Anthraquinone profile,antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of bark extracts of Rhamnus alaternus, R. fallax, R. intermedia and R. pumila

The quantity of phenols, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, were investigated in bark of Rhamnus alaternus L., R. fallax Boiss., R. intermedia Steud. et Hochst., and R. pumila Turra from natural stands in Croatia. The most abundant anthraquinones in the investigated extracts were chrysophanol in R. alaternus (3.14 mg/g), emodin in R. pumila (0.339 mg/g), and physcion in R. fallax (2.70 mg/g) and R. intermedia (0.285 mg/g). The species exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity were R. fallax and R. pumila. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the extracts and antioxidant activity in some of the assays. All species showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Microsporum gypseum with minimal inhibitory concentrations equal to or below 2.500 mg/mL. The results indicate that the investigated Rhamnus species are a source of anthraquinones and other phenols, which act as multifunctional antioxidants with antimicrobial activity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oil from endemic Origanum minutiflorum on ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter spp.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activities of an essential oil of Origanum minutiflorum (O. Schwarz and P.H. Davis) against ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter spp., by broth microdilution and agar well-diffusion methods. Moreover, O. minutiflorum oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-nine components were identified, representing 98.7 of the oil. The oil yield from the plants was 4.0–4.4% v/w. The major components of O. minutiflorum oil were carvacrol (73.9%) and p-cymene (7.20%). The oil has lower contents of carvacrol methyl ether (0.05%), heptadecanol (0.06%) and carvacryl acetate (0.06%). Twenty-one Campylobacter spp. (12 C. jejuni, 5 C. lari and 4 C. coli) strains using in this study were selected among 300 isolates according to their resistance to ciprofloxacin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for bacterial strains, which were sensitive to the essential oil of O. minutiflorum, were in the range of 7.8–800 μg/ml. The essential oil obtained showed strong antimicrobial activity against all of the tested ciprofloxacin-resistance Campylobacter spp. These results suggest that the essential of O. minutiflorum may be used as a natural preservative in food against food-born disease, such as Campylobacteriosis.     

Antioxidant capacities of Gundelia tournefortii L. extracts and inhibition on glutathione-S-transferase activity

Gundelia tournefortii L. is an important food source and a well-known medicinal plant in Eastern Anatolia. Therapeutic effects of medicinal plants are known to be closely related to their antioxidant capacities. Antioxidant activities of G. tournefortii, both for the aerial parts and seeds, were investigated by using both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition methods. The seeds were found to have higher antioxidant potential than the aerial, with IC₅₀ values of 0.073 mg/mL for DPPH scavenging and 0.146 mg/mL for lipid peroxidation inhibition capacities. In addition, total phenolic contents of the Gundelia tournefortii L. extracts, especially the seed extracts correlates to its high antioxidant activity with 105.1 ± 8.7 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAEs) per mg of seed extract. Plant extracts with high phenolics content are known to have important effects on various enzymes, as well as glutathione-S-transferases, which are important detoxification enzymes in phase II systems with an important role in developing multi-drug resistance to chemotherapy in tumour cells. Consequently, the effects of G. tournefortii extracts on crude cytosolic glutathione-S-transferase was also studied and the seed extracts have shown effective inhibition of cytosolic GST activity, with an IC₅₀ of 97.51 μg/mL.     

Selection for tolerance to volatile monoterpenoids in Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Cryptolestes pusillus (Schönherr)

Selection for tolerance to 8 monoterpenoids (linalool, camphor, γ-terpinene, S-carvone, geraniol, estragole, E-anethole, and fenchone) in three pests of stored rice, Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica and Cryptolestes pusillus, as well as the metabolic mechanisms implicated, was studied. Strains were selected for tolerance towards each monoterpenoid from susceptible insect populations for each of seven generations.After selection, tolerance was observed towards linalool, S-carvone and estragole in S. oryzae and towards camphor in C. pusillus. Populations of R. dominica were not observed to develop tolerance to monoterpenoids.The activity of three enzymatic systems detoxifying these monoterpenoids, microsomal P-450 monooxygenase, esterase, and glutathione S-transferase (GST), were analyzed to study the metabolic mechanisms involved. Esterases could be involved in S. oryzae tolerance whereas P-450 monooxygenases could be involved for most monoterpenoids in selected populations of R. dominica and C. pusillus.     

