Dragan Cvetkovic

• PhD
• Professor (Associate) at University of Nis

This work deals with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) response to continual UVA and UVB irradiation and white light treatments in four different mediums (two aqueous, one chloroform, and one lipid mixture) by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-DAD-ESI–MS/MS), providing consider...

Fennel fruit (Foeniculim vulgare Mill.) essential oil (FFEO) was isolated from disintegrated plant material by intensified microwave-assisted hydrodistillation approach (MWHD). Isolated FFEO, rich in trans-anethole and low in estragol, was obtained in 30% higher yield after only 10 min compared to FFEOs isolated via traditional hydrodistillation (H...

The aim of the research was to determine the yield, chemical composition and free radical-scavenging activity of the essential oils (EOs) in the leaves and fruit of wild-grown bay (Laurus nobilis L.) and rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis L.)from the Montenegro coast. The bay essential oil (BEO) yield was 0.88% in fruit and 2.65% in the leaves. The ro...

The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-E) by bioreduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4), using the aqueous extracts (E) of blackberry (Rubus spp.) leaves, was presented in this work. The E were obtained by maceration at room T and reflux extraction at boiling T, while the AuNPs-E were synthesized at room T and T = 80°C. The synthesized Au...

This study was conducted to determine the sea fennel essential oil (SFEO) yield, composition , and antioxidant activity of leaves, stem, inflorescences, and umbels from seeds of wild sea fennel (SF) (Crithmum maritimum L.) from the Montenegro coast. The chemical composition of isolated essential oil was determined by GC/MS and GC/FID analyses. The...

Sweet potato leavesare a natural source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activity. Despite abundance of results regarding sweet potato composition, effect of fertilizing on bioactive compounds is not explored enough. In this study influence of diverse fertilization treatments on the yield and leaf composition of ‘Japanese’, ‘Beauregard’...

Citation: Milenković, L.; Ilić, Z.S.; Stanojević, L.; Danilović, B.; Šunić, L.; Kevrešan, Ž.; Stanojević, J.; Cvetković, D. Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Dill Seed (Anethum graveolens L.) Essential Oil from Plants Grown under Shading. Plants 2024, 13, 886. https://doi. Abstract: This study determined the content and composition of dill se...

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of plant shading (covered by pearl shade nets with a 40% shade index or nonshading plants from open field) on the content and composition of essential oils extracted from summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) during the flowering stage cultivated under the ecological conditions of Serbia. The summe...

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of plant shading (covered by pearl shade nets with a 40% shade index or nonshading plants from open field) on the content and composition of essential oils extracted from summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) during the flowering stage cultivated under the ecological conditions of Serbia. The summe...

Chemical profiling the sage essential oils (SEOs) from wild and cultivated (shaded or non-shaded) plants has been investigated. The yield of SEOs from wild plants (3.51 mL/100 g) was higher than that from cultivated plants(shaded plants: 3.20 mL/100 g and non-shaded plants: 2.56 mL/100 g).The main components of SEO from wild plants were cis-thujone...

This study shows the impact of three different commercial inactive yeast derivatives (IYDs) (Opti Less™, Noblesse™, Optimum White™, Lallemand, Canada and Oenolees MP™ Lafort, USA) during the 6-month aging period on the volatile profile, sensory attributes and antiradical activity, including polyphenols and the total free sulfhydryl (-SH groups) con...

The study was conducted to determine fennel essential oil (FEO) yield, composition, and antioxidant activity during four different maturation stages of umbels with seeds (1st stage: immature-pasty; 2nd stage: premature-waxy; 3rd stage: mature-fully ripe; and 4th stage: seeds only), and leaves of wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. subsp. vulgare)...

Black (Piper nigrum L.) and cubeb pepper (Piper cubeba L.) fruits from the Serbian market were chosen as unprocessed materials for obtaining market-valuable essential oils. Since pepper fruits are only imported in Serbia, inadequate transportation and storage conditions may lead to their spoilage, negatively affecting their quality as feedstocks. T...

The purpose of this study was to determine essential oil yield, composition, and antioxi-dant activity during two different maturation stages of umbels with seeds(I stage: premature-waxy; and II stage: mature-fully ripening) of wild carrot (Daucus carrota var. carota) from the Montene-grin coast. A higher yield of carrot essential oil (CEO) was det...

Thyme, mint, and lemon balm were used to determine whether shading conditions could improve the yield, composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity in plant essential oils (EOs) in comparison with non-shaded plants from an open field. The yield of the EOs of non-shaded thyme, mint, and lemon balm, was 3.44, 3.96, and 0.21 mL/100 g, respecti...

