The main aim of this study was to determine antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity of monofloral bee pollen samples to pathogenic bacteria. These samples were collected in different localities in Slovakia. The antioxidant properties of examined plant species were different and decreasing in the following order: Brassica napus subsp. napus L > Papaver somniferum L. > Helianthus annuus L. The antimicrobial effect of the bee product samples were tested by using the agar well diffusion method. The methanol (99.9% and 70%) and the ethanol (96% and 70%) were used for extraction. In this study, five different strains of bacteria were tested: Listeria monocytogenes CCM 4699; Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCM 1960; Staphylococcus aureus CCM 3953; Salmonella enterica CCM 4420; and Escherichia coli CCM 3988. The most sensitive bacteria of the poppy pollen ethanolic extract was Staphylococcus aureus was (70%) The most sensitive bacteria of rape bee pollen methanolic extract (70%) and sunflower ethanolic extract (70%) was Salmonella enterica.

The aim of this study was to characterize extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. from selected Slovakian localities in terms of the content of bioactive constituents, antioxidants and their antimicrobial properties. The results indicated that the content of antioxidants was sample-specific, and this specificity was statistically significant. Ginkgo biloba L. from the locality of Košice had the best activity determined by the free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) (1.545 mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/g fresh matter (FM)) as well as the molybdenum-reducing antioxidant power (35.485 mg TEAC/g FM) methods. The highest content of total polyphenols (2.803 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FM) and flavonoids (4.649 μg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g FM) was also detected in this sample. All samples of G. biloba leaf extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against one or more of the examined bacterial species, and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus CCM 2461 was found to be the most susceptible (minimal inhibition concentration MIC50 and MIC90 values of 64.2 and 72.2 µg/mL, respectively). Based on the results it was concluded that Ginkgo biloba L. extracts can be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant additives. Selected miRNA-based molecular markers were used to examine the environmental adaptability of Ginkgo biloba L. An almost-complete genotype clustering pattern based on locality was determined in the analysis that involved a species-specific gb-miR5261 marker. Morphologically specific exemplar, cv. Ohatsuki, was excluded.

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SuMMARyThis paper discusses possibilities for pyrethrum Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Trevir.) Vis. production in southern regions of Slovakia, with an emphasis on target marketing, management constraints and further research. Pyrethrum is not a traditional crop in Slovakia but prospects have opened up for its cultivation. The high yields and quality of some suitable pyrethrum ecotypes provide the grounds for effective field production under favorable conditions. Pyrethrum yielding 1.275 t of dried flowers per hectare and having at least 1.5% pyrethrum content can be a profitable and highly lucrative crop with an economic result ranging from 413 to 1071 € per ha. A SWOT analysis revealed that pyrethrum production in Slovakia could take a course of an offensive strategy. However, intensive production of this commodity needs further development. Prospects for this non-traditional crop in Slovakia are also promising in terms of development of farming systems in which plant protection products of botanical origin would be welcome. Improved processing and stabilization of extract would further increase the possibilities.