Chemical Composition of Aster Albanicus Deg. (Asteraceae) Essential Oil: Taxonomical Implications

The composition of essential oil isolated from the areal parts of Aster albanicus Deg, an endemic species of the central Balkans, was analyzed. In total, 111 compounds were identified, representing 98% of the essential oil. The essential oil was dominated by sesquiterpene (69.3%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (15.9%), with germacrene D as the most abundant compound (34.7%). Several multivariant statistical methods (HCA, NJ, PCoA) were deployed to infer the relation between A. albanicus and other species belonging to this genus. Taxonomical implications are discussed

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Seseli globiferum Essential Oil

The essential oil from aerial parts of Seseli globiferum Vis. obtained by hydrodistillation with Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, representing 99.4% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were sabinene (38.0%), alpha-pinene (21.2%) and beta-phellandrene (13.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species: Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (clinical isolates), Bacillus cereus (clinical isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Micrococcus flaw's (ATCC 10240) and three fungal species: Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), Aspergillus versicolor (ATCC 11730), Trichoderma viride (IAM 5061) and Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 36839). The essential oil showed activity against bacteria P. aeruginosa, followed by M flavus, L. monocytigenes and E. coli, and all investigated fungal species

Sewage Pollution Promotes the Invasion-Related Traits of Impatiens glandulifera in an Oligotrophic Habitat of the Sharr Mountain (Western Balkans)

An annual plant, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is globally widespread and one of Europe's top invaders. We focused on two questions: does this species indeed not invade the southern areas and does the environment affect some of its key invisibility traits. In an isolated model mountainous valley, we jointly analyzed the soil (21 parameters), the life history traits of the invader (height, stem diameter, aboveground dw), and the resident vegetation (species composition and abundances, Ellenberg indicator values), and supplemented it with local knowledge (semi-structured interviews). Uncontrolled discharge of fecal wastewaters directly into the local dense hydrological network fostered mass infestation of an atypical habitat. The phenotypic plasticity of the measured invasion-related traits was very high in the surveyed early invasion (30-50% invader cover) stages. Different microhabitat conditions consistently correlated with its growth performance. The largest individuals were restricted to the deforested riparian habitats, with extreme soil nutrient enrichment (primarily by P and K) and low-competitive, species-poor resident vegetation. We showed that ecological context can modify invasion-related traits and what could affect a further invasion process. Finally, this species is likely underreported in the wider region; public attitude and loss of traditional ecological knowledge are further management risks

Essential-Oil Composition of the Needles Collected from Natural Populations of Macedonian Pine (Pinus peuce GRISEB.) from the Scardo-Pindic Mountain System

The needle-terpene profiles of two natural Pinus peuce populations from the Scardo-Pindic mountain system (Mt. Osljak and Mt. Pelister) were analyzed. Among the 90 detected compounds, 87 were identified. The dominant constituents were alpha-pinene (45.5\%), germacrene D (11.1\%), beta-pinene (10.8\%), and camphene (10.3\%). The following eight additional components were found to be present in medium-to-high amounts (0.5-10\%): bornyl acetate (5.0\%), beta-phellandrene (3.4\%), beta-caryophyllene (2.9\%), beta-myrcene (0.9\%), germacrene D-4-ol (0.9\%), tricyclene (0.7\%), (E)-hex-2-enal (0.7\%), and bicyclogermacrene (0.6\%). Although the general needle-terpene profiles of the populations from Mt. Osljak and Mt. Pelister were found to be similar to those of the populations from Zeletin, Sjekirica, and Mokra Gora (Dinaric Alps), principle component analysis (PCA) of eight terpenes (alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, alpha-terpinolene, bornyl acetate, alpha-terpinyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene, trans-beta-farnesene, and germacrene D) in 139 tree samples suggested a divergence between the two population groups, i.e., the samples from the Scardo-Pindic mountain system and those from the Dinaric Alps. Genetic analysis of the beta-pinene content demonstrated a partial divergence between the two geographical groups. The profiles of both population groups differed from those published for populations from the Balkan-Rhodope mountains system (literature results), which were characterized by high contents of bornyl acetate and citronellol (Greek populations) or delta-car-3-ene (Bulgarian populations).Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia {[}173029, 173021

Population Variability of Essential Oils of Pinus heldreichii from the Scardo-Pindic Mountains Osljak and Galicica

The needle-terpene profiles of two natural Pinus heldreichii populations from Mts. Oljak and Galiica (Scardo-Pindic mountain system) were analyzed. Among the 68 detected compounds, 66 were identified. The dominant constituents were germacrene D (28.7\%), limonene (27.1\%), and -pinene (16.2\%). -Caryophyllene (6.9\%), -pinene (5.2\%), -myrcene (2.3\%), pimaric acid (2.0\%), -humulene (1.2\%), and seven additional components were found to be present in medium-to-high amounts (0.5-10\%). Although the general needle-terpene profile of the population from Galiica was similar to those of the populations from Loven, Zeletin, Bjelasica, and Zlatibor-Peter (belonging to the Dinaric Alps), the principle-component analysis (PCA) of seven terpenes (-myrcene, limonene, -elemene, -caryophyllene, -humulene, -cadinene, and germacrene D-4-ol) in 121 tree samples suggested a partial divergence in the needle-terpene profiles between the populations from the Scardo-Pindic mountain system and the Dinaric Alps. According to previously reported data, the P. heldreichii samples from the Balkan-Rhodope mountains lack -caryophyllene and germacrene D, but contain -muurolene in their terpene profile. Differences in the terpene composition between populations growing in the three above-mentioned mountain systems were compared and discussed.Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia {[}173029, 173021

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Seseli globiferum Essential Oil

The essential oil from aerial parts of Seseli globiferum Vis. obtained by hydrodistillation with Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, representing 99.4% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were sabinene (38.0%), alpha-pinene (21.2%) and beta-phellandrene (13.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species: Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (clinical isolates), Bacillus cereus (clinical isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Micrococcus flaw's (ATCC 10240) and three fungal species: Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), Aspergillus versicolor (ATCC 11730), Trichoderma viride (IAM 5061) and Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 36839). The essential oil showed activity against bacteria P. aeruginosa, followed by M flavus, L. monocytigenes and E. coli, and all investigated fungal species

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

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Seseli globiferum Essential Oil

The essential oil from aerial parts of Seseli globiferum Vis. obtained by hydrodistillation with Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, representing 99.4% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were sabinene (38.0%), alpha-pinene (21.2%) and beta-phellandrene (13.5%). The microbial growth inhibitory properties of the isolated essential oil were determined using the broth microdilution method against seven bacterial species: Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter cloacae (clinical isolates), Bacillus cereus (clinical isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Micrococcus flaw's (ATCC 10240) and three fungal species: Aspergillus niger (ATCC 6275), Aspergillus versicolor (ATCC 11730), Trichoderma viride (IAM 5061) and Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 36839). The essential oil showed activity against bacteria P. aeruginosa, followed by M flavus, L. monocytigenes and E. coli, and all investigated fungal species.Serbian Ministry of Education and Science [173029