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The purpose of this research was to evaluate nutritional value and the differences in the free amino acid content between the cap and stem of main cultivated species Agaricus bisporus - marketed in Bulgaria. Agaricus bisporus is rich in carbohydrates (6.76 g/100 g fw), followed by proteins (1.28 g/100 g fw), ash (0.88 g/100 g fw) and fat (0.20 g/100 g fw). Also moisture (90.88% fw), and total energy (123.6 kJ/100 g fw) were calculated. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of Agaricus bisporus species were 28.74 mg g-1 and 9.56 mg g-1, respectively. The content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was 45.64%. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in the oil from mushroom was 54.36% and that of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) consisted of 21.75%. On the other hand, the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was higher (32.61%). On the grounds of the obtained data, it can be seen that in the phospholipid fraction from mushrooms, there predominated phosphatidic acids (29.60%) as a major component, followed by lysophosphatidylcholine (13.70%). The quantities of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol in the phospholipid fraction were from 6.30 to 8.10%. The total amino acid (TAA) content of cap was 139.22 mg kg-1 dw and that of the stem - 47.80 mg kg-1 dw. The essential amino acids (EAA) content of cap was 54.59 mg kg-1 dw and that of the stem - 39.49 mg kg-1 dw. The essential to total amino acids ratios of the cap and the stem were 0.39 and 0.83, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) carried out on the 17 free amino acids produced a two dimensional pattern for which the first principal compound explained 90.71% of the variance, while the second principal component contributed 9.29% of the total variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine microelements (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn and Fe) were studied in wild edible mushroom species Agaricus sylvicola collected from Rhodope region of Bul- garia, using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. The microelements contents (mg kg-1) ranged as follows: Pb = 3.78, Cd = 0.82, Ni = 1.93, Cr =3.50, Mn = 47.7, Co = 0.059, Cu = 74.2, Zn = 146.5 and Fe = 127.5. All values of the microelements in the wild edible mushrooms Agaricus sylvicola were within the permitted WHO limits. Thus, the mushrooms analysed are safe for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and lipid composition of species of cultivated mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown in Bulgaria was examined. Pleurotus ostreatus is rich in carbohydrates (66.26 g 100 g-1 dw), followed by proteins (21.68 g 100 g-1 dw), ash (7.46 g 100 g-1 dw) and fat (4.59 g 100 g-1 dw). Also moisture (91.85%) and total energy (1572.39 kJ 100 g-1 dw) were calculated. The content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was (40.99%). The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of Pleurotus ostreatus species were 27.81 and 9.85 mg g-1, respectively. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in the oil from mushroom was (59.01%) and that of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) consisted of (23.47%). On the other hand, the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was higher (35.54%). Based on the results, can be concluded that the examined species of mushrooms is a potential source of phospholipids and fatty acid, and can be used as a functional food or as food additives in many products. On the grounds of the obtained data, it can be seen that in the phospholipid fraction from mushrooms, there predominated phosphatidic acids (31.60%) as a major component, followed by lysophosphatidylcholine (12.20%). The quantities of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol in the phospholipid fraction were from 6.50 to 7.90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms are important food resources valued for its high quality protein content, health promoting properties and potential to enhance food palatability. There is not enough or lack of information in the literature particularly on the amino acid composition of mushrooms in the study area. The aim of this study was to investigatе the carotenoid and amino acid content of two mushroom species (Marasmius oreades and Cantharellus aurora). The study revealed found out seventeen amino acids, lycopene and β-carotene by high performance liquid cromatography with reversed-phase and DAD (Diode Array Detector). The highest quantities of essential amino acids in Marasmius oreades specie were leucine (6.76 ± 0.12 g 100 g-1 protein) and isoleucine (4.47 ± 0.25 g 100 g-1 protein) followed by