Chemical Profile and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Rosa canina L. Dried Fruit Commercially Available in Serbia.

The aim of this work was to give as much information as possible on Rosa canina dried fruit that is commercially available in Serbia. In order to provide the chemical composition, the UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method was employed for both polar and non-polar extracts of samples obtained with a solvent mixture consisting of hexane, acetone, and ethanol in a volume ratio of 2:1:1, respectively, and 0.05% (w/v) butylated hydroxytoluene. In addition, the total content levels of lycopene, ß-carotene, total polyphenols, and flavonoids were determined by means of UV-vis spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity was tested by applying four different methods: ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC. Overall, nine compounds were identified. The results of chemical composition analysis were used as the basis for the interpretation of the calculated results for the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The obtained results for R. canina dried fruit extract are as follows: ß-carotene-7.25 [mg/100 g fruit weight]; lycopene-2.34 (mg/100 g FW); total polyphenol content (TPC)-2980 [mg GAE/kg FW]; total flavonoid content (TFC)-1454 [mg CE/kg FW]; antioxidant activity-ABTS 12.3 [µmol/100 g FW], DPPH 6.84, FRAP 52.04, and CUPRAC 15,425; and antimicrobial activity-Staphylococcus aureus MIC/MMC 4/0 [mg∙mL-1], Enterococcus faecalis 4/0, Bacillus cereus 4/0, Escherichia coli 4/0, Salmonella enteritidis 4/4, Enteroabacter aerogenes 4/0, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2/0, and Candida albicans 2/0.

Wild-Growing and Conventionally or Organically Cultivated Sambucus nigra Germplasm: Fruit Phytochemical Profile, Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Leaf Elements.

European elder or elderberry (Sambucus nigra L., Viburnaceae) is a plant species with known high pharmaceutical and nutritional value. However, the Greek native germplasm of S. nigra has not been adequately utilized to date as in other regions. This study evaluates the fruit antioxidant potential (total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity) of wild-growing and cultivated germplasm of Greek S. nigra. In addition, nine cultivated Greek S. nigra genotypes were evaluated regarding the effects of fertilization (conventional and organic) on fruit phytochemical and physicochemical potential (total flavonoids, ascorbic acid content, pH, total soluble solids, and total acidity), as well as on the antioxidant potential (total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity) of fruits and leaves. Additionally, an analysis of macro- and micro-elements in the leaves of the cultivated germplasm was performed. The results demonstrated comparatively higher total phenolic contents of fruits of cultivated germplasm. The genotype was the decisive factor in the fruits' phytochemical potential and leaves' total phenolic content of cultivated S. nigra germplasm. Similarly, fertilization regime effects were found to be genotype-dependent, affecting fruit phytochemical and physicochemical attributes. The trace element analysis results were similar, with genotypes varying significantly in their concentrations of macro- and micro-elements. The current work builds on previous domestication attempts for Greek S. nigra, providing new data on the phytochemical potential of this important nutraceutical species.

Creation of products made from honey based on the content of elements determined by ICP-OES.

People of different age can consume honey, but the taste is often not accepted easily. Therefore, products made from honey with a pleasant taste and high nutritional and health benefits are highly demanded on the market. Honey is a bioindicator of environmental pollution. Certain plants are known as high accumulators of toxic elements. Here on the example of three honey-based prototypes, with sesame, shelled pumpkin, sunflower seeds, plums, walnut, almond, hazel, and cinnamon as minor ingredients, we demonstrated the creation of new products putting the accent on the content of toxic and potentially toxic elements, usually treated as irrelevant in making products. Nineteen elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, and Zn) were determined by ICP-OES after oven-based and wet digestion methods in blossom honey and prototypes samples. Among the investigated elements, the most abundant element in blossom honey for the products and the investigated products was potassium in most cases. Investigated honey (used for the products) and two of the products contain small quantities of toxic and potentially toxic elements. However, the second product, containing besides honey two accumulators of toxic metals (sesame, sunflower seeds), shows higher values for toxic elements. Therefore, the ICP-OES analysis can be a good step in making new products with high nutritional and health values but almost free from toxic and potentially toxic elements.

Trace element content in commercial complementary food formulated for infants and toddlers: Health risk assessment.

The study aimed to analyze trace elements content in baby purees and fruit juices and to evaluate the health risk of young children. The average daily dose, hazard quotient, hazard index and total diet hazard quotient were calculated to assess the potential health risk on per capita and consumers only groups of infants and toddlers. There was no significant health risk for studied groups regarding the intake of trace elements via purees and juices consumption. Health risk for lead was not estimated since the oral reference dose for this metal was not yet established and PTWI value was withdrawn. The average daily dose of lead for infants (0.32 - 0.46 µg/kg bw/day) and toddlers (2.01 - 2.29 µg/kg bw/day) were in accordance with the daily lead exposure intervals estimated by EFSA. Applying statistical analysis, the products were classified into three groups according to the content of trace elements.

The Evaluation of ICP OES for the Determination of Potentially Toxic Elements in Lipsticks: Health Risk Assessment.

This study aimed to optimize and validate the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric method (ICP OES) for the simultaneous determination of eleven potentially toxic elements (Al, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Sb, Mn, and Zn) in lipstick samples. The method was evaluated by applying the standard addition method. The recoveries for all elements in lipsticks were between 90% and 110%, except for Cd and Pb they were <90% and >110%, respectively. The health risk assessment was determined by calculating the average daily intake (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI). The highest mean value for ADD was for Fe (4.8×10-1 mg kg-1 day-1), and the lowest was for Co (9.3×10-6 mg kg-1 day-1). There was no significant toxic health risk for any of the elements (HQ < 1), except for Fe (HQ < 3) which indicates a potential health risk. Based on PCA, all potentially toxic elements have been classified in the three groups. The first group includes Fe, the second includes Al, and all other elements belong to the third group. The cluster analysis of the elements provided the identical grouping that was obtained on the basis of PCA. Two separate clusters were obtained when cluster analysis was applied to the analyzed samples. The first cluster contained the only sample that was brown. The second cluster was divided into two sub-clusters. The first sub-cluster included the samples belonging to category I regarding the price, while the second sub-cluster included the samples belonging to category II and III regarding the price.