% za palmitinsku i od 2.1 do 3.5% za stearinsku kiselinu. Seme šafranike je značajni izvor α-tokoferola (određen metodom tečne hromatografije visokih performansi sa fluorescencentnim detektorom) i njegova količina se kretala od 358.8 do 461.8 mg/l ulja. Sadržaj ukupnih polifenola varirao je između 4 i 6 mg ekvivalenata galne kiseline/g suve materije. Analiza datih genotipova semena šafranike ukazuje na značaj ove alternativne uljarice kao dobrog izvora važnih hranljivih sastojaka i bioaktivnih jedinjenja.

This is the first report on the difference in the contents of the major quality compounds during development among cultivated (‘Haschberg’ cultivar and ‘Ljubostinja’ selection) and wild edible elderberry plants. Phenolics content in leaves (four stages) and fruits (unripe and ripe), as well as organic acids and sugars content in unripe and ripe fruits were determined. Quinic acid was the major organic acid in unripe fruits (especially in ‘Wild’ plants 16.7 g 100 g-1), while ripe fruits accumulated citric acid in the highest amounts (the highest was in’ Ljubostinja’ 10.2 g 100 g-1). ‘Wild’ elderberry plants had significantly higher sugar content in fruits, in general (2.2 unripe and in ripe 8.4 g 100 g-1), except for fructose content which was the highest in’ Ljubostinja’ ripe fruits (up to 6-fold higher). Tested elderberry plants had four major groups of phenolics in their leaves and fruits during development: phenolic acids (caffeic and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives), flavanone, flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives) and anthocyanins (mostly cyanidin derivatives).’ Ljubostinja’ had higher content of cyanidin derivatives in leaves in flowering stage and in all tested fruits (0.01% DW in unripe and 0.7% DW in ripe). Bearing in mind all tested quality parameters, ‘Ljubostinja’ selection had better quality of fruits, which position this selection as valuable resource for further cultivation and breeding of elderberry.

Marrubium vulgare is a plant with high bioactive potential. It contains marrubiin, a labdane diterpene that is characteristic for this genus, as well as a complex mixture of phenolic compounds. According to numerous studies, M. vulgare acts as a good antioxidant agent, and due to this, it could potentially be useful in treatments of cancer, diabetes mellitus, and liver diseases. In addition, its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and sedative potential are discussed. Apart from that, its antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram+ bacteria, fungi, herpes simplex virus, and parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Plasmodium berghei-berghei was recorded. Additionally, it could be used as a chicken lice repellent, herbicide, and natural insecticide against mosquito larvae and natural molluscicide. In veterinary medicine, M. vulgare can be used as an anthelmintic against the eggs and larvae of bovine strongyles parasites, and as an antibiotic against bovine mastitis caused by resistant bacterial strains. Due to the mentioned benefits, there is a tendency for the cultivation of M. vulgare in order to ensure high-quality raw material, but more firm scientific evidence and well-designed clinical trials are necessary for the well-established use of M. vulgare herb and its preparations.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the most controversial plants. So far, its multiple application in industry for the production of fabrics, paper and construction materials is known. Today, there is increasing interest in its application for medical purposes, as opposed to its opiate activity. In addition to well‐known cannabinoids, the presence of polyphenolic compounds and their antioxidant and reductive abilities are of great importance. Therefore the extraction of both constituents, polyphenolics and cannabinoids (Δ⁹‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)), of industrial hemp was carried out using microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE). RESULTS: The effects of different extraction parameters, namely ethanol concentration (30, 50 and 70% v/v), extraction time (10, 20 and 30 min) and solid/liquid ratio (5, 10 and 15 g mL⁻¹), on extraction yield, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, reductive capacity, CBD content and THC content were investigated using response surface methodology. For the experimental design, a Box–Behnken design was chosen. In the obtained extracts, the following ranges of targeted compounds were detected: total phenols from 0.8499 to 2.7060 mg gallic acid equivalent mL⁻¹, total flavonoids from 0.4707 to 1.4246 mg catechin equivalent mL⁻¹, THC from 0.0339 to 0.0637 mg mL⁻¹ and CBD from 0.2243 to 1.8415 mg mL⁻¹. Antioxidant activity ranged from 0.0009 to 0.2079 mL mL⁻¹, while reductive capacity ranged from 0.0021 to 0.0066 mL mL⁻¹. CONCLUSION: MAE proved to be a simple, efficient, fast and low environmental impact method for obtaining polyphenols and cannabinoids from C. sativa L. Cannabis herb, which presents a by‐product of fiber and cannabis product, showed to be a promising source of bioactive compounds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Biochemistry coupled with electrochemical approach is employed in a fast, relatively simple, yet highly precise detection of a plant extract antioxidant properties. Antioxidant capacity of dark red corn grains was investigated electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry (CV) on glassy carbon electrode (GC). The linear polarization resistance (LPR) measurements were performed for examining the corrosion inhibitive behavior of polyphenolics on mild steel. The consistent positive correlation (r=0.99) was established between total phenolic and flavonoid contents obtained by CV measurements and spectrophotometric antioxidant assay (DPPH test). Both analyses confirm the high antioxidant activity of tested pigments. Determination of the corrosion inhibition efficiency revealed that the red corn pigments have anti-corrosion effect on mild steels.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. syn. Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert) is a herb widely used in the form of dried flower heads (Matricariae flos) infusion tea and steam-distilled essential oil (Matricariae aetheroleum). The subject of this study is to determine the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from dry chamomile flowers of three tetraploid cultivars (‘Zloty Lan’, ‘Manzana’ and ‘Lutea’) grown in North Banat region, Serbia. Essential oil has been obtained by hydrodistillation process on Clevenger apparatus. Qualitative and quantitative composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. From 48 compounds detected in total, the most abundant class was sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In ‘Zloty Lan’ and ‘Lutea’ the major compound was trans-β-farnesene while in ‘Manzana’ it was α-bisabolol.

