Uncontrolled pesticide use in agriculture pollutes the environment and has harmful consequences on food chain participants. Health-safe plant production, without residues of carcinogenic and toxic pesticides, is a priority in food production. In addition, plant pests (insects) are becoming increasingly resistant to existing chemical pesticides. In order to grow healthy crops, the application of pesticides has to be decreased, while preventive and biological control should be intensified, i.e. biopesticides should be used instead of chemical ones. In addition to microbiological preparations, plant essential oils are also intensively used as biopesticides. The present study indicates that it is possible to use essential oils in organic agriculture as natural agents in the control of harmful insects. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate the existence of significant insecticidal effects of plant essential oils. Mono- and sesquiterpene components of essential oils are mainly neurotoxic to insects. However, despite this, the number of commercially available preparations is limited. It is necessary to better regulate the legislation on organic agriculture, as well as to additionally test the action modes of these oils.

Experiments were conducted to assess the control of weeds with two PRE-EM (pendimethalin and ethofumesate) and one POST-EM (fluroxypyr-meptyl) herbicides used in chamomile. Pendimethalin (990 g a.i. ha-1) and ethofumesate (1000 g a.i. ha-1) were applied after crop sowing but before crop and weed emergence, while fluroxypyr-meptyl (258.48 g a.i. ha-1) was applied when the weeds achieved 2-4 developed leaves and the chamomile was at an early stage of development. Herbicide efficacy was recorded 20 and 40 days after treatment (DAT) for PRE-EM and 15 and 30 DAT for POST-EM herbicides. Better control of most species was observed with POST-EM than with PRE-EM herbicides. Pendimethalin showed good efficacy (> 90%) on Abutilon theophrasti, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium hybridum, Chenopodium polyspermum, Rumex crispus, and Veronica persica, while the efficacy of ethofumesate was less than 90% on all weed species. Fluroxypyr-meptyl showed 100% efficacy on A. theophrasti, B. convolvulus, P. aviculare, R. crispus, S. nigrum and V. hederifolia in 2017 and on A. blitoides in 2018. These results can help growers select PRE-EM and POST-EM herbicides for weed control in chamomile and enable sustainable management.

Natural plant oils are commonly used in skincare products for their emollient properties. Plum seed oil is a promising cosmetic ingredient since it represents a sustainable material derived from fruit processing waste, recognized in the CosIng Database for its skin-conditioning function. The aim of this study was to incorporate plum seed oil into a topical emulgel and assess its biophysical effects on the skin. An in vivo study on healthy volunteers evaluated the safety (irritation potential) and long-term efficacy (impact on biophysical skin parameters during 28-day application) of emulgel containing 6% (w/w) plum seed oil as a natural emollient and active ingredient. Results showed that plum seed oil exhibited no irritation potential during a 24-hour safety assessment since transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased (p <0.05), and erythema index didn’t change significantly. Results of 28-day efficacy study suggested, potential anti-irritant effects after long-term usage. In addition, pH, skin integrity and skin color were preserved during the study, while skin hydration was increased. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ non-invasive biophysical methods to assess the influence of plum seed oil in cosmetic formulations. These findings point plum seed oil’s potential as a natural, sustainable, safe and effective raw material for cosmetics.

The applicative characteristics of topical preparations can be assessed using sensory analysis as a subjective method and texture analysis as an objective method. In this study, the sensory and textural properties of an emulgel containing 6% (w/w) plum seed oil, as the natural oil obtained from renewable resources, were compared to a placebo emulgel, in which the plum seed oil was replaced by caprylic/capric triglycerides, commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Both emulgels were semi-solid in consistency, slightly shiny, easy to spread, and demonstrated rapid absorption, low stickiness, and low oiliness. The results indicated that plum seed oil had a comparable influence on the sensory and textural properties of the final product to that of caprylic/capric triglycerides. Differences in sensory characteristics were noted in terms of density, with participants reporting a lower density for the emulgel containing plum seed oil. Texture analysis was conducted 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after preparation of samples. The texture analysis revealed that the presence of plum seed oil was associated with lower hardness (initial hardness of active emulgel was 0.25 ± 0.01 N while the hardness of placebo emulgel was 0.39 ± 0.04 N), leading to better spreadability. Apart from an increase in cohesiveness over time, likely due to the restructuring of the gel matrix, (from 0.85 ± 0.06 mJ to 1.38 ± 0.31 mJ, and from 0.83 ± 0.04 mJ to 1.62 ± 0.45 mJ for placebo and active emulgel respectively), other texture parameters remained statistically unchanged, indicating the physical stability of the emulgels during the study.

<p><em>Boswellia serrata</em> Roxb. is a tree that is mainly found in the dry regions of India. Its oleoresin, known internationally as Indian frankincense, is used in Ayurvedic, traditional Arabic and Chinese medicine. This gum resin contains 15-20% of boswellic, lupeolic and other pentacyclic triterpenic acids, of which the boswellic acids (beta-boswellic acid, keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetil-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic properties and are used in the modern pharmaceutical industry. Besides its ability to prevent and treat various diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis and asthma), other biological functions of B. serrata resin should not be neglected.<br />The aim of this study was to analyze, for the first time, extracts of <em>B. serrata</em> resin obtained with subcritical water at different temperatures (110–190 °C) for their phenolic and flavonoid content. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by UV-spectrophotometry using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The total flavonoid content (TFC) was also determined by UV-spectrophotometry using a simple method with AlCl<sub>3</sub>. <br />With increasing extraction temperature, the TPC increased from 3.76 mg GAE/g DW at 110 °C to 13.78 mg GAE/g DW at 190 °C. The highest TFC was observed in the extract obtained at 170 °C (8.56 mg RE/g DW). <br />The results of this study suggest that extracts of B. serrata resin obtained with subcritical water are a rich source of bioactive compounds that can be used in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and functional foods.  </p>

