Cupressus Sempervirens Research Articles

Recent History, Use and Forgetfulness of the Cypress Forest of Fontegreca (Southern Italy)

The cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is characterized by a very ancient history linked to the wide employment for the technological properties of its wood and for its symbolic value. Although this tree was often considered as a species introduced in Italy, the first genetic studies showed, instead, the presence of an autochthonous population of C. sempervirens in the forest of Fontegreca (Matese massif, Southern Italy), which constitutes the unique autochthonous cypress woodland present in Southwestern and Western Europe. Therefore, investigations were carried out in selected (using geomorphological criteria) areas of the forest, through soil chemical analysis, identification and 14C dating of soil charcoals. Indeed, we hypothesize that these analyses allow clarifying the history of this woodland characterized by the dominance of the cypress in the forest cover. Areas at medium-low (17–29°) slope gradient on the eastern and southern slopes of the forest were investigated and sampled, following pedological criteria (soil horizons order). Soil morphological and chemical analysis showed humus-rich surface horizons, thin (15–30 cm) and poorly developed (young) soils, overlapping the bedrock limestones. The first soil charcoal analysis data highlighted the presence of a previous landscape characterized by several species (e.g., Pistacia, Ostrya carpinifolia, Juniperus sp. and Pinus sp.) and, probably, by a different forest structure. Ongoing charcoal identification and 14C dating will likely give a better understanding of both (1) the cypress history and (2) the development of this forest landscape.

Aegean Trees and Timbers: Dendrochronological Survey of the Island of Symi

The current study presents the results of the first dendrochronological survey performed over the East Aegean island of Symi. Research Highlights: Dendrochronological research of the East Aegean region is of paramount importance since dendrochronological data from the region, and especially the islands, are still limited. Background and Objectives: The main aim of the study is to explore the dendrochronological potential of the island, focusing on the dating of historical wood and buildings as well as dendroprovenancing. Materials and Methods: A total of 57 wood samples were collected from historical timber from windmills and architectural elements, including doors and warehouse planks, while 68 cores were collected from the three dominant tree species of the island—Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus brutia, and Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis—in an attempt to develop local reference chronologies that could be useful in dating historical timber Results: Of the historical timber, at least nine different species have been detected, with conifers representing the majority of the collected material. In total, 56% of the dendroarchaeological samples, belonging to four different species, were dated absolutely. According to cross-dating and dendroprovenancing results, Pinus nigra, Cedrus sp., and Quercus sp. represent timber imported from present-day Turkey while the fir samples collected from the windmills originate from Central Europe. The use of local timber is also highly probable although it could not be confirmed by the reference chronologies developed for the three dominant tree species of the island. Conclusions: The results of the study reveal the dendrochronological potential of the island from both dendroarchaeological and dendroecological perspectives. The finding that most of the wood was imported mainly from Turkey highlights the importance of timber trade with the Turkish mainland during the mid-18th and 19th centuries. Chronologies developed from living trees could be used in future studies for dating historical material while further research would increase our understanding of past timber trade and the island’s history.

Low-cost biomass for the treatment of landfill leachate from Fez City: application of a combined coagulation–adsorption process

In this work, the efficiency of a novel treatment of solid-waste landfill leachate based on coagulation and then adsorption onto a natural bioadsorbent was examined. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), turbidity, and color of the leachate from the urban sanitary landfill in Fez City (Morocco) following treatment was evaluated. Ferric chloride was used as the coagulant in the coagulation–flocculation pretreatment of the leachate, and Cupressus sempervirens cones were employed to adsorb the contaminants in the coagulated leachate. The optimum dose of ferric chloride was found to be 20 g per liter. The resulting coagulation process reduced the COD by 69%, the BOD5 by 60%, and the color of the leachate by 88%. Following the adsorption of the pretreated landfill leachate on Cupressus sempervirens cones, the COD, BOD5, and color of the leachate were found to be 86%, 96%, and 93% lower than their original values, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the treatment qe was calculated as 385 $${\text{mg}}_{{{\text{O}}_{ 2} }} \;{\text{g}}^{ - 1}$$ for 1 g of Cupressus sempervirens cones per liter under optimal adsorption conditions (including pH 7, 25 °C, and 8 h of contact time). A study of the adsorption kinetics for the COD revealed that a pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit to the experimental kinetic data, and the equilibrium data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. These results of the study indicate that the novel combined coagulation–adsorption treatment of landfill leachate is an inexpensive alternative to current landfill leachate treatments, and is suitable for application to industrial-scale sanitary landfills.

