This paper presents the results of a study that examined the impact of grape variety on the volatile aroma compounds and sensory properties of standard and Muscat grape brandy produced in the Podgorica sub-region (Montenegro) in vintages 2011, 2012, and 2013. The brandies were prepared by the distillation of crushed grapes, from the autochthonous varieties of Vranac and Kratošija, and Muscat grapes, in a traditional copper alembic, under the same conditions. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method of 82 volatile aroma compounds that belong to the group (alcohols, volatile acids, volatile esters, terpenes, volatile aldehydes, acetals, ethers, ketones, and alkanes) and an evaluation of the sensory properties of brandies were carried out to determine the typical characteristics of the examined brandies. Alcohols, fatty acid esters, and terpene compound contents were significantly more abundant in all Muscat grape brandies compared to the brandies from the Vranac and Kratošija wine varieties (Standard brandy). Research results revealed that variety had a significant impact on the volatile aroma compound and sensory properties of brandy. The varietal effect was also confirmed, by multivariate analysis, based on the aroma volatile composition, which showed a grouping by type of grape brandy (varietal origin). Sensory analyses showed that all the brandies belonged to the category of high-quality brandies.

The leaves of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) plant have been used for centuries in Montenegro and other Mediterranean countries as a vegetable in salads, sauces and other types of appetizers and meals. The wild and cultivated chicory leaves from different location in Montenegro were analysed regarding several nutrients, major and trace element and vitamin composition using standard methods of analysis. The results of the study indicated that chicory leaves were rich in total dietary fiber and mineral content and had low energy value. Also, they were potential sources of useful nutrients such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and vitamin A, with the average content of 391.9, 164.7, 0.55, 2.33 and 0.47 mg / 100 g in fresh leaves, respectively. Wild plants were superior to the cultivated ones regarding carbohydrate, calcium and manganese content. Origin of the chicory leaves significantly influenced most of the analyzed parameters.

Background: Triticum spelta L. (family Poaceae) is an ancient grain, which had been used for nutrition in the past but was eventually substituted, together with other related grains, for bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The main reasons for its substitution are higher yield and economic gain in favor of bread wheat. With the belief that the extract of young spelt grass contains a sufficient amount of key nutrients, which contribute to beneficial effects on human health, research was conducted on 27 samples of young spelt grass extracts. For each sample extracted from young spelt grass cultivated under different conditions (irrigation, lighting, harvest), its nutritional composition, the content of biologically active substances and antioxidant activities were determined, with a comparison of the obtained results.Results: In this two‐year study several nutrients, the content of major and trace minerals, antioxidant activity and pigment, and polyphenolic and flavonoid contents were analyzed and how the different growth factors influence them. Young spelt grass extract has a relatively high amount of functional ingredients, such as potassium, phosphorus, manganese, chromium, polyphenols and flavonoids. Chlorophyll a and b and pheophytin were the main pigments in the young spelt grass extract. All of these constituents exhibit antioxidant activity, which is important for a healthy lifestyle and protection against diseases.Conclusion: This extract is a rich source of some major (potassium and phosphorus) and trace (manganese and chromium) elements, pigments, polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant potential of the young spelt grass extract was positively correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid content. Accordingly, this composition of biologically active substances offers various ways of using this extract in the field of nutrition‐like dietary supplements.

The potential threat of a landfill projected on a high karst plateau in southwest Montenegro is investigated with respect to the subjacent nearby springs. The locality is called Duboki do. As the springs are used for drinking water supply this investigation is urgently needed. For the springs exist two hypotheses concerning their catchment area: I) from the high karst plateau, or II) from a topographically lower area. The stable H- and O-isotope ratios of water samples from the springs are compared with precipitation isotope data, to reveal the catchment area of the springs. The isotope results indicate that the catchment area of the springs is at higher altitude fitting to, and in good agreement with, winter precipitation from the high karst plateau of the planned land-fill locality.

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional composition and biologically active substances (BAS) of wild edible plants from Montenegro. Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaves, rosehips (Rosa canina L.), and the fruit of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) were investigated regarding several nutrients, major and trace elements, fatty acid composition, amounts of pigments, and total phenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was also determined using three methods (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS), and the results obtained from all the tests were used to calculate the antioxidant potency composite index (ACI). The results of this study indicate that these plant parts are potential sources of useful nutrients such as macro and micro elements. The majority of fats in all the plant parts consist of unsaturated fatty acids, while saturated fatty acids were represented mainly by palmitic acid. Chlorophyll a and b, zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene were the main pigments in nettle leaves. The pigment profiles of the fruit samples were characterized by the presence of β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein, in addition to pheophytin only in the strawberry tree fruit. The ACI index had a good correlation with the total phenolic and total flavonoid content. All these features reinforce the interest in including these wild edible plants in modern diets as a healthy alternative.