Lenka Svojanovská

Species of the genus Mentha are valued for their aroma and bioactivity. This study presents a comprehensive 3‐year (2022–2024) evaluation of two Mentha spicata and three Mentha × piperita genotypes. Methanolic extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AA) using spectrophotometry; individual phenolic compounds were determined by HPLC–DAD, and essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC–MS. Significant inter‐ and intra‐species variability was observed . M. × piperita showed higher phytochemical levels (TPC: 33.61–55.23 mg GAE/g DW; TFC: 27.56–43.01 mg CE/g DW; and AA: 46.48–103.93 mg TE/g DW) than M. spicata (TPC: 28.92–39.57 mg GAE/g DW; TFC: 23.48–35.11 mg CE/g DW; and AA: 40.09–93.59 mg TE/g DW). Rosmarinic acid predominated in all samples (6227.11 to 29321.70 µg/g DW), with elevated levels observed in M. × piperita . EO yields ranged from 0.55% to 2.31% (v/w), with carvone dominant in M. spicata and menthone, dl ‐menthol, or piperitenone oxide in M. × piperita . Principal component analysis confirmed distinct chemical differentiation among genotypes. Genotype had a strong, and year a moderate, effect on phytochemical profiles. These results highlight the species‐specific potential of Mentha for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

Essential oils (EOs) obtained from spices, herbs and medicinal plants are well known in traditional medicine and are an area of interest due to their various biological activities. On the other hand, spices are consumed on a daily basis and have the potential to be contaminated with mycotoxins. Therefore, it is crucial to consider them as a factor in health safety. The present study investigated the yield, EOs composition and mycotoxins (T‐2 toxin and HT‐2 toxin) content in five spices (caraway, anise, coriander, fennel, dill) of the Apiaceae family. EOs obtained by hydrodistillation were analysed and identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Mycotoxins were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (LC–MS). The yields of EOs ranged between 0.66% and 5.26% depending on the type of spice. The results showed that the major components present in caraway samples were carvone (53.02%–59.65%) and limonene (39.34%–46.08%); in anise trans‐anethole (93.79%–95.70%); in coriander linalool (62.02%–67.91%); in fennel trans‐anethole (0.82%–92.87%) or estragole (2.53%–89.51%); and in dill samples limonene and carvone (about 47.00% each), or dill apiole (42.08%) and limonene (29.80%). T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins were detected in small amounts (0.37–2.69 μg/kg) in three of 24 analysed samples.

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, commonly known as lemongrass, is a member of the Poaceae family and is native to tropical and subtropical regions, including South Asia. The species is renowned for its diverse applications in culinary arts, perfumery, and traditional medicinal practices. This study aimed to characterize the essential oil (EO) composition of lemongrass and evaluate its biological properties. The EO was extracted via hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, and its chemical profile was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major constituents identified were neral (35.5 ± 0.6%) and geranial (36.0 ± 0.4%), which together constitute the primary isomers of citral. The antioxidant activity, assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, was moderate compared to the Trolox standard. Similarly, the EO exhibited weak tyrosinase inhibition activity. However, the EO exhibited significant herbicidal and insecticidal effects with no observed ecotoxicological risks. These findings highlight lemongrass EO as a promising eco‐friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Plant foods are receiving increasing attention as a valuable source of health beneficial compounds. Understanding the impact of growing conditions on the quality of milk thistle is critical for determining appropriate agro-ecological and agro-economic parameters for its production and, subsequently, food products rich in health-beneficial compounds. For this purpose, a randomized milk thistle cultivation trial was established in the experimental field of Agritec Plant Research Plc. in Šumperk, Czech Republic, and carried out for two subsequent growing seasons in 2020 and 2021. The milk thistle achenes, variety Mirel, were sown in the row width of 12.5, 25 and 37 cm; and the qualitative parameters of each field trial such as achenes yields, silymarin complex determination and also antioxidant assessment (total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity) were evaluated. The environmental impact of the extraction process was reduced by using pressurized liquid extraction with 60% EtOH (v/v). The weather conditions during the trial as well as the row spacing of milk thistle sowing were revealed to have a significant influence on the evaluated parameters (p ≤ 0.05). The highest yields of evaluated parameters were obtained for the growing season 2021 and the row spacing of 37 cm.