Crataegus Monogyna Research Articles (Page 1)

Exclusion of wild ungulates is not the Holy Grail: the stronger effect of forestry treatments than exclosures on natural forest regeneration.

Current demands in the field of functional textiles include the integration of specific characteristics, such as self-cleaning, antimicrobial efficacy and possible wound healing properties. Green synthesis of nanoparticles represents a promising strategy to address these challenges, combining biocompatibility and ecological safety with effective antimicrobial and antioxidant performance. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized using different ratios of Crataegus monogyna extract: AgNO3. Physically stable AgNPs with spherical shape, particle main diameters ranging from 61.9 to 85.4 nm and appropriate polydispersity indices were produced. Crataegus monogyna presented high phenolic content (30.58 ± 2.20 mg/g) and strong antioxidant activity (96 ± 1.6 µmol TE/g). The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, EDX, and XRD analysis. When applied to cotton and wool textiles, the AgNPs adhered uniformly, caused minimal colour change, and exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal strains compared to other plant-derived AgNPs, with values between 8 and 13.5 mm. The treated textiles demonstrated strong performance against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones of 11 ± 0.53 for cotton and 13.5 ± 0.42 for wool. These findings highlight the potential of Crataegus monogyna-based AgNPs as effective and fabric-compatible antimicrobial agents.

Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein from Crataegi fructus.

Arbutus and hawthorn fruits are commonly utilized in traditional medicine to address various gastrointestinal (GI) ailments. Our primary aim was to individually assess the effects of aqueous extracts from Arbutus unedo (AUAE) and Crataegus monogyna (CMAE) fruits on GI motility, spontaneous jejunal smooth muscle contractility, and hyperglycemia management. Wistar rats were administered loperamide (LOP, 3 mg/kg, b.w.) along with AUAE or CMAE (at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, b.w.) or yohimbine (YOH, 2 mg/kg, b.w.). GI transit was evaluated using the charcoal meal test. The impact of both extracts on jejunal secretion and contraction was assessed using the Ussing chamber technique and the isometric transducer. The bioactive constituents of AUAE and CMAE were analyzed via liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS). AUAE and CMAE comprise bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and flavonols, capable of eliciting various intended physiological effects. Both extracts demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent increase in GI transit (77.33%-89.83% and 80.31%-85.54%, respectively) compared to the delayed peristalsis induced by LOP (42.77%) and the accelerated effect of YOH (90.09%). Both extracts induced an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous jejunal contraction with an EC50 of 90.47 and 22.98 μg/mL, respectively. Conversely, the two extracts did not impact the electrogenic transport of intestinal fluid when compared to the action produced by forskolin (FSK, 10 μM). Additionally, both extracts significantly reduced glucose levels in hyperglycemic rats compared to control values. These findings hold promise for the development of novel preventive and pharmacological treatment strategies for GI disorders and diabetes management.

Growing interest in the medicinal and nutraceutical uses of hawthorn highlights the need to improve the extraction of bioactive compounds in order to produce high-value products. This study aimed to refine extraction methods to improve the quality and quantity of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins in Crataegi fructus extracts while preserving their integrity and minimizing the impact of impurities. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids were extracted using ethanol, tannins and water via unconventional ultrasound-assisted extraction protocols. According to the results, significant variations in the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), and total tannin (TTC) content were observed in correlation with the genotype and the extraction time. The optimal extraction time for TPC and TFC was 150 min of sonication of the samples, while the optimal extraction time for TTC was 30 min of sonication at 99 °C. Ten phenolic compounds, acids (chlorogenic, gallic and syringic acids) and flavonoids (epicatechin, catechin, procyanidin B2, hyperoside, quercetin, isoquercetin and vitexin), were identified in hawthorn fruits extracts by HPLC. Among them, the most abundant were epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, catechin and gallic acid. By comparing the maximum contents of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannin extracted from the two species of Crataegi fructus, Crataegus monogyna presented a lower amount of phenolic compounds and tannins, but higher amount of flavonoids, compared to C. pentagyna (1222.15 mg GAE 100 g−1 TPC, 502.47 mg GAE 100 g−1 TTC, and 723.48 mg CE 100 g−1 TFC in C. monogyna vs. 1240.01 mg GAE 100 g−1 TPC, 709.61 mg GAE 100 g−1 TTC, and 549.67 mg CE 100 g−1 TFC in C. pentagyna). Since the climate can influence both the content of bioactive compounds in plants and their extractability, the importance of this study lies in the description for the first time in the literature of hawthorn genotypes selected in Olt County, Romania, in a continental temperate climate with subtropical influences. The results of the study help obtain valuable genotypes for high-quality drugs and food supplements.