Summary Monilinia laxa Aderh. and Ruhl. is the predominant causal agent of brown rot disease of stone fruit orchards, especially sweet cherries. The objective of this study was to identify reaction in response of nine genotypes cherry, with different pomological properties, against brown rot. These genotypes were harvested at commercial maturity from orchard in the Fruit Research Institute in Rimski Šančevi. The studied genotypes showed significant differences in terms of the occurrence of disease on fruits, both under artificial inoculation and infection in the field. Given the fact that sweet cherry fruits are prone to infection by a number of pathogens in the field, biochemical parameters were analysed on artificially inoculated fruits. Biochemical analysis of fruits determined significant differences in contents of total phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins, as well as in antioxidant activity. It was genotype specificities and intensity of infection, as well as the interaction of the two that induced differences in the secondary biomolecules content and antioxidant activity. The majority of the genotypes examined showed high polyphenolics content, while under the infection, the content was significantly lower. Based on the results obtained, the secondary metabolites content can be used as one of the parameters for evaluating the resistance of sweet cherry genotypes to brown rot.

In this study, biochemical profile of fruits of 9 Sorbus genotypes was analyzed. The content of total sugars ranged from 69.7 g/kg ('Titan') to 217.5 g/kg (Sorbus torminalis) and total organic acids from 17.7 g/kg ('Businka') to 40.2 g/kg (S. torminalis). The highest content of total anthocyanins had 'Burka' (871 mg/kg FW) and 'Businka' (856 mg/kg FW). Quercetin derivatives represented more than 95% of total flavonols. 'Alaja krupnaja' had 3.5- to 29-fold higher rutin content than other analyzed genotypes. S. torminalis fruits had the greatest diversity of isorhamnetin and kaempferol derivatives. Chlorogenic acid was the major hydroxycinnamic acid and its share was 33% to 73% of total analyzed hydoxycinnamic acid derivatives. The richest in chlorogenic acid were 'Krasavica' and 'Alaja krupnaja' fruits. Cultivar 'Businka' had the highest content of epicatechin (40.7 mg/kg) and neochlorogenic acid (1061 mg/kg). Different procyanidin oligomers were detected among flavanols in Sorbus fruits. The highest content of total flavanols was measured in 'Alaja Krupnaja' fruits. Cultivars 'Krasavica' (84.5 mg/kg) and 'Burka' (85.1 mg/kg) had 1.2- to 6.9-fold higher amount of total carotenoids. 'Businka' was highlighted as the richest in total tannin and phenolic contents (3768 mg GAE/kg) and consequently, it had the highest antioxidant activity (57.6 mM TE/kg FW). Being abundant in polyphenolics, some extracts of Sorbus genotypes, for example, 'Businka,' 'Burka,' and 'Alaja krupnaja' could serve as valuable resource of bioactive compounds to food and pharmaceutical industries.

