Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae), also known as immortelle, usually grows in the Mediterranean area. The composition of the essential oil (EO) of immortelle is a mixture of various aromatic substances, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Distillation is the most widely used method for extraction of EO immortelle, although the yield is very low (<1%). In this work, we aim to investigate how the use of different distillation methods affects the yield and chemical composition of immortelle EO. For this purpose, we applied two conventional methods: steam distillation (SD) and hydrodistillation (HD), and a modern (environmentally friendly) technique—microwave-assisted distillation (MAD). Wild immortelles from four different locations in Croatia were collected and carefully prepared for extraction. Each sample was then analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GraphPad Prisma statistical software was used to study the statistics between different groups of connections and analyze the data on the number of connections. The results show that HD gives a significantly higher yield (0.31 ± 0.09%) compared to MAD (0.15 ± 0.03%) and SD (0.12 ± 0.04%). On the other hand, the highest number of chemical compounds was identified with MAD (95.75 ± 15.31%), and most of them are subordinate compounds with complex structures. SD isolated EOs are rich in derived acyclic compounds with the highest percentage of ketones. The results show that the application of different distillation methods significantly affects the composition of the obtained immortelle EO, considering the yield of EO, the number of isolated, derived and non-derived compounds, chemotypes and compounds with simple (acyclic) and complex structures.

Interest in paulownia got its momentum around the world. With its fastgrowing nature and large leaf surfaces this species can absorb significant amounts of sulfur dioxide and dust particles. The cities of Tuzla and Lukavac, as most other Bosnian-Herzegovinian towns, have a number of geo-ecological problems, and the most pronounced one is negative anthropopressing on the atmospheric complex and pedospheric cover. This area, especially during the winter period, has a disrupted air quality where the greatest polluters are individual heating places, transport, industry, and energy sector. The pedologic cover of the wider area of Tuzla and Lukavac has suffered significant changes and is largely devastated. The processes of destruction of soils lead to complete destruction or formation of a new land with modified characteristics. High rainfall is a major cause of destabilization of slopes, but also is the negative anthropogenic activity in the area. Landslides have caused significant material damages, particularly in the residential structures of slope zones of the mentioned cities and suburban areas. This paper presents the basic biological characteristics of woody species paulownia elongata, and the possibility of planting it in areas that are now unused so to improve the quality of air, as well as on surfaces that are threatened by landslides.

In our study, we investigated the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of essential oils isolated from Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) collected along the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of the stem and leaf surfaces. Essential oil excretory glands were detected on both the leaves and stem surfaces. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation, and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sage essential oils were mixtures of terpene compounds, among which the most common were: α- and β-thujone, camphor, and 1,8-cineol. Cytotoxic activity was tested using MTS assay on multiple cell lines: normal and immortalized fibroblasts (HF77FA and HDF-Tert), immortalized lung line (BEAS-2B), and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231). The growth of treated cells was determined relative to control conditions without treatment. The immortalized lung line was the least resistant to the activity of the essential oils, whereas immortalized fibroblasts were the most resistant. Statistical analysis has connected the cytotoxic effect and chemical composition of the studied essential oils. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first testing of the cytotoxic activity of S. officinalis EO’s on the BEAS-2B, HF77FA, and HDF-Tert cell lines. The presented data on essential oil chemical composition and cytotoxic effect on 4 types of human cells supports pharmacotherapeutic potential this plant is known to have.

Allelopathy can have an important applicaiton in areas of agriculture, especially in integrated protection from weeds, by using of allelopathic crops in different ways. In this research allelopathic effects of invasive species acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)  and white goosefood (Chenopodium album L.) are explored on germination of   tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Water extracts of dry leaves of white goosefoot and acacia are prepared according tothe  method : Norsworthy (2003). Experiment has been made in controlled laboratory conditions. Results of this research show that acacia and white goosefood have negative allelopathy potential and they act inhibitory on germination of tomatoes. Research of allelopathy and allelopathic relationships of weed species and agricultural cultures represents a big challenge for those people who are working in food production, and at the same time can be an instrument of ecologically sustainable agriculture.

Benthic diatoms have gained prominence as environmental bioindicators since the beginning of the twentieth century. Epilithic diatom taxa are frequently used for ecological water-quality assessments of rivers. Diversity of these dominant group of protists in the benthic communities can be indicative of changes in the freshwater ecosystem. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity and ecology of diatoms of the Spreča River on the locations affected by urban and industrial pollution. Field sampling of the epilithic diatoms was carried out in the period of May 2021 at two locations, first before and second after the Lukavac city, which is known as industrial city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Taxonomic verification was carried out using light microscope on permanent slides and revealed in total 38 diatom taxa. The genera with the largest number of species were Diatoma, Navicula and Nitzshia. Identified taxa are widespread species that are known for tolerating  high levels of pollution. A slightly higher number of taxa was recorded at the first location, while at the second, a higher proportion of halophilic taxa was observed.