UDK: 582.711.71:547.56 Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Rosa canina fruit extracts obtained with five different extraction systems were investigated. Extractions were done with water, and aqueous 50% methanol, 50% ethanol, 80% methanol and 80% ethanol. Antioxidant activity was investigated with DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods using Trolox as a standard. The highest level of phenols (78.83 mg GAE/g), phenolic acids (11.21 mg CAE/g), and proanthocyanidins (29.12 mg CE/g) were found for 50% methanol extract. The highest flavonoid content (1.163 mg RE/g and 0.675 mg QE/g) was determined for 50% ethanol extracts and antocyanin content (0.139 mg CGE/g) for 80% methanol extract. The lowest level of phenols (35.89 mg GAE/g), phenolic acids (4.55 mg CAE/g) and proanthocyanidins (11.93 mg CE/g) had 80% ethanol extract. Flavonoid content (0.341 mg RE/g and 0.214 mg QE/g) was the lowest in water extract and anthocyanidin content (11.93 mg CE/g) in 50% ethanol extract. Antioxidant activity for DPPH was in a range 255.62-407.82 µmol TE/g, for ABTS 312.06-616.10 µmol TE/g and for FRAP 349.33-690.37 µmol TE/g with lowest values for 80% ethanol extract and highest values for 50% methanol extract. Phenols and proanthocyanidins showed high positive correlation with antioxidant activity for DPPH (r2 =0.927-0.9621), ABTS (r2 =0.980-0.9935) and FRAP (r2 =0.9352-0.9633). No correlation was observed for flavonoid and anthocyanidin content with antioxidant activity.

UDK: 582.916.16:547.56             547.56:543.42 Total contents of phenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins have been determined in methanolic extracts of Fraxinus ornus L. and Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsch. leaves and branches bark.  DPPH and FRAP assay were used in the determination of antioxidant capacity. F. ornus leaves had higher contents of flavonoids (13.08 mg RE g-1 DW) and proanthocyanidins (7.29 mg LCE g-1 DW) while the bark had higher contents of phenols (56.47 mg GAE g-1 DW), phenolic acids (14.32 mg CAE g-1 DW) and coumarins (94.81 mg CE g-1 DW). F. pennsylvanica leaves were richer in contents of phenols (25.73 mg GQE g-1 DW), flavonoids (2.87 mg CE g-1 DW and 5.13 mg RE g-1 DW), phenolic acids (14.60 mg CAE g-1 DW) and coumarins (20.01 mg CE g-1 DW) while the bark had more proanthocyanidins (6.88 mg CE g-1 DW). F. ornus leaves had lower contents of phenolic acids (11.09 mg CAE g-1 DW) than F. pennsylvanica leaves. Also, F. pennsylvanica bark had higher contents of flavonoids (1.25 mg RE g-1 DW) and proanthocyanidins (6.88 mg CE g-1 DW) than F. ornus bark. Antioxidant capacity for both species was higher for the leaves than the bark. Generally, F. ornus had better antioxidant capacity than F. pennsylvanica. Very high correlations were found between antioxidant capacity and phenols (r2= 0.9361-0.9805), flavonoids (r2= 0.9358-0.9876) and coumarins (r2= 0.9661-0.9938) in leaves. In bark, correlations were found for phenols (r2= 0.9744-0.9796) and coumarins (r2= 0.9757-0.9911).

UDK: 577.13:582  Plants produce a numerous and diverse secondary metabolites, organic compounds which are not essential and do not participate directly in the growth and development, but may have very important role in their adaptation and adjustment to particular environmental conditions. For humans, secondary metabolites are very important in medicine, pharmacology, food and cosmetics industries. The presence of eight types of secondary metabolites (anthocyanins, coumarins, emodins, fatty acids, phenols, saponins, steroids and tannins) in water extracts of leaves and barks of 25 broadleaf deciduous species from 15 families was qualitatively investigated by rapid phytochemical screening methods. According to literature data, in this study for the first time is determined the presence of six types of secondary metabolites in analyzed dendro species: anthocyanins in one species; both coumarins and phenols in five species; emodins in six species; saponins in eight species; and tannins in four species. Particular attention in further research should be given to Fagus sylvatica L., Populus tremula L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz. Since preliminary results of this study are promising it would be desirable both to identify active compounds and assess their potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

