The objective of this study was in-depth identification of carotenoids and polyphenolic compounds in leaves and fruits of Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. An additional aim was to assay their antioxidant and in vitro biological activities (the ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase activity) of two cultivars: ‘Sweet Scarlet’ and ‘Jahidka’. Study results showed the presence of 70 bioactive compounds, including 20 isoprenoids and 50 polyphenols. The profile of identified bioactive compounds had not been examined in this respect until now. The total carotenoid, chlorophyll, and polyphenol levels and antioxidant activity of the foliar samples were virtually identical in both cultivars and clearly higher relative to those in the fruits. On the other hand, the ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase activity of the fruits was clearly higher as compared to the leaves. The highest amount of phenolic acids, flavonols, and polymeric procyanidins was in the ‘Sweet Scarlet’ for fruit and leaves, while the highest amount of chlorophylls and carotenoids was in the ‘Jahidka’. The inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase activities appeared to be better correlated with the carotenoid content, which warrants further studies of the possible anti-diabetic and anti-obesity actions of the major carotenoids found in the fruits (lycopene, phytoene, and lutein). In addition, strong correlation between antioxidant activity and phenols of E. multiflora Thunb. components can be effective in removing reactive oxygen species. The results of our study show that both the fruits and leaves of E. multiflora Thunb. can be important for health promotion through the diet and for innovating in the industry of functional food and (nutri)cosmetics.

In 2006-2008, yielding was determined and biometric measurement as well as chemical analysis was carried out for five Lithuanian sweet cherry cultivars, 'Agila', 'Seda', 'Vasare', 'Ventenue', and 'Jurgita', and two cultivars commonly grown in Poland, 'Ulster' and 'Burlat'. Trees grafted on Mazzard seedlings were planted in 2002 in the orchard of the Pozorty Experimental and Production Institute in the village of Łęgajny near Olsztyn. The highest mean yield for the tested cultivars was obtained in 2008, while the lowest was in 2007, when the highest ground frosts were recorded during the cherry blossoming period. During the three years of research, the highest mean yield for the Lithuanian sweet cherry cultivars was established for the 'Vasare' cultivar, which together with the 'Burlat' cultivar made a homogenous group of the highest values. The mean fruit weight of the Lithuanian cultivars was lower than in the case of 'Burlat' and 'Ulster', while the largest fruit amongst the Lithuanian cultivars were recorded for 'Jurgita' and 'Agila'. The chemical composition analysis of fruit revealed significant differences both between the cultivars and the years of the research. The fruits of the studied cultivars accumulated the lowest amounts of total saccharides and vitamin C in the coolest year under analysis, 2007. The highest mean of total saccharide content was recorded for fruit of the 'Vasare' and 'Seda' cultivars. Fruit of the 'Agila' cultivar accumulated the highest amounts of organic acids and vitamin C.

This paper analyses the phytochemical composition, and antioxidant activity of new selected biotypes of cherry silverberry grown in Poland. In addition, the polyphenolic contents, sugars, and vitamin C, as well as organic acid profile were evaluated. Among the researched compounds, two sugars, seven organic acids, and six fatty acids were reported in new studied biotypes of cherry silverberry. Some new biotypes presented a high contents of vitamin C, linoleic, α-linoleic acids (si1, and si2), glucose, fructose, ash (si5, and si4), other fatty acids, organic acids, and antioxidant activity (si0, and si3). They displayed an average contents of polyphenols [5.68 g GAE/100 g dry matter (d.m.)], vitamin C (15.13 mg/100 g), ash (0.56%), fatty acids (89.99%), organic acids (22.41 g/100 g d.m.), sugars (47.96 g/100 g d.m.), and high antioxidant activity of 3.62 mM Trolox (TE)/100 g d.m. (FRAP assay), and 5.11 mM TE/100 g d.m. (DPPH assay). The new biotypes of cherry silverberry cultivated in Poland might be a good source for the production of functional foods, and direct consumption. Moreover, cherry silverberry is an inquisitive material with a different phytochemical components, and according to the principal component analysis, strongly dependent on the biotype.

This study analysed the effects of weather conditions on the growth and yield of five cultivars of Actinidia arguta, also called hardy kiwifruit, kiwiberry cultivated during 2005-2014 in the Experimental Garden of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, north-eastern Poland. The following cultivars were studied: 'Figurnaja', 'Kijevskaja Gibrydnaja', 'Kijevskaja Krupnoplodnaja', 'Purpurovaja Sadovaja' and 'Sientiabrskaja'. For each cultivar, the following were determined: yielding and the beginning dates of the following phenophases: budswelling, flowering, fruit setting, fruit maturity and the plant growth stages. For the phenophases, the following values were calculated: mean daily temperature (°C), sum of effective temperatures (>5°C and >10°C) and sum of precipitation (mm). Individual phenophases of the analysed cultivars of hardy kiwifruit started in a given year almost on the same dates and demonstrated high year-on-year variety. The largest differences (in four weeks) between the extreme dates were recorded for the fruit maturity of the Actinidia arguta. The differences between the extreme dates of other phases averaged two weeks. Simulated data satisfying the assumptions of the assumed climate change scenarios (GISS model E) were used in order to obtain information about future climatic conditions in which kiwiberry could be cultivated in the region of north-eastern Poland. Using the weather generator WGENK, 300 probable variants of weather sequences were generated in annual periods, which made it possible to examine the probable diversity of future weather conditions. Comparative characteristics of climatic indicators determined on the basis of the data from the 2005-2014 years and the generated data demonstrated that the climatic conditions of the area of north-eastern Poland could be subject to significant change, particularly in thermal resources. Spring frosts, which in the future could be more intense and could emerge much later than now, continue to pose an element of risk related to Actinidia arguta cultivation.

The honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, has been used for a long time in Chinese, Japanese and Russian folk medicine. Nowadays, the fruits of honeysuckle are becoming more and more popular also in Europe -mainly in Poland, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia because of valuable medicinal properties and they are popularly used as an ingredient of dietary supplements and medicinal preparations. The fruits of Lonicera caerulea are rich in phenolics, especially anthocyanins and vitamin C. The major bioactive anthocyanin of haskap is cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). Consumption of high amounts of an antioxidant substance may have a positive impact on human health, particularly the prevention of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The berries of blue honeysuckle containing a significant amount of biologically active substances can be included into the group of so-called "superfruits". Consumers are constantly seeking better alternatives, healthier products of plant origin, to rule out negative aspects, and this will be an alternative to widely existing food products. In addition, the growing interest of producers in new products rich in health-promoting properties makes them more attractive to the consumer. The content and health properties of the fruit were identified to be dependent on the cultivar, genotype, and the place of harvesting. This paper reviews and highlights the limited nutritional and therapeutic information currently available on the honeysuckle.