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The purpose of this paper is to determine the polyphenol content, antioxidative potential and antiproliferative activity of Swiss chard from Montenegro, grown under different irrigation and fertilization regimes.

Swiss chard was grown in the open field (Lješkopolje, Montenegro) where it was subjected to different fertilization and irrigation regimes. Chard samples were analyzed for previously identified polyphenols and for antioxidant parameters. Additionally, in order to complete the biological activities, chard extracts were tested for antiproliferative activity against MFC-7 and HT-29 tumor cell lines.

The polyphenols identified in Swiss chard were flavonoids: vitexin-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-acetyl-2?-O-xyloside, vitexin-6?-O-malonyl-2?-O-xyloside and isorhamnetin-3,7-diglucoside. In the antioxidant tests, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), chard extract had values of 7.00 and 8.50 (mean values) µmol Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid) equ/d.w., respectively. The tested chard extracts inhibited cell proliferation at different concentrations (3.125–50.0 µg/mL) against the MCF-7 cell line, after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The antiproliferative activity, expressed in terms of IC50, was 32.97 and 86.45 µg/mL after 24 h of incubation and 20.76 and 23.33 µg/mL after 48 h of incubation, for treated and untreated chard extracts, respectively.

These data suggest Montenegrin Swiss chard grown under different irrigation and fertilization treatments can be considered as a functional food and should be included in an everyday diet. The collected data could help in the growth improvement of chard with functional food properties.

This study aims to examine the relationship between the chemical composition of juices obtained from fruits of autochthonous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown in Montenegro and their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

To explore the potential value of wild pomegranate fruits, in vitro biological assays were carried out with juices whose composition was analyzed in detail for sugars, organic acids, vitamin C and phenolic compounds. The effect of juices on survival was determined in human lung A549, cervical HeLa and breast MCF-7 carcinoma cells by MTT assay. As a control, the cytotoxicity against normal fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) was monitored.

Among cancer cell lines, considering the IC50 related to total phenolics, the lowest value – 13 µg/mL was found for the A549. The strongest effect on lung cells was assumed due to the favorable contribution of ellagitannins to total phenolics in juice as well as the given combination of anthocyanins and their synergistic action. For HeLa cells, the lowest IC50 value was obtained at 88 µg/mL, and the cytotoxicity could be matched with the effects of anthocyanins and catechin. For MCF-7 cells, the lowest IC50 was 504 µg/mL, and the elevated levels of vitamin C and ellagic acid derivatives should have a noticeable effect on these cells.

This study provides an important contribution to the knowledge on the effect of phytochemicals from wild pomegranate juice on lung, cervical and breast cancer cells, in vitro. The present observations suggest that the juice of wild pomegranate has the potential in the fight against cancer.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate both nutrient and phytochemical content of Swiss chard grown under different fertilization and irrigation treatments and the effect of these treatments on the tested parameters.

Samples of fresh Swiss chard were collected from the experimental field of Ljeskopolje, Montenegro, where chard was grown under different fertilization and irrigation treatments. Swiss chard samples were analyzed for nutritional and antioxidant parameters.

In this study, the authors found that 100 g of Swiss chard is a good source of total chlorophyll (47.13 mg), carotenoids (9.85 mg), minerals as well as vitamin C (26.88 mg) expressed as mean values. Total phenol and flavonoid compounds content were (138.59 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 11.91 µg catechin equivalent (CAE) per mg of water extract, respectively), also expressed as mean values. The total antioxidant capacity (IC50 values) determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay ranged from 2.93 to 4.44 mg/mL of aquatic water extract. Different fertilization regimes affected the following parameters: phosphorous, protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and vitamin C (p<0.05), while different irrigation regimes did not have any effect on the tested parameters (p>0.05), while interaction effect between fertilization and irrigation was found only for sodium and copper (p<0.05).

Swiss chard produced in Montenegro on a sandy clay loam soil with acid reaction contains appreciable amount of minerals, crude fibers, vitamin C, chlorophylls, carotenoids and polyphenols. The nutrient and phytochemical content of chard is equal or superior to other green leafy vegetables which are considered as functional food. It was identified as a potentially rich source of essential nutrients and phytochemical compounds. The promotion of higher consumption and production of Swiss chard may represent a natural and sustainable alternative for improving human health.