Shift of the western boundary of the distribution area of Micromeria cristata (Hampe) Griseb. and Steptorhamphus tuberosus (Jacq.) Grossh.

During field investigations of Mt Rumija, two new taxa for the flora of Montenegro were recorded: Micromeria cristata (Hampe) Griseb. and Steptorhamphus tuberosus (Jacq.) Grossh. From the phytogeographic point of view these data indicate a change in the distribution area of both taxa, which have shifted to the west. Ashort overview of the taxonomic treatment of both genera is given

ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL COMPOSI TION OF THE MOST EFFICIENT ESSENTIAL OILS TOWARDS ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS REFERENT STRAIN ATCC 29212 AND CLINICAL ISOLATES

Twenty one essential oils (EOs) documented their significant antimicrobial effect with regard to our pre–set criterion of the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC ≤ 200 μL / mL) of EOs towards Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212 and or clinical isolates); the best effect MIC 0.4 μL / mL (approx. 0.26 μg / mL) achieved Satureja horvatii L. EO, while the EOs with the lowest antimicrobial efficacy were Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Achilea milefolium L., both with MIC s160.0 μg / mL. Analysis of the MIC values within the groups revealed that ATCC strain of E. faecalis is generally lower, ranging from 0.26 to 156 μg / mL, in comparison to those for clinical isolateswhich ranged from 10 to 160 μg / mL. Twelve 12 components that are common in EOs whith MIC s ≤ 200 μg / mL in testings towards both, the clinical  and  referent  strains  are  given  in  descending  order  according  to number of oils they are present in: trans–β–caryophyllene  (13) > myrcene (8)> α–pinene (8) > linalool (7) > p–cymene (7) > borneol (7) > geraniol (6) > camphene  (6) > limonene  (5) > 1,8– cineol  (5) > γ –terpinene  (5) > α–terpinene (4). Comparison of EO constituents reviled that only, geraniol and 1,8–cineol, contributed with ≥ 10 % to more than one EO (MIC 0.3–200 μg / mL) efficient against both E. faecalis strains. Thirteen components in 11 EOs with MIC ≤ 200 µg / mL towards ATCC 29212 were representative based on their contents in EOs: eugenol 82.9 % > thymol 63.7 % > hexadecanoic acid 47.8 % > menthol 46.6 % > cis–b–ocimene 44.2 % > geranial 42.1 % > trans–β–caryophyllene  40.8 % > citronellal  36.7 % > α–pinene  31.2 % > neral 30.5 % > α–eudesmol 22.4 % > citronellol 13.1 % > menthone 11.3 %. Following seven components, representative in 10 EOs with MIC ≤ 200 µg / mL towards clinical isolates, are presented in order of their contribution to EOs: phenylethyl alcohol 57.7 % > geranial 32.9 % > neral 22.2 % > p– cymene 20 % > carvacrol 14 % > α–pinene 11.5 % > linalool 11.4 %. Out of 21 highly efficient EOs selected in this study, six EOs proved to be the most efficient (MIC ≤ 30 μg / mL ); three oils in control of E.faecalis ATCC strain (Satureja horvatii, Mentha pulegium and Rosmarinus  officinalis) and other three  in control of E. faecalis clinical isolates (Leptospermum petersonii, Thymus algeriensis,  Thymus serpyllum).  Thymol is a major component  in three out of the six aforementioned most efficient EOs. The aim of our study was to investigate differences in efficacy of selected EOs that proved to possess great antimicrobial activity, towards the referent strain ATCC 29212 and clinical isolates of E. faecalis on, and to estimate which of their constituents might contribute to desired activity, as “markers compunds”

Campanula cichoracea

The taxonomically intricate Campanula lingulata complex confined to the Balkan Peninsula is reviewed using molecular and morphological data. An extensive sample of 62 individuals for phylogenetic analyses and 402 individuals for morphometric analysis from 17 populations across the species range was used. The phylogenetic analyses based on two chloroplast intergenic spacers (trnG(UCC)-trnS(GCU) and psbA-trnH) and morphological analysis based on 50 characters revealed two allopatrically distributed lineages of the C. lingulata complex that comprise individuals from the C and S Balkans, respectively. Both molecular and morphological data allowed us to re-establish C. cichoracea Sm., a species endemic to Thessaly in Greece. This species can easily be distinguished from C. lingulata s.str. by its calyx appendages hairy on the margins and adaxial side, and ovary continuously downwards hairy all over the surface. Molecular characters that can be used to distinguish these two species comprise four parsimony-informative substitutions within trnG(UCC)-trnS(GCU), and a microsatellite with a dinucleotide (AT) motif present only within the psbA-trnH region in C. lingulata. Further studies are required for resolving the taxonomic status of the remaining Macedonian and Rhodopean sub-lineages from the S Balkans