lysine, phenylalanine, valine, threonine, methionine, tyrosine and cysteine. The most abundant essential amino acid in Can- tharellus aurora was leucine (4.12 ± 0.34 g 100 g-1 ) followed by phenylalanine + tyrosine (5.23 ± 0.24 g 100 g-1 ) and isoleucine (3.36 ± 0.23 g 100 g-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to determine Cd and Pb contents in wild edible mushroom Suillus luteus from the Batak mountain, Bulgaria and thus to assess the Health risk index arisen from the long-term consumption of them. The toxic elements levels were determined by PerkinElmer AAnalyst 800 model atomic absorption spectrometer (PerkinElmer Instruments, Shelton, CT, USA) equipped with Transversely heated graphite atomisation (THGA), and a longitudinal Zeeman effect background corrector was also used. Lumina lamp, Electrodeless discharge lamp (EDL) and hollow cathode lamps were employed as radiation sources. The samples were digested in a microwave closed system Multiwave 3000. The average content of studied elements Pb and Cd in Suillus luteus samples were: 0.066 and 0.052 mg kg-1, respectively. According to the EC Regulation No 629/2018, none of the mushroom samples assayed in this study represented a toxicological risk from lead and cadmium exposure. According to the above results, all calculated Health risk index (HRI) values of heavy metals were within the safe limits for children and adults (HRI < 1). Furthermore, the Total health risk index (THRI) values, were also in the safe limit (THRI < 1). The values HRICd (74%) and HRIPb (26%) have percentage content from THRI. From the point of view of risk assessment, all mushrooms are below provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) for Cd and Pb established by the JOINT FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, when temporarily high consumption of mushrooms (100 g/day monthly) is taken under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushroom samples were collected in 2018 and 2019 from the Batak Mountain by the authors themselves. The aim of this study was to perform analysis of the content of phospholipids and fatty acid, in wild edible mushroom (Suillus luteus) grown in the Batak Mountain, Bulgaria. Phosphatidic acids were the main components in lipids from Suillus luteus (16.4 %). The content of the other phospholipids in the oils from Suillus luteus was from 9.6 to 14.9%. Phosphatidylcholine was identified in Suillus luteus (14.9%). The content of Saturated fatty acids (SFA) consisted of 28.6%. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in the oil from mushroom 71.4% and the content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) consisted of 37.7%. On the other hand, the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was lower 33.7%. Based on the results, can be concluded that the examined species of mushrooms is a potential source of phospholipids and fatty acid, and can be used as a functional food or as food additives in many products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted on Cambisols soils and wild edible mushrooms (Suillus luteus) from the Batak Mountain, Bulgaria. The total cadmium content in the soils was measured after their decomposition with HCl and HNO3 acids. Mushroom samples were digested with HNO3 and H2O2 in microwave digestion system Mars Xpress. The cadmium levels were determined by Varian 240Z atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman background corrector by HGA graphite furnace using argon as inert gas. A correlation/regression analysis was carried out to reveal possible associations between pH, humus content, and total cadmium content of the soils and the concentration of this element in the mushroom samples. It was calculated that BF = 0.37. BF < 1 indicates that the fungus is a metal ion bioreactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The samples were collected from the Batak Mountain, Bulgaria. The popular wild edible mushroom species Boletus pinophilus was analysed for essential amino acid compositions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Essential amino acids: histidine (His), threonine (Thr), methionine (Met), valine (Val), leucine/isoleucine (Leu/Ile), phenylalanine (Phe), lysine (Lys) were determined. All statistical computing, analysis and all charts were performed with the statistical software R program. We received an ordinary least squares multiple linear regression model, which showed that if Met and Val increase by 1%, the effect of this increase would result in an increase in His by 6.83% on the average; if Thr, Leu.Ile, Phe and Lys decreases by 1%, the effect of this decrease would result in an decrease in His by 2.44% on the average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate Cs-137 and K-40 activity concentrations and еffective dose in selected mushroom species