The present study aimed to determine and compare chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils (EOs) isolated from marigolds (Tagetes patula L.) cultivated in the garden in southeast Serbia. The EOs were isolated from dry orange and red flower petals by Clevenger type hydrodistillation during 2 h by using 1:15 m/V hydromodule. The...

This study examines the action of light modifications by different shade nets (pearl, red and blue color nets with a shade index of 50%) in relation to unshaded plants from the open field on the relative effects on changing basil aroma profile and antioxidant activity. The most abundant components were linalool, 1,8-cineole and myrcene. Aqueous ext...

The present study focuses on the yield, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of essential oils from different parts (flowers or leaves/stems) of cultivated plants grown under pearl shade nets with a 40% shaded index or in nonshaded plants and wild-grown oregano. The chemical composition of isolated essential oils was determined by GC/MS a...

The aim of this work was to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils from two plant parts (leaves and stems) of fennel, wild-grown in the Montenegro seaside. The chemical composition of the isolated essential oils was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and flame ionization detectio...

The present study aimed to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) essential oils isolated from the aerial plant parts on a semi-industrial scale by steam and water-steam distillation, respectively. The qualitative composition of the essentia...

Bacteriochlorins as the porphyrins derivatives are well known photosensitizers with great potential for use in various fields of pharmacy and medicine. Photostability of selected bacteriochlorins, bacteriochlorophyll a and bacteriopheophytin a, in different methanol solutions (with and without lipids) during continual UV-A, UV-B and visible light t...

The aim of the presented work was to compare the efficiency of innovative (solvent-free microwave extraction, microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and supercritical CO2 extraction) extraction techniques vs. conventional Clevenger hydrodistillation of essential oil (EO) from poorly studied fennel rhizome. It was found that innovative extraction tech...

Thyme, marjoram, lemon balm, mint, and sweet basil were used to determine whether light modification (plants grown under pearl nets with 50% shaded index or un-shaded-open field conditions) could improve the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs). Obtained results were discussed concerning previously determined yield and composition of EOs...

The endoperoxides of β-carotene (βCar-EPOs) are regarded as main products of the chemical deactivation of ¹ O 2 by β-carotene, one of the most important antioxidants, following a concerted singlet-singlet reaction. Here we challenge this view by showing that βCar-EPOs are formed in the absence of ¹ O 2 in a non-concerted triplet-triplet reaction: ³...

Autochthones grape variety of ‘Prokupac’ (Vitis vinifera L.) is being increasingly cultivated in the Republic of Serbia and is one of the predominant varieties in the vineyards of southern Serbia. ‘Prokupac’ grapes are used to produce red wine with specific and distinctive varietal aromatic characteristics. Medicinal herbs can be effectively combin...

The oenological potential of native strains of Metschnikowia pulcherrima B-5 and Candida famata WB-1, isolated from blackberries, was investigated in pure and sequential fermentation of Chardonnay grape with commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae QA23. The effect of pre-fermentative cold maceration was also analysed. The fermentations were performed i...

Lemon balm, mint, and basil were used to determine whether light modification (plants grown under pearl shade nets with 40 % shaded index or in un-shaded open field) could improve the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs) and antioxidant activity. The yield of EOs of lemon balm, mint and sweet basil obtained after 120 min of hydrodistillatio...

This paper aimed to estimate the influence of peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) leaves grinding on the essential oil (PEO) yield, composition, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Besides positively affecting the yield, grinding provided PEO with 44 compounds, compared to 33 compounds isolated from non-ground leaves. The most abundant compounds...

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant, well known for its characteristic scent and healing properties, which has a wide application, from cooking to alternative medicine. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of basil essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation, microw...

The manipulation of light intensity by shade nets can lead to exchanges in the phytochemical quality and antioxidants ofsome herbs. This study aimed to determine whether shading by pearl nets (50% shade index) could improve the bioactive compounds in several medicinal herbs such as thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), oregan...

The aim of the presented work was to evaluate polar and non-polar extracts and fatty oil, isolated from pumpkin fruit (Cucurbita pepo L.), as a potential food supplements or raw material for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. The extracts were isolated from the pumpkin peel, mesocarp and pulp and fatty oil from the seeds. The highest yield o...

Autochthone variety of grapevine 'Prokupac' (Vitis vinifera L.) is being increasingly cultivated in the Republic of Serbia, and is one of the predominant varieties in the vineyards of southern Serbia [1,2]. Prokupac grapes are used to produce red wine with distinctive varietal aromatic characteristics. Content of aromatic compounds in wines is usua...

Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme), Origanum majorana L. (marjoram), and Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) were used to determine whether light modification (plants grown under nets with 40% shaded index or in un-shaded open field) could improve the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs) and antioxidant activity. The yield of EOs of thyme, marjoram, and...

