New distribution data of some Pontic and submediterranean plant species in Serbia

We present here the distribution of 11 rare Pontic and submediterranean plant species in Serbia based on field research, herbarium and literature data. These taxa were mapped on 10 x 10 km2 UTM grid. The following taxa were analyzed: Dianthus pinifolius Sibth. & Sm., Doronicum hungaricum Reichenb. fil., Sedum stefco Stefanov, Sempervivum zeleborii Schott, Trifolium pignantii Fauche & Chaub., Ranunculus illyricus L., Potentilla chrysantha Trev., Prunus tenella Batsch, Saxifraga bulbifera L., Linaria pelisseriana (L) Miller and Gagea bohemica (Zausc) Schul. & Schul

The influence of environmental factors on the structure of caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblage in the Nisava River (Central Balkan Peninsula)

Monthly samples of caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae were taken from ten localities along a 151 km long section of the Nisava River (eastern Serbia) during a one year study, with the aim to assessing the spatial composition of the caddisfly assemblage along the river gradient, to identify key environmental factors influencing its variability, to find out if caddisflies are suitable as biological indicators of water quality in this region, and to asses if the caddisfly assemblage in the river follows the river continuum concept. Twenty-three morphologically distinct taxa belonging to 14 genera were identified. The dominant family was Hydropsychidae with 70.34% of specimens examined, followed by Brachycentridae with 9.74% specimens. The longitudinal variability of the caddisfly assemblage has shown a clear dependence on physical and chemical parameters. The CCA analysis suggests that BOD5 and concentration of total phosphorus are the most important factors in structuring the caddisfly assemblage. The species diversity was greatest at localities with the highest oxygen concentration and low nutrient levels. The caddisfly assemblage proved to be useful in identifying differences in environmental conditions in the Central Balkan region.Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [173045, 173030

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Four Peucedanum L. Species

The present study describes antioxidant activity of methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and water extracts of the dried aerial parts of four Peucedanum species (P. officinale, P. longifolium, P. aegopodioides and P. alsaticum). The highest yields of extracts were obtained using polar solvents. The total phenolic content of the tested extracts varied from 52.18 to 118.32 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GA)/g of extract and the total flavonoid content from 4.43 to 234.67 mg of quercetin equivalent (Qu)/g of extract. Antioxidant activity was analyzed in vitro using DPPH reagent, activity expressed as EC50 and obtained results ranged from 0.30 to 14.80 mg/mL and ABTS reagent, whose amounts ranged between 1.28 to 3.73 mg VitC/g. Synthetic antioxidant butilated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Vitamin C were used as control. Antibacterial activity of all extracts tested showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which ranged between 5.0-160.0 mg/ml, while minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 10.0-160.0 mg/ml. The results of antifungal activity of analyzed Peucedanum species showed antifungal activities in the MIC range of 10-160 mg/ml and MFC range of 20-160 mg/ml. This finding suggests that these species may be considered as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia [173029

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Four Peucedanum L. Species

The present study describes antioxidant activity of methanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and water extracts of the dried aerial parts of four Peucedanum species (P. officinale, P. longifolium, P. aegopodioides and P. alsaticum). The highest yields of extracts were obtained using polar solvents. The total phenolic content of the tested extracts varied from 52.18 to 118.32 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GA)/g of extract and the total flavonoid content from 4.43 to 234.67 mg of quercetin equivalent (Qu)/g of extract. Antioxidant activity was analyzed in vitro using DPPH reagent, activity expressed as EC50 and obtained results ranged from 0.30 to 14.80 mg/mL and ABTS reagent, whose amounts ranged between 1.28 to 3.73 mg VitC/g. Synthetic antioxidant butilated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Vitamin C were used as control. Antibacterial activity of all extracts tested showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which ranged between 5.0-160.0 mg/ml, while minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 10.0-160.0 mg/ml. The results of antifungal activity of analyzed Peucedanum species showed antifungal activities in the MIC range of 10-160 mg/ml and MFC range of 20-160 mg/ml. This finding suggests that these species may be considered as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia [173029

The influence of environmental factors on the structure of caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblage in the Nisava River (Central Balkan Peninsula)

Monthly samples of caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae were taken from ten localities along a 151 km long section of the Nisava River (eastern Serbia) during a one year study, with the aim to assessing the spatial composition of the caddisfly assemblage along the river gradient, to identify key environmental factors influencing its variability, to find out if caddisflies are suitable as biological indicators of water quality in this region, and to asses if the caddisfly assemblage in the river follows the river continuum concept. Twenty-three morphologically distinct taxa belonging to 14 genera were identified. The dominant family was Hydropsychidae with 70.34% of specimens examined, followed by Brachycentridae with 9.74% specimens. The longitudinal variability of the caddisfly assemblage has shown a clear dependence on physical and chemical parameters. The CCA analysis suggests that BOD5 and concentration of total phosphorus are the most important factors in structuring the caddisfly assemblage. The species diversity was greatest at localities with the highest oxygen concentration and low nutrient levels. The caddisfly assemblage proved to be useful in identifying differences in environmental conditions in the Central Balkan region.Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [173045, 173030