Ivan Salamon

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is an important medicinal and aromatic crop in Ukraine, where it’s dried flower heads (Chamomillae anthodium) are officially registered and standardized according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Despite its economic relevance, information on population-level variability in essential oil yield and chemical composition remains limited. This study evaluated twenty wild chamomile populations distributed across major agroclimatic regions of Ukraine to identify valuable chemotypes for cultivation, breeding, and commercial standardization. Clus-ter analysis revealed a partial relationship between flower head mass and both qualitative and quantitative essential oil traits, while environmental conditions showed only weak influence. Over all, Ukrainian wild chamomile predominantly belonged to Type B chemotype (/-/-α-bisabolol oxide A > /-/-α-bisabolol > /-/-α-bisabololoxide B). Southern populations with medium-sized flower heads and moderate oil content were dominated by the phytotherapeutic valuable /-/-α-bisabolol chemotype. These findings provide a scientific basis for chemotype-based selection, region-specific cultivation, and improvement of commercial chamomile quality and its products. In the conditions of special agricultural production in Ukraine, the technology of growing medicinal chamomile is not sufficiently developed. New agrotechnical issues are being studied in accordance with adaptive varieties, which are the domestic Perlyna Lisostepu, Azulena and the foreign: Bodegold (Germany), Zloty Lan (Poland). However, these are chamomile varieties with an average content of essential oil, which has a high content of bisabololoxides. However, the needs for technologies for harvesting and processing chamomile drugs are currently not sufficiently resolved. These facts affect the low visual and herbal quality of teas in the consumer network, which are produced by the Ukrainian companies.

Electric discharge cavitation is an effective method for water treatment that combines physical and chemical effects within a single process. It enables water disinfection, extraction acceleration, dispersion of solid particles, and enhancement of porous material permeability. Compared to conventional chemical treatment, it reduces the demand for reagents and minimizes secondary pollution. This new and developing technology significantly contributes to the preservation of natural aquatic ecosystems by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional decontamination methods, thereby reducing the overall anthropogenic pressure on the environment. This study focuses on developing a reliable method for assessing electric discharge cavitation intensity and controlling water purification processes. The proposed approach is based on the oxidation of iodide ions to molecular iodine by reactive species generated during electric discharge cavitation. The adapted iodometric method is sensitive, reproducible, and does not require complex optical or acoustic equipment. Experimental results confirmed that iodometry provides an accurate evaluation of cavitation intensity, allowing control of specific energy consumption and optimization of treatment parameters. Optimal operating conditions were established to control the water processing by electric discharge cavitation: stainless-steel electrodes, specific input energy not exceeding 280 kJ·L⁻¹, the presence of a free liquid surface in the working chamber, and a discharge pulse frequency below 10 Hz. The proposed method supports the development of energy-efficient, low-waste technologies for wastewater and natural water treatment and facilitates the integration of electric discharge systems into existing water treatment infrastructure, particularly under resource-limited conditions.

Electric discharge cavitation is an effective method for water treatment that combines physical and chemical effects within a single process. It enables water disinfection, extraction acceleration, dispersion of solid particles, and enhancement of porous material permeability. Compared to conventional chemical treatment, it reduces the demand for reagents and minimizes secondary pollution. This new and developing technology significantly contributes to the preservation of natural aquatic ecosystems by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional decontamination methods, thereby reducing the overall anthropogenic pressure on the environment. This study focuses on developing a reliable method for assessing electric discharge cavitation intensity and controlling water purification processes. The proposed approach is based on the oxidation of iodide ions to molecular iodine by reactive species generated during electric discharge cavitation. The adapted iodometric method is sensitive, reproducible, and does not require complex optical or acoustic equipment. Experimental results confirmed that iodometry provides accurate evaluation of cavitation intensity, allowing control of specific energy consumption and optimization of treatment parameters. Optimal operating conditions were established to control the water processing by electric discharge cavitation: stainless-steel electrodes, specific input energy not exceeding 280 kJ·L-1, the presence of a free liquid surface in the working chamber, and a discharge pulse frequency below 10 Hz. The proposed method supports the development of energy-efficient, low-waste technologies for wastewater and natural water treatment and facilitates the integration of electric discharge systems into existing water treatment infrastructure, particularly under resource-limited conditions.

The paper seeks to develop an integrated mechanism for designing a technology of heavy metal phytoextraction from soils to enhance the environmental safety of urban ecosystems affected by anthropogenic impact. Drawing from an analysis of existing remediation methods for soils contaminated with...