Characteristics of native and enzymatically hydrolyzed Zea mays L., Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. and Dioscorea opposita Thunb. starches

Comparative studies on glucoamylase hydrolysis of A-type Zea mays L., B-type F. ussuriensis Maxim., and C-type Dioscorea opposita Thunb. were carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Maize, Fritillaria, Dioscorea starches were hydrolyzed with glucoamylase for 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h, respectively. The SEM and XRD results revealed that A-type, B-type starch and C-type starch displayed different hydrolysis mechanisms. A-type starch was digested with enzyme penetrating into starch granules through natural pores on the surface and disrupted the interior of the starch granules. The glucoamylase worked by attacking the surface of B-type starch and forming cracks. When endo-corrosion occurred, the internal part of the granule was corroded through small cracks. However, the glucoamylase primarily attacked the interior of the C-type starch granules and then the exterior of starch granules. FT-IR confirmed that the amorphous regions in the starch granules are firstly hydrolyzed and could be hydrolyzed completely as long as the hydrolysis time is sufficient. The transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH_gel) were determined using DSC. According to the gelatinization parameters, it could be further proved amorphous and crystalline structures were hydrolyzed.     

Prevalence and distribution of Salmonella serotypes in marketed broiler chickens and processing environment in Coimbatore City of southern India

Broiler chicken is gaining popularity among the consumers of India. Since poultry is recognised as a leading food vehicle for Salmonella contamination, the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella serotypes in broiler chickens and processing environments of retail outlets has been studied. In the present study 214 samples of broiler chicken and 311 environmental samples from cage were analysed for the presence of Salmonella. Of the various body parts of live chicken analysed prevalence varied from 1.4% in cloacca to 6.9% in crop region. Environmental samples from the cage showed higher prevalence of Salmonella ranging from 0 to 16.67%. Apart from Salmonella enteritidis, which was the predominant Salmonella serotype in the chickens as well as in the environmental samples, other serotypes such as S. bareilly, S. cerro, S. mbandaka and S. molade were also encountered. The results of the research calls for strict hygiene standards for retail broiler chicken processing outlets.     

Insecticidal activities of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils against Sitophilus oryzae and Callosobruchus chinensis

Methanol extracts from 30 aromatic medicinal plant species and five essential oils were tested for their insecticidal activities against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), using direct contact application and fumigation methods. Responses varied with plant material, insect species, and exposure time. In a test with a filter paper diffusion method at 3.5 mg/cm², potent insecticidal activity against both species was produced by an extract from Cinnamomum cassia bark, cinnamon (C. cassia) oil, horseradish (Cocholeria aroracia) oil, and mustard (Brassica juncea) oil within 1 day after treatment. Over 90% mortality at 3 or 4 days after treatment was achieved using extracts of Acorus calamus var. angustatus rhizome, Acorus gramineus rhizome, Illicium verum fruit, and Foeniculum vulgare fruit. An extract from Cinnamomum sieboldii root bark gave 100% mortality at 2 days after treatment. At 0.7 mg/cm², extracts from C. cassia, C. sieboldii, and F. vulgare as well as cinnamon oil, horseradish oil and mustard oil were highly effective against both species. In a fumigation test with S. oryzae adults, the oils described were much more effective in closed containers than in open ones, indicating that the insecticidal activity of the oils was attributable to fumigant action. The plant extracts and essential oils described could be useful for managing field populations of S. oryzae and C. chinensis.     