Abstract The present article reports the first detection of the apple proliferation and pear decline phytoplasmas (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ and ‘Ca. P. pyri’, respectively) in Luxembourg. These phytoplasmas, belonging to the 'Apple Proliferation group' 16SrX, are causing severe losses in European fruit tree production, respectively, on apple (Malus domestica) and pear (Pyrus communis), and they are on the EPPO A2 List of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests. The main insect vectors of these phytoplasmas belong to the superfamily Psylloidea, also known as psyllids or jumping plant lice (Insecta: Hemiptera). No data was available for Luxembourg concerning the distribution of phytoplasma infections, while many of their psyllid vectors were recently detected in a countrywide assessment. The present work reports the results of a survey of both psyllids and their vectored phytoplasmas on apple, plum, pear, cherry, blackthorn and common hawthorn. Among the collected samples, plant samples from Malus spp. trees and insect samples of Cacopsylla picta—both from orchards—tested positive for apple proliferation phytoplasma, while only plant samples from Pyrus spp. trees in orchards tested positive for pear decline phytoplasma. The implications of these findings within Luxembourg and the Greater Region are discussed.

A high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was optimized and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 16 phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, vanillin, syringic acid, coumaric acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, salicylic acid, resveratrol, and quercetin, in edible fruits from spontaneous species. Following the validation protocol, the proposed analytical method met the criteria of specificity, linearity, precision, and accuracy. The validated method was then applied for the analysis of phenolic compounds in fruits of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), rosehip (Rosa canina), and blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Of the phenolic compounds investigated, ten were identified in blueberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus), ten in cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas), nine in hawthorn fruit (Crataegus monogyna), and seven in rosehip fruit (Rosa canina). In the case of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), and blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit, epicatechin was identified as the main phenolic compound, while in rosehip (Rosa canina) fruit, catechin was the phenolic with the highest content.

Crataegus monogyna, commonly known as hawthorn, is a valuable plant in pharmaceutical production. Its flowers, leaves, and fruits are rich in antioxidants. This study explores the application of pulsed electric field (PEF) for enhanced extraction of bioactive compounds from C. monogyna leaves. The liquid-to-solid ratio, solvent composition (ethanol, water, and 50% v/v aqueous ethanol), and key PEF parameters-including pulse duration, pulse period, electric field intensity, and treatment duration-were investigated during the optimization process. To determine the optimal extraction conditions and their impact on antioxidant activity, response surface methodology (RSM) with a six-factor design was employed. The total polyphenol content in the optimized extract was 244 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, while individual polyphenols were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Furthermore, antioxidant activity was assessed using ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging assays, yielding values of 3235 and 1850 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g dry weight, respectively. Additionally, correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the interactions between bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Compared to other extraction techniques, PEF stands out as an eco-friendly, non-thermal standalone method, offering a sustainable approach for the rapid production of health-promoting extracts from C. monogyna leaves.