The study investigated the characteristics of the oral microbiota under various pathological conditions and evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of plant-derived essential oils. Complex aerobic–anaerobic microbial associations dominated by periodontal pathogens and opportunistic microorganisms were identified. Species-specific differences in the activity of essential oils against the studied microorganisms were established. The highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity was demonstrated by essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare. Achillea millefolium essential oil exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, as well as fungi of the genus Candida. The highest activity against anaerobic periodontal pathogens was observed for essential oils of Pinus sylvestris, Eucalyptus globulus, and Anethum graveolens. The findings support the potential use of essential oils as natural components of oral care products aimed at modulating the oral microbiota. Keywords: oral microbiome, microbiome-associated markers, antimicrobial activity, essential oils.

In the context of intensifying global climate change, the hydrological system of moderately continental and arid regions exhibits extreme sensitivity. The atmospheric rainfall regime is used as a key proxy indicator to assess this vulnerability, as the deficit of atmospheric moisture and shifts in precipitation patterns directly threaten regional water resources secu-rity. This study aims to quantitatively analyze the long-term shifts in the rainfall regime within Mykolaiv region and de-termine their direct contribution to escalating hydrological vulnerability. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive environ-mental monitoring approach was employed, involving the analysis of multi-year meteorological data from 1980 to 2024, supplemented by information from geographical databases (e.g., Google Earth Engine) and official regional environ-mental reports. Statistical analysis methods were utilized. A detailed analysis was performed on the seasonal redistribu-tion, frequency, and intensity of precipitation. The analysis established that the Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, is character-ized by a persistent atmospheric precipitation deficit, with average annual figures critically ranging between 409 and 469 mm. The main climate factors driving hydrological vulnerability are not merely the total quantity, but the significant shifts in the pattern of fallout. Firstly, there is a clear seasonal imbalance, disrupting the region's natural hydrological cy-cle. Secondly, an increase in intense, short-duration storm events has been recorded. This diminishes the effectiveness of soil moisture penetration and generates rapid surface runoff, paradoxically increasing the risks of both soil drought and flash flooding. Finally, the calculation of the GTC consistently demonstrates the predominance of very dry and moder-ately dry conditions over many years, unequivocally confirming a clear tendency towards aridification (desertification) in the southern districts. Thus, these quantitative and qualitative changes in the rainfall regime serve as a direct and relia-ble indicator of the region's increasing hydrological vulnerability. These shifts negatively impact the stability of aquatic ecosystems, notably leading to the shallowness of the Southern Buh River, and necessitate the urgent development of integrated adaptation strategies to enhance water resilience.

Intercropping medicinal and aromatic plants with other crops has demonstrated substantial potential for improving sustainable agricultural systems. Across a wide range of species, including yarrow, dill, wormwood, pot marigold, ajowan, coriander, saffron, cumin, lemongrass, Moldavian dragonhead, fennel, hyssop, dragons head, lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, black cumin, basil, rose-scented geranium, aniseed, patchouli, rosemary, sage, summer savory, marigold, thyme, fenugreek, and vetiver, integration with cereals, legumes, vegetables, and perennial trees enhanced both land use efficiency and overall crop productivity. These systems often resulted in improved essential oil (EO) yield and composition, optimized plant growth, and increased economic returns, particularly when combined with organic inputs or biofertilizers. In addition to productivity gains, intercropping provides important ecological benefits. It can enhance soil fertility, stimulate microbial activity, and contribute to effective pest and weed management. Incorporating medicinal and aromatic plants into orchards, vineyards, or agroforestry systems further supported biodiversity. It influenced secondary metabolite production in companion crops, demonstrating the multifunctional role of these species in integrated farming systems. Overall, intercropping medicinal and aromatic plants represents a versatile and economically viable approach for sustainable crop production. The selection of compatible species, careful management of planting ratios, and appropriate agronomic practices are critical to maximizing both biological and economic benefits. Such strategies not only increase farm profitability but also promote environmental sustainability and resilience in diverse cropping systems. This review explores the effects of MAP integration on agroecological performance and identifies key mechanisms and practical outcomes.

The article analyses the impact of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), on consumer behaviour in the financial services sector, with a focus on improving financial literacy and decision-making through personal financial trackers. The study explores how AI-based applications, such as adaptive learning and gamification, can enhance users’ financial literacy. Key outcomes include a significant improvement in users’ ability to manage personal finances, with AI tools offering personalized recommendations, automatic expense categorization, and forecasting. Additionally, the study identifies challenges related to data security, ethical concerns, and algorithmic transparency. The research concludes that while AI-powered financial tools can greatly enhance financial literacy, their effectiveness depends on user engagement and the resolution of ethical and regulatory challenges.