Evolution of aroma volatiles during storage of sourdough breads made by mixed cultures of Kluyveromyces marxianus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus or Lactobacillus helveticus

Two mixed starter cultures were used for sourdough bread making to evaluate their ability to improve quality and increase bread shelf-life: Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus or Lactobacillus helveticus mixed with the lactose fermenting yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus as alternative baker’s yeast. Control sourdough breads (K. marxianus) without the addition of bacteria, were also prepared. The changes on the headspace aroma volatiles during storage were assessed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) GC–MS analysis. The effect of these changes on bread flavour was evaluated by consumer preference evaluations and the results were co-evaluated with those from the GC–MS analysis. The obtained results showed differences in the volatile composition of the different types of breads examined, as well as dramatic decreases of the number and the amount of volatiles after five days of storage. The sourdough breads made with K. marxianus and L. bulgaricus, had a more complex aroma profile, longer shelf-life and achieved the highest scores in the sensory tests.     

Growth response and modelling of the effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil, pH and temperature on Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus

The effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil (EO: 0.0, 0.015, 0.03 and 0.06%), pH values (7.3 and 6.0) and storage temperatures (T: 15, 25 and 35 °C) on some growth kinetics, time-to-detection (TTD, time to the nearest visible detection) and log₁₀ probability percentage (log P%) of growth initiation of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in Brain Heart Infusion broth were evaluated in a factorial design study. For the log P%, the effects of another variable, storage time (D, up to 43 days) was also assessed as an additional factor. The TTD and log P% of both organisms were significantly affected (P<0.01) by the values of EO, pH, T and D (just for log P%). The combinations of pH=7.3, and EO?0.015 could not obviously affect the growth kinetics of the organisms in this study. Whereas, strong inhibitory action was observed by increasing of EO concentration to 0.06% at the considered pH (7.3) and T (?35 °C). The growth of both organisms was completely inhibited at the combinations of EO=0.06%, pH=6.0 and up to 43 days of storage. Regression equations were derived relating TTDs to EO, pH and T and log P% of both organisms to EO, pH, T and D. From these models the values of predicted TTD and log P% of S. Typhimurium and St. aureus can be calculated by any combinations of EO, pH, T and D (for log P%) within the limits studied. However, between the two TTD and log P% models obtained for both organisms in this study, the TTD models of S. Typhimurium and St. aureus showed better prediction (R²=0.951 and 0.978, respectively) than the log P% models of them (R²=0.852 and 0.804, respectively).     

Iron-chelating ability and antioxidant properties of phycocyanin isolated from a protean extract of Spirulinaplatensis

The invitro scavenger activities of different reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid and peroxyl radical), the effects on lipid peroxidation and the iron-chelating ability of a Spirulinaplatensis protean extract and the biliprotein, phycocyanin, isolated from this microalga were studied. S. platensis protean extract inhibited the generation of hydroxyl radical (IC₅₀ = 537 μg/ml for the system with EDTA and 1500 μg/ml without EDTA), the production of peroxyl radical (IC₅₀ = 230 μg/ml), and the lipid peroxidation process (IC₅₀ = 2320 μg/ml for the enzymatic system and 2180 μg/ml for the non-enzymatic system). Besides, phycocyanin inhibited hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals and the lipid peroxidation process. The iron ions decreased the maximum fluorescence emission spectra of S. platensis protean extract and phycocyanin and it was an indicator of the metal-chelating activity. The antioxidant properties of S. platensis and phycocyanin may arise from both radical-scavenging and metal chelation. Our results suggest that S. platensis could be used as a dietary supplement to prevent some diseases where free radicals are involved.     