Experimental Determination of Sound Transmission Loss of Some Wood Species

Aim of study: To determine the sound transmission losses of 16 different wood species with the different density in the range of 100-1000 Hz frequencies, and the relationship between density and transmission loss was. Material and methods: In this study sound transmission loss values of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), Beech (Betula pendula), Black pine (Pinus nigra), Black poplar (Populus nigra), Canadian poplar (Populus x euramaricana), Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lips,) Eucalyptus C. (E, camaldulensis Dehnh), Eucalyptus G. (Eucalyptus grandis), Juniper (Juniperus excelsa), Plane (Platanus orientalis L.), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvetris L), Turkish Red pine (Pinus brutia Ten) and White Oak (Quercus alba) wood specimens were determined by using the impedance tube kit. Main results: Sound transmission loss is observed in lower density wood material species with the increasing frequency. However, a clear relationship has not been established between the mean sound transmission loss and density. Highlights: It is important to determine the frequency-related acoustic performance parameters of the wood material and to its relationship with density.

Phytochemical Comparison of Stem and Leaves of Cupressus sempervirens L. from Cuba

The Cupressus sempervirens Linnaeus (Cypress) species, belonging to the botanical family of the Cupressaceae, is an arboreal species native to the eastern Mediterranean and is of great importance for presenting metabolites with great therapeutic potential. In Cuba, it is uncommon, and this is the reason why this research took place to compare the chemical characterization of the stem and leaves of the ¨Ciprés¨ of Cuban origin. The present research is the first one in Cuba for the species which underwent a pharmacognostic study of the crude drug and the extracts of the plant parts. To be carried out, quality parameters of the leaves and stem were evaluated where the results obtained met with the specifications described in the official monographs. The Maceration Method was applied using 95% ethanol for the extraction of its chemical constituents. These were qualitatively determined by the Phytochemical Screening Techniques; expressing with greater incidence essential oils, fats, alkaloids, triterpenoids and steroids, resins, reducing sugars, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, mucilages, and bitter principles. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography suggests that the compounds that showed retention time on the stem were 15.2 and 15.9 minutes and the retention times on leaves were 15.2 and 16.0 minutes.

Effects of Land Use Changes on the Soil Physicochemical Properties in South-Western Algeria

Abstract This study shows the impact of the reforestation program by some tree species (Pinus halepensis, Cupressus sempervirens and Eucalyptus camaldulensis) on the soil physicochemical parameters in south-western Algeria steppe. The study was realized on soil samples from the Touadjeur site. One hundred soil samples were taken from the field, followed by physicochemical analyses in the laboratory. A comparison of the soil elements between reforested and unreforested sites considered as a control was carried out. The results show that there are differences in the physicochemical parameters of the soil between the reforestation and the non-reforestation ones constituted by a steppe vegetation. The ANOVA one way test shows a highly significant difference change in soil physical parameters, moisture, holding capacity and saturated hydraulic conductivity, but no change in apparent density, actual density and color. Also, from a chemical point of view, the differences concern the organic matter, organic carbon, pH and certain soil contents. The main differences in soil properties between the reforestation sites and the control site, reflect the consequences of forest management adopted by the forest services, most probably the choice of reforestation species.