More than fifteen years ago, Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ 'hawthorh, Crataegus laevigata' was introduced into scientific circulation. This phytonym is a non-trivial Romanianism in the dialect of the Bulaestian Ukrainians. Despite its non-triviality, however, over the past time this Romanianism has not become the subject of a special scientific examination, which would allow us to clarify both the conditions of its appearance in the dialect of the Bulaestian Ukrainians, and, in fact, its original Romanian source. This is what makes this study, as it seems, very relevant. Thus, the purpose of the article is to analyze in detail the context of the emergence of the Bulaestian Romanianism /мала|еш/ 'hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata', and to establish both its original Romanian source and the circumstances of the formation of this phytonym in Romanian language, and its subsequent borrowing by the Bulaestian dialect. Thus, Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ 'hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata' is formed from Romanian mălai 'millet, Panicum miliaceum', using the Romanian diminutive suffix -eș. However, when referring to the actual Romanian data, the original Romanian phytonym, the source for Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ could not be found. The main term denoting hawthorn in Romanian is păducel. In Ukrainian dialects, a direct analogy to Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ is also not found. However, in some Bukovinian dialects (specifically: Zastavna, Kitsmani, Storozhinets, Novoselytsia), the phytonyms малай, малаец, малайок are known, and precisely with the meaning 'hawthorn, Crataegus oxyacantha l.'. Also, in four villages in the area of the Central Podolian dialects, the phytonyms кашка-малашка, мамаличка 'hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna Jacq.' are recorded. The phytonyms кашка-малашка, мамаличка 'hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna Jacq.', despite their obvious inequality to both Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ 'hawthorn' and the Bukovinian малай, малаец, малайок 'hawthorn', are nevertheless also obviously etymologically related to the Romanian mălai. Thus, we have a specific Bulaestian-Bukovinian parallel, absent even in the Hutsul dialects (also closely related to the Bulaestian dialect). And some facts allow us to assume that both the appearance of the Bulaestian /мала|йеш/ 'hawthorn' and the emergence of the Bukovinian малай, малаец, малайок 'hawthorn' were part of a common episode in the history of the Bulaestian Ukrainians and speakers of the Bukovinian dialects, and were associated with Bukovina. First of all, this includes the fact that the semantics of the main Romanian name for hawthorn, păducél, is accompanied in the Romanian folk tradition by significant negative connotations. Which, in all likelihood, should have prevented the transfer of the meaning of mălai to hawthorn. Indeed, the etymology of the Romanian name for hawthorn, păducél, is associated with the Latin (and Romanian) word meaning 'louse'. Moreover, in the Romanian folk tradition there is a widespread belief that whoever eats hawthorn fruits will be filled with lice. Moldova is included in the zone where the phytonym păducél is used as the name of hawthorn. That is, accordingly, in the zone of distribution in the popular consciousness of negative connotations associated with this phytonym. Accordingly, in all likelihood, the transfer of the name of millet to hawthorn was possible only in some, fairly narrowly localized zones of the Romanian linguistic space, where the attitude to hawthorn was different, and just as positive as to millet. And these, in all likelihood, were just some mountainous zones of the Carpathians, where hawthorn, in conditions unsuitable for agriculture, could be actively used in food as at least a partial substitute for cereals. In this regard, it is noteworthy that it is the Ukrainian Carpathian region (including Bukovina) that is included in the area of such a species of hawthorn as 'Ukrainian hawthorn, Crataegus ucrainica'. Its fruits, 11-13 mm in diameter, are almost twice as large as the fruits of the common hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata (7-10 mm in diameter). Which, obviously, significantly increased its food appeal in the eyes of people of traditional cultures. Based on the facts presented, it seems more likely that Bulaestian /mala|yesh/ 'hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata' arose precisely in the Bukovinian period of the history of the Bulaestian Ukrainians, in the region of Bukovina, and, in all likelihood, as a result of interaction with the same group of the Romanian population.

Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Prunus spinosa L. are common spring-flowering species in Slovenia. They occur in large stands and sometimes overgrow in unmanaged meadows. They are known as an excellent source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. Phenolic compounds are known as antioxidant for both pollinators and plants. We were interested in comparing plant species in terms of their phenolic compound content: rutin, quercetin, (iso)quercitrin, chlorogenic acid, and hyperoside. Their nectar was obtained from both plant species in 2024 in Ljubljana and the area surrounding Ljubljana. We took 96 samples of each species. The nectar was sampled with microcapillary tubes and analysed by HPLC. When studying the influence of abiotic factors on the concentration of phenolic compounds, the correlations were weak, so we cannot say with certainty which environmental factors affect which phenolic compounds and in what way. Rutin is predominant in the nectar of P. spinosa and chlorogenic acid is predominant in the nectar of C. monogyna. Hyperoside is found in the lowest concentration in both plant species. We found that although C. monogyna secreted much less nectar at midday, it was more concentrated in phenolic compounds at this time than in the morning. In P. spinosa, nectar secretion was highest in the morning, and the concentration of phenolic compounds was also highest in the morning.

