This study aimed to determine element profile of the rose species originating from Serbia. With respect to that, 52 fruit samples of six wild Rosa L. species (R. agrestis Savi, R. canina L., R. corymbifera Borkh., R. dumalis Bechst, R. myriacantha DC., and R. spinosissima L.) were assayed for element contents, after the optimization and validation of the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric (ICP AES) method. The analytical performance of axial and radial views was evaluated using the Mg(II)/Mg(I) line ratio. Robust plasma conditions were achieved at the radio frequency (RF) power of 1150 W and nebulization gas flow (NBF) rate of 0.5 L min-1. The matrix effect was below 13% and the recovery, using certified reference material (LGC7162 strawberry leaves), was between 85.7% and 109% with the exception of Fe (76.4%). Rosa fruits were found to be richer in minerals such as K (4710-9850 mg kg-1), Ca (2650-5140 mg kg-1), P (532-1610 mg kg-1), Mg (402-1000 mg kg-1), Na (11.2-39.1 mg kg-1), Mn (6.8-64 mg kg-1), Fe (9.9-30 mg kg-1), and Zn (6.03-17.5 mg kg-1). Also, the fruits were found to have a higher content of Si (15.2-51.6 mg kg-1). Regarding toxic elements, the obtained results for Pb (0.035-0.0121 mg kg-1) and Cd (0.0027-0.0492 mg kg-1) are in accordance with the maximum levels in fruits established set by the Commission Regulation. The results of the present study indicate that the investigated Rosa species contain various minerals and could contribute to the daily dietary requirements for K, Ca, Mg, P, Na, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe, as well as be used in food and the food additive industry.

Lemon balm is a plant widely used across various industries worldwide, and it contains a significant number of phenolic compounds that can positively affect human health. Given its extensive use today, this study determined the total polyphenols and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activities, rosmarinic acid content, and heavy metal(oid)s levels in the leaves of the pot-grown lemon balm. The heavy metal(oid)s content was compared with the maximum permissible concentrations for medicinal plants, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended. The results showed that all analyzed elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni and Pb) concentrations were within the recommended limits. The phenolic compound content of lemon balm was compared with literature data for wild-grown lemon balm samples.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a well-established medicinal plant prized for its rich content of bioactive compounds. This study explored how artificial cadmium (Cd) contamination of soil affects the accumulation of heavy metal(oid)s, antioxidant activity, and the concentration of rosmarinic acid in lemon balm. At a soil Cd level of 20 mg/kg, plant growth was reduced, while the concentrations of most other elements, antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and flavonoids decreased, and the rosmarinic acid content increased slightly. In contrast, lower Cd levels (5 and 10 mg/kg) led to a modest increase in antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Cadmium accumulation in the aerial parts exceeded the WHO limit for medicinal plants. Although minor improvements in antioxidant properties were observed at lower Cd levels, and rosmarinic acid increased at 20 mg/kg, the health risks associated with Cd accumulation remain a concern. Therefore, monitoring Cd content in lemon balm grown on contaminated soils is essential to ensure its safe medicinal use.

This study examines the concentration of essential minerals and toxic heavy metals in acacia honey samples collected in Serbia, highlighting their health implications and environmental influences. Among the 23 elements analyzed, calcium levels ranged from 38.35 to 1148.5 mg/kg, averaging 411.5 mg/kg, higher than previous findings for acacia honey, underscoring its nutritional value. Potassium averaged 208 mg/kg, consistent with the literature, whereas Na content was notably higher than the values reported in the literature. Zinc levels were higher than typical (average 11.57 mg/kg), likely due to pollution of acacia plant. Lead was the only detected toxic metal, with concentrations below the European safety threshold of 1 mg/kg. The findings highlight honey’s nutritional benefits and emphasize the need for monitoring environmental contaminants to ensure honey’s safety and quality.

The optimized electrochemical method, cyclic voltammetry, was applied to investigate the antioxidant capacity of water extracts of Rosa canina L. fruits. Scan speeds (25, 50, and 75 mV/s) and pH (2, 4.5, and 7) were varied and optimal conditions were found at 75 mV/s and pH 4.5. Cyclic voltammograms, recorded from 0 to 1200 mV, showed anodic peaks for catechin-type flavonoids and quercetin. Spectrophotometric tests (FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH, ABTS) and determination of total polyphenols content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and vitamin C content were also conducted. FRAP and CUPRAC values ranged from 0.534 to 0.710 mmol Fe/g dw and from 103 to 174 mg TE/g dw, respectively. ABTS values were in the interval from 566 to 623 mg TE/g dw, while DPPH values ranged from 113 to 188 mg TE/g dw. Total polyphenols content and total flavonoids content ranged from 24.0 to 38.9 mg GAE/g dw, and from 12.7 to 21.5 mg CE/g dw, respectively. The concentrations of vitamin C were in the interval from 2.78 to 3.67 mg/g dw. Pearson’s analysis showed good correlations between ABTS and DPPH (R² = 0.87), FRAP and DPPH (R² = 0.85), FRAP and ABTS (R² = 0.86), TPC and in vitro tests (0.5 < R² < 0.77), and TFC and in vitro tests (0.47 < R² < 1). For the purpose of classifying spectrophotometric tests for determining antioxidant activity, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed.

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of biopolymer coatings based on chitosan and zein on the quality and storage stability of prunes (Prunus domestica L., cv. Stanley) over a one-year period coupled with modified atmosphere conditions (5% CO₂ + 95% N₂). Samples were analyzed at defined intervals (every 3 months) regarding physicochemical properties, antioxidative capacity, vitamin C content, phenolic profile, headspace gas composition, microbiological status and sensory characteristics. Biopolymer coatings, modified atmosphere, and temperature play key roles in controlling oxygen availability, which consequently affects all tested properties of prunes. Application of both types of coatings significantly improves product stability compared to uncoated samples, slows moisture loss, stabilizes pH, reduces degradation of vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity, and improves microbiological safety. Chitosan exhibits more pronounced effects due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, while zein primarily contributes to barrier characteristics. Gradual decline in quality, significantly slowed in coated samples, is additionally mitigated at low temperature (4 °C), which further inhibits chemical, oxidative, and microbiological changes compared to storage at 23 °C. Despite zein coating providing superior preservation of several physicochemical quality parameters, chitosan-coated prunes achieved higher sensory acceptance, demonstrating that improved physicochemical stability does not necessarily correspond to better consumer acceptability.