Quince wine (QW) is produced using quince juice (QJ); however, the production process can be improved, for example, by macerating the juice with quince pomace (QP). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the use of QP from the Leskovac cultivar as a fermentation substrate for QW production. Control samples were prepared using 100% QJ, with and without added sugar, while the treated samples were prepared by adding different amounts of QP to QJ. The addition of QP resulted in QW with physicochemical characteristics similar to those of the control samples, except for significantly higher methanol content in almost all macerated QW samples. The control samples exhibited considerably better antioxidant and antimicrobial properties than the macerated QW samples. The best antioxidant properties were observed in control samples B1 and C1, while control sample M1 showed the strongest inhibitory activity against the tested microorganisms. In some cases, the sensory properties of the macerated samples were better than those of the non-macerated samples. Samples C1, M4, and A3 achieved the highest overall sensory scores (18.6, 17.9, and 17.3, respectively). Overall, QP demonstrated potential for use in QW production; however, further investigation of the maceration parameters is necessary.

<p>This study examined the effect of adding selected plant species on the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Janj cheese. Twelve cheese samples were prepared in two batches, each including one control sample and five samples enriched with oregano (<em>Origanum vulgare</em>), basil (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em>), parsley (<em>Petroselinum crispum</em>), rosemary <em>(Rosmarinus officinalis</em>), and chives (<em>Allium schoenoprasum</em>). The first batch contained 0.50%, while the second batch had 1.00% concentrations of the plants. Total phenols, flavonoids, and non-flavonoid compounds were measured. Antioxidant activity was assessed through FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar dilution method against four bacterial strains (<em>Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus</em>) and two <em>Candida albicans</em> strains. The results revealed a statistically significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in antioxidant activity in the plant-enriched cheese samples, emphasizing their potential as natural sources of antioxidants. However, none of the cheeses showed antimicrobial activity under the tested conditions. In conclusion, the incorporation of these selected plant species improves the biological and functional properties of Janj cheese, supporting its potential as a nutritionally enhanced product.</p>

<p>This study explores the use of natural plant extracts as a sustainable method to enhance the quality and safety of long-life sausages by incorporating them into natural edible casings. Ethanol (E) and aqueous (A) extracts of blackthorn (BT) and red cherry (RC), as well as their ethanol and water-based solutions, were prepared and analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The analyses included the quantification of total phenols, non-flavonoids, flavonoids, flavonols, and anthocyanins, along with antioxidant activity assessments using FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Antimicrobial efficacy was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (<em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, <em>Bacillus cereus</em>, <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and <em>Salmonella enterica</em>) and mold <em>Penicillium expansum</em> via agar dilution methods to determine MIC and MBC/MFC.</p> <p>Results showed that ethanol extracts had higher antioxidant activity than aqueous ones (p&lt;0.05), with the ethanol extract of blackthorn (EBT) containing the highest levels of phenolics (54.11 mg GAE/g d.e.) and exhibiting the strongest antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. Casings treated with EBTE (ethanol BT extract dissolved in ethanol) demonstrated significant antibacterial properties, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. This study confirms that plant-extract-enriched natural casings can protect against oxidation and microbial spoilage, thereby enhancing the overall quality and safety of dry-cured sausages.&nbsp;</p>

The growing need to reduce the negative impact on the environment and human health, as well as to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly textiles, has led to the development of environmentally friendly printing techniques and the use of natural dyes in the textile industry. Grape pomace is important waste material in winemaking, and has been extensively studied for its potential as a source of compounds with biological properties, especially anthocyanins, pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors in grapes. The aim of this paper was to examine the potential use of natural dye extracted from grape pomace of domestic cultivar crna Mirisavka (GPCM) in preparation of printing paste with alginate, citric acid, and tannic acid for printing on cotton fabric. Special focus was placed to achieve process color magenta, by adjusting the pH value of the extract obtained. The natural dye from GPCM was extracted using maceration with 80% methanol, followed by sonication to enhance the yield of bioactive compounds. GPCM extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity measured by FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS+ tests, and moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The pH-dependent stability of anthocyanins in GPCM extract was examined, demonstrating a magenta tone at acidic pH (pH 2-4) and color degradation at higher pH values. Cotton fabric printed with two different concentrations of GPCM extract (100 mg/L and 50 mg/L) showed good antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that GPCM extract can be an environmentally friendly solution for the development of antibacterial and antioxidant textiles, with potential application in the production of protective clothing in healthcare institutions, as well as for the production of decorative home textiles, for the production of children's toys and textiles for packaging.

