Hydrophobic polymeric membranes (PP, PTFE, and PVDF) were efficiently applied in juice concentration by osmotic membrane distillation process at room temperature. The properties of applied membranes were characterized by the value of static contact angle, hysteresis of contact angle, surface free energy, roughness, mean flow pore size, maximum pore size or bubble point, and the pore size distribution before and after their utilization in osmotic membrane distillation (OMD). Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the membranes was evaluated using the Mullen burst technique and characterization of fouling behavior was done. The impact of stripping solutions, characterized by different water activities (NaCl and CaCl₂), type of membrane materials, and membrane morphology, on the transport properties in a dehydration process was evaluated. Apple and beet juices with a high level of antioxidants were chosen. The quality of juices has been assessed by determination of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. In the dehydration process, the most efficient were 0.45-μm PTFE and 0.45-μm PVDF membranes (24 % improvement). No loss of polyphenol content or reduction of antioxidant activity was observed after the juice dehydration.

Mycotoxins and selected hazardous alkaloids in the medicinal plants (Panax ginseng, Angelica sinensis, and Withania somnifera) and dietary supplements were determined. Purine alkaloids were found in majority of samples; however, isoquinoline alkaloids were less abundant than indole. The predominant alkaloids appear to be caffeine (purine group), harman (indole group) and berberine (isoquinoline). Examined medicinal plants and dietary supplements were contaminated by mycotoxins (especially ochratoxin A 1.72–5.83 µg kg⁻¹), and many species of mold (e.g. Cladosporium, Eurotium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium). MTT cytotoxicity tests revealed that plant and supplements extracts exhibited medium or high cytotoxicity (only Dong quai—low). Moreover, antioxidant activity, total phenolics content and selected phytochemicals were analyzed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Quercetin and rutin were predominant flavonols (1.94-9.51 and 2.20–7.28 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively). Analysis of phenolic acids revealed—gallic acid, as the most abundant, except Panax ginseng, where ferulic acid was prevailing. The results were analyzed by chemometric methods (cluster analysis, ANOVA).

Chitosan is a polysaccharide with film-forming properties. Such properties are widely used for the preparation of beauty masks and wound-healing materials. In this work, chitosan-based films containing hyaluronic acid and rutin have been researched for potential cosmetic applications. Rutin was added to a chitosan solution in lactic acid, and then thin films were fabricated. The structure of the films was studied using FTIR spectroscopy. Surface properties were studied using an AFM microscope. The release of rutin from chitosan-based film was researched by the HPLC method. The properties of the skin, such as elasticity and moisturization, were studied using the Aramo TS 2 apparatus. It was found that the addition of rutin did not have an influence on the chitosan structure but affected its thermal stability. The roughness of the films was bigger after the addition of rutin to chitosan-based films. Skin elasticity and skin moisturization were somewhat improved after the topical application of the proposed chitosan–rutin mask. The maximum release of rutin was found after 20 min at pH 5.5, related to the pH of normal human skin. The average percentage of release from chitosan-based film containing hyaluronic acid was smaller than from chitosan-based films.