UDK: 581.19:547.56]:582.916.16   In this work, Fraxinus excelsior L. and Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. leaves and branches bark extracts have been estimated for their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant capacity was examined by DPPH and FRAP methods.  Higher contents of total phenols (23.94- 46.98 mg GAE g-1) and flavonoids (6.30 – 9.14 mg RE g-1 and 3.67 – 5.34 mg QE g-1) have been determined in leaves than in the bark for both species. The bark contained higher amounts of total phenolic acids (17.79 – 36.67 mg CAE g-1), coumarins (27.91 – 70.98 mg CE g-1) than the leaves. F. excelsior bark had higher content of proanthocyanidins (4.14 – 7.95 mg LCE g-1) while F. angustifolia leaves were richer in proanthocyanidins (5.76 – 11.16 mg LCE g-1). Generally, higher amounts of bioactive compounds and better antioxidant capacity was found for F. angustifolia. Also, extracts of F. excelsior bark and F. angustifolia leaves displayed higher antioxidant activities. Established correlations between phenols (r2 = 0.8381 – 0.9228), phenolic acids (r2 = 0.8799 – 0.9843), coumarins (r2 = 0.9223 – 0.9716) and antioxidant capacity determined by DPPH and FRAP shown these compounds are the main contributors to the antioxidant capacity in leaves and bark of investigated species.

Phenolic contents of methanolic extracts prepared from leaves and fruits of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus macrocarpa Hegetschw. were determined. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay. The results showed that leaves were richer in the content of phenols (59.23 91.91 GAE g-1), flavonoids (2.38 4.08 mg QE g-1 and 5.24 8.9 mg RE g-1) , phenolic acids (33.40 68.98 CAE g-1) and proanthocyanidins (26.15 48.60 CE g-1) while in fruits anthocyanins dominateted (0.43 0.80 CG g-1). Leaves also had higher antioxidant capacity than fruits for both species. Generelly, C. monogyna fruits had higher content of anthocyanins. Total phenols, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins were highly corelated with DPPH (r2 = 0.8703 0.9618), ABTS (r2 = 0.7833 0.9443) and FRAP (r2 = 0.903 0.9695) assay. The results suggests that these compounds were the major contributors to the antioxidant capacity in leaves and fruits extracts of both species. Higher contents of bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant capacity were determined for C. x macrocarpa samples. Therefore, C. x macrocarpa leaves and fruits are valuble source of antioxidant polyphenols with high potential for use in preparation of different natural health products.

UDK: 547.56:582.711.714           582.711.714:581.45/.47 Phenolic contents of methanolic extracts prepared from leaves and fruits of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus macrocarpa Hegetschw. were determined. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay. The results showed that leaves were richer in the content of phenols (59.23 - 91.91 GAE g-1), flavonoids (2.38 - 4.08 mg QE g-1 and 5.24 - 8.9 mg RE g-1) , phenolic acids (33.40 - 68.98 CAE g-1) and proanthocyanidins (26.15 - 48.60 CE g-1) while in fruits anthocyanins dominateted (0.43 - 0.80 CG g-1). Leaves also had higher antioxidant capacity than fruits for both species. Generelly, C. monogyna fruits had higher content of anthocyanins. Total phenols, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins were highly corelated with DPPH (r2 = 0.8703 - 0.9618), ABTS (r2 = 0.7833 - 0.9443) and FRAP (r2 = 0.903 - 0.9695) assay. The results suggests that these compounds were the major contributors to the antioxidant capacity in leaves and fruits extracts of both species. Higher contents of bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant capacity were determined for C. x macrocarpa samples. Therefore, C. x macrocarpa leaves and fruits are valuble source of antioxidant polyphenols with high potential for use in preparation of different natural health products.

UDK: 547.56:582.711.714(234.422 Trebević) Methanolic and acidified methanolic extracts of C. monogyna and C. rhipidophylla dried fruits were used in estimation of total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. The extracts of fruit were examined for their antioxidant activity by DPPH method. Antioxidant activity of the extracts varied from 17.65 to 22.05 mg ascorbic acid equivalents per g-1 dry weight. Total phenols, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in fruits ranged from 21.53 to 34.72 mg gallic acid equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 0.75 to 1.92 mg rutin equivalents and 0.13-0.93 mg quercetin equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 0.51 to 0.82 mg cyanidin-3- glucoside equivalents per g-1 dry weight, 11.27-18.77 mg cyanidin chloride equivalents per g-1 dry weight respectively. The higher values of total flavonoids generally are obtained with 80% methanol extracts for both species. The amounts of all investigated compounds and antioxidant activity were significantly higher in C. monogyna fruits which were confirmed by one-way ANOVA analysis.  Correlations between antioxidant activity and total phenols and proanthocyanidin contents were found as the main compounds influencing the antioxidant capacity of the samples. Obtained results suggest that both species represent valuable source of antioxidant compounds.

