This paper aims to investigate the phytochemical profile and in vitro antibacterial activity of two juniper species collected in Albania, Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus. The berries and the needle leaves were subjected to solid–liquid solvent ultrasound-assisted extraction. The phytochemical characterization of the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic means. The extract of J. communis berries (JcB) showed a higher total phenolic and flavonoid content (3.04 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g DW, and 1.14 ± 0.36 mg QE/g DW, respectively), also a higher antioxidant activity from DPPH and ABTS radical screening assays, compared to J. oxycedrus berries (JoxB) extract. The extract of J. oxycedrus needle leaves (JoxL) prevailed in total flavonoid content (10.55 ± 0.24 mg QE/g DW), and ABTS assays (1.83 ± 0.01 mM TE/g DW), compared to the extract of J. communis needle leaves (JcL). The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of ellagic acid and kaempferol in all the samples. Ellagic acid was the main identified compound with the highest quantity in the extracts of JoxB, JoxL, and JcB with an average of 445.69 ± 0.96 µg/g, 2890.05 ± 0.29 µg/g, and 8133.83 ± 4.03 µg/g, respectively. The antibacterial potential of the ethanolic extracts was evaluated on Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. In the Agar Well Diffusion Assay, it was observed that all the tested bacterial strains were sensitive to the extracts, whereas selected extracts showed a similar inhibition activity rate compared with the antibiotic substance (Chloramphenicol), used as a positive control. The extracts showed a similar minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration for the individual bacterial strains, suggesting that J. communis and J. oxycedrus extracts have a similar potential in antibacterial activity.

This research paper investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic potential, and antibacterial activity of Myrtus communis berries. Two extraction methods were employed to obtain the extracts: solid–liquid ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The extracts were characterized using spectrophotometric methods and Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). The UAE extract exhibited higher total flavonoid and anthocyanin content, while the SFE extract prevailed in total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical screening assay. RP-HPLC characterization identified and quantified several polyphenolic compounds. In the UAE extract, epigallocatechin was found in a concentration of 2656.24 ± 28.15 µg/g dry weight (DW). In the SFE extract, cafestol was the identified compound with the highest content at a level of 29.65 ± 0.03 µg/g DW. Both extracts contained several anthocyanin compounds, including cyanidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside chloride, malvidin-3-O-glucoside chloride, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, peonidin 3-O-glucoside chloride, and peonidin-3-O-rutinoside chloride. The antidiabetic potential was evaluated in vitro by measuring the inhibition of α-amylase from porcine pancreas (type I-A). The results highlighted the ability of myrtle berry extracts to inhibit α-amylase enzymatic activity, suggesting its potential as an alternative for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia. The UAE extract showed the lowest IC50 value among the two extracts, with an average of 8.37 ± 0.52 µg/mL DW. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was assessed in vitro against Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion method. Both myrtle berry extracts exhibited similar antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains. The results support further investigation of myrtle berries extracts as a potential ingredient in functional food formulation, particularly due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties.

Background: The growing interest in developing new bioactive agents from natural sources led to medicinal and aromatic plants. These plants provide valuable phytochemicals that can serve as natural preservatives, food additives, and flavorings, with various applications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of Juniperus oxycedrus berries’ supercritical extract through preliminary screenings related to in vitro antibacterial activity, as well as bioinformatics assessments of absorption and toxicity. Methods: Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) was used to extract the bioactive phytochemical compounds from the berries. The extract was characterized using spectrophotometric methods and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The antibacterial potential was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, where the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration and the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration were determined. Additionally, the influence of the extract on the growth curve kinetics of S. aureus was assessed. For the bioinformatics analyses, SwissADME and ProTox-3.0 prediction software were utilized, focusing on the identified phenolic compounds as fingerprint molecules. Results: The results demonstrated that exposure to the juniper extract inhibited bacterial growth, resulting in a prolonged lag phase of 6 to 8 h, depending on the concentration of the extract. The software predictions revealed that the investigated phenolic compounds might exhibit high gastrointestinal absorption, along with potential interactions with metabolic mediators and pathways. Conclusions: The in vitro and in silico findings support the application of J. oxycedrus berries extract as an alternative or complementary strategy for pharmacological treatment and food applications aimed at targeting S. aureus.

This study aims to present the phytochemical composition of sage (Salvia officinalis) and mountain tea (Sideritis raeseri), two medicinal and aromatic plant species, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, widely distributed in the Albanian territory. The plants extracts were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and analyzed by spectrophotometric means for their antioxidant activity using the DPPH and ABTS radical screening assays, total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC, TFC). The polyphenolic profile of the sample was characterized by Reversed-Phased High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC). Both of plants extracts didn’t show significant differences in the antioxidant screening assays suggesting a similar antioxidant potential. The global characterization revealed that the sage extract contained a higher TPC with an average of 115.73 ± 3.80 mg GAE/g D.W. Meanwhile, the mountain tea extract prevailed in the TFC with an average of 11.60 ± 0.39 mg QE/g D.W. The chromatograms revealed a rich polyphenolic profile for the extracts, with S. raeseri having a higher number of detected peaks. In the present research work, both of the medicinal and aromatic plants collected in Albania showed remarkable antioxidant potential, total phenolic and flavonoid content. The rich polyphenolic profile unveiled from the RP-HPLC characterization encourage further research and application of these plants extracts for their nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.