Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple and ecofriendly method using onion peel (MNp-OP) and corn silk extract (MNp-CS), in order to develop new low-cost adsorbents for arsenic removal from groundwater. As a point of comparison, magnetite nanoparticles were also synthesized with a conventional chemical process (MNp-CO). The antioxidant potential of onion peel and corn silk extracts was determined using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical (DPPH) scavenging assays, including the total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins contents. The synthesized magnetite nanoparticles were characterised using different techniques (Scanning electron microscope/Energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer). The adsorption capacity of MNp-OP and MNp-CS and the arsenic removal mechanism of these novel adsorbents was investigated through kinetic and equilibrium experiments and their corresponding mathematical models. Characterisation of MNp-OP and MNp-CS shows high BET specific surface areas of 243 m²/g and 261 m²/g, respectively. XRD and FTIR analysis confirmed the formation and presence of magnetite nanoparticles. The arsenic adsorption mechanism on MNp-OP, MNp-CS and MNp-CO involves chemisorption, intraparticle and external diffusion. Maximal adsorption capacities of MNp-OP, MNp-CS and MNp-CO were 1.86, 2.79, and 1.30 mg/g respectively. The green synthesis applied using onion peel and corn silk extracts was cost effective and environmentally friendly, and results in adsorbents with a high capacity for arsenic and magnetic properties, making them a very promising alternative approach in the treatment of arsenic contaminated groundwater.

An unbreakable relationship between plants, nutrition, and health has directed researchers to deeply investigate and characterize the biopotential and medicinal properties of traditional foods. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the phytochemical composition and biological potential of plant extracts with the idea of defining the most potent extracts as a natural source of bioactive molecules and their application in different industries. We evaluated unused plant species Sambucus nigra L. for investigation of bioactivities as potential natural products. Extracts of fresh elderberry fruits were obtained by modern (microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)) and traditional (maceration (MAC)) extraction techniques, using 50% ethanol (50% EtOH) and water (H₂O) of different polarities. In analyzed extracts, rutin and chlorogenic acid were dominant compounds in both 50% EtOH and H₂O extracts, while ursolic acid was identified in 50% EtOH extracts as a terpenic compound with notable concentration. Elderberry extracts were evaluated regarding antioxidant, neuroprotective, antityrosinase, and antidiabetic abilities: MAE extracts had the best overall activity, and in general, 50% EtOH extracts were more potent than water extracts. The correlation of the dominant compound—rutin with all biological activities, indicates the importance of its presence in elderberries. S. nigra fruits showed excellent biopotential and opened possibilities of creating new food products or remedies, which are not present on the market because elderberry extracts are an exceptional source of rutin, chlorogenic acid, and ursolic acid.

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a comprehensive insight into their elemental composition. Based on the mean concentrations of 23 investigated elements, B, Fe, and Mn, which were determined in mg per L of wine regardless of its colour or origin, were the most abundant. Red and white wines showed significant concentration differences in the case of B, Mn, and Sr (higher in red) as well as Be, Al, V, As, Mo, and Pb (higher in white). The elements of the highest toxicological concern were found in all (Pb and As) or almost all of the samples (Cd and Hg). Pb levels (maximum 47.1, 61.6, and 73.2 μg/L in red, rose, and white, respectively) were well below the legal limit. The applied risk assessment approaches (hazard quotient and index, margin of exposure) revealed no health concerns associated with consumption of Fruška Gora wines, except for a slightly increased lifetime cancer risk in the case of high wine consumption, and thus supported the promotion of Fruška Gora wines in the highly competitive international market.

In managing Type 2 diabetes, inhibiting enzymes present in the initial stages of carbohydrate digestion, a-amylase, and a-glucosidase, could be important. Conventional inhibitors such as acarbose exhibit adverse effects, necessitating the exploration of natural products for alternative solutions. Moderate red wine consumption, rich in polyphenols, offers a biochemically supported strategy by impeding a-amylase and a-glucosidase activity. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the in vitro a-amylase and a-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 14 Merlot wines (5 Serbian and 9 European), with a focus on elucidating the correlation between their inhibitory potency and polyphenolic profile. All samples demonstrated an inhibitory effect on both enzymes: a-amylase and a-glucosidase activities (113.6-349.5 mg equivalent acarbose/mL of wine and 1.09-12.34 mg equivalent acarbose/mL of wine, respectively), still no discernible correlation was observed between the level of inhibition and the categorization of wines based on their respective regions. The total content of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and monomeric anthocyanins in examined wines showed that overall concentrations were lower in Serbian and Macedonian than in Italian and French wines. Dominant phenolic acid in all Merlot samples was gallic (10.7-134.0 mg/L), catechin was the most prevalent flavonoid (9.1-43.4 mg/L), stilbene resveratrol was also present in all samples (0.34-4.67 mg/L), while malvidin-3-O-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin (2.6-56.5 mg/L). Examined wines showed some specificity regarding the polyphenolic profile and could be, to some extent, differentiated primarily based on the quantitative content of polyphenols. A moderate correlation was evident between a-amylase inhibitory activity and the content of total anthocyanins and malvidin-3-O-glucoside, while notable dependence was observed between a-glucosidase inhibitory activity and the contents of total polyphenols and tannins as well as gallic acid and catechin.

Wild-growing berry fruits have been used in traditional medicine and nutrition, but even today they are increasingly used as a source of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive ingredients. Increased consumer awareness of healthy lifestyles has led to the expansion of the functional food market, focusing on berry products. Therefore, consumers' interest in nutritious foods and beverages, including wild-growing berry fruits become greater. In order to respond to the enhanced demands of consumers, berries are increasingly used for the creation and formulation of potentially new functional products. In this work, the plant species Sambucus nigra L. and Morus nigra L. were used to obtaining cold-pressing juices which are enriched with dry extract of guarana seeds. Nutritional values, mineral composition, as well as biological and pharmacological potential were examined. The results of the analysis showed that the dominant mineral was K (for elderberry 4398.80 mg/L and for mulberry 3582.11 mg/L). The analysed juices were characterized as a rich source of total phenolic compounds (for elderberry 261.51 mg GAE/L, for mulberry 129.36 mg GAE/L). - By examining the bio-pharmacological potential, it was determined that the juices of these wild plant species were a very strong reducing agents, especially towards the Cu2+ ion, while in reducing excessive enzyme activity, the best result was achieved in the inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase (for elderberry 98.39 mg KAE/L, for mulberry 78.99 mg KAE/L).