UDK: 547.56:582.711.714           582.711.714:581.47 The aim of this work was to determine the content of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total monomeric anthocyanins, total proanthocyanidins, and antioxidant activity of Crataegus monogyna L. fruit in water, hydroalcohol and alcohol extracts. Phenolic content and antioxidant assay of the different fruit extracts was determined using spectrophotometric methods. Obtained results indicated that the content of total polyphenols in the investigated extracts varied from 2.01 to 4.60 mg GAE g-1 of fresh hawthorn fruit. The content of flavonoids ranged from 0.254 to 0.595 mg RUE g-1 fresh fruit extracts. Total monomeric anthocyanins varied from 0.004 to 0.132 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside g-1 of fresh fruit and total proanthocyanidins varied from 0.187 to 1.168 mg cyanidin chloride g-1 fresh fruit. The best antioxidant activity was obtained for hawthorn extract with 80% methanol. A good correlation between antioxidant activity and total polyphenols (R² = 0.9473) and proanthocyanidins (R² = 0.7469) was observed.

UDK: 581.19:547.56:582.477 Various phenolic compounds can be found in a gymnosperms and have been related to their bioactive properties, esspecially as a allelochemicals. Total phenol, flavonoid (flavone and flavonol) and protoanthocyanindin content was estimated quantitatively by using spectrophotometric method in the needle methanol extracts of mature Cryptomeria japonica, Cupressocyparis × leylandii „Castewellan Gold“ and Sequoiadendron giganteum individuals. Although there is a strong intraspecific variability on the basis of the studied group of compounds, Duncan's test showed that C. japonica is clearly distinguishable from the other two taxa analyzed, and in particular on the basis of total proanthocyanidins and phenolics content. On the other hand, S. giganteum and C. × leylandii only differ on the basis of the flavonoid content calculated in terms of quercetin equivalent. In all three taxa proanthocyanidins had the highest variability. The ratios and relatively high content of analyzed phenolic compounds for all three studied taxa indicate that they may be considerd as a potential both chemotaxonomic characters and valuable sources of antioxidants, which should be confirmed by further researchs.

UDK: 582.632.1:581.45(497.6) Natural interspecies hybrids of black (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn) and grey (A. incana (L.) Moench) alder are not frequent in nature but they are registered, and according to modern systematic nomenclature are classified within nothospecies A. × pubescens Tausch.. Since the presence of spontaneous intermediate forms of the genus Alnus in Bosnia and Herzegovina is insufficiently explored, the first results of comparative morphological analysis (seven leaf’s characters) of black and grey alder and their hybrids are given in this study. About 10% of hybrid individuals were present in the studied sympatric populations, and they had more heterogeneous leaves than parental species. Good diagnostic characters showed intermediate values in comparison to the parental species, which are: number of pairs of lateral veins, angle from the top of the leaflet to the top of the upper 3rd nerve, and distance from the top of the leaflet to the top of the upper 3rd vein. According to analyzed characters, hybrids either hold intermediate positions between the parental species or are closer to the maternal species (A. incana). Three new findings of nothospecies A. × pubescens for Flora B&H are rivers’ localities Drinjača near Kladanj, Turbe near Travnik, and Stavnja near Vareš. Due to the low frequency of observed individuals of A. x pubescens, they are vulnerable and require special measures of protection and biodiversity conservation activities of autochthonous gene pool, it is necessary to determine the actual state in all previously published hybrid complexes’ findings and expand researches in B&H in the coming period.

UDK 582.632.2:581.9(497.6) In this paper is given an overview of the rare occurrence of beech with oaklike bark (Fagus sylvatica var. quercodies) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is recorded for the first time by Karlo Malý in 1934. In addition to basic information about the distribution of this taxon we gave a detailed description of a one its remarkable recent tree from Kreševo area. These unusual phenomena induce scientific interest and require special protection and conservation actions.

UDK 582.711.714:577.164.2           543.42:577.164.2 Vitamin C or ascorbic acid content has been determinated by spectrophotometric method and titrimetric method in flowers of some Bosnian hawthorns (Crataegus L). species. Spectrophotometric method used in this study was based on the kinetic reaction between Vitamin C and methylene blue. Measurements were carried out at absorption maximum, λmax= 665 nm. We found that the lowest content of vitamin C was 617.07 mg/100 g of dry sample in flowers of the C. microphylla, and the highest level of Vitamin C was found in the C. monogyna (1104 mg/100 g of dry sample) flowers. Recoveries of the results obtained by the spectrophotometric method were 94 % - 100% with relative standard deviation (RSD) values from 4.5% – 6.7 %. Obtained results shown that flowers of investigated Crataegus L. species are good source of vitamin C.