The aim of this work was to produce biscuits from wheat flour substituted with different amounts of wheat sprout powder (2.5–7.5%). The biscuits were subjected to chemical, phytochemical, and microbial evaluations. The crude protein, fat, and ash contents and the energy value of the biscuits increased with increasing percentage of wheat sprout powder. Adding sprouts resulted in higher values of phenolics, alpha-tocopherol, and antioxidant activity. There was no statistically significant difference in the contents of total phenolics and alpha-tocopherol between biscuits supplemented with 5% sprouts and biscuits substituted with 7.5% sprouts. The phenolic content in biscuits containing 7.5% sprouts was 245 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dm compared with 110 mg GAE/100 g dm in control biscuits. Antioxidant activity was the highest in biscuits substituted with 7.5% sprouts. All levels of substitution of wheat flour with wheat sprouts had an effect on the nutritional properties of biscuits, but the substitution level of 2.5–5% is recommended for the improvement of their sensorial properties. The biscuits produced had a low microbial load and were microbiologically safe. Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and sulfite-reduction clostridia were not detected in any sample during the period of investigation from 2 to 60 days of storage.

Considering the sporadic number of scientific studies on vermicomposting apple pomace waste, this research conducts a comparative analysis of vermicomposting processes using Eisenia fetida, focusing on apple pomace both independently and in combination with wheat straw and/or manure (experiment 1: 60% apple pomace and 40% cattle manure; experiment 2: 60% wheat straw and 40% cattle manure; experiment 3: 80% apple pomace, 10% wheat straw, and 10% cattle manure; and experiment 4: 100% apple pomace). After a 240-day substrate transformation period, all four variations of vermicompost produced demonstrated favorable sensory properties, along with high microbiological and physicochemical quality. Throughout the vermicomposting process, the pH of all vermicomposting mixtures changed, converging towards approximately neutral values by the process’s conclusion. There was an increase in dry matter content, as well as total N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, along with organic matter. Notably, the levels of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) in both the vermicomposting materials and resulting vermicomposts remained significantly below the maximum permissible levels stipulated by Republic of Serbia and European Union legislation, which is directly linked to the ecological origin of the raw materials used. The microbiological quality of the final vermicomposts was deemed satisfactory. Over time, there was a decrease in the counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria as well as Escherichia coli. The counts of sulfite-reducing clostridia in all substrates remained below 10² CFU/g, while Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in either the composting materials or the resulting composts. The vermiculture of apple pulp exhibited advantageous characteristics, notably a shortened vermicomposting period (150 days) compared to other agricultural waste. This reduction in processing time contributes an additional layer of advantage to the overall quality and efficiency of the resulting vermicompost.

The aim of this research was to examine the chemical properties of freshly squeezed wild garlic extract (FSWGE) and its use as an additive in burgers (BU). Technological and sensory properties of such fortified burgers (BU) were determined. LC-MS/MS analyses identified thirty-eight volatile BAC. Allicin prevalence (11.375 mg/mL) is the key parameter determining the amount of FSWGE added in raw BU (PS-I 1.32 mL/kg, PS-II 4.40 mL/kg, and PS-III 8.79 mL/kg). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the FSWGE and evaporated FSWGE (EWGE) were determined against the six microorganisms using a microdilution method. The data indicated that using FSWGE can result in a reduced risk of Serratia marcescens (MIC = 50 mg/mL; MBC = 60 mg/mL), Listeria monocytogenes (MIC = MBC = 90 mg/mL), Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 90 mg/mL; MBC ≥ 100 mg/mL), and Salmonella enteritidis and Enterococcus faecium (MIC = 100 mg/mL; MBC > 100 mg/mL) in BU. Changes in antioxidant (AOX) capacity were followed during cold storage (up to 10 days) and freezing (90 days). It was shown that PS-III had the highest level of AOX capacity during the entire period of cold storage, revealing 8.79 mL FSWGE/kg BU as the most suitable effective concentration. Adding FSWGE did not negatively affect the technological and physico-chemical properties during both cold and freeze storage. Regarding sensory evaluation, modified BU received mostly higher scores compared to control. The results of this study have demonstrated the great potential of wild garlic extract usage in the creation of safe products with prolonged shelf life.

Objectives: This study was conceived with the aim of translating the experience and knowledge of the research group into the design and creation of multi-active phytocomplex cocktails from lyophilised winery by-products (Grape Pomace—GP) and weeds (Sambucus ebulus L., Dwarf Elder—DE). Methods: Quantification of bioactive molecules was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: In the extract obtained from lyophilised GP, the most dominant component that was quantified was petunidin-3-glucoside. Prominent compounds that were quantified in DE extract were cyanidin derivatives. The total number of microorganisms in lyophilisates is low, but some of them still survive lyophilisation. Antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested bacteria ranged from 0.78 mg/mL to 25.00 mg/mL. Antibacterial susceptibility testing (AST) revealed that Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii complex are extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Conclusions: The GP + DE cocktail showed very strong AB power against both tested XDR bacteria. The total phenolic content and antioxidative effect (determined spectrophotometrically) indicate their linear correlation.

Honey is a natural product which has high nutritional value. Also, it has health benefits, which is the reason for its been used for the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress for centuries in many countries. Honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which are the result of the presence of enzymes and chemical and phytochemical components, where phenolic acids and flavonoids play a significant role. The aim of this study was to examine the physico-chemical parameters, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity of forest-meadow, acacia and sunflower honey from the Gruža and Požega areas (Republic of Serbia). The tested physico-chemical parameters were found to be within the values prescribed by the Legislation and the Codex Alimentarius Standard. The presence of HMF was not detected in the sample of forest-meadow honey, while the content in other samples (1.09 and 1.79 mg HMF kg-1) was significantly below the value laid down by regulations (40 mg HMF kg-1). Forest-meadow honey had the highest antioxidant activity (35.2%, 26.32%-ABTS and DPPH method, respectively) and the highest content of total phenolics (90.96±5.18 g GAE 100 g-1), while acacia honey exhibited the lowest values for antioxidant activity (11.76%-ABTS; 7.28%-DPPH) and total phenolics (15.75±0,66 g GAE 100 g-1). Forest-meadow honey showed the best antibacterial activity, followed by sunflower and acacia honey.

Krumpir je jedan od najvažnijih ratarskih usjeva, naročito u područjima umjerene klime. Gomolji su bogati izvor minerala (K, P, Mg, Na, Ca i dr.) i vitamina (naročito vitamin C, zatim E, A, H i B vitamini). Prema podacima FAOStat-a u razdoblju od 2017. do 2021. godine krumpir je u svijetu uzgajan na prosječno preko 17,2 milijuna ha, uz prosječni prinos gomolja od 21,5 t/ha. Godišnje se u svijetu proizvede preko oko 370 milijuna tona krumpira od čega se preko 50 % proizvede u Aziji. Najveći svjetski proizvođači krumpira su Kina, a slijede je Indija, Ruska Federacija, Ukrajina i SAD. Prosječna potrošnja krumpira po glavi stanovnika godišnje u svijetu za razdoblje 2017. – 2021. iznosi 33,3 kg. Zanimljivo je istaknuti kako se u Europi konzumira najviše krumpira po glavi stanovnika godišnje (76 kg/per capita/godišnje), dok je najmanja potrošnja krumpira po glavi stanovnika godišnje u Africi (14,6 kg/per capita/godišnje).