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The purpose of this work was to evaluate the impact of low rates of application of environmentally friendly organo-mineral soil amendments on grown under organic farming conditions dill’s green mass yield and it’s composition, including the content of polyphenolic compounds. Soil amendments were obtained based on forest logging residues – lignocellulosic biomass, after isolation of polyphenols by water-ethanol extraction and enrichment with silicon (Si)-containing inorganic oligomer in various mass ratios. Lignocellulosic biomass is rich in polyphenols which can damage the functionality of the bacterial cell membranes thus inhibiting the growth of soil microorganisms. Polyphenols can be isolated from the lignocellulosic substrate and evaluated in further studies for their potential to protect plants from pathogenic microorganisms. The influence of the prepared soil amendments on soil microorganisms was tested. Field experiments were carried out in a certified biological field intended for scientific purposes. It was shown that soil amendments have a beneficial effect on the yield (42%) and a slight influence on the composition of dill at low amendment application rates. The addition of soil amendments also contributed to insignificant changes in the amount of polyphenols. The soil amendments didn’t influence the soil microorganisms under study. The results confirmed the ability of the soil amendments based on the forest logging residues to activate dill growth.

Aronia melanocarpa is a hardy berry-producing shrub that demands low maintenance and can grow on almost any type of soil. Since the best fruits can be obtained on the branches younger than 7 years, pruning of 1/3 of the shrub is usually performed each winter or after flowering, and also to remove damaged or overgrown branches. For sustainable production of Aronia melanocarpa berries, it is necessary to find a rational use for this pruning lignocellulosic biomass. Some studies available for Aronia melanocarpa berries show that they are very rich in various biologically active substances with proven functional and pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The chemical composition of Aronia melanocarpa branches is currently almost unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the composition and potential of chokeberry branches as a source of polyphenols. General chemical characterization of the biomass was carried out using the method of analytical pyrolysis. Extraction of branch biomass was carried out using aqueous alcohol solutions. Quantitative analysis of the extracts showed a large amount of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. The most suitable extractant was determined to obtain the highest yield of the dominant polyphenols in the hydrophilic extract. The antioxidant activity of the hydrophilic extracts as well as antibacterial activity against six pathogenic bacteria was evaluated. The results showed the high potential of chokeberry lignocellulosic biomass as a source of valuable biologically active compounds for the creation of preparations for the healthcare, nutrition industry, and cosmetics.

To obtain a good harvest, regular pruning of fruit trees and bushes is necessary, which results in the accumulation of piles of cut twigs. These twigs are underutilized and form a large number of agricultural waste. Finding a use for this lignocellulosic biomass is necessary for the sustainable use of resources, as well as for creating additional income for berry growers and rural workers. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the potential of branches of various fruit trees and shrubs as a source of valuable oligomeric polyphenolic compounds – proanthocyanidins, which have a wide range of biologically active properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc. Hydrophilic extracts of twigs of sea buckthorn (Hippopae rhamnoides L.), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), black currant (Ribes nigrum L.), red currant (Ribes rubrum), gooseberry (Grossulariaceae), quince (Cydonia oblonga), raspberry (Rubus L.), and grape (Vitis vinifera) were studied for the first time. The main process for isolating proanthocyanidins from the twigs is the extraction by ethanol-water solutions. The amount of extractive substances in the branches containing proanthocyanidins varied from 6 to 28% per DM. The highest content of proanthocyanidins was found in black chokeberry, quince, and sea buckthorn. The proanthocyanidins isolation from hydrophilic extracts was carried out by Sephadex LH-20. The antimicrobial activity of dominant hydrophilic extracts and purified oligomeric proanthocyanidins was studied against eleven pathogenic bacteria and fungus: Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Erwinia rhapontici, Fusarium culmorum, Verticillium dahlia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans and Cutibacterium acnes. The MIC and MBC/MFC of extracts ranged from 2 to 6 mg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of purified proanthocyanidins was 10 times higher than that of the extracts.