Evaluation of the Insecticidal Activities of α-Pinene and 3-Carene on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Simple SummaryIn order to assure food security, proven postharvest pest management tools are needed to secure grains and processed food from insect infestations. Plants and plant products have over the years been proven to possess great insecticidal properties. Farmers in Cameroon use cypress leaves (Cupressus sempervirens) as pesticide against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). Two pure compounds (α-Pinene and 3-Carene) from cypress were tested against the maize weevil for contact and fumigant toxicities. Both compounds demonstrated efficacies against both adult and immature weevils. These compounds did not change the color of the treated stored maize and could be exploited as novel maize insecticides.Pest management in most sub-Saharan subsistence agriculture involves mainly the use of botanicals that are either applied as powders, solvent extracts, ash or essential oils. Two hydrogenated monoterpenes (α-pinene and 3-carene) from Cupressus sempervirens were tested against Sitophilus zeamais in the laboratory to evaluate the contact and fumigation effects on the mortality of adult and immature weevils, progeny production, and grain damage. Contact toxicity of the terpenes was investigated at these concentrations: 0.08, 4, 8 and 12 ppm (terpene/maize), while fumigant action was studied at the following doses: 1, 2, 3, and 4 ppm. The results indicate that insecticidal effects were concentration-dependent since mortality increased with dosage and exposure periods. After a 14-day exposure period at the concentration of 12 ppm of α-pinene and 3-carene/grain, more than 98% mortality of the mature weevils was observed at concentrations of 4.1333 and 1.642 ppm respectively and progeny production was reduced by 98% and 100%, respectively. When α-pinene and 3-carene were applied as fumigants, LC50s (lethal concentrations that generate 50% mortality) of 1.402 and 0.610 ppm were obtained after 24 h of exposure, respectively. At concentrations above 3 ppm, both monoterpenes acted as repellents to weevils and reduced grain damage by 80%. Both monoterpenes inhibited the development of immature stages of the weevil and reduced progeny by up to 94%. These compounds are very promising and effective and could be exploited as novel phytoinsecticides against the maize weevil.

Enhanced root exudation of mature broadleaf and conifer trees in a Mediterranean forest during the dry season.

Root exudates are part of the rhizodeposition process, which is the major source of soil organic carbon (C) released by plant roots. This flux of C is believed to have profound effects on C and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. The quantity of root exudates depends on the plant species, the period throughout the year, and external biotic and abiotic factors. Since root exudates of mature trees are difficult to collect in field conditions, very little is known about their flux, especially in water-limited ecosystems, such as the seasonally hot and dry Mediterranean maquis. Here, we collected exudates from DNA-identified roots in the forest from the gymnosperm Cupressus sempervirens L. and the evergreen angiosperm Pistacia lentiscus L. by 48-h incubations on a monthly temporal resolution throughout the year. We examined relationships of the root exudate C flux to abiotic parameters of the soil (water content, water potential, temperature) and atmosphere (vapor pressure deficit, temperature). We also studied relationships to C fluxes through the leaves as indicators of tree C balance. Root exudation rates varied significantly along the year, increasing from 6μg C cm -2 root day-1 in both species in the wet season to 4- and 11-fold rates in Pistacia and Cupressus, respectively, in the dry season. A stepwise linear mixed-effects model showed that the three soil parameters were the most influential on exudation rates. Among biotic factors, there was a significant negative correlation of exudation rate with leaf assimilation in Cupressus and a significant negative correlation with leaf respiration in Pistacia. Our observation of enhanced exudation flux during the dry season indicates that exudation dynamics in the field are less sensitive to the low tree C availability in the dry season. The two key Mediterranean forest species seem to respond to seasonal changes in the rhizosphere such as drying and warming, and therefore invest C in the rhizosphere under seasonal drought.

English

The essential oils and defatted ethanolic extracts isolated from Cupressus sempervirens L. leaves collected from two geographically distinct regions in Lebanon; Beit El-Dein (mountain) and Jbeil (sea-side) were analysed for their chemical composition by GC/MS and qualitative phytochemical screening, respectively. These were then tested for their in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Fourteen and eighteen compounds were identified in Beit El-Dein and Jbeil samples, respectively with α-pinene (45.69-20.97%) and δ-3-carene (24.55-16.7%) representing the major constituents. C. sempervirens L. ethanolic extracts were able to reduce the stable radical 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reaching 50% reduction with IC50 values equal to 113.17 and 155.75 μg/ml, respectively. These results positively correlated with the high phenol (77.4-66.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight) and flavonoid (3.8-2.8 mg rutin equivalent/g dry weight) contents in both samples, respectively. Regarding the in-vitro antibacterial activity, essential oils exhibited a stronger potential mainly towards the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus compared with the ethanolic extracts as this was revealed by higher diameters of inhibition zone ranging between 7 and 12.3 mm and minimal inhibitory concentrations equal to 15.62 μl/ml. The results obtained from this study show that the Lebanese Cypress may be used as a good source of natural food preservatives and as drugs for various ailments. Key words: Lebanese Cupressus sempervirens L., essential oil and ethanolic extract, antioxidant, antibacterial activities. &nbsp

Phenology of Cupressaceae urban infrastructure related to its pollen content and meteorological variables

