Review
Food Science & Technology
Diego Morales
Summary: Arbutus unedo, commonly known as 'strawberry tree' (ST), is a Mediterranean native plant with potential health benefits due to its bioactive compounds. Although in vitro studies have shown the potential of ST fractions, further research is needed to obtain in vivo evidence and evaluate additional activities.
Article
Plant Sciences
Cinzia Sanna, Ilaria Chiocchio, Manuela Mandrone, Francesca Bonvicini, Giovanna A. Gentilomi, Simona Trincia, Ferruccio Poli
Summary: This study investigated the metabolome of Arbutus unedo leaves across seasons and locations using 1H NMR-based metabolomics. Results showed significant variations in metabolites, with autumn having the highest arbutin content and spring accumulating sucrose. Different habitats also exhibited distinctive metabolomic profiles, with differences in phenolic and flavonoid compounds.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Adriana Iuliana Anghel, Robert Ancuceanu, Maria Lidia Popescu, Cerasela Elena Gard, Mihaela Dinu, Marilena Viorica Hovanet, Ioana Nencu
Summary: The study aimed to select the optimal extraction procedure for Arbutus unedo L. leaves to obtain dry extracts with high content of polyphenols and arbutin. Two types of extracts were obtained through refluxation and sonication, with the refluxation extract showing the highest content of polyphenols and arbutin, and the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Despite genotoxic effects at high concentrations, both extracts showed no cytotoxicity at low concentrations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nabila Derbassi, Mariana C. Pedrosa, Sandrina Heleno, Filipa Fernandes, Maria Ines Dias, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Paula Rodrigues, Marcio Carocho, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros
Summary: Leaf extracts of Arbutus unedo L. have been incorporated into quark cheese as natural preservatives and have shown antioxidant and antibacterial activities.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hugo Duarte, Ceferino Carrera, Maria Jose Aliano-Gonzalez, Rocio Gutierrez-Escobar, Maria Jesus Jimenez-Hierro, Miguel Palma, Ludovina Galego, Anabela Romano, Bruno Medronho
Summary: This study explored two effective strategies for the valorisation of Arbutus unedo pomace: optimizing the extraction of polyphenols using ultrasound-assisted method and developing functional cookies with pomace. The results showed that the optimized extraction conditions yielded polyphenol-rich extracts with high antioxidant activity, and the incorporation of pomace in cookies was well-received by consumers.
Article
Forestry
Joao Martins, Teresa Batista, Gloria Pinto, Jorge Canhoto
Summary: This study reports for the first time the anti-oomycete activity of Arbutus unedo leaves extract against Phytophthora cinnamomi, indicating that phenolic compounds typical of the Ericaceae species play an important role in plant defense against pathogens. The research results suggest potential biotechnological applications for A. unedo leaf extracts as natural phytosanitary agents.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Anica Bebek Markovinovic, Dora Brdar, Predrag Putnik, Tomislav Bosiljkov, Ksenija Durgo, Ana Hudek Turkovic, Irena Brcickaraconji, Karlo Jurica, Branimir Pavlic, Daniel Granato, Danijela Bursac Kovacevic
Summary: This study investigates the use of Arbutus unedo L. fruits for the production of functional foods through three-dimensional printing (3DP). The fruits are found to be a good source of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, with antimicrobial properties. Different printing parameters significantly affect the properties of the 3DP products.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Hanae Naceiri Mrabti, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Abdelaziz Ed-Dra, Mohamed Reda Kachmar, Nidal Naceiri Mrabti, Taoufiq Benali, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Abdelilah Ouahbi, Latifa Doudach, Moulay El Abbes Faouzi
Summary: The ethyl acetate extract of Arbutus unedo roots exhibited the highest contents of phenols and flavonoids, as well as the most potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities among the extracts tested in this study.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Irena Brcic Karaconji, Karlo Jurica, Uros Gasic, Aleksandra Dramicanin, Zivoslav Tesic, Dusanka Milojkovic Opsenica
Summary: This study compared the phenolic profiles, total phenolic content, and radical scavenging activity of strawberry tree leaves and fruits collected in two locations in Croatia. The results showed that both leaves and fruits contained a wide range of phenolic compounds and exhibited strong antioxidant activity, indicating the potential health-promoting properties of the strawberry tree.