Species of the Lamiaceae family have enjoyed a rich tradition of use for flavoring, food preservation, and medicinal purposes, due to their curative and preventive properties. Cultivated winter savory ( Satureja montana L.), sage ( Salvia officinalis L.) and hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis L.) are produced for seed, herb, and essential oil. Dominant compounds in S. montana essential oil were carvacrol (43.2%) and thymol (28.4%), while cis -thujone (27.1%) and camphor (19.3%), followed by trans -thujone and 1,8-cineole were the major compounds in S. officinalis essential oil. As for H. officinalis essential oil, cis - and trans -pinocamphone (41.1% and 20.5%, respectively) were the most abundant compounds, followed by β-pinene. The highest antimicrobial properties, as well as antioxidant capacity, showed S. montana essential oil compared to other tested essential oils. Furthermore, H. officinalis essential oils showed higher antioxidant activity than that of S. officinalis . The aim of this investigation was to determine the composition and bioactivity of essential oils of mentioned varieties. Presented results show that S. montana essential oil could be proposed as a valuable source of natural preservatives.

The present study examined the effects of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani infection on antioxidative metabolism in leaves and roots of carrot (Daucus carota L.). Disease symptoms appeared at the end of June in the form of the chlorosis on some of the leaves, which became intensely red one week later, while the previously healthy leaves from the same branch becme chlorotic. A few days later, all leaves from the infected leaf branch were intensely red. Infected plants also had slower growth compared to the healthy ones with fewer leaf branches developed. The roots of infected plants were less developed, seared, or gummy with or without brown-colored root hair. The presence of the pathogen was detected by sequencing the 16S rRNA. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) BLAST analyses of the obtained sequence revealed 100% identity of tested strain with deposited Ca. Phytoplasma solani strains from various countries and hosts, all belonging to the “stolbur” group (16SrXII-A). Identity of 99.74% was found when the tested Serbian strain (MF503627) was compared with the reference stolbur strain STOL11 (AF248959). The oxidative damage of membranes in carrot cells was accompanied by a decrease in the content of photosynthetic pigments. Furthermore, for the determination of specific scavenging properties of the extracts, in vitro antioxidant assay was performed. In phytoplasma-infected carrot leaves, there was a greater reduction in the level of glutathione content (GSH), however, flavonoids and anthocyanidins seem to be responsible for the accompanied increased antioxidative capacity against hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide.

Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) elicit activation of phenylpropanoid pathway in plants which leads to phenolics production and enhanced antioxidant capacity. The purpose of this work was to assess the antioxidant activity of soybean plants, Glycine max L., inoculated with PGPR (isolates of Azotobacter chroococcum, Streptomyces sp. and mixture of these) during plant development, as well as yield of inoculated soybean plants. PGPR applied in the experiment stimulated flavonoids and isoflavone synthesis, which enhanced non-enzymatic antioxidant ability of soybean plants. Also, PGPRs stimulated accumulation of daidzein and genistin in soybean seedlings (5-fold and 2-fold compared to control values, respectively). The mixture of PGPRs showed positive impact on antioxidant activity (10-20% higher activity) and yield components of soybean which proposed this inoculum as possibly potent bio-fertilizer in soybean production. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31022]

Soluble free phenolics (SP), PVPP-bound tannins (PVPP-P), flavonoids (TF) and proanthocyanidins (PA) content, as well as the DPPH-radical scavenging capability of the whole grain of 17 different Triticum spp. accessions were analyzed. The content of SP ranged from 976 to 2927 μg CE/g, while PVPP-P ranged from 335 to 1412 μg CE/g and TF from 0.16 to 1.12 μg RE/g of dry whole grain. The presence of PA in the whole grains has not been established. The values for DPPH-radical scavenging activity were rather moderate, under 40 % of neutralized radicals. A positive correlation between DPPH-activity and analyzed phenolics was recorded in twelve of seventeen genotypes (r=0.73-0.99). Trans-cinnamic acid was the major compound among phenolic acids and quercetin among flavonoids found in wheat varieties. The data obtained should enable the selection of the accessions rich in biologically active compounds that could further be processed into functional food with possible health benefits associated with higher antioxidant properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31066]

The aim of this study was to select Vicia genotypes with higher polyphenol contents and increased antioxidant activity, and to compare them with soybean, the most widespread and utilized legume species grown in the region. The examined legumes showed similar contents of total polyphenolics and tannins in between specimen, but differed greatly in their fl avonoids and proanthocynidins levels. The content of total polyphenols ranged from 1.6 to 6.09 catechin/g dry seeds, and tannins from 0.26 to 2.98 mg of catechin/g dry seeds. The fl avonoids levels in Vicia species were much higher compared with soybean, while the content of proanthocyanidins ranged from 1.5 (in soybean) to 62.3 mg of leucoanthocyanidin/g dry seeds (in vetches). The gallic and trans-cinnamic acids were identifi ed as major monomeric phenolic compounds, and quercetin among fl avonoids was found in all specimens. Catechin was detected in faba bean and vetches but not in the soybean. The values of the DPPH-test varied in a range between 21.1 and 89.6% of neutralized radicals, which correlated with the total polyphenolics and tannin contents. The faba bean specimens showed favourable traits – high total polyphenolic, fl avonoid and proanthocyanidin contents, low total tannin content, and high DPPH-radical scavenging ability