Cupressaceae pollen is one of the major airborne allergens of the Mediterranean region and in other regions around the world. Pollen production of these species causes considerable allergic problems during winter, being this type of pollen the most abundant in this period of the year. This work aims to relate phenology, meteorology and airborne pollen records in these species. Aerobiological sampling was carried out in Badajoz (SW Spain) from 2016 to 2018 using Hirst-type volumetric sampler. Pollination phenology was studied in 50 specimens, ten of Cupressus macrocarpa, ten of Cupressus arizonica, 15 of Cupressus sempervirens and 15 of Platycladus orientalis with a frequency of 3–4 days on average during the months of January to March. In all cases, five specimens were in the surrounding of pollen station and at least five of them 4 km apart. For phenology, BBCH methodology was used. Daily data for the whole period and hourly data for the last 2 years were analyzed, including pollen records and meteorology. Comparison between pollen records and sources distribution was assessed. Main pollen season lasted on average 91 (89–94) days. In all the years, the peaks of phenology of the different species can be matched with peaks of airborne pollen records, considering that rain can prevent a more precise correspondence.

A Review of Conifers in Iran: Chemistry, Biology and their Importance in Traditional and Modern Medicine.

Cupressus sempervirens, Platycladus orientalis, Juniperus communis, J. excelsa, J. foetidissima, J. polycarpos var. turcomanica, J. sabina, and Taxus baccata are conifers in Iran. These plants have a long reputation in different systems of traditional medicines for a variety of diseases. This review aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information about the ethnopharmacological uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacology of these conifers. Furthermore this study comprises a bibliographical survey of major Islamic Traditional Medicine (ITM) books regarding different medical aspects of these species. A literature search was conducted on the applications of these conifers both in traditional and modern medicines by referencing traditional textbooks and scientific databases. Ethnobotanical literature review indicates that various parts of the plants including cones, berries, leaves, bark, wood, and resin have been used for a broad spectrum of applications. In Iran, C. sempervirens, J. sabina, J. communis, and T. baccata have been used traditionally for the treatment of urinary, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and integumentary systems-related problems. The phytochemical constituents of these plants can be divided into two main categories: volatile and non-volatile components, all dominated by terpenes. Considering the pharmacological and clinical evidence, while some of the traditional applications of these plants are supported by modern medicine, implying the value of the traditional and folklore knowledge for finding new lead compounds in drug discovery, some have remained unexamined showing the need for much more studies in this regard.

Producing Urban Aerobiological Risk Map for Cupressaceae Family in the SW Iberian Peninsula from LiDAR Technology

Given the rise in the global population and the consequently high levels of pollution, urban green areas, such as those that include plants in the Cupressaceae family, are suitable to reduce the pollution levels, improving the air quality. However, some species with ornamental value are also very allergenic species whose planting should be regulated and their pollen production reduced by suitable pruning. The Aerobiological Index to create Risk maps for Ornamental Trees (AIROT), in its previous version, already included parameters that other indexes did not consider, such as the width of the streets, the height of buildings and the geographical characteristics of cities. It can be considered by working with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data from five urban areas, which were used to create the DEM and DSM (digital elevation and surface models) needed to create one of the parameters. Pollen production is proposed as a parameter (α) based on characteristics and uses in the forms of hedges or trees that will be incorporated into the index. It will allow the comparison of different species for the evaluation of the pruning effect when aerobiological risks are established. The maps for some species of Cupressaceae (Cupressus arizonica, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressocyparis leylandii and Platycladus orientalis) generated in a GIS (geographic information system) from the study of several functions of Kriging, have been used in cities to identify aerobiological risks in areas of tourist and gastronomic interest. Thus, allergy patients can make decisions about the places to visit depending on the levels of risk near those areas. The AIROT index provides valuable information for allergy patients, tourists, urban planning councillors and restaurant owners in order to structure the vegetation, as well as planning tourism according to the surrounding environmental risks and reducing the aerobiological risk of certain areas.

DFT calculations and POM analyses of cytotoxicity of some flavonoids from aerial parts of Cupressus sempervirens: Docking and identification of pharmacophore sites.