This study evaluates the heavy metal and nutritional element content in the reproductive organs of medicinal plants (Helianthus annuus, Matricaria chamomilla, Tilia argentea, Sambucus nigra, Calendula officinalis, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis, Malus sylvestris, and Rosa canina) collected from the “Agroproduct” collection point in Kosovo. The main purpose of this study is to make an elemental analysis of above-mentioned plant species belonging to the Kosovo region and to clearly reveal whether these plants are consumable or safe for human health. Therefore, the parameters specified in the literature were evaluated to determine this, including metal and mineral concentration, correlation studies, and risk assessments using RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance), EDI (Estimated Daily Intake), THQ (Target Hazard Quotient), and HI (Hazard Index). Results showed that C. monogyna had the highest calcium (4863.32 mg/kg) and lead (3.53 mg/kg) levels, M. chamomilla had the highest potassium (15747.64 mg/kg), S. nigra fruits had the highest magnesium (2951.42 mg/kg), and C. officinalis had the highest sodium (1751.34 mg/kg), copper (12.51 mg/kg), and zinc (34.48 mg/kg). T. argentea had elevated manganese (127.30 mg/kg), and H. annuus had the highest iron (134.68 mg/kg) and nickel (9.37 mg/kg). R. canina, J. communis, and M. sylvestris did not exhibit the highest values for any evaluated elements. Comparisons with WHO/FAO allowable limits revealed that S. nigra fruits, T. argentea, H. annuus, C. monogyna, and M. chamomilla had concentrations of chromium, lead, and manganese exceeding permissible levels. Although certain elements exceeded WHO/FAO limits, risk assessment metrics (THQ, HI) suggest that the exposure levels remain within acceptable safety margins. This study addressing a critical gap in regional phytochemical data and evaluating their safety for human consumption through nutritional profiling and toxicological risk assessment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the fruit and fruit stalks of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC collected from the Denizli/Türkiye region in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, and macro and micro element compositions. Material and Methods: Fruit and fruit stalk samples of C. monogyna and C. laevigata species were utilized. Methanolic extracts were derived from dried samples, and TPC (Folin-Ciocalteu method) and DPPH antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically. Macro (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na) and micro (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B) element concentrations were analyzed using an ICP-AES device. The obtained data were statistically evaluated by two-way analysis of variance and Box Plot analysis. Results: The results indicated statistically significant differences (p

Plants have historically served as key sources of nutrition and popular medicine, which persists in current applications. The increasing demand for natural bioactive compounds has intensified the incorporation of plant-derived ingredients in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. This narrative review focuses on the fruits of Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz, and Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae), traditionally utilized in Europe and characterized by a high content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. These metabolites are associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. The available literature on their phytochemical profiles, biological activities, and integration into the Mediterranean Diet is critically assessed. Evidence supports their potential as functional food components. Despite encouraging in vitro results, the scarcity of in vivo and clinical studies limits the translational potential of these findings. Further research is warranted to validate their efficacy and safety in human health. This review underscores the value of integrating traditional ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological knowledge with contemporary scientific research to explore novel applications of these underutilized wild fruits.

This ethnobotanical research was conducted in the Beypazarı and Nallıhan districts of Ankara because of the regions’ historical significance. In our research, the interviews were conducted in 27 neighbourhoods of Beypazarı and 32 neighbourhoods of Nallıhan. In the region, the local use of 116 taxa were identified. Out of these, 64 were used for medicinal purposes, 35 for food and six as spices. Matricaria chamomilla (UV: 0.22), Crataegus monogyna (UV: 0.18), Tilia rubra (UV: 0.17), Urtica dioica (UV: 0.17), and Pinus nigra (UV: 0.15) exhibit the highest usage values. The medicinal use of nine taxa were recorded for the first time, and 38 taxa exhibited new medicinal uses. The active ingredients of the most commonly used plants are listed together with the data obtained from the literature. The most common usages of plants in these regions were for treating diabetes (FIC value of 0.61), followed by cardiovascular diseases (0.57). For food plants, six taxa were documented for the first time, and unique preparation methods for seven taxa were recorded. We believe that recording the ethnobotanical knowledge in this historical region will contribute to future researches.

