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Satureja montanaL. and S. subspicata Vis. (Lamiaceae) are used for centuries in traditional medicine of Balcanic people in the healing of the lymphatic nodule and respiratory system inflammation. In this paper the amount of total phenols and flavonoids (analyzed by UV/Vis spectrophotometry), phenolic compounds profile (analyzed by HPLC), antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were studied in samples collected in seven per species populations of S. montanaand S. subspicatain Croatia. Eight phenolic compounds (rutin, quercetin, caffeic, p-coumaric, ellagic, protocatehuic, rosmarinic, and syringic acid) were identified and quantified using HPLC in methanolic and ethanolic extracts. Results showed that both species contained polyphenolics and other antioxidant compounds with chelating and radical-scavenging properties. The extracts prepared from both species showed broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity on in vitrotested microbial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and Microsporum gypseum).

Satureja montana and S. subspicata are used as spice, pepper substitute, for preparing tea, juice, and as a medicine. Fourteen populations (seven per species) of Satureja montana L. and S. subspicata Vis. growing in Croatia were examined to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil (analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS), the content of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Hg, As) analyzed by ICP-AES, antioxidant compounds (analyzed by UV/VIS spectrophotometer), and the types and distribution of trichomes (analyzed by scanning electron microscopy). The main constituents of the essential oil were carvacrol and thymol in S. montana (all populations belong to one phenol chemotype), while α-eudesmol, β-eudesmol, and spathulenol dominated in S. subspicata (three chemotypes could be distinguished). Both species possess considerably higher quantities of Ca and Mg, and moderate concentrations of K and Na, while Hg and As levels were below the limit of quantification. Non-glandular trichomes, peltate trichomes, and three types of capitate trichomes were observed on leaves, stem, calyx, and corolla.

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We determined the content of biologically active compounds in the bark of seven Rhamnus L. and two Frangula Mill. species growing in Croatia. All taxa tested had high content of total polyphenols (from 2.68% in R. orbiculata Bornm. to 8.50% in R. pumila Turra), moderate content of glucofrangulins (from 0.22% in R. pumila to 9.26% in R. fallax Boiss.), nontannic polyphenols (from 0.73% in R. orbiculata to 5.92% in F. alnus Mill.) and tannins (from 1.10% in R. saxatilis Jacq. to 4.92% in R. alaternus L.), and low content of phenolic acids (from 0.44% in R. orbiculata to 1.81% in R. intermedia Steud. & Hochst.) and flavonoids (from 0.02% in F. alnus to 1.44% in R. pumila). By ANOVA, variability was highest for glucofrangulin content, less for flavonoids, phenolic acids and nontannic polyphenols, and least for total polyphenols and tannins.K Ke ey y w wo or rd ds s: : Rhamnus, Frangula, glucofrangulins, phenolic compounds, quantitative analysis.