In this study, water and various concentrations of ethanol in water (30 %, 50 %, 70 %, and 90 %) were used as a solvent in the extraction of two different samples of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). The extraction yield, total phenols content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant activity, and reductive capacity were determined in the obtained extracts. The extraction yield was from 8.16 to 19.56 %, the content of total phenols was in the range from 5.85 to 17.05 mg GAE/g dw, and content of total flavonoids was in the range from 5.85 to 9.25 mg CE/g dw. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH assay and EC50 values were from 0.1331 to 0.7563 mg/mL, while EC50 values obtained by reducing power test ranged from 0.4450 to 1.1980 mg/mL. Ethanol/water mixture (50 %) was determined to be the best solvent for the extraction of phenolic compounds from both hemp samples. Total phenols content in 50 % ethanolic extracts were 17.05 mg/g dw and 9.25 mg/g dw for young and mature hemp, respectively.

The aim of the present paper was to study the response of Oenothera biennis L. to 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (Stolbur) infection by analyzing total sugars, polyphenols, photosynthetic pigments content and the antioxidant capacity in leaves and roots of healthy and infected plants. The infection caused a significant increase in peroxidation of lipids, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, total sugar, polyphenols and anthocyanins content (2.8, 2.6, 1.8, 1.4, 6.8 fold, respectively), as well as a decrease in photosynthetic pigments (2-6 fold) and total flavonoids (1.5 fold) in the leaves of Oe. biennis. Changes in these parameters were insignificant in the roots except for the total polyphenols content that was 2.7 times higher in the infected ones. Reduced gluthatione content in both tested organs was not affected by the infection (3.7 and 1.7 mu mol/g fresh weight of leaves and roots, respectively). The elevated content of total sugars, flavonoids and polyphenols, as well as the reduction of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins in infected plants are indicative of changes in the metabolism of Oe. biennis affected by the Stolbur phytoplasma. In addition to reduction of chlorophyll and carotenoids, the phytoplasma accelerated leaf senescence. Plants responded to the infection via enhanced superoxide anion scavenging, even though this reaction did not prevent, apparently, membrane damage in analysed leaves. This investigation presents new data on the effect of a phytoplasma infection on its host.

Common cyclamen (Cyclamen pururascens Mill.) is a very interesting species not only for various breeding programs but also as an ornamental plant. The plants possess interesting floral and foliage characteristics, nice fragrances, and a very useful flavonol profile. The last is very important from the point of view of protecting against diseases and physiological disorders. Twenty-two different genotypes originating from different regions in Slovenia were analyzed in detail, based on their floral and foliage characteristics. Anthocyanin and flavonol contents were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-photodiode array-mass spectrometry (MS). Color characteristics were colorimetrically evaluated separately for petals and leaves. In terms of color measurements, significant differences among the sites of origin were shown with parameters a* and L* when petals were analyzed, and with parameter a* when leaves were analyzed. The pH of petal sap stayed within the acid range, ranging from 3.96 to 4.82. Five different anthocyanins (malvidin-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-neohesperidoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside, and delphinidine-3-rutinoside) were analyzed in flowers, and this is the first report of delphinidin metabolites naturally present in common cyclamen genotypes. In relation to plant leaves, malvidin-3,5-diglucoside, malvidin-3-rutinoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-neohesperidoside, and peonidin-3-neohesperidoside were measured. Fifteen different flavonols were determined in common cyclamen flowers and 10 different flavonols in common cyclamen leaves. Various glycosides of quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol were analyzed, as well as isorhamnetin-3-rutinoside, laricitin-3-rutinoside, and neohesperidin. The floral and foliage characteristics of the genotypes (physical and chemical) were mainly affected by the environmental conditions of the locality of origin of the genotypes (annual disposition of temperature and precipitation, structure of the soil, etc.).