Craterellus cornucopioides from Mount Batak from 2015 to 2017. Craterellus cornucopioides is in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed database for excess radioactivity and strongly accumulates Cs-137 and K-40. It was found that the activity concentrations of Cs-137 in selected mushroom species Craterellus cornucopioides in 2015 was 106.13 (Bq kg-1 DM), which is 29 years after the Chernobyl accident. In 2016 (30 years after the Chernobyl accident) there was a sharp decline in the activity concentrations of Cs-137 from 106.13 (Bq kg-1 DM) to 53.00 (Bq kg-1 DM). In 2017 (31 years after the Chernobyl accident) the activity concentrations of Cs-137 was 11.67 (Bq kg-1 DM), and according to literature data the Cs-137 was disintegrated after 30.5 years. It was calculated that the effective dose for Cs-137 was in the range of 3.40e-06 per year, and for the K-40 was in the range of 5.70e-05, which was below 0.1% of the natural radioactive background. It was found that cesium half-life is longer than 30.17 years at high altitudes in soils with a low clay content and an acidic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the six juniper species found in the Bulgarian flora, three of the species have controversial taxonomic positions. Juniperus pygmaea K. Koch and J. sibirica Burgsd. exhibit similar morphological characteristics to J. communis L. in terms of leaves and female cones (galbuli). This is one of the reasons why, in the recent taxonomic developments, J. pygmaea and J. sibirica were united in a common variety of J. communis , namely, J. communis var. saxatilis . However, such a grouping of species in the Flora of Bulgaria has not been adopted. This study aimed to evaluate the degrees of similarity or difference in the structure of the leaves, galbuli, seeds, and pollen of J. communis , J. sibirica , and J. pygmaea using the methods of comparative anatomy by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and complex morphological measurements. The working hypothesis of this study was that the three species would show a different degree of similarity with each other, which would clarify their taxonomic rank. The morphological parameters revealed differences between the length/width ratio of galbuli and seed length of the three species, while leaf characteristics (length and width) showed a stronger resemblance between J. sibirica and J. pygmaea . Furthermore, a greater distinction between the leaves and galbili of J. communis and J. sibirica was found. The SEM analyses showed variations in the seed shape and spermoderm among the three species. The shape of J. communis seeds was oval and elongated, while J. pygmaea seeds were pear-shaped, and J. sibirica seeds were triangular-rhombic. The length and height of striations were diverse on seed spermoderm in the three species. The epicuticular waxes of leaves, located on the tips of the anticlinal walls of the elongated epidermal cells in J. pygmaea and J. communis , were oval, while they formed raised comb-like crystals in J. sibirica . The morphological, anatomical, and SEM analysis affirmed the accepted taxonomic status of J. communis and J. sibirica as independent species within the Bulgarian flora. Based on most of the analyzed parameters, J. pygmaea exhibits significant similarity with J. sibirica . Additionally, the similar habitats of these two species support the determination of J. pygmaea as a variety or form of J. sibirica rather than J. communis ( J. sibirica forma pygmaea ).

Centaurea thracica (Janka) Hayek is a plant common in southern Bulgaria. The inflorescences were collected during June and September 2021, while their seeds were obtained in September 2021. The chemical and lipid composition of the inflorescences during the vegetation process of the plant were established. A significant decrease in total proteins (from 8.7 to 7.4%), glyceride oils (2.0-1.7%), and ash (4.5-4.2%) content was observed, while the amount of carbohydrates (72.3-77.2%) and fibers (28.7-35.8%) increased. During the vegetation of the plant, the content of oleic and linoleic acids increased up to 2-3 times, while the level of palmitic acid decreased. The lipids from the seeds were rich in oleic (53.0%) and palmitic (36.2%) acids. The tocopherol content in the oils of the inflorescences during vegetation increased from 58 to 110 mg/kg, and the content in the oil from the seeds was 260 mg/kg. The phospholipid content decreased during vegetation, and differences were observed in the composition between the inflorescences and the seeds. The high content of oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols, and phospholipids determine the nutritional and biological value of the oils isolated from Centaurea thracica , and contribute to their potential use in various directions.