Two known polyphenols named apigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (S1) and querctine-3-O-glucoside (S2), along with another two new compounds apigenin 4'-geranyl-8-glucopyranosyl-7-O-α-glucopyranoside (S3) and apigenin 4'-pernyl-8-glucopyranosyl -7-O-α-glucopyranoside (S4), were isolated from the leaves of Cupressus sempervirens. Structure elucidation of the isolated polyphenols was established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis like 1D and 2D NMR analyses including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, COSY, DEPT, HMQC, UV, and Electron Spray Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (ESI-MS). Density Functional Theory (DFT) of computational, Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM), and docking analyses methods were applied in the structural validation of new isolated compounds. The isolated compounds S1-S4 showed significant cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular liver carcinoma HepG2 cells, MCF-7, HC116 and A549.

In vitro production of some secondary metabolites from Cupressus sempervirens.

Cupressus sempervirens L. has known medicinal activities, which are related to the presence of miscellaneous secondary metabolites, involved in patents for pharmaceuticals and/or cosmetics in the market. The aim of this study is to perform a comparative investigation of the main metabolites in the wild, cultivated and callus cultures of C. sempervirens using different treatments and the in vitro production of certain metabolites from C. sempervirens callus cultures in concentrations adequate for use commercially and also to develop a convenient chromatographic method for both the qualitative and quantitative determination of the most beneficial flavonoids (rutin and quercitrin), along with other metabolites (ferruginol, 2-furancarboxaldehyde,5 methyl, pentadecanoic acid, totarol, quinic acid and hinokiol) using HPLC/DAD and GC/MS, respectively. Leaf extract of the wild plant induced reduction in cell viability of some tested cell lines as: human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HEPG2), lung carcinoma cell (A549), human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and especially on human colon cancer cell (HCT116), which was higher than doxorubicin used as a standard. This study is a stepping stone for obtaining natural and renewable bioactive secondary metabolites from C. sempervirens through in vitro callus cultures.

New records, distribution and phenology of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in semi-arid habitats in northeastern Algeria

ABSTRACT Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) pollinate plants, predate other insects, and feed on vegetal and decay materials, being used as bioindicators of different ecosystem conditions and processes. The main aim is to enhance the bioindicator potential of hoverflies in Algeria by increasing our knowledge on the hoverfly communities of different environments in the semi-arid Northeast of Algeria: unpolluted riverbank, plant nursery, polluted riverbank, olive orchard (Olea europaea), prickly pear plantations (Opuntia ficus-indica), and a cypress hedge (Cupressus sempervirens). With an entomological net, hoverflies were sampled fortnightly from December 2016 to November 2017. In total 37 species were identified. The unpolluted and polluted riverbanks and the plant nursery had the highest species richness with 26, 24, and 23 species respectively, whereas, the lowest species numbers were detected in the prickly pear plantations, the cypress hedge and the olive orchard with 16, 14, and 10 species respectively. One species was new to North Africa (Eumerus etnensis), whereas four species were recorded for the first time in Algeria (Eumerus obliquus, Eupeodes nuba, Paragus vandergooti and Platycheirus ambiguus). Examined material also contributes to better understand each species phenology in Algeria.

An approach for the mass propagation of Cupressus sempervirens L. (Cupressaceae), for quality propagule production

The scenarios of climate change in Mediterranean regions bring back the need for tree species tolerant to drought and disease, for agro- and urban-forestry purposes, landscape rehabilitation, as well as for post-fire and quarry restoration plans. Therefore, forest industries focus on selecting, propagating and growing superior trees. The Cupressus sempervirens L. is such a coniferous tree species, with a fundamental ecological, financial and ornamental role in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient macropropagation protocol, which would lead to mass-selected genotypes or phenotypes of C. sempervirens f. sempervirens. For this purpose the axillary shoot multiplication method was used, by adopting both cutting propagation and intermittent mist methods. These methods were used for the first time in the macropropagation of C. sempervirens f. sempervirens. For shoot proliferation, 24 different modified macropropagation treatments at different concentrations and combinations were tested: shoot cuttings, concentrations of K-IBA and rooting systems. The elongation and root induction was carried out in an intermittent mist system for 50 days, then the new plantlets were moved for acclimatization for 15 days in a greenhouse. The current workflow presents an effective preliminary protocol with clear steps and treatments for macropropagation of C. sempervirens f. sempervirens. The developed protocol for macropropagation of tree species ensures cost- and time-efficient propagation. Produced plantlets were developed efficiently under in vivo conditions, allowing to propagate and store genetic material for conservation and domestication. This protocol can be generated for other tree species of the Cupressus genus and the Cupressaceae family.