The aim of the study was to evaluate in which way nine cultivars of sweet cherry fruit cope with postharvest, artificial inoculation with Monilinia laxa pathogenic fungus through changes in sugars, organic acids and polyphenolic compounds, as well as which phenolics compounds are crucial participants in coping with the disease. Contents of sugars in this study were (g kg−1 dry weight): glucose 205–439 and 268–443, fructose 175–398.9 and 208.6–365.8 and sucrose 20–47.6 and 19.2–38.6 in healthy and infected fruit, respectively. Organic acids detected in sweet cherry cultivars were citric, malic, quinic, shikimic and fumaric acid and their content varied depending on cultivar and treatment. Only ‘Burlat’ accumulated tartaric acid after the infection. Of all phenolic acids, which content decreased in infected fruit, it is clear that only the more tolerant genotypes ‘Merchant’, ‘Lionska’, and ‘Sue’ enhanced content of 3-feruloylquinic acid (in healthy up to 93 and in infected fruit 105.3–139.1 mg kg−1). The most abundant anthocyanins were cyanidin derivatives (80–266.1 and 10–3700 mg kg−1 in healthy and infected fruit, respectively). ‘Burlat’, ‘Junska rana’, Merchant’ and ‘Summit’ dominantly had cyanidin-glucoside, while only infected fruit of ‘Priusadebnaja’ and ‘Asenova rana’ accumulated cyanidin-glucoside. ‘Priusadebnaja’, ‘Asenova rana’ and ‘Lionska’ had cyanidin-rutinoside. ‘Lionska’, ‘Sue’ and ‘Asenova rana’ had higher cyanidin and peonidin derivative contents in infected fruit (1.2 to 3-fold higher). Peonidine derivatives (peonidin glucoside and rutinoside), 5-carboxypyrano-cyanidin-rutinoside content mostly decreased after the infection (14.9–97.7 %). Bearing in mind obtained results, 3-feruloylquinic acid, flavonols and anthocyanins could be proposed as crucial participants in coping with the disease.

Surface water, often used for irrigation purposes, may sometimes be contaminated with blooming cyanobacteria and thereby may contain their potent and harmful toxins. Cyanotoxins adversely affect many terrestrial plants, and accumulate in plant tissues that are subsequently ingested by humans. Studies were undertaken to (1) examine the bioaccumulation of microcystins (MCs) in leaves and fruits of pepper Capsicum annuum and (2) examine the potential effects of MCs on antioxidant capacity of these organs. Plants were irrigated with water containing MCs for a period of 3 mo. Data showed that MCs did not accumulate in leaves; however, in fruits the presence of the MC-LR (0.118 ng/mg dry weight) and dmMC-LR (0.077 ng/mg dry weight) was detected. The concentrations of MC-LR in fruit approached the acceptable guideline values and tolerable daily intake for this toxin. Lipid peroxidation levels and flavonoids content were significantly enhanced in both organs of treated plants, while total phenolic concentrations were not markedly variable between control and treated plants. Significant decrease in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity was noted for both organs. The levels of superoxide anion in fruits and hydroxyl radical in leaves were markedly reduced. Data suggest that exposure to MCs significantly reduced antioxidant capacity of experimental plants, indicating that MCs affected antioxidant systems in C. annuum.

Extensive use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides and other pesticides has negative effects on the environment and on human and animal health. Therefore, scientists are turning towards natural pesticides, such as active components of plant extracts. The effect of two concentrations (0.1 % and 0.2 %) of a Satureja montana L. aqueous extract on the lipid peroxidation process, as well as on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), pyrogallol peroxidase (PPX) and catalase (CAT) in the leaves and roots of pepper and black nightshade seedlings were examined 24, 72 and 120 h after treatment. The results showed that the higher concentration of S. montana aqueous extract induced lipid peroxidation in black nightshade roots. Furthermore, significant increases of pyrogallol and guaiacol peroxidase were detected in black nightshade leaves treated with 0.2 % of the S. montana aqueous extract. The second aim was to evaluate effectiveness of the aqueous extract as a contact toxicant against whitefly. It was observed that the 0.2% aqueous extract exhibited a toxic effect with 68.33 % mortality after 96h.

The purpose of this study was to investigate composition and content of phenolic compounds in seeds of common buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) cultivars from Western, Central and Southeastern Europe grown in the Balkan area, and to compare them with cultivars from the Balkan. Mostly detected hydroxycinnamic acids in seeds of the investigated cultivars were caffeic and chlorogenic acid derivatives. More than ten different flavanols were detected in the investigated seeds, based on which all tested buckwheat cultivars were divided into two groups: those with high propelargonidins (epiafzelechin–epicatechin) and those with high procyanidins contents. ‘Novosadska’ had the highest level of phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, flavones and most of the flavonols. However, ‘Bosna 1’ and ‘Bosna 2’ were highlighted with the greatest rutin content (up to 46 times higher than in other cultivars). All buckwheat cultivars had quite high antioxidant capacity (more than 80% of neutralized radicals), yet, ‘Novosadska’, ‘Godijevo’, ‘Spacinska 1’ and ‘Bamby’ excelled.