Changes in the dynamics of Coxiella burnetii infection in dairy cattle: An approach to match field data with the epidemiological cycle of C. burnetii in endemic herds

This study aimed to evaluate changes in the epidemiological status of Coxiella burnetii in dairy cattle herds to better understand the epidemiology of the infection and to predict its evolution. Bulk-tank milk (BTM) and serum samples were collected from 94 dairy cattle herds and analyzed by ELISA (BTM and sera) and PCR (BTM) in study 1 (S₁). Two years later (study 2; S₂), the same farms were visited with a similar sampling approach. To estimate seroconversion during this period, blood samples were collected from the maximum possible number of animals surveyed in S₁. Environmental samples were collected in S₂ to identify active shedding. Farms were allocated into 3 different categories in each study according to PCR and ELISA results: category A, with BTM ELISA and PCR positive herds and at least 1 seropositive animal; category B, with BTM ELISA or PCR positive herds or individual sera positive; and category C, with all negative results among herds. Changes in herd category between S₁ and S₂ were grouped in 9 classes. Two statistical models, one to search for drives of within-herd changes in C. burnetii infection status and another to look for variables modulating individual changes in C. burnetii antibody level, were built. Several herds in category A in S₁ remained in that category 2 yr later, indicating that C. burnetii can remain within a herd for a long time. Most of the herds with seroconversion and detection of the bacterium in the environment belonged to category A, suggesting active and recent infections. Changes in the epidemiological status of herds were driven by local densities of domestic ruminants, showing the implication of neighbor reservoirs; whereas individual changes in antibody levels were modulated by variation in the epidemiological status of herds. Observed changes in epidemiological status allowed depiction of the hypothesized life cycle of C. burnetii within dairy cattle herds, which should be tested by future long-term series studies on C. burnetii infection to help fitting control measures (e.g., vaccination) to within-herd C. burnetii status.     

Prevalence and comparison of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus in raw and fermented dairy products from East and West Africa

Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius (Sii) and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus are members of the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) associated with human infections. SBSEC-related endocarditis was furthermore associated with rural residency in Southern Europe. SBSEC members are increasingly isolated as predominant species from fermented dairy products in Europe, Asia and Africa. African variants of Sii displayed dairy adaptations to lactose metabolism paralleling those of Streptococcus thermophilus including genome decay. In this study, the aim was to assess the prevalence of Sii and possibly other SBSEC members in dairy products of East and West Africa in order to identify their habitat, estimate their importance in dairy fermentation processes and determine geographic areas affected by this potential health risk. Presumptive SBSEC members were isolated on semi-selective M17 and SM agar media. Subsequent genotypic identification of isolates was based on rep-PCR fingerprinting and SBSEC-specific16S rRNA gene PCR assay. Detailed identification was achieved through application of novel primers enhancing the binding stringency in partial groES/groEL gene amplification and subsequent DNA sequencing. The presence of S. thermophilus-like lacS and lacZ genes in the SBSEC isolates was determined to elucidate the prevalence of this dairy adaptation. Isolates (n = 754) were obtained from 72 raw and 95 fermented milk samples from Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya on semi-selective agar media. Colonies of Sii were not detected from raw milk despite high microbial titers of approximately 10⁶ CFU/mL on M17 agar medium. However, after spontaneous milk fermentation Sii was genotypically identified in 94.1% of Kenyan samples and 60.8% of Kenyan isolates. Sii prevalence in Côte d'Ivoire displayed seasonal variations in samples from 32.3% (June) to 40.0% (Dec/Jan) and isolates from 20.5% (June) to 27.7% (Dec/Jan) present at titers of 10⁶–10⁸ CFU/mL. lacS and lacZ genes were detected in all Kenyan and 25.8% (June) to 65.4% (Dec/Jan) of Ivorian Sii isolates. Regional differences in prevalence of Sii and dairy adaptations were observed, but no clear effect of dairy animal, fermentation procedure and climate was revealed. Conclusively, the high prevalence of Sii in Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire in addition to Somalia, Sudan and Mali strongly indicates a pivotal role of Sii in traditional African dairy fermentations potentially paralleling that of typical western dairy species S. thermophilus. Putative health risks associated with the consumption of high amounts of live Sii and potential different degrees of evolutionary adaptation or ecological colonization require further epidemiologic and genomic investigations, particularly in Africa.     

