Allium species are known as a rich source of many compounds with potential healing effects. Biofortification is recognized as an effective agrotechnical measure for raising the level of biogenic elements—especially microelements in the edible parts of these species, so Allium can be considered as a ‘natural dietary supplement’. The aim of this research was to test the effects of foliar application of Se fertilizer (Na₂SeO₄) in different doses (control—0, 10, 20 and 30 g per ha) on the content of macro, microelements and secondary metabolites (SMs)—free phenolics, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in the edible parts, i.e., leaves of two selected Allium species in Serbia (A. odorum and A. schoenoprasum), which grew in open field conditions over the course of two growing seasons. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), as an indicator of the ability of plants to accumulate biogenic elements, was also determined. Although with no full regularity, the dose of 10 g of Se per ha yielded the highest content for the most biogenic elements for both alliums in the first growing season, i.e., a dose of 20 g of Se per ha for A. schoenoprasum, and a dose of 30 g of Se per ha for A. odorum in the second growing season. The obtained results justified the Se-biofortification of different alliums. The BAF values indicated the ability of both Allium species to accumulate S, K and P in their leaves during both growing seasons. The accumulation of potentially toxic elements was not recorded for either species, emphasizing the safety of the produced plant material for human consumption. Additionally, Se-treated plants had higher SM contents compared to control plants. The growing season also showed an impact on SM content; i.e., in the second season, characterized as drought-stressed, the synthesis of SMs was significantly higher compared to that in the first season. Further research should be directed towards finding the appropriate dose of Se, expanded in the sense of conducting research in controlled conditions, as well as different ways of applying Se fertilizer. The idea of this study was also to popularize the examined Allium species, which are rarely grown in the territory of Serbia.

Onion (Allium cepa L.), either fresh or processed, is widely consumed for its unique aroma, flavor, and taste. While farmers aim to maximize yield, consumers demand high-quality products. These goals can conflict under certain cultivation conditions but can be balanced through appropriate agronomic practices. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two sowing methods, the standard sowing method (SSM) and the new sowing method (NSM), characterized by reduced seed rates and wider row spacing on selected quality parameters (onion bulb weight and total soluble sugars [TSS]), key bioactive compounds content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), and antioxidant properties of 10 new onion genotypes (G1–G10). The results revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) among both sowing methods and genotypes, indicating that these factors substantially impact the measured parameters. Bright violet, skin-colored genotype G8 stood out with the highest values of TPC, TFC, HCAs, TMA, TSS, and antioxidant activity (measured in three assays) in the NSM and bulb weight in the SSM. These findings suggest that the NSM may offer economic benefits for farmers, while selected genotypes provide consumers with high-quality onions.

This study aimed to examine wild-growing Hypericum perforatum L. tea (Hyperici herba) collected from Rtanj Mountain (Serbia). This research includes the following approaches: phytochemical and antioxidant characterization of H. perforatum infusion tea to determine its realistic composition (What do we consume when drinking the tea?), as well as a detailed examination of methanol(ic) extracts as the optimal extraction system. Due to the broad spectrum of both polar and nonpolar metabolites, 80% methanolic and pure methanol extracts were prepared for ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-ToF) characterization through untargeted metabolomics analysis. Given the high diversity of compounds identified, the 80% methanolic extract was selected for further antioxidant examination and bioautographic characterization, including an antimicrobial activity assessment. UHPLC Q-ToF analysis identified 35 phenolics in the methanolic extract, compared to 25 metabolites in the infusion tea. The main differences were observed in flavonol/flavan-3-ol aglycones, xantones, and coumestans, which are more nonpolar compounds found only in the methanol(ic) system. Notably, specific H. perforatum metabolites were entirely absent in the infusion tea. Specifically, pseudohypericin, pseudoprotohypricin, and adhyperfirin were detected in the pure methanol extract, whereas hyperfirin was present in both methanol(ic) extracts. Additionally, eight furano-polycyclic polyprenylated acilphloroglucinols (FPPAPs) were identified in the methanol(ic) extracts as possible products of the thermal degradation and/or oxidation of hypericin/hyperforin. Both the infusion tea and methanolic extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, with variations depending on the applied assay. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis also confirmed the presence of a wide spectrum of phytochemical classes. Bioautography confirmed a promising activity of methanolic extracts against both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Allium ursinum L. (Alliaceae) is a perennial geophyte known for its medicinal properties. This study examines the yield, morphological characteristics, and bioactive component composition of A. ursinum across forty-three different habitats in Serbia, focusing on the relationship between these factors and habitat conditions. Data on habitat locations and soil conditions were gathered from previous studies, while climate parameters were estimated using meteorological data from the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia. Cluster analysis identified five habitat clusters, with the first and third clusters representing 88% of the sampled habitats. Fresh leaf yield H1:39.46–H15:564.83 g m⁻² was correlated with morphological parameters grouped into two clusters. A positive correlation was found between habitat conditions, particularly soil type and altitude. Spectrophotometric quantification of phenolics (1.47–2.49 mg FAE g⁻¹) and flavonoids (0.27–0.82 mg QE g⁻¹) identified five clusters, with soil type being the key factor influencing bioactive component concentration. A. ursinum displayed significant adaptability, thriving in higher altitudes and fertile soils, which enhanced yield and morphological traits, though inversely related to bioactive components. These findings support sustainable cultivation and conservation practices for A. ursinum.