This research aimed to analyse the chemical composition, as well as the antimicrobial and antioxidative abilities of the Satureja montana L. essential oil. Essential oils were obtained from raw plant material by solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction (WSEO1) and dry plant material by microwave-assisted extraction (WSEO2) and hydrodistillation b...

For quantitative analysis, contents of the selected three phenolic compounds and 17 minerals were determined in seven tea samples, i.e., infusions prepared on a traditional way from the dried aerial parts (herba) of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) found in the market, or collected from few locations in the Eastern and Southeastern Serbia....

The aim of the presented work was to investigate the potential of aqueous extract of cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) leaves for stabilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-E) synthesized at room (RT) and boiling temperature (BT). The synthesis and stability of AgNPs-E were monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy confirming high stabilit...

Modern viticulture requires the replacement of hazardous agrochemicals with eco-friendly, bio-based products such as microbial preparations that enhance grape and wine quality while protecting the grapevine from pest and disease attacks. This study investigated the effects of a commercially available Bacillus-based preparation on the volatile and s...

The importance and necessity of food quality control can be observed from two aspects at least – the safety and reliability of the certain foodstaff consumption as well as the rising of consumers' confidence in the producers. Bearing this in mind, it is not necessary to emphasize the importance of continuous improvement of existing and development...

A new biosorbent for phosphate uptake based on functionalized bottle gourd Lagenaria vulgaris shell (LVS) was synthesized and characterized. The functionalization was achieved through the quaternization of the lignocellulosic LVS biomass with trimethylamine. The quaternary ammonium product (QALVS), containing trimethylammonium-hydroxypropyl weak ba...

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of coloured shade-nets (pearl, blue, or red all with a 50% shade index) compared to non-shaded plants on quality traits on the Discoa and ICE 40102 (green-leaf) and Eglantine (red-leaf) lettuce cultivars. Total chlorophyll content depended on the shading and lettuce genotype. The chloroph...

The optimization of the headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) for the qualitative identification of the aroma compounds in fruit spirits (Williams, plum spirit, grape spirit , apricot spirit) was the subject of the presented paper. The SPME extraction conditions (temperatu...

This paper describes, in an innovative manner, the behaviour of chlorophyll on attack of free radicals generated by hydrophilic AAPH and lipophilic AMVN thermal azo initiators in aqueous environment and in artificial cell membranes (DPPC liposomes). Thermal ‘azo’ initiators could be successfully exploited as sensors in stability studies of chloroph...

BACKGROUND The need to increase marketable tomato yields and decrease losses due to sunburn and disease during the summer motivates farmers to adopt additional cultural practices such as shading and grafting. To investigate complex interactions among grafting, shading, and tomato cultivar, grafted and ungrafted tomatoes (cv. 'Optima' F1 and cv. 'Bi...

The purpose of the present study was to determine chemical composition and antioxidant activity of commercial peppermint (Aetheroleum menthae piperitae) and basil (Aetheroleum basilici) essential oils as well as their effects on skin biophysical parameters. The qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oils was determined by GC-MS and G...

Concentrations of Ag, Al, As, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Hg, In, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn, and caffeine were determined in 25 coffee samples collected on the Western Balkan market. Three types of coffee (black, espresso, and instant) manufactured in Serbia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and France have been investigated. C...

Earth smoke herb (Fumaria officinalis L.) was used as a source of extractive matter in this study. The aqueous extract was obtained by pouring boiling water over the plant material (1:20 m/v) and letting it stay for 90 minutes at room temperature. The identification of bioactive compounds in the extract was performed using the UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS anal...

In order to preserve the environment and prevent the occurrence of eutrophication, a new quaternary ammonium biosorbent based on the bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) shell (QALVS) was prepared and characterized in present study. The results of FTIR and elemental analyses confirmed the successful modification of the lignocellulosic biomass and show...

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extract of Fumaria officinalis L., (AgNPs-E), as a reducing and capping agent, is presented in this study. Formation of AgNPs-E is monitored by measuring surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption band in the UV-VIS range 200-800 nm. Based on UV-VIS spectra , the SPR band of AgNPs-E obtained by synthesi...

Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) leaves at the end of harvest season (in the leaves senescence vegetative stage), when it represents an agricultural waste material, have been extracted under different conditions in order to assess potential of this plant material in valuable bioactive compounds recovering. Response surface methodology was used in screen...

The subject of this study was the examination of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil (Menthae piperitae L.), that was produced from the plant collected from the plantation in the city of Banja Luka. To examine the chemical composition of the Mentha piperita essential oil we used the GC-FID method. On it’s chromatog...

