Polyphenol Content, Mineral Compounds Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Medicinal Herbs from Slovak Republic

The aim of this study was to determine antioxidant activity (DPPH and phosphomolybdenum method), polyphenols content (total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids), mineral compounds composition (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb Cd) antimicrobial (with disc diffusion method) medicinal herbs traditionally used in the Slovak republic. tested plants belonged Primulaceae, Urticaceae, Grossulariaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Equisetaceae, Tropaeolaceae, Plantaginaceae families. highest activities were found samples Rosa canina L. (DPPH—29.43 ± 0.11 mg TE/g; TE—Trolox equivalent) Fragaria vesca (phosphomolybdenum method—679.56 3.06 TE/g), both from Rosaceae family. Total (determined using Folin–Ciocâlteu-reagent) most abundant a sample L.—124.51 5.05 GAE/g (GAE—gallic acid equivalent), total flavonoids aluminum chloride method)—in Primula veris L.—48.35 3.77 QE/g (QE—quercetin acids Arnova reagent)—in Thymus serpyllum L.—102.31 2.89 CAE/g (CAE—caffeic equivalent). Regarding composition, showed levels iron. In Calendula officinalis Trapaeolum majus L., amounts zinc determined, while copper Urtica dioica Melissa heavy metals within legally acceptable limits. extract Equisetum arvense strongest inhibitory towards Clostridium perfringens CCM 4991 (6 mm), one Mentha piperita L.—towards Candida glabrata 8270 (4.83 mm) tropicalis 8223 (4.33 mm).