The aims of this study were to (1) establish the intrapopulation and seasonal variation of Juniperus excelsа essential oil (EO); (2) compare the J. excelsa concrete and resinoid composition with its EO composition; and (3) investigate the potential herbicidal activity of J. excelsa EO against seeds of Papaver rhoeas L., Consolida orientalis (J.Gay) Schrödinger, Anthemis arvensis L., Avena fatua L., and Agrostemma githago L. Four independent studies were performed to meet these objectives. Twenty-eight individual trees were analyzed from two populations to establish intrapopulation and interpopulation variability of EOs yield and composition. In the seasonal dynamic study of leaf EO, samples from the same three trees and in the same population were collected in January, March, May, July, October, and December and their EO yield and composition determined. The EOs (intrapopulation and seasonal) were extracted by hydrodistillation, while the EO for the herbicidal test was obtained by steam distillation in a semi-commercial (SCom) apparatus. Overall, the EO yield varied significantly from 0.93% to 2.57%. α-Pinene (8.85-35.94%), limonene (11.81-50.08%), and cedrol (3.41-34.29%) were the predominant EO compounds in all samples (intrapopulation variability); however, trans-2,4-decadienol and β-caryophyllene were predominant in some individual trees. Four chemical groups were identified in the samples collected from two natural populations (intrapopulation). This is the first report on the compositions of J. excelsa concrete and resinoid. Cedrol (15.39%), 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin (17.63%), 1-octacosanol (36.85%), tritriacontane (16.08%), and tiacontanoic acid were the main compounds in the concrete and resinoid. Juniperus excelsa EO suppressed seed germination and seedling growth of P. rhoeas, C. orientalis, A. arvensis, A. fatua, and A. githago, demonstrating its potential to be used for the development of new biopesticides. The highest EO yield with high content of limonene and cedrol was obtained from samples harvested during the winter months (December, January, and March)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Semerdjieva et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Pinus heldreichii Christ. (Bosnian pine), a Tertiary relict and Balkan sub-endemic, has not been comprehensively studied for its essential oil (EO) profile and bioactivity of its different plant parts. This study aimed to determine the EO yield, composition and antimicrobial activity from different parts of P. heldreichii at three different populations (mountains) in Bulgaria. Furthermore, the study assessed the antioxidant activities of plant tissue, including leaves (needles), twigs wood, male and female cones. The EOs yield from different plant parts ranged from 0.09 % (leaves) to 0.74 % (wood of twigs), with monoterpenes being the predominant class. Limonene, α -pinene, β- caryophyllene, germacrene D, β- pinene, and β -myrcene were detected in the EO extracted from all analyzed trees. However, these compounds were not found in the EO extracted from all plant parts of the same trees. Four chemical groups (chemotypes) were identified for EO from twigs, and three chemotypes were identified for EO from leaves. The chemotypes were based on the percent ratio of the main EO constituents (>5 %). Leaves tissue showed the highest values in terms of polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as higher ABTS radical scavenging activity, while the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus was seen in the EOs obtained from twigs. This is the first study to identify several chemotypes based on leaf and twigs EO of P. heldreichii distributed in Bulgarian flora. Furthermore, the EO of twigs tips (TT), male cones (MC), and wood of one-two-year-old twigs (WT) of the same trees were reported for the first time. The total polyphenol, flavonoid content, and radical scavenging activity of tissues of annual twigs wood and biennial twigs wood, leaf tissue, MC tissue, and the twigs tips tissue is also reported for the first time in the accessible literature. These findings highlight the potential of P. heldreichii to provide EOs with varying compositions and bioactivities, making them suitable for nutraceutical, pharmacological, and potentially food additive applications. Furthermore, the identification of chemotype accessions in this study suggests their selection for the development of new forest crop as a source for natural products with desirable composition and bioactivity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