Article
Horticulture
Mario Pedro Marques, Daniel Martin, Maurice Bosch, Joao Martins, Ajaya K. Biswal, Monica Zuzarte, Luis Batista de Carvalho, Jorge Canhoto, Ricardo da Costa
Summary: This study characterized the cell wall of Arbutus unedo, a Mediterranean shrub or tree, for the first time and found significant changes in composition during fruit ripening. The findings have important implications for understanding the ripening process of other Ericaceae fruits and berries.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Review
Forestry
Joao Martins, Gloria Pinto, Jorge Canhoto
Summary: Arbutus unedo, commonly known as the strawberry tree, is a woody species with ecological relevance and economic value in Southern Europe and North Africa. Researchers have been working on improving this species through conventional and biotechnological tools to meet farmers' demand for plants with improved features.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zakaria Ait Lhaj, Rahma Bchitou, Fatima Gaboun, Rabha Abdelwahd, Tarik Benabdelouahab, Mohammed Rachid Kabbour, Paul Pare, Ghizlane Diria, Khadija Bakhy
Summary: The strawberry tree, grown in the Mediterranean region, produces edible fruit used for making jams, marmalades, and alcoholic beverages. Analysis of the wild fruits showed that they are rich in carbohydrates, total sugars, and dietary fiber, as well as containing health-promoting components and important minerals. The fruit of the Arbutus unedo tree is a promising alternative fruit source due to its nutritional value.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Martins, Pierre Petriacq, Amelie Flandin, Aurelio Gomez-Cadenas, Pedro Monteiro, Gloria Pinto, Jorge Canhoto
Summary: The strawberry tree, a resilient species with a wide distribution in the Mediterranean region, has been found to have varying drought tolerance based on genotype. Metabolomics analysis showed significant differences in metabolic features between plants with high and low drought tolerance. These findings suggest that genotype selection is crucial for breeding drought-resistant plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anica Bebek Markovinovic, Sanja Milosevic, Nemanja Teslic, Branimir Pavlic, Predrag Putnik, Irena Brcic Karaconji, Karlo Jurica, Dario Lasic, Danijela Bursac Kovacevic
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a green extraction approach using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) to obtain high yield of bioactive compounds from strawberry tree fruits. Different extraction solvents, temperatures, static extraction times, and number of cycles were investigated. The results showed that all bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity were significantly affected by solvent type, temperature, static extraction time, and number of cycles. The optimal PLE parameters were 120 degrees C temperature, 10 min static extraction time, and 2 cycles. Most bioactive compounds were best extracted using 96% ethanol as solvent, except for total phenolic contents, which were better extracted using 50% ethanol.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joao Martins, Sandra Correia, Gloria Pinto, Jorge Canhoto
Summary: Somatic embryogenesis was induced in leaves of micropropagated shoots established from selected adult trees. Induction is genotype dependent and higher induction rates (94.5 %) were achieved with 2 mg L-1 BAP and 2 mg L-1 NAA.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tatjana D. Golubovic, Gordana S. Stojanovic, Dusanka Kitic, Bojan K. Zlatkovic, Dragana R. Pavlovic, Snezana C. Jovanovic, Jelena S. Lazarevic
NOTULAE BOTANICAE HORTI AGROBOTANICI CLUJ-NAPOCA
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bojana Miladinovic, Suzana Brankovic, Slavoljub Zivanovic, Milica Kostic, Katarina Savikin, Boban Dordevic, Dusica Stojanovic, Milica Milutinovic, Nemanja Kitic, Dusanka Kitic
Summary: This study evaluated the differences in flavonols composition, antioxidant and spasmolytic activity of juices from four different black currant cultivars, finding myricetin to be the dominant flavonol in juices with the highest content in Triton juice from 2015. The investigated black currant cultivars were proven to be good sources of flavonols and potential antioxidants with significant spasmolytic activity for treating gastrointestinal disorders.
JOURNAL OF BERRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Javad Sharifi-Rad, Cristina Quispe, Cristian Valdes Vergara, Dusanka Kitic, Milica Kostic, Lorene Armstrong, Zabta Khan Shinwari, Ali Talha Khalil, Milka Brdar-Jokanovic, Branka Ljevnaic-Masic, Elena M. Varoni, Marcello Iriti, Gerardo Leyva-Gomez, Jesus Herrera-Bravo, Luis A. Salazar, William C. Cho
Summary: The genus Viburnum is of scientific interest due to its diverse biological activities and chemical components, with more than 230 species of evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous shrubs and small trees. Despite being used for ornamentation, certain species of Viburnum are also utilized for pharmaceutical and culinary purposes, containing biochemical compounds such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and flavonoids that promote health benefits. The taxonomical classification of Viburnum species is challenging due to their wide distribution and frequent hybridizations, but understanding their biological activity based on phytochemical components is essential.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Milos Jovanovic, Jelena Mudric, Zorica Drinic, Jelena Matejic, Dusanka Kitic, Dubravka Bigovic, Katarina Savikin
Summary: Willow gentian is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The study optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from its underground parts, using response surface methodology and artificial neural network modeling to achieve high extraction yields. The developed extraction model can be used for further separation, purification, and bioactivity studies of the selected compounds.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aleksandra A. Jovanovic, Predrag M. Petrovic, Gordana M. Zdunic, Katarina P. Savikin, Dusanka Kitic, Verica B. Dordevic, Branko M. Bugarski, Suzana Brankovic
Summary: The lyophilized Thymus serpyllum extracts in this study exhibited significant spasmolytic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, suggesting their potential therapeutic use in gastrointestinal disorders and infections caused by susceptible pathogens.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Milica Petrovic, Ljiljana Kesic, Katarina Savikin, Bojana Miladinovic, Radmila Obradovic, Marija Bojovic, Branislava Stojkovic, Simona Stojanovic, Marija Jovanovic, Dusanka Kitic
Summary: The study found that chokeberry juice, as an additional therapy for burning mouth syndrome and oral discomfort in menopausal women, significantly reduced the intensity of pain sensations and feelings of oral dryness.
HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Dusanka Kitic, Bojana Miladinovic, Milica Randjelovic, Agnieszka Szopa, Javad Sharifi-Rad, Daniela Calina, Veronique Seidel
Summary: The apricot tree is a commonly known plant with medicinal properties. Its fruit is used to treat various ailments, including fever, infections, inflammation, and eye problems. Different parts of the apricot plant are used worldwide for their anticancer properties. This review provides comprehensive information on the ethnobotanical data, bioactive phytochemicals, anticancer potential, pharmacological applications, and toxicology of the apricot tree, highlighting its importance for future research.
Article
Plant Sciences
Aleksandra A. Jovanovic, Una-Jovana V. Vajic, Dusan Z. Mijin, Gordana M. Zdunic, Katarina P. Savikin, Suzana Brankovic, Dusanka Kitic, Branko M. Bugarski
Summary: In this study, the optimization of polyphenol extraction from Thymus serpyllum by-product using a microwave reactor was conducted. The results showed that the maximum polyphenol recovery was achieved using 48% ethanol and 0.0402 g/mL solid-to-solvent ratio during 86 seconds of microwave-assisted extraction. The polyphenol extract exhibited good antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic activities.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Milica Randjelovic, Suzana Brankovic, Bojana Miladinovic, Milica Milutinovic, Slavoljub Zivanovic, Tatjana Mihajilov-Krstev, Dusanka Kitic
Summary: The extracts of Salvia sclarea demonstrated relaxant effects on the contractions of intestinal and tracheal smooth muscles. The extract prepared with concentrated ethanol showed better relaxation effects on ileum smooth muscles, while the extract prepared with 80% ethanol performed better in other experiments. The extracts also exhibited antimicrobial effects against Gram (+) bacteria.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Milica Randjelovic, Suzana Brankovic, Milos Jovanovic, Nemanja Kitic, Slavoljub Zivanovic, Tatjana Mihajilov-Krstev, Bojana Miladinovic, Milica Milutinovic, Dusanka Kitic
Summary: This study evaluated the traditional use of Salvia sclarea L., clary sage, and found its possible mechanisms of spasmolytic and bronchodilator actions in in vitro conditions supported by molecular docking analysis, along with antimicrobial effects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Milos S. Jovanovic, Milica Milutinovic, Zorica Lazarevic, Jelena Mudric, Jelena Matejic, Dusanka Kitic, Katarina Savikin
Summary: This study compared and optimized conventional heat-assisted extraction (HAE) and advanced microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of bioactive compounds from willow gentian underground parts. The results showed that MAE method could extract bioactive compounds more rapidly and reduce ethanol consumption.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Bojana Miladinovic, Vladana Zivkovic, Dusanka Kitic, Maja Nikolic
Summary: Homocysteine, an amino acid formed during the metabolism of methionine, has been known for 90 years and its biological roles are still being studied. Various factors such as enzyme deficiency, age, sex, inadequate diet, impaired kidney function, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and medications can increase homocysteine levels in the blood. Elevated homocysteine concentration accelerates atherosclerosis and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and adverse cerebral events.
ACTA FACULTATIS MEDICAE NAISSENSIS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dragana Pavlovic, Jelena Matejic, Ivan Pavlovic, Milica Veljkovic
Summary: A survey conducted in Serbia found that the COVID pandemic has affected eating behaviors and habits. Many believe that fruits and vegetables can boost immunity, with some individuals increasing their consumption of herbal teas at the start of the pandemic. Age and previous dietary habits play a significant role in the current frequency of consuming plant-based foods.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED BOTANY AND FOOD QUALITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatjana Golubovic, Gordana Stojanovic, Dusanka Kitic, Bojan Zlatkovic, Vladimir Randjelovic, Aleksandra Djordjevic, Ivan Krstic
FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emilija Kostic, Dusanka Kitic, Maja Vujovic, Marija Markovic, Aleksandra Pavlovic, Gordana Stojanovic
Summary: Headspace sampling is a fast, simple, and economical method for preparing plant samples for gas chromatography analysis. The study analyzed the composition of volatile compounds in different Salvia species, revealing significant differences in their chemical components.
