Erica carnea L. has recently gained attention as a promising natural source of antioxidants suitable for food and beverage applications. This study aimed to obtain an antioxidant-enriched extract by optimizing the key extraction variables. A full factorial design was used to evaluate the effects of ethanol concentration, extraction time, and temperature, followed by validation through multiple antioxidant assays, including DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and metal chelation. The most efficient extraction was achieved at 30% ethanol, 120 min, and 50 °C, yielding IC₅₀ values of 18.42 μg/mL (LP), 15.04 μg/mL (DPPH), 5.14 μg/mL (MC), 11.28 μg/mL (OH), and 10.06 μg/mL (ABTS), in agreement with the model predictions. Extraction kinetics were described using an unsteady-state diffusion model, supported by low root mean square (RMS) values and high coefficients of determination. Thermodynamic analysis indicated an irreversible, endothermic process, highlighting the energetic requirements for phenolic release from plant tissue. The combined statistical and kinetic approach provides a clearer understanding of how process variables influence antioxidant recovery. In addition to strong antioxidant activity, the optimized extract showed measurable cytotoxic and antibacterial effects. Overall, these findings highlight E. carnea as a valuable material for developing antioxidant-rich formulations, with extraction efficiency governed by predictable kinetic and thermodynamic behavior.

Representatives of the Seseli genus are recognized for their biological activities. The objective of this study was to analyze the phenolic and flavonoid content, along with the antioxidant effects, of methanol, ethyl acetate, and acetone extracts obtained from the roots, leaves, stems, and fruits of S. rigidum. Through spectrophotometric measurements of phenols and flavonoids, the results revealed that the polar (methanol) solvent extract from the leaves exhibited the highest concentrations of phenols (98.66 ± 2.64 mg GA/g) and flavonoids (20.74 ± 0.55 mg RU/g), surpassing those obtained from the stem. Specifically, the methanol extract from the leaves demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity at 25.87 ± 0.05 μg/mL, while the fruit extract exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity at 638.5 ± 0.01 μg/mL. Notably, the total phenol content displayed a strong positive correlation with the antioxidant activity of the extracts, unlike the total flavonoid content.

Salep tuber is sourced from young tubers of plants belonging to genera such as Orchis (Orchis morio L, Orchis militaris L, Orchis mascula L, Orchis latifolia L), Ophrys (Ophrys fuciflora (Cr) Haller), Platanthera (Platanthera bifolia (L) Rich,), Anacamptis (Anacamptis pyramidalis (L) Rich), and Gymnadenia (Gymnadenia conopsea (L) RBr) from the Orchidaceae family. Ph.Yug.II categorizes Orchis morio L as salep, aligning with CITES convention and IUCN categories for vulnerable species. As a mucilaginous drug, salep is used as an enema for intestinal catarrh and added to drugs with local irritating effects due to its soothing impact on mucous membranes. Qualitative gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GH/MS) analysis of Orchis morio tubers from Zlatar mountain’s dry meadows reveals compounds like cinnamaldehyde, α-terpinyl acetate, coumarin, α-muurolol, pogostol, caryophyllene, n-hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, pentacosane, heptacosane, nonacosane, campesterol, cyclolartenol, sitosterol, and predominantly β-sitosterol. The elevated β-sitosterol content supports the use of salep in treating benign prostate diseases.

The aim of this work is to show the simulation of the nuclear decay of Iodine isotopes using the Mathematica software package. The nuclear decay of Iodine occurs most often during nuclear accidents in various types of nuclear facilities, during which radioactive isotopes are produced. Radioactive Iodine isotopes lead to the manifestation of harmful side effects, but with the development of science, it has been established that some of them can be used for diagnostic purposes and to detect certain types of carcinoma. The software package itself makes it possible to actively change the parameters in real time that are characteristic for the nuclear decay of Iodine. Graphically by displaying the exponential curves for decayed and non-decayed nuclei, the ratio of the number of undecayed nuclei as a function of the elapsed time can be directly calculated. The model can be implemented in classes and enables students to better understand nuclear decay in the undergraduate courses of Physics, Physics 2 and Computer simulation of physical phenomena.