<p>In the study, celery root and celeriac stalk and leaf extracts were prepared using heat-assisted extraction, and the total polyphenol concentration (TPC) and anti-DPPH radical potential of the obtained extracts were determined. The TPC values of the extracts were from 2.67 to 13.43 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, following the trend: ethanol celeriac leaf sample>water celeriac leaf sample>ethanol celeriac stalk sample>water celery root sample. Ethanol celery root and water celeriac stalk samples showed significantly lower TPC. The anti-DPPH activity follows the trend: ethanol celeriac leaf sample>water celeriac leaf sample>water celery root sample>water and ethanol celeriac stalk samples>ethanol celery root sample. The IC<sub>50</sub> values (the concentration of the sample necessary to neutralize 50% of free radicals) varied in a range of 63.9 to 326.4 mg/mL. Both phenolic yield and antioxidant activity achieved the highest levels in the ethanol celeriac leaf sample.</p>

<p>The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the above- and underground organs, along with features of powdered plant material of the invasive species <em>Reynoutria japonica</em> Hout., Polygonaceae, as a potential raw material for the pharmaceutical industry, were examined. No specific characteristics of the stem, root, and rhizome were identified that could independently allow for species determination. However, identifying features include the leaf midrib with its protrusions, vascular bundle arrangement and trichomes. The leaf powder is characterized by presence of epidermal cells with wavy walls, anisocytic stomata, numerous crystal druses, and conical unicellular trichomes. The ellements present in the rhizome and root powder are crystal druses, cork fragments, vessels, macrosclereids, and grouped starch grains. The use of <em>R. japonica</em> as medicinal raw material could help to reduce the negative impact of this species on habitats and biodiversity in Serbia.</p>

<p>Red currants (<em>Ribes rubrum</em> L.) belongs to <em>Grossulariaceae</em> family and the Ribes genus. They are sweet and sour, nutrient rich berries that have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to determine the vitamin C content and antioxidant potential of juices from six varieties of red currants - Redpoll, Makosta, Stanza, Jonkheer, Rolan, and Rondom. Fresh, undamaged fruits were pressed into juice and stored at -18°C. Ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system as well as <em>β</em>-carotene bleaching assay. The results showed that the juice of the Redpoll variety had the highest vitamin C content (66.52±2.9 mg/100 g juice), while the juice of the Stanza variety had the lowest content (6.23±0.28 mg/100 g). The Redpoll variety juice also showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 1.76±0.25 mg/mL), while the juice of the Rolan variety showed the weakest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 6.65±0.84 mg/mL). Thanks to its favorable cultivation properties and numerous potential and proven positive health effects, red currant is becoming the subject of increasing research<strong>.</strong> The results of this study can serve as an incentive for the use of red currants and their products in nutrition, as well as for the selection of nutritionally high-quality varieties.</p>

<p>With the aim to examine the radical scavenging activity of smoke tree extract-loaded liposomal particles before and after ultrasound exposure (45 or 70% amplitude and 15 or 30 min), ABTS and DPPH tests were employed. The antioxidant activity of the pure extract was 11.37±0.52 µmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/mL and 79.7±0.5%. Multilamellar liposomes with extract showed significantly higher antioxidant activity in both assays (12.02±0.54 µmol TE/mL and 81.9±0.4%) compared to sonicated liposomes (10.75-11.00 µmol TE/mL and 79.3-80.9%) and pure extract. There was no significant difference between the ABTS radical scavenging activity of the liposomes treated by different amplitudes and times, while prolonged sonication and a higher amplitude caused a significant drop in the anti-DPPH capacity of extract-loaded liposomal vesicles. The presented results and the differences between the obtained data provide a good insight into the overall antioxidant capacity of smoke tree extract-loaded multilamellar and sonicated unilamellar liposomal vesicles.</p>

<p>This study aims to assess the GC-MS and FTIR profiles and secondary metabolites of <em>Ipomoea asarifolia</em> vis-a-vis its antibacterial action against bacteria, associated with wound infections. We conducted phytochemical screenings, GC-MS, and FTIR analyses on <em>I. asarifolia</em>.  The antibacterial effects of the extracts were tested against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>. Reports indicated the presence of saponins (57.9, 13.81, 46 mg/g), phenolics (18.4, 4.14, 21.05 mg/g), and alkaloids (0.49, 0.62, 1.12 mg/g) in the leaf, stem, and whole plant, respectively. <em>I. asarifolia</em> contained eighteen (18 of 20) essential amino acids, including glycine, alanine, serine, and proline. We also found phytosterol, fatty acids, phospholipids, and vitamins (B, C, D, E, and K) in the samples. We detected distinctive absorption bands in the leaf and stem samples, corresponding to the stretching of O-H bonds. The absorption band at 3419.95 cm<sup>−1</sup> was discovered in the leaf, while the absorption band at 3416 cm<sup>-1</sup> was observed in the stem. A prominent adsorption peak at 1637.83 cm<sup>−1</sup>, corresponding to the stretching of the alkene C=C bond in lignin, was detected in the leaf sample. The zone size inhibition for leaf and stem extracts ranges from 5 mm to 8 mm, depending on the extract concentration (0.625–5.0 mg/mL). <em>S. aureus</em> exhibited susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin but showed resistance to 15 other antibiotics. In contrast, <em>P. aeruginosa</em> displayed resistance to all tested antibiotics. The study provided confirmation and clarification of the traditional applications of <em>I. asarifolia</em>, a herbal plant that necessitates further investigation.</p>