Tea made from Veronica spicata L. (syn. Pseudolysimachion spicatum (L.) Opiz, family Plantaginaceae) herb is used in traditional medicine as expectorant for cough and throat rinsing. To get insight into chemical compounds of V. spicata, the essential oil content (analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS), the content of phenolic compounds (analysed by HPLC), the content of macroelements and trace elements (analysed by ICP-AES), quantity of total phenols and total flavonoids (analysed by UV/Vis spectrophotometer), and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were investigated. The main compounds of the essential oil were phytol (21.13%), heptacosane (10.22%) and pentacosane (8.91%). The most abundant investigated macroelement was K (8261 mg/kg) while Fe was the most represented element (32.49 mg/kg) among investigated micronutrients. Ten phenolic compounds (chrysin, rutin, quercitrin, quercitrin, and cichoric, ferulic, protocatehuic, rosmarinic, syringic and tannic acid) were identified and quantified. Additionally, V. spicata extract demonstrated notable radical-scavenging and chelating properties. The bacterial and fungal strains used in study were found to be susceptible toward methanolic and ethyl-acetate extracts with MIC values between 1.25 and 5.00 mg/mL using microdilution method. Aquose extracts were found to be antimicrobial inactive.

A study on the types and distribution of trichomes, pollen morphology, chemical composition of essential oil (analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS), and the content of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, and Mg) and trace elements (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Hg, and As) analyzed by ICP-AES (=inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) was conducted on Micromeria croatica (Pers.) Schott. Non-glandular trichomes, peltate trichomes (typical hairs of Lamiaceae), small capitate trichomes (composed of one basal epidermal cell and one head cell), and larger capitate trichomes (composed of one basal epidermal cell, two to three stalk cells, and one head cell with subcuticular space) were observed on leaves, stems, the calyx, and corolla. Pollen of M. croatica had six apertures (hexacolpate) which were set in the equatorial pollen belt (zonocolpate) and showed medium reticulate ornamentation (hetrobrochate type). The essential oil contained from 27 to 39 constituents, the most representative of which were caryophyllene oxide and E-caryophyllene. Among the investigated macroelements, the content of K was highest (8730-10080 mg/kg). The content of trace elements ranged from 0.12 mg/kg (Cr) to 78.00 mg/kg (Fe), while the content of Cd, Ni, Hg, and As were lower than the limit of quantification.

Satureja montana and S. subspicata are used as spice, pepper substitute, for preparing tea, juice, and as a medicine. Fourteen populations (seven per species) of Satureja montana L. and S. subspicata Vis. growing in Croatia were examined to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil (analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS), the content of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Hg, As) analyzed by ICP-AES, antioxidant compounds (analyzed by UV/VIS spectrophotometer), and the types and distribution of trichomes (analyzed by scanning electron microscopy). The main constituents of the essential oil were carvacrol and thymol in S. montana (all populations belong to one phenol chemotype), while α-eudesmol, β-eudesmol, and spathulenol dominated in S. subspicata (three chemotypes could be distinguished). Both species possess considerably higher quantities of Ca and Mg, and moderate concentrations of K and Na, while Hg and As levels were below the limit of quantification. Non-glandular trichomes, peltate trichomes, and three types of capitate trichomes were observed on leaves, stem, calyx, and corolla.

The results of morphological and AFLP variability of 120 plants of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.), collected from 12 different locations (10 biological replicates for each location) on the coast and islands of the southern Croatian Adriatic indicate high molecular and morphological variability among these carob populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant differences among populations (26.07%; p < 0.001; α = 0.05). Out of the total variability, 22.49% refers to the variability among, and 77.51% within populations. UPGMA and STRUCTURE analysis based on AFLP genetic data clustered carob populations into three main groups representing three real genetic populations. UPGMA analysis based on morphological traits of leaves, pods, and seeds clustered carob populations into five groups. Mantel test showed significant correlation between morphological and genetic data (r = 0.58, p < 0.001; α = 0.05).According to the high genetic and morphological variability, the germplasm collection in the analysis could represent an important genetic pool for future breeding programmes. The goal of future research should be the conservation of C. siliqua in its natural habitats, and the establishment of gene banks of genetic resources with the purpose of creating new carob cultivars in breeding programmes.

Chemical composition of the essential oil (analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS), the content of macroelements and trace elements (analysed by ICP-AES), and antimicrobial activities were investigated in Teucrium arduini L. from Mt Biokovo (Croatia). Additionally, a study on the types and distribution of glandular trichomes which produce essential oils was investigated. The oil was characterized by a high concentration of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (68.5%) of which β-caryophyllene (32.9%) and germacrene D (16.4%) being the major compounds. Among the macroelements, the content of calcium was the highest (9772 mg/kg), while the content of sodium was the smallest (117.74 mg/kg). Among the micronutrients, the most represented element was iron (72.07 mg/kg). The content of each investigated toxic metal (As, Hg, Pb, Cd and Cr) was below permissible levels. The essential oils showed antimicrobial activity against bacterial species tested, with MIC values ranging from 6.25 mg/mL to 37.50 mg/mL. Fungal species were susceptible with MIC values from 7.81 mg/mL and 25.00 mg/mL.