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The presented study aimed to optimize polyphenol extraction from Satureja montana L. obtained from the experimental field of the Institute for Medicinal Plants Research ”Dr Josif Pančić”, Serbia, by varying the most important parameters for maceration, solid-to-solvent ratio, and extraction time. The obtained extracts were characterized regarding the total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant potential, extraction yield, conductivity, density, surface tension, and viscosity. The TPC and TFC were ~7 to 92 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/g and 3.7 to 10.9 mg CE (catechin equivalent)/g, respectively. The highest extraction yield (86 %) as well as the highest antioxidant activities were obtained for the extracts prepared using a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1 g :50 cm3. On the other hand, the extraction time did not have a significant influence. The highest conductivity was measured in the extract prepared at a 1 g :10 cm3 ratio, while the highest density and surface tension were in the extract prepared at a 1 g :40 cm3 ratio (941 kg m-3 and 29.0 mN m-1, respectively). The highest viscosity was measured in the extract prepared at a 1 g : 20 cm3 ratio (2.89 mPa∙s). Our study shows the possibilities for the production of polyphenol-rich extract of S. montana which might be used in pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic products.

Without being aware of its chemical makeup, many ancient societies have used Steppe peony in their traditional medicine. Given that modern phytopreparation intended for use on human skin requires, above all, knowledge of its chemical composition, the goal of this study was to make a screening of the composition of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the petals of P. tenuifolia L. and to examine them for various skin-beneficial properties. The extracts were prepared by maceration, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted extraction procedures. The chemical profiling was conducted by the use of UHPLC-LTQ-OrbiTrap MS and UHPLC/MS, and spectrophotometric methods for the determination of total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents. The biological activities entailed antioxidant ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC (Cupric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays, antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) and antibiofilm activities, cytotoxicity, wound healing potential, as well as the adhesion and invasion of Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The results showed that the petals are rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are commonly associated with numerous biological activities. The aqueous extracts were more efficient in the majority of the bioactivity assays then the methanolic ones, whereas the optimal extraction method varied between the assays. This study is the first step towards the safe use of the aqueous extracts of P. tenuifolia petals for therapeutic skin treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Chemical composition and in vitro biological activity of Gaultheria procumbens L. essential oil (EO) were examined. [•] The main component of EO was methyl salicylate (96.90%). [•] EO exhibited moderate antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant and antiradical activity. [•] This study succeeds in creating directly comparable, quantitative and biological data to generate data for oil for which little data exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]