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the essential oils of various plants against tomato grey mould disease agent Botrytis cinerea

The aim of this study was to find an alternative to synthetic fungicides currently used in the control of devastating fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould disease of tomato. Antifungal activities of essential oils obtained from aerial parts of aromatic plants, which belong to the Lamiacea family such as origanum (Origanum syriacum L. var. bevanii), lavender (Lavandula stoechas L. var. stoechas) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), were investigated against B. cinerea. Contact and volatile phase effects of different concentrations of the essential oils were found to inhibit the growth of B. cinerea in a dose-dependent manner. Volatile phase effects of essential oils were consistently found to be more effective on fungal growth than contact phase effect. A volatile vapour of origanum oil at 0.2 μg/ml air was found to completely inhibit the growth of B. cinerea. Complete growth inhibition of pathogen by essential oil of lavender and rosemary was, however, observed at 1.6 μg/ml air concentrations. For the determination of the contact phase effects of the tested essential oils, origanum oil at 12.8 μg/ml was found to inhibit the growth of B. cinerea completely. Essential oils of rosemary and lavender were inhibitory at relatively higher concentrations (25.6 μg/ml). Spore germination and germ tube elongation were also inhibited by the essential oils tested. Light and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations revealed that the essential oils cause considerable morphological degenerations of the fungal hyphae such as cytoplasmic coagulation, vacuolations, hyphal shrivelling and protoplast leakage and loss of conidiation. In vivo assays with the origanum essential oil, being the most efficient essential oil, under greenhouse conditions using susceptible tomato plants resulted in good protection against grey mould severity especially as a curative treatment. This study has demonstrated that the essential oils are potential and promising antifungal agents which could be used as biofungicide in the protection of tomato against B. cinerea.     

Short communication: Occurrence of Arcobacter species in industrial dairy plants

The present study investigated the presence of Arcobacter spp. in industrial dairy plants. Between February and September 2013, pasteurized milk used for cheesemaking, processing and cleaning water, cheese, and environmental samples from different plant sites, including surfaces in contact or not in contact with food, were sampled. A total of 126 samples were analyzed by the cultural method and isolates were identified by multiplex PCR. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 22 of 75 environmental samples (29.3%): of them, 22.7% were surfaces in contact with food and 38.7% surfaces not in contact with food. A total of 135 Arcobacter spp. isolates were obtained; of these, 129 and 6 were identified as Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus, respectively. All food processing water and pasteurized milk samples were negative for Arcobacter species. We were not able to determine the primary source of contamination, but the isolation of both A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus in surfaces in contact with food before and during manufacturing suggests that Arcobacter spp. are not or are only partially affected by routine sanitizing procedures in the industrial dairy plants studied. The efficacy of sanitizing procedures should be evaluated and further studies are needed to determine whether certain Arcobacter strains persist for long periods of time in industrial dairy plants and whether they can survive in different types of cheese in cases of postprocessing contamination.     

Phenolic glucosides in the course of ligulate flower development in diploid and tetraploid Matricaria chamomilla

The main secondary metabolites of Matricaria chamomilla ligulate flowers are apigenin-7-O-glucoside derivatives and (Z)- and (E)-2-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxy cinnamic acids (GMCAs), which are the precursors of herniarin. The quantities of these compounds were determinated in six phases of development of ligulate flowers in diploid and tetraploid cultivar. The content of the apigenin glucoside and its main acylated derivatives in ligulate flowers of diploid plants was found to be significantly higher before the start of flowering in comparison with tetraploid plants. During the flowering and post-flowering phase their content decreased and no difference between diploid and tetraploid plants was observed. The (E)-izomer was the dominant form of 2-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxy cinnamic acid. These secondary stress metabolite precursors were accumulated in higher concentrations in young growing ligulate flowers, but during flowering and post-flowering phases their content decreased. Significantly higher content was found in tetraploid plants in comparison with diploid plants. Aglycones of glycosides were found in low concentrations.     