Our study aimed to carry out the nutritional characterization and discrimination of Allium fistulosum, A. nutans, A. odorum, A. schoenoprasum, A. ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum, and A. sativum var. sagittatum samples grown in Serbia. Samples were recorded using an XploRA MicroRaman spectrometer at a 532 nm wavelength, spectra were preprocessed using Spectragryph, and PCA was performed by PAST software. According to the vibrational spectra, Allium samples are rich in carbohydrates, mostly polysaccharides, plant pigments, and proteins, while the minor constituents are pectic acid and pectin. A multivariate analysis based on PCA was applied in order to differentiate between the chemical compositions of six Allium samples. The score plot suggests the existence of two groups of objects along the PC1 axis, and the variables with the highest positive contribution along the PC1 axis corresponded to chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, carbohydrates, and proteins. According to PC2, the most influential parameters indicated a similar carbohydrate composition and the predominance of carotenoid constituents in the other group of samples.

Athamanta turbith (L.) Brot. is the endemic flowering plant from the Apiaceae family originated from Đetinja Canyon (Serbia). The aim of this study was to determine the content of selected plant bioactive compounds present in rhizome, vegetative shoot, and inflorescence. Extraction was performed in 80% methanol as a solvent with two different approaches: powdered plant material was extracted with solvent for 3 h in ratio 1:10 without (classical solvent extraction, SE,) and with application of ultrasound (ultrasound-assisted extraction, UAE). Analysis of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total hydroxycinnamic acid derivative content (HCA) was performed via spectrophotometric methods. The inflorescence had the highest TPC in UAE obtained-extract (2.73 ± 0.13 mg GAE/g), as well as the highest TFC (1.56 ± 0.02 mg/g QE) and HCA (1.45 ± 0.11 mg/g CGAE) in SE-prepared extract where GAE, QE and CGAE are gallic acid equivalents, quercetin equivalents and chlorogenic acid equivalents respectively. The lowest amount of TPC, TFC and HCA was detected in the rhizome regardless of extraction methods. Additionally, antioxidant properties of extracts were determined with five assays: ABTS^·+, DPPH^·, ferric reducing power (FRP), in vitro phosphomolybdenum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). The inflorescence had the highest antioxidant activity in both quencher assays (at γ = 0.1 g/mL) with 92.1% of inhibition for ABTS^·+ (UAE extract,) and 77.7% inhibition of DPPH^· (for both extracts). In addition, it exhibited the highest FRP (18.4 mg/g AAE, SE extract and CUPRAC (~40 mg/g AAE for both extracts) values where AAE stands for ascorbic acid equivalents, whereas the rhizome had the lowest values for all antioxidant assays concerning both SE and UEA. In conclusion, exhibited antioxidant properties are mostly in line with the determined content of selected bioactive compounds. Further statistical analysis is applied to confirm/oppose this.