The aim of the study was to compare the content of selected phytochemicals as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the leaves of Prunus padus L. and Prunus serotina L., as there is very little research on this subject in the literature. Therefore, it is used to deepen knowledge on this subject. In addition, an electrochemical test was also carried out, which was not yet available for the above plants. Antibacterial studies have also been deepened to include the analysis of new strains of bacteria and fungi, which has not been studied earlier. The water extracts of P. padus using the utra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system showed a higher content of both phenolic acids and flavonols (651.77b ± 18.12 mg/100 g dw for acids and 3.85b ± 0.08 mg/100 g dw for flavonols, respectively). Ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the dominant polyphenols in leaves. Extracts from P. padus showed higher activity against DPPH radical, which was 6.62b ± 0.06 mg TE/1 g dw, as well as higher antioxidant capacity, measured using 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cation radical (37.39b ± 3.81 mg TE/g dw). The higher antioxidant potential of P. padus was confirmed based on the oxidizing potentials of electroactive compounds present in them. Stronger inhibition against Enterococcus faecium and Klebsiella pneumoniae was found for P. padus, whereas P. serotina extract was more potent against Enterococcus faecium bacterium. It has been shown that P. padus can be an attractive raw material with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can be used on a much wider scale in food technology than its current application.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an annual plant cultivated in spring or autumn. Currently, over 70% of the cultivated barley grains are utilized for preparing fodder, while the rest is used for the production of malt and cereals in the food industry. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the content of bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and cholinesterase inhibitory effect of the aqueous extracts of juvenile barley leaves. It was found that the barley cultivars differed in their content of the determined phytochemicals as well as their antioxidant potential and cholinesterase-inhibitory activity. The water extracts of young barley leaves contained phenolic acids as well as quercetin, rutin, and kaempferitrin. The extracts showed a higher inhibitory effect on 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) than on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Based on the aqueous extracts analyzed, we found that winter cultivars were characterized by the highest iron-chelating activity. Furthermore, barley extracts showed a stronger inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase compared to butyrylcholinesterase. The results of the present work indicated that barley cultivars differed in their germination process. Among the tested samples, the highest cholinesterase inhibitory activity was shown by the Basic variety.

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Mulberry is one of the most beneficial plant of our planet for sustainable development. White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is widely recognized for its health-promoting properties. It is characterized by a high content of bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids, and has a strong antioxidant effect, and thus can have a beneficial effect on health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of freezing storage of bread with the addition of extract from mulberry leaves and fruits on the content of polyphenols, antioxidant activity and sensory properties. The stored bread with mulberry addition was characterized by high content of phenolic compounds, reducing and chelating activity and antiradical activity. The addition of mulberry had greater effect on the increase in the content of protocatechuic and chlorogenic acids, and isoquercetin among the flavonols. Bread enriched with mulberry was microbiologically clean and sensory accepted both after baking and after 30 days of storage under refrigerated conditions. White mulberry is a raw material which can be used as an addition to enrich refrigerated bread. The use of the extract and mulberry fruit to fortify bread is consistent with the principle of sustainable development due to the use of raw materials which are a good source of compounds contributing to the improvement of the well-being of the population.

Wild cherry is a plant observed in the form of trees or shrubs. This species comprises about twenty kinds of plants and the most popular are two, Prunus padus L. and Prunus serotina L., whose properties and content of phytochemical compounds are subject to studies. Wild cherry contains many active compounds, including tocopherols, vitamins, polyphenols and terpenes, which can have beneficial effects on health. On the other hand, wild cherry contains cyanogenic glycosides. Nevertheless, current research results indicate pro-health properties associated with both P. serotina and P. padus. The aim of this study was to collect and present the current state of knowledge about wild cherry and to review available in vitro and in vivo studies concerning its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antidiabetic activity. Moreover, the current work presents and characterizes phytochemical content in the leaves, bark and fruits of P. padus and P. serotina and compiles data that indicate their health-promoting and functional properties and possibilities of using them to improve health. We find that the anatomical parts of P. padus and P. serotina can be a valuable raw material used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries as a source of bioactive compounds with multi-directional action.