In addition to studying bioactive organic compounds in plants, it is increasingly important to determine the biological role of elements in plants growing in environmentally unfavorable areas. One of such regions in Russia is Kuzbass with its intensively developing chemical, metallurgical, and coal mining sectors. In this study, we assessed the plant materials of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) collected from their natural populations in Kuzbass. The qualitative and quantitative composition of heavy metals in the clover samples was determined voltammetrically. The contents of molybdenum and phosphorus were measured by the photocolorimetric method. Total nitrogen and protein were determined by the Kjeldahl method. Nickel, cobalt, and chromium were quantified by spectrophotometry. We analyzed the plant materials of the clover samples for heavy metals and found that the content of lead was the least in red clover and the highest in alsike clover. Copper varied in a larger range and was minimal in red clover compared to that in alsike and white clover. Zinc was found at higher concentrations of in white and red clover compared to that in alsike clover. The levels of cadmium exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations in all the clover samples. We also revealed that the clover samples contained different amounts of various amino acids, including arginine, valine, lysine, glycine, aspartic acid, and alanine. The plant materials of the clover species growing in Kuzbass can be used to improve the fertility of soil and nitrogen regime. However, the clover species should not be used in bulk feed for farm animals because of high concentrations of cadmium.

Flavonoids are plant polyphenols that exhibit biological activity with antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic effects. The medicinal plants of Kuzbass have high contents of flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, they can be used in medicinal preparations to prevent or treat serious diseases. We studied the following plants collected in Kuzbass: common thyme (Thymus vulgaris Linn., leaves and stems), woolly burdock (Arctium tomentosum Mill., roots), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., leaves and stems), common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis L., leaves and stems), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., leaves and stems), red clover (Trifolium pratense L., leaves and stems), common ginseng (Panax ginseng, roots), sweetvetch (Hedysarum neglectum Ledeb., roots), and cow parsnip (Heracleum sibiricum L., inflorescences, leaves, and stems). To extract flavonoids, we used ethanol at concentrations of 40, 55, 60, 70, and 75%. Spectrophotometry was used to determine total flavonoids, while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of the extracts. The highest yield of flavonoids was found in H. sibiricum leaves (at all concentrations except 70%), followed by the 55% and 70% ethanol extracts of T. vulgaris leaves and stems, as well as the 75% ethanol extract of A. millefolium leaves and stems. Thus, these plants have the greatest potential in being used in medicines. High-performance liquid chromatography showed the highest contents of polyphenolic compounds in the samples of P. officinalis, A. millefolium, T. vulgaris, and T. pratense. Our results can be used in further research to produce new medicinal preparations based on the medicinal plants of Kuzbass.

Starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria define the sensory profile of cheese, as well as its microbiological safety and shelf life. Under the current import restrictions, Russia needs efficient domestic starter strains with probiotic properties. Research in this sphere opens up prospects for new functional cheeses that combine conventional sensory properties with health benefits. The authors tested Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, and Weissella thailandensis for starter culture potential. The highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli belonged to L. plantarum (B-11264) and W. thailandensis (B-10412). E. faecium (B-4054) and L. acidophilus (B-2585) demonstrated strong acid-forming effects, which contributed to a decrease in pH. Their resistance to high NaCl concentrations was strain-specific: while 2–4% NaCl inhibited some cultures, 6.5% NaCl was able to inhibit them all. The biocompatibility test revealed no antagonism between the strains, which confirmed good consortia prospects. Strains B-4054, B-2585, and B-11264 demonstrated a reliable enzymatic potential and steady growth under the experimental conditions. In the future, they may provide a strategic alternative to imported probiotic starters. Research prospects involve optimization of cheese production technology by using these strains in microbial consortia.

Coal miners work underground, which means they are likely to be at greater risk of developing Vitamin D deficiency due to reduced sunlight exposure. Other industrial health risks may include oxidative stress, respiratory diseases, and inflammatory pathologies. Leaves of nightshade plants are rich in antioxidants, which means they can prevent mining-related diseases, compensate for vitamin D deficiency, and counteract oxidative stress at the cellular level. The article describes the component composition of the leaves of various Solanaceae plants to be used in functional foods fortified with antioxidants and vitamin D. The research featured dried leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), potato (S. tuberosum L.), black nightshade (S. nigrum L.), and bittersweet nightshade (S. dulcamara L.). The antioxidant studies involved a comprehensive analysis of flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and volatile organic compounds using ABTS and DPPH radicals. The vitamin D content was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. The leaves proved to be rich in flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and volatile organic compounds. The high antioxidant potential was confirmed by ABTS and DPPH tests. The highest content of vitamin D belonged to potato leaves (224.7 μg/100 g) and black nightshade (22.8 μg/100 g), demonstrating good prospects for food fortification. The high antioxidant content in the leaves of tomato, potato, black nightshade, and bittersweet nightshade makes them a promising raw material for the functional food industry. They may be able to improve the health of miners and prevent industrial diseases.

Functional products containing natural antioxidants contribute to the improvement of human health indicators, and thus contribute to an increase in life expectancy. Milk is a valuable solubilizer that promotes the dissolution of insoluble substances in a liquid. The paper presents the results of a study under conditions of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with amperometric detection of antioxidant properties of secondary plant metabolites for the enrichment of dairy products. The objects of the study were biologically active compounds isolated from extracts of callus cultures of plants grown in vitro on liquid nutrient media. The use of HPLC chromatography with an amperometric glass-carbon detector to analyze the antioxidant properties of biologically active substances of plant origin made it possible to identify the following substances from 8 types of individual compounds with a pronounced potential for biological activity: rutin, rosemary acid from Pulmonaria officinalis, trans-cinnamic acid from Scutellaria baicalensis, rutin from Filipéndula ulmária. These compounds are able to effectively inhibit free radical processes in dairy products. The use of high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection can be used as a criterion for evaluating the antioxidant properties of biologically active substances isolated from extracts of callus cultures.

Healthy aging and active longevity need an integrated approach to a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition can effectively prevent the development of chronic diseases that lead to premature aging. Therefore, food scientists are searching for new bioactive substances with geroprotective potential to be introduced into functional food products and dietary supplements. We aimed to study the bioactivity of the Thymus vulgaris L. callus culture extract and its metabolites as potential geroprotectors. We studied a hydroalcoholic extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture (70% ethanol) and its individual bioactive substances (thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids), with Caenorhabditis elegans used as a model organism. IR spectroscopy and highperformance liquid chromatography were employed to analyze the effect of the extract and its metabolites on the growth of C. elegans larvae, as well as on the nematodes’ lifespan and resistance to oxidative and thermal stress. The extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture increased the length and surface area of the nematode body, producing an anabolic effect. In a 100-fold dilution, the extract enhanced the survival and stress resistance of the nematodes. Thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids were obtained from the extract at 95% purification. Thymol completely inhibited the growth of nematode larvae, with no offspring produced from the eggs. At 10 μM, thymol increased the survival of the nematodes by a factor of 1.8 and also improved their stress resistance. In the presence of oleanolic acid (10 and 50 μM), some nematodes laid eggs; oleanolic acid increased the nematode lifespan be a factor of 1.9. Oleanolic acid (200 and 100 μM) and ursolic acid (50 and 100 μM) increased the survival of the nematodes exposed to thermal stress compared to the control. The extract of the T. vulgaris callus culture and its metabolites (thymol, oleanolic and ursolic acids) have geroprotective potential for use in food supplementation. However, there is a need for further research.