Cinnamon is an unusual tropical plant belonging to the Lauraceae family. It has been used for hundreds of years as a flavor additive, but it has also been used in natural Eastern medicine. Cinnamon extracts are vital oils that contain biologically active compounds, such as cinnamon aldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and is used to treat diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In folk medicine, cinnamon species have been used as medicine for respiratory and digestive disorders. Their potential for prophylactic and therapeutic use in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease has also been discovered. This review summarizes the available isolation methods and analytical techniques used to identify biologically active compounds present in cinnamon bark and leaves and the influence of these compounds in the treatment of disorders.

An infusion of green coffee is a commonly consumed beverage, famous for its health-promoting properties. Green coffee owes its properties to the richness of active phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to determine the components of green coffee bean extracts and their properties. The scope of research included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) spectroscopy; the electrochemical determination of the behavior of green coffee extract; and the determination of antioxidant properties by colorimetric spectroscopic methods (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC). Water and ethanol extracts from green coffee were characterized by significant antioxidant properties and a high capacity to reduce transition metal ions. Voltammetric tests showed that the solution has good antioxidant properties in view of it contains many polyphenolic compounds that oxidize in the potential range tested.

The analysis of the composition of organic residues present in pottery is an important source of information for historians and archeologists. Chemical characterization of the materials provides information on diets, habits, technologies, and original use of the vessels. This review presents the problem of analytical studies of archeological materials with a special emphasis on organic residues. Current methods used in the determination of different organic compounds in archeological ceramics are presented. Particular attention is paid to the procedures of analysis of archeological ceramic samples used before gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Advantages and disadvantages of different extraction methods and application of proper quality assurance/quality control procedures are discussed.

Food ingredients which were prepared or stored in the archeological ceramics are the most frequently used in the study of ceramic vessels with the use of various types of gas chromatographic methods. These include lipids which contain fatty acids and compounds characteristic of various types of food known as archeological biomarkers. The paper shows how the lipid profile analysis and its interpretation can be helpful to explain the source of organic substances preserved in archeological ceramic vessels. The presence of characteristic sterols discriminates between plant (phytosterols) and animal (zoosterols) residues. Based on the calculated proportions of selected fatty acids, the animal residues can be precisely identified as originating from fish, ruminants or monogastric animals. Many authors have created their own methods of interpretation and conclusion, which makes it possible to sort out all the information gathered about the historical purpose of clay vessels. Due to the fact that the presented research still raises some doubts and questions, it is important for the interpretation of the results of chemical analysis to be considered in the archeological context. The ability to properly explain the meaning of the results of analyses is crucial for a better understanding of the life and customs of our ancestors.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder in which communication and behavior are affected. A number of studies have investigated potential biomarkers, including uremic toxins. The aim of our study was to determine uremic toxins in the urine of children with ASD (143) and compare the results with healthy children (48). Uremic toxins were determined with a validated high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. We observed higher levels of p-cresyl sulphate (pCS) and indoxyl sulphate (IS) in the ASD group compared to the controls. Moreover, the toxin levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were lower in ASD patients. Similarly, for pCS and IS in children classified, according to the intensity of their symptoms, into mild, moderate, and severe, elevated levels of these compounds were observed. For mild severity of the disorder, elevated levels of TMAO and comparable levels of SDMA and ADMA for ASD children as compared to the controls were observed in the urine. For moderate severity of ASD, significantly elevated levels of TMAO but reduced levels of SDMA and ADMA were observed in the urine of ASD children as compared to the controls. When the results obtained for severe ASD severity were considered, reduced levels of TMAO and comparable levels of SDMA and ADMA were observed in ASD children.