In this study, the influence of the type of extract (leaf and rhizome of R. japonica) and the type of copper-based mordant (copper (I) oxide - Cu2O and copper (II) sulfate - CuSO4) on the spectroscopic and antimicrobial properties of dyed wool knitwear was investigated. The antimicrobial activity of all samples was tested against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the yeast Candida albicans. It was observed that knitted fabrics dyed with R. Japonica leaf extract and Cu2O show a better antimicrobial effect on S. aureus bacteria compared to knitted fabrics dyed with the addition of CuSO4. However, in the case of knitwear dyed with R. Japonica rhizome extract, we have the opposite case; CuSO4 proved to be better as a mordant. Conductance was measured using the dielectric spectroscopy method in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 100 kHz. The highest increase in conductivity was observed in the sample dyed with the rhizome extract of R. Japonica and Cu2O, where the increase at the frequency of 24 kHz was 20 times higher compared to the initial sample. The obtained results of the coloration spectrophotometric analysis of the samples show that the highest colour strength (K/S) was achieved with the sample dyed with R. Japonica leaf extract and CuSO4. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using the tested knitwear for antimicrobial as well as electro protection.

Physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, fast-paced lifestyle, as well as genetic predispositions lead to the appearance of diabetes mellitus, and with it many other complications, of which diabetic foot syndrome is very common. In order to avoid complications with the diabetic foot, one of the forms of prevention is wearing specially designed footwear that protects and reduces the pressure on the foot and thus the risk of ulcers. Insoles also play a big role in preventing complications. The paper will present a conceptual solution of a model of footwear for patients with diabetes mellitus and a prototype of an insole made of knitwear, which was previously printed with medical clay, honey and extracts of the plants Rosmarinus officinalis and Zingiber officinale. Samples of knitwear that were printed with a paste containing Rosmarinus officinalis extract showed exceptional antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Replaceable insoles for footwear are intended for the prevention of complications from Diabetes mellitus.

In order to remove harmful microorganisms, textile materials are subjected to various types of antimicrobial treatments. Skin infections represent a permanent diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In this paper, the impact of printing insoles with alginate paste, modified bentonites and Picea omorika plant extract on their antimicrobial, dielectric and sorption properties was investigated. It was found that the printed insoles show a certain antimicrobial effect on the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the yeast Candida albicans. The obtained values of specific conductivity are in agreement with the tested parameter of the sorption properties of the insoles.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The medicinal plants Salvia officinalis, Trifolium pratense, Agrimonia eupatoria, Cichorium intybus and Vinca minor are traditionally used for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases, including diabetes. AIM OF THE STUDY Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common diseases nowadays, often accompanied by oxidative stress and microbial infections. The aim of our work was to examine the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of ethanol extracts of five medicinal plants for the purpose of their possible use in the treatment of T2D. MATERIALS AND METHODS The polyphenolic profile of the plant extracts was analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography with a diode array detector configured with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC/DAD/(-)HESI-MS2). In vitro antidiabetic activity of extracts was determined by measuring the percentage of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. The antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by different spectrophotometric methods, while the antimicrobial activity was determined by agar dilution and disc diffusion methods. RESULTS A. eupatoria extract contains the highest percentage of flavonoids (94%, with isoquercetin, vitexin, and rutin as the most abundant) in relation to the concentration of total phenolic compounds and exhibits excellent antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. S. officinalis extract contains 60% flavonoids (predominately cirismaritin and epigallocatechin gallate) and 40% phenolic acids (with rosmarinic acid being the most abundant from this group) and exhibits weak antidiabetic activity, significant antioxidant activity, and excellent antibacterial activity. A 45% percentage of flavonoids (with isoquercetin as the most abundant one) and 55% of phenolic acids (with ferulic acid as the most abundant) were measured in the extract of T. pratense, which had excellent antidiabetic activity but weaker antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. A similar percentage of flavonoids (52%, with epigallocatechin gallate in the highest concentration) and phenolic acids (48%, with chlorogenic acid as the most abundant) was measured in the extract of C. intybus which showed moderate antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The extract of V. minor was the richest in phenolic acids (80%, with the most abundant chlorogenic acid), which resulted in weaker antidiabetic and antioxidant activities (except for Fe2+ chelating ability) and antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION The results indicate that specific phenolic compounds are responsible for the different biological activities of the plant extracts. Among the investigated plants, the extract of A. eupatoria has the greatest potential for applications in the treatment of T2D.