Enhanced “Greener” and Sustainable Ultrasonic Extraction of Bioactive Components from Waste Wild Apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) Fruit Dust: The Impact of Pretreatment with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Slađana V. Dončić, Dragan Z. Troter, Miroslav M. Sovrlić, Nebojša D. Zdravković, Aleksandar G. Kočović, et al. Analytica, 2025 Significant depletion of natural resources, coupled with increased environmental pollution resulting from the constant evolution of global industrialization, poses a considerable problem. Therefore, it is unsurprising that sustainable “green” chemistry and technology are gathering the worldwide scientific community, whose common goal is to find applicable solutions for the abovementioned problems. This paper combined the ultrasonic extraction method (a form of “green” technology) with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs, a type of “green” solvent) for the production of extracts from an industrial by-product (discarded waste wild apple dust). Waste wild apple dust was pretreated with different NADESs in order to explore the pretreatment benefits regarding ultrasonic extraction of bioactive compounds. Among all solvents used, aqueous propylene glycol was chosen as the best system, which, combined with Reline NADES pretreatment, provided the highest TPC and TFC values, together with the best antioxidant activities. UHPLC-DAD-MS analyses of extracts revealed the presence