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In the present study, in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, total phenols and terpene contents in 70% ethanol extracts were evaluated. Samples of crushed (CB) and non-crushed ripe juniper berries (NCB) collected at five localities in North-East Slovakia during the years 2012&ndash, 2014 were compared. Standard or modified methods for determining phytochemical and antioxidant activity were used together with a novel method for the evaluation of the results after the correction of the measured values per gram of dry matter (DM). Statistically significantly higher DM contents (average values for three years) were found in the CB extracts (ranging from 18.86 to 21.91 mg/mL) in comparison to those for NCB (ranging from 2.59 to 9.90 mg/mL). Depending on the localities and years, the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity ranged from 15.52 to 32.85% for NCB and from 65.59 to 88.12% for CB, respectively. The contents of total phenols ranged from 43.75 to 246.75 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/L (NCB) and from 151.84 to 278.19 mg GAE/L (CB), respectively. However, the higher content of total phenols per gram of DM was found in the NCB extracts (8.49&ndash, 42.23 mg GAE/g DM) and then in CB (6.87&ndash, 18.77 GAE/g DM). The results obtained in this study showed a higher efficiency for extraction from juniper berries in 70% ethanol if the pericarp was disrupted in comparison to that achieved with the maceration of intact berries.

Solidago canadensis L. (SC) (Canadian goldenrod) is a dangerous plant invader in Europe, which suppress the indigenous flora. Essential oils (EOs) are considered biological control agents. GC-MS analysis for identification of main components was conducted and the potential phytotoxicity of six EOs were also evaluated. Limonene and β-thujone were dominant components in Salvia officinalis L., menthone and menthol in Mentha × piperita L., carvacrol in Origanum vulgare L., estragole/anisole and anethole in Foeniculum vulgare Mill., limonene and carvone in Anethum graveolens L., and anethole in Pimpinella anisum L. Along with EOs, anethole, anisole, camphor, carvone, estragole, limonene, menthol, menthone, thujone and thymol were used independently to evaluate phytotoxic effect against Canadian goldenrod seed germination. A significant inhibitory effect was registered for origanum (1.250 µg.ml−1). The influence of single components was significant. The highest phytotoxic activity was registered with anethole and estragole. Phenolic compounds were the inhibitoriest, followed by oxygenated and hydrocarbon monoterpenes.

The present study evaluated the influence of some environmental factors on the quantity and composition of essential oil (EO) in ripe berry cones of Juniperus communis L. The berry cones were collected from juniper shrubs growing wild at five localities of north-east Slovakia during the years 2012–2014. The EO yield ranged from 0.4 to 1.9%, depending on the locality and year. In the EO, eight monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, sabinene, limonene, terpinene-4-ol, borneol, bornylacetate) and one sesquiterpene (β-caryophyllene) were identified. The dominant component was the monoterpene α-pinene, ranging from 31.0 to 49.0%. The amount and composition of the EO was affected by soil composition (content of humus and pH) and topographic environmental factors, including air temperature and precipitation. According to the composition of the EO, the studied juniper shrubs belong to the α-pinene chemotype.

This paper deals with the chemical characterization of anthocyanins in elderberry cultivar ‘Haschberg’ grown in the Slovak Republic. Crude and purified extracts were analyzed. The impact of lyophilization on the qualitative profile was also studied. The anthocyanin profile of elderberry harvested from the private company, ZAGRO s.r.o. Michalovce (Eastern Slovakia), was investigated using liquid chromatography on reverse phase coupling atmospheric pressure ionization with ion-trap and time-of-flight (LC/MS-IT-TOF). Our results show that the anthocyanin extraction method can have an important impact on its degradation. Purified extracts showed high amount of anthocyanins. Seven different anthocyanins were identified in extracts before and after freeze-drying.