Wild cyclamen tubers (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) (mountain Kukavica, Southeast Serbia) were used as material for extraction in this study. Aqueous extract was obtained by reflux extraction on boiling temperature with hydromodulus 1:20 m/v during 180 minutes. The total phenolic content was determined spectrophotometrically by the method of Folin-C...

The structural performance and biosorption behavior of a new cationic biosorbent (CALV) prepared from bottle gourd ( Lagenaria vulgaris ) shell (LVS) as a potentially valuable agrowaste have been established. The biosorbent with anion exchangeable function was synthesized from a modified lignocellulosic biomass (MLV) by a quaternary ammonium agent,...

University of Niš, Faculty of Technology, Leskovac, Serbia Wild cyclamen tubers (Cyclamen purpurascens Mill.) (Kukavica mountain, southeast Serbia) was used as an extraction material in this study. The aqueous extract has been obtained by reflux extraction at the boiling temperature with hydromodulus 1:20 m/v during 180 minutes. The identification...

The effects of utilization of different color shade nets in lettuce production during the summer season were evaluated in Serbian climate conditions for pearl, blue, red and black shade nets in comparison to open field production. Applied shade nets (with shade index of 50%) significantly reduced solar irradiation (from 890 in open field to 400–560...

Essential oils, as sources of natural products, represent an alternative to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in food and pharmaceutical industry, alternative medicine and natural therapy. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) belongs to the Lamiaceae family of herbs, which in addition to being used as a spice, is also medicinally known as a po...

Dichloromethane soil samples extracts were prepared using Soxhlet extraction technique, and after clean-up step, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was carried out. A comparison of dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) and column chromatography (cC), as clean-up techniques, was ev...

The intention of this chapter is to contribute in clarification of nanoparticle synthesis and biocomplexes based on exopolysaccharide, green synthetic method development, their physico‐chemical characterization by modern spectroscopy, as well as testing of their antimicrobial activity. Silver nanoparticles of polysaccharide type have scientific int...

The intention of this chapter is to contribute in clarification of nanoparticle synthesis and biocomplexes based on exopolysaccharide, green synthetic method development, their physico‐chemical characterization by modern spectroscopy, as well as testing of their antimicrobial activity. Silver nanoparticles of polysaccharide type have scientific int...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Olive or sunflower oil yarrow extracts have been extensively used against inflammatory disorders and skin wound healing in traditional medicine. Aim of the study: To evaluate oil yarrow extracts traditional use in treatment of topical/dermatological skin impairments, sodium lauryl sulfate test was applied, and in...

The intention of this chapter is to contribute in clarification of nanoparticle synthesis and biocomplexes based on exopolysaccharide, green synthetic method development, their physico‐chemical characterization by modern spectroscopy, as well as testing of their antimicrobial activity. Silver nanoparticles of polysaccharide type have scientific int...

Antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from two cultivated strawberry leaves, Senga Sengana and Mount Everest, obtained by maceration, reflux extraction and ultrasonic extraction, was investigated. Antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, FIC and H2O2 test; total phenolic and flavonoids by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chlorid...

This study focuses on the behavior of β-carotene and lutein inside multilamellar liposomes under continuous UV-irradiation. The liposomes were obtained by the thin film method and carotenoids (Crts) were incorporated by mixing at various concentrations (0.005, 0.0075, 0.02, 0.07 and 0.5 mol %). Liposomes formation and the presence of Crts inside th...

The subject of this study is to determine chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oil obtained from chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla L.). The essential oil has been obtained by hydrodistillation process on semi industrial production conditions. Qualitative and quantitative composition of the oil was determi...

Synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobial agents can induce many undesired side effects, which attracts interest of food producers and consumers in finding ingredients of natural origin. The antioxidative and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from dill (Anethum graveolens L.) seeds was investigated in terms of its possible application as natur...

Five extraction techniques, maceration, reflux, Soxhlet, Tillepape and ultrasonic extraction, were used to obtain the extractive matter from nettle leaves. The antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed by: DPPH, FRAP and H2O2 test, while the total phenolic and total flavonoid content was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium...

Strawberry is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, tribe Potentilleae) in the genus Fragaria. The cultivated varieties of commercial strawberries usually were designated as Fragaria ananassa. Root, leaf, flower and fruit have the healing properties. The strawberry leaves extract is used for blood cleaning, for treatment of or...

In the present work, essential oil has been obtained by Clevenger-type hy-drodestillation from grounded curcuma rhizome (Rhizoma Curcumae) (Turkey) with hydromodulus 1:5 m/V during 180 minutes. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID spectrom-etry. The antioxidant activity of the obtained oil was d...