The goal of this research was to screen plant essential oils (EOs) as sprout inhibitors or suppressors in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.). Three controlled environment experiments were conducted to screen 18 EOs and several pure compounds as sprout inhibitors. The EOs were applied using the wicked method on potato cv. Gala in 19 L plastic containers. The results indicated that Melissa officinalis L. EO inhibited sprouting, while Coriandrum sativum L. seed oil and the EO blend of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. and Salvia sclarea L. suppressed sprouting. The EOs of interest were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and/or a flame ionization detector (GC-FID); the detailed chemical profiles are provided. The M. officinalis EO was fractionated into seven fractions, and these were tested on minitubers. We identified two fractions (F and A) that suppressed potato sprouting better than the whole oil. The GC-MS-FID analyses of M. officinalis EO fraction A identified myrcene, Z -ocimene, E -ocimene, trans -caryophyllene, and α-humulene as the main constituents, while the main constituents of fraction F were α-terpineol, β-citronellol, and geraniol. The pure isolated compounds, together with the major compound in M. officinalis EO (citral), were tested for sprout suppression on three potato cultivars (Ranger Russet, Terra Rosa, and Dakota TrailBlazer), which revealed that β-citronellol reduced the sprout length and the number of sprouts in all three cultivars, while citral and (+)-α-terpineol reduced the sprout length and the number of sprouts in Ranger Russet relative to the two controls in all three cultivars. Myrcene had a stimulating effect on the number of sprouts in Cv. Terra Rosa. However, none of the pure compounds suppressed sprouting completely or were comparable to the EO of M. officinalis .

The objective of this study was to assess the biological activity of essential oils (EOs) of four Juniperus species obtained via two different distillation methods and their potential as biopesticides. The studied factors were juniper species ( Juniperus communis L., J. oxycedrus L., J. pygmaea C. Koch., and J. sibirica Burgsd), plant sex (male (M) and female (F)), and distillation method (hydrodistillation via a standard Clevenger apparatus (ClevA) and semi-commercial (SCom) steam distillation). The hypothesis was that the EO will have differential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activities as a function of plant species, plant sex, and distillation method. The two distillation methods resulted in similar EO composition within a given species. However, there were differences in the EO content (yield) due to the sex of the plant, and also differences in the proportions of some EO components. The concentration of α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, δ-cadinene and δ-cadinol was dissimilar between the EO of M and F plants within all four species. Additionally, M and F plants of J. pygmaea , and J. sibirica had significantly different concentrations of sabinene within the respective species. The EOs obtained via ClevA extraction showed higher antioxidant capacity within a species compared with those from SCom extraction. All of the tested EOs had significant repellent and insecticidal activity against the two aphid species Rhopalosiphum padi (bird cherry-oat aphid) and Sitobion avenae (English grain aphid) at concentrations of the EO in the solution of 1%, 2.5%, and 5%. The tested EOs demonstrated moderate activity against selected pathogens Fusarium spp., Botrytis cinerea , Colletotrichum spp., Rhizoctonia solani and Cylindrocarpon pauciseptatum . The results demonstrate that the standard ClevA would provide comparable EO content and composition in comparison with SCom steam distillation; however, even slight differences in the EO composition may translate into differential bioactivity.

Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb and J. sabina L. contain essential oil (EO), while J. sabina also contains podophyllotoxin, which is used as a precursor for anti-cancer drugs. Two studies were conducted. The first assessed the variability in the EO profile and podophyllotoxin concentration of the two junipers, depending on the location and tree gender. The main EO constituents of J. excelsa were α-cedrol, α-limonene and α-pinene, while the constituents in J. sabina were sabinene, terpinen-4-ol, myrtenyl acetate and α-cadinol. The podophyllotoxin yield of 18 J. sabina accessions was 0.07-0.32% ( w/w ), but this was not found in any of the J. excelsa accessions. The second study assessed the effect of hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus) and steam distillation (in a semi-commercial apparatus) on the EO profile and bioactivity. The extraction type did not significantly alter the EO composition. The EO profiles of the two junipers and their accessions were different and may be of interest to the industry utilizing juniper leaf EO. Breeding and selection programs could be developed with the two junipers (protected species) in order to identify chemotypes with (1) a high EO content and desirable composition, and (2) a high concentration of podophyllotoxin in J. sabina . Such chemotypes could be established as agricultural crops for the commercial production of podophyllotoxin and EO.

