Helichrysum italicum is a plant traditionally used for skin-related disorders that is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in cosmetic products. In this work, a “green” ultrasound-assisted extraction method for H. italicum phenolics was developed using skin-friendly cyclodextrins (CDs). Extraction conditions needed for the greatest yield of target compounds (total phenolics, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) were calculated. The composition of the extracts was determined using LC-MS and spectrophotometric methods. Among the tested CDs, 2-hydroxylpropyl-beta-CD (HP-β-CD) was the best suited for extraction of target phenolics and used to prepare two optimized extracts, OPT 1 (the extract with the highest phenolic acid content) and OPT 2 (the extract with the highest total phenol and flavonoid content). The extracts were prepared at 80 °C, using 0.089 g of plant material/g solvent (0.6 mmol of HP-β-CD), with or without addition of 1.95% (w/w) lactic acid. The main metabolite in both extracts was 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. It was found that the addition of lactic acid greatly contributes to the extraction of arzanol, a well-known anti-inflammatory agent. IC50 values of the anti-elastase (22.360 ± 0.125 μL extract/mL and 20.067 ± 0.975 for OPT-1 and OPT-2, respectively) and anti-collagenase (12.035 ± 1.029 μL extract/mL and 14.392 ± 0.705 μL extract/mL for OPT-1 and OPT-2, respectively) activities of the extracts surpassed those of the applied positive controls, namely ursolic and gallic acids. This activity deems the prepared extracts promising ingredients for natural cosmetics, appropriate for direct use in cosmetic products, removing the need for the evaporation of conventional solvents.

Increasing development pressure on the Croatian coastal zone has lead to environmental degradation due to a lack of appropriate strategies and policies in promoting well-planned and managed urban areas. Research has shown that six coastal cities have been facing problems connected with climate change (storm waters, floods, soil erosion and urban heath). Key elements of urban sustainability, in spatial context, are based on a balanced relationship between built and open urban spaces on one hand and connectivity between urban open spaces and between such spaces and surrounding landscapes at the regional scale (principles of urban green infrastructure). Detailed research based on comparative analysis shows that ecological problems have to do with unbalanced urban morphology in Dubrovnik (disappearance of green areas as absorptive surfaces and loss of connectivity). The findings offer a possible conceptual solution on applying the principles of green infrastructure, where the preservation and linkage of ecologically valuable green areas within urban fabric is crucial. These areas are planned as multifunctional spaces; they are important for biodiversity, urban morphology, and urban social life, as well as for mitigating the consequences of climate change.

This research studied application possibilities of landscape suitability evaluation as a methodological approach within landscape planning. It was presented in the case study of the wider area of Krka River through analysis of three Mediterranean agricultural crops. Results indicated (1) the efficacy of the procedure for obtaining optimised spatial poten tial for development as well as protection of valuable rural areas and (2) the possibility to include new methods into current planning regulations.

V raziskavi smo preučevali možnosti uporabe metode vrednotenja krajinske primernosti v krajinskem načrtovanju. Metoda je predstavljena na študiji primera širšega območja reke Krke skozi analizo treh sredozemskih kulturnih rastlin. Rezultati kažejo (1) učinkovitost postopka za ugotavljanje optimiziranega prostorskega potenciala za razvoj in hkrati za varovanje dragocenih podeželskih območij in (2) možnosti vključevanja novih metod v obstoječe načrtovalske postopke.