Evaluation of selected plant species under drained saline and waterlogged conditions in pots when irrigated with treated wastewater

AbstractA pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of the use of treated wastewater (TWW) on selected plant species. In total three treatments were compared including high soil salinity under drained and waterlogging conditions in comparison to a drained non‐saline treatment. The effect of TWW on growth performance of the plant species was investigated to find out which of the plant species is most promising to be grown under the saline or waterlogged conditions when irrigated with TWW. The TWW application reduced the soil salinity even under the waterlogged conditions but more efficiently in drained soils. From the six plant species Atriplex nummularia, Acacia cyanophyllia and Eucalyptus gomphocephala performed better, with lower mortality and higher biomass production than Casuarina glauca, Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis. Salinity under the drained conditions in combination with TWW application even caused higher yields in case of Atriplex nummularia and Acacia cyanophyllia compared to a non‐saline soil.

Beyond the visible: The Viterbo Crucifixion panel painting attributed to Michelangelo Buonarroti

The painting object of the present work, currently exposed in the Museum of Colle del Duomo in Viterbo (Italy), has been dated back by art historians to the 16th century and it owes its relevance to a still discussed attribution to Michelangelo Buonarroti. For this reason, art historians and the responsible curator of the Museum commissioned scientific investigations to support and explain their hypothesis about the painting attribution and dating. Here we report the results of two sets of investigation: diffuse reflectance hyperspectral imaging and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of the painting; radiocarbon dating and identification of the panel wood. The hyperspectral dataset, coupled with X-ray fluorescence spectra on selected analysis points, reveals the presence of precious ultramarine blue and vermillion pigments, confirming the importance of the painting committer. Wood analysis and radiocarbon dating by wiggle matching technique revealed that the botanical species used for the panel is Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), and enabled dating the painting around AD 1500± 25, providing to art historians a further element for the attribution of the artwork.

Phenolic constituents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of some female cones of gymnosperm plant

In the present study, the total antioxidant activity, the total phenolic content, and the antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts obtained from the female cones of Pinus brutia, Pinus nigra, Cupressus sempervirens L., Thuja orientalis L., and Cedrus libani were evaluated. The in vitro total phenolic content, the antioxidant, and the antimicrobial activities were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reaction, the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the disc diffusion method, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the extracts of the female cones prepared in methanol had the antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms and the highest antimicrobial effect was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. The total phenolic constituents of the extracts were determined to be in the ranges from 69 to 220 mg GA/100 g. All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity with concentrations necessary to inhibit the activity of DPPH radical by 50% (IC50) ranging from 0.35 to 17.21 µg/mL. The results indicate that the extracts of the cones exhibit acceptable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and suggest that these cones’ extracts may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials for food or medical purposes.

Urban Dendroflora of the Macedonia Park in the City of Skopje, North Macedonia

Subject of research in this article is the urban dendroflora of the Macedonia Park, situated on about 50,000 m2 in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje, i.e., identification and presence of the recent woody plants. Thus, observed are morphological and ecological features of the woody plants and their current state in this urban environment. The investigation relates to a seven-year period (since the establishment of the Park in 2012 up to late 2019). After the field research and the inventorisation of the woody plants in the Park, 82 taxa were identified, represented in 1,318 individuals. Most represented tree species is the hybrid Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Münchh. with 103 individuals (7.81% of the overall urban dendroflora). Most frequent tree including infraspecific taxa is Fraxinus excelsior L. (including F. e. ‘Globosa’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’, and F. e. ‘Pendula’) with a total number of 146 individuals (11.08%). Concerning other growth form, the mini and small tree roses of hybrid Rosa Floribunda Group outnumber all ornamental woody species with 225 bushes (17.07%). Climbers are represented with 3 taxa (3.66% of identified taxa) in pergolas (Wisteria sinensis /Sims/ Sweet, Parthenocissus quinquefolia /L./ Planch.), and wire cage topiary (Hedera helix L.). Likewise, 87 individuals (6.60%) of 10 species (12.19%) occur as remnants of the greening in the past of which 3 species are used as a green core of a small sacral architecture: Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis (Mill.) Loudon (with 10 trees), Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (3), and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold (1). In general, the urban dendroflora is properly selected and used for greening, although certain species and individuals are withering (e.g. Betula pendula ‘Youngii’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’) or unsuitably used for avenue and in small alpine-like garden.