Moss-bags were applied to study the effect of contamination in three standing water bodies in Bulgaria (Kardzhali, Studen Kladenets and Zhrebchevo Reservoirs), the first two with old industrial contamination and the last polluted with short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. collected from background (unpolluted) site was placed in cages for a period of 30 days. The present study examined whether inorganic and organic pollution detected with moss-bags resulted in corresponding differences in molecular, chemical and micromorphological markers. Suppressed large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) expression was assessed in moss-bags from two of the reservoirs, contaminated with heavy metals. There was a decrease of the total phenolic content (TPC) in the moss-bags, which provides a basis for further studies of the chemical content of aquatic mosses. Fontinalis antipyretica also showed a response through leaf micromorphological characteristics. In the all three reservoirs, an increase of the twig leaf cell number was recorded ( p ≤ 0.01 for Kardzhali and p ≤ 0.001 for Studen Kladenets and Zhrebchevo reservoirs), as well as of the stem leaf cell number in Zhrebchevo Reservoir ( p ≤ 0.001). On the contrary, the width of the cells decreased in the studied anthropogenically impacted reservoirs. All three studied groups of biomarkers (molecular, chemical and micromorphological) appeared to be sensitive to freshwater pollution. The results achieved indicated that rbcL gene expression, TPC, cell number and size are promising biomonitoring tools.

Grecian juniper ( Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.) is an evergreen tree and a rare plant found in very few locations in southern Bulgaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of J. excelsa unripe and ripe galbuli from three different locations in Bulgaria. The essential oil content ranged between 1.9% and 5.1%, while the lipid fraction yield was between 4.5% and 9.1%. The content of total chlorophyll was 185.4-273.4 μg/g dw. The total carotenoid content ranged between 41.7 and 50.4 μg/g dw of ripe galbuli, and protein content was between 13.6% and 16.4%. Histidine (5.5 and 8.0 mg/g content range) and lysine (4.0 and 6.1 mg/g) were the major essential amino acids. The antioxidant potential of the 95% and 70% ethanol extracts was analyzed using four different methods. A positive correlation between the antioxidant potential and phenolic content of the galbuli was found. The results obtained in this study demonstrated the differences in phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of J. excelsa galbuli as a function of maturity stage and collection locality.

The chemical profile and antioxidant capacity of Juniperus virginiana , J. excelsa , and J. sabina essential oil (EO) fractions as a function of time was the subject of this study. The hypothesis was that, capturing EO in sequential timeframes during hydrodistillation would generate fractions containing unique compositions and antioxidant capacity. In J. virginiana , the highest limonene (43%) was found in the 0⁻5 min oil fraction, with safrole (37%) being highest in the 10⁻20 and 20⁻40 min fractions, and elemol (34%) being highest in the 160⁻240 min fraction. In J. excelsa , α-pinene (34-36%) was the highest in the 0⁻5 min fraction and in the control (non-stop 0⁻240 min distillation) oil, limonene (39%) was the highest in the 0⁻10 min fractions and cedrol (50-53%) was the highest in the 40⁻240 min fractions. In J. sabina , sabinene (80%) was highest in the 0⁻3 min fraction. The highest antioxidant capacity of J. virginiana was demonstrated by the 5⁻10 min fraction; the one in J. sabina by the 3⁻10 min fraction; and, the one in J. excelsa , by the control. The kinetics regression models that were developed can predict EO composition of the three juniper species eluted at different timeframes. Various industries could benefit from the results from this study.