Short-term toxicological evaluation of Terminalia catappa, Pentaclethra macrophylla and Calophyllum inophyllum seed oils in rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of feeding the oils of Calophyllum inophyllum, Pentaclethra macrophylla and Terminalia catappa to rats. The effects on physical appearance, feed intake, weight gain, plasma and tissue cholesterol and triacyglycerol levels in rats with 5% of the oils in normal rat feed were determined. Weekly monitoring of the rats showed good physical appearance and steady weight gain, with no mortality recorded for the period of the study. Haematological analysis of the rats indicated that they were not anaemic. Histopathotogical examination of the sections of the heart, liver, kidney and spleen revealed moderate (T. catappa oil) to severe fatty change and necrosis in the liver. Glomerulonephrotic changes in the kidneys of rats fed with T. catappa oil were moderate, while it was severe in the group fed with P. macrophylla oil. Severe myocardiac necrosis as well as atherosclerotic clefts in vasa vasori was observed in the vasa vasori of the hearts of rats fed with P. macrophylla oil. This change was moderate in the heart of rats fed with C. inophyllum, while no such observation was made in the group fed with T. catappa oil. There was a significant difference in the plasma cholesterol levels of the rats fed with C. inophyllum and T. catappa oils when compared with the control rats, while those fed with P. macrophylla oil had no significant difference. The oil of T. catappa appears more suitable for consumption than the oils from C. inophyllum and P. macrophylla. Fatty acid analysis of the oils showed that they have high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic and oleic acids as the major ones.     

Glucosinolates profile of Brassica rapa L. subsp. Sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort

Glucosinolates in different ecotypes of Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort. widely distributed in Southern Italy and locally known as “friariello” and “cima di rapa”, were characterized and their glucosinolate composition was compared with that of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica).     

Antioxidant properties of Agaricus blazei, Agrocybe cylindracea, and Boletus edulis

Three mushrooms are currently available in Taiwan, including Agaricus blazei, Agrocybe cylindracea, and Boletus edulis. Their ethanolic and hot water extracts were prepared and antioxidant properties studied. Ethanolic extracts from three mushrooms were more effective than hot water extracts in antioxidant activity using the conjugated diene method and scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals whereas hot water extracts were more effective in reducing power, scavenging ability on hydroxyl radials and chelating ability on ferrous ions as evidenced by their lower EC₅₀ values. Overall, for both extracts, B. edulis was more effective among antioxidant properties assayed. Naturally occurring antioxidant components including total tocopherols (3.18-6.18 mg/g) and total phenols (5.67-5.81 mg/g) were found in the extracts and their contents were associated (r=0.636-0.907) with EC₅₀ value of antioxidant properties. Based on the results obtained, both extracts from these three mushrooms were effective in antioxidant properties.     

Anthraquinone profiles, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Frangula rupestris (Scop.) Schur and Frangula alnus Mill. bark

Frangula rupestris and Frangula alnus are deciduous shrubs distributed in Balkan Peninsula. While the bark of F. alnus is medicinally widely used, little is known about chemical and biological properties of F. rupestris. In the present study, F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were evaluated for their reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging and chelating activity, as well as antioxidant activity in β-carotene-linoleic acid assay. In addition, phenolic content, anthraquinone profile and antimicrobial activity of F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were determined. The most represented anthraquinone derivatives in F. rupestris and F. alnus bark were physcion (0.11 mg/g) and emodin (2.03 mg/g), respectively. Both species demonstrated excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with MIC values equal or lower than 2.5 mg/mL. The presented research indicates that both species may have health benefits as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents for use in functional foods or medicine.