This study aimed to estimate the current and future potential status of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. which is one of the important Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFPs) species in the Bozdaglar Mountains in the Aegean Region of Türkiye. MaxEnt method was used for potential distribution modelling and mapping of the target species. Climate data were obtained from the WorldClim database. Data on future climate conditions were downloaded from the UKESM1-0-LL projection for the years 2081-2100. As a result of the modelling process, the AUC value of the training dataset was 0.802 and the test dataset AUC value was 0.609. The variables shaping the model were BIO12 (annual precipitation), BIO7 (temperature annual range (BIO5-BIO6)), HI (heat index), TPI (topographical position index), and BIO13 (precipitation of wettest month). We found that the suitable distribution area of the target species, which is currently 182,214 ha, is estimated to decrease by 7,311 ha under the worst-case scenario SSP5 8.5, whereas the unsuitable area, which is currently 75,490 ha, is estimated to increase by 250,393 ha. The findings obtained in this study will aid in developing site-specific conservation strategies and management plans relevant to forestry.

Soil erosion and surface runoff on forest road slopes are major environmental concerns, especially in harvested areas, making effective mitigation strategies essential for sustainable forest management. The study compared the effectiveness of three selected woody species on forest road slopes as a possible mitigating action for runoff and soil erosion in harvested sites. Plots measuring 2 m × 3 m were set up with three species—alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.)—on the slopes of forest roads. Within each plot, root abundance, root density, canopy percentage, canopy height, herbaceous cover percentage, and selected soil characteristics were measured and analyzed. Root frequency and Root Area Ratio (the ratio between the area occupied by roots in a unit area of soil) measurements were conducted by excavating 50 × 50 cm soil profiles at a 10-cm distance from the base of each plant in the four cardinal directions. The highest root abundance and RAR values were found in hawthorn, followed by alder and medlar in both cases. The same order of magnitude was evidenced in runoff (255.42 mL m−2 in hawthorn followed by 176.81 mL m−2 in alder and 67.36 mL m−2 in medlar) and the reverse order in terms of soil erosion (8.23 g m−2 in hawthorn compared to 22.5 g m−2 in alder and 50.24 g m−2 in medlar). The results of the study confirm that using plant species with dense and deep roots, especially hawthorn, significantly reduces runoff and erosion, offering a nature-based solution for sustainable forest road management. These results highlight the need for further research under diverse ecological and soil conditions to optimize species selection and improve erosion mitigation strategies.

Abstract The study investigates the organochlorinated pesticides (OPCs) content in eight medicinal plant species (Achillea millefolium, Artemisia absinthum , Hypericum perforatum , Tilia sp., Matricaria chamomilla , Taraxacum officinale, Calendula officinalis, Crataegus monogyna), purchased from pharmacies, as well as in infusions prepared from these plants. A total number of 24 samples were analyzed by gas chromatography—electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The transfer rate of OPCs from dried herbs to infusions, as well as the health risk of OPCs residues in infusions (estimated daily intake (EDI) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated. All medicinal plants (MPs) contained pesticides in different concentrations. For the compounds Heptachlor, p,p' DDT, p,p' DDD, Aldrin, Dieldrin, concentrations well above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) were obtained. The transfer rate of organochlorine pesticides from dried plant to infusion ranged from 3.95% for Heptachlor (Artemisia absinthium) to 57.71% for Dieldrin (Achillea millefolium). The correlation between the OCPs content in the MPs and their infusion are statistically analyzed using the t-test for independence in high dimension, based on the correlation distance. Significant result was found for all OCP detected in the two media, with the content in the MPs significantly correlated with the content in the infusion. The EDI of the detected pesticides was lower than the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), and the Hazard Index values were less than 1 (HI < 1) in all infusions. Also, the cumulative hazard index (CHI), showed values less than 1 (CHI < 1) for all types of tea. These results indicate that residues of OCPs in the analysed infusions pose minimal risk to human health. However, taking into account the large transfer variations obtained, the results of the study recommend the development of control protocols for herbal infusions intended for human therapy that include the measurement of OCPs concentrations.

ABSTRACTThe reproductive success of plants often depends on their local conspecific densities. The degree of isolation from conspecific plants can mediate an individual's interactions with other organisms. For example, a high density of flowers can attract pollinators and improve seed set, and a high density of seeds can attract enemies such as seed predators. It is the joint outcome of positive and negative density‐dependent effects that will determine the spatial distribution of a population, yet they are rarely studied simultaneously. We related two indicators of reproductive success (fruit set and fruit drop) to tree size and the density of neighbouring conspecifics for 32 Crataegus monogyna (Rosaceae) individuals in a temperate woodland. Overall, 26% of flowers set seed, but seed set was not density dependent. We found that 25% of fruits were dropped before reaching maturity, and 24% of mature fruits were dropped before the typical dispersal period. The drop of both immature and mature fruits increased with the density of reproductive conspecifics in this system, with potential implications for spatial patterns of seedling recruitment.

Due to their antioxidant and other beneficial properties, polyphenol-rich plants are important functional foods. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the content of two polyphenols—ellagic acid and quercetin—in fruits of wild medicinal plants of Polish origin, as potential sources of these compounds. The research material was chosen considering both the popularity of the fruits and their recognized medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. All selected fruits—barberry (Berberis vulgaris), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia), and sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides syn. Elaeagnus rhamnoides)—are known for therapeutic use in Polish folk medicine. Extracts were analyzed for ellagic acid and quercetin content using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Quantitative results revealed that barberries, blackthorn, and sea-buckthorn contained the highest amounts of ellagic acid, up to 3.29 ± 0.24, 3.50 ± 0.16, and 4.80 ± 0.18 μg/g dw, respectively, while lingonberry provided up to 196.20 ± 3.10 μg/g dw of quercetin, making it a valuable dietary source of this flavonoid. The study confirms that Polish wild medicinal plants are valuable reservoirs of key polyphenols relevant to human health and support their potential inclusion in dietary strategies for disease prevention.

Forest fruit trees are important natural resources. Тhey participate in the forest plant communities, in which they usually have an edifying role. Forest fruit trees produce highquality fruits with high nutritional value, which can be used for food, and most of them are often used for industrial processing. The trees and shrubs from the family Rosaceae, which belongs the genus Crataegus are commonly known as hawthorns. The study on the traditional knowledge and use of of the forest fruit trees was conducted in the form of a population survey. The questionnaire included 633 respondents from 144 villages in the four municipalities of the Pirot District: Pirot, Babušnica, Bela Palanka, and Dimitrovgrad. According to the questionnaire, hawthorn was mentioned by 159 respondents, or 25.12% of the total number of respondents. Тhe use of the folowing plant species as wild forest fruit trees was recorded: C. laevigata (Poiret) DC. (syn. C. oxyacantha L.) (24 reports), C. monogyna Jacq. (98 reports), and C. pentagyna Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd. (37 reports). C. laevigata (folk name „crveni glog“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree in the study area by 24 respondents, of which 12 were men, and 12 were women, and 20 were Serbs, while 4 were Bulgarians. C. monogyna (folk name „beli glog“, „glog“, „glođinja“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree by 98 respondents, of which 58 were men, and 40 were women, and 80 were Serbs, 15 were Bulgarians, and 3 were Roma. C. pentagyna (folk name „crni glog“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree by 37 respondents, of which 18 were men, and 19 were women, and 32 were Serbs, while 5 were Bulgarians. The seasons in which hawthorn fruits are collected are late summer and early autumn. Together with other forest fruits trees in the Pirot District, the fruits of the three mentioned hawthorn species are cooked for compotes (153 reports). The smaller number of informants have been prepared liqueurs (2 reports), as well as homemade alcoholic drink colled “rakija” (3 reports) from fruits of common hartworn. During the survey, only one respondent stated that common hawthorn seeds were used as a coffee substitute. The respondents were not mentioned the use of unprocessed (fresh) fruits. The consumption of raw, unprocessed hawthorn fruits should be avoided, due to the content of some thermolabile substances that can affect the heart. The preparation process in cooking the fruits of plant species C. laevigata, C. monogyna, and C. pentagyna for compotes can be considered as novelties of our study, because this mode of consumption was not mentioned in ethnobotanical studies in the neighboring regions on the Balkan Peninsula. The mentioned plant species from genus Crataegus are on the list of protected species in Serbia, so it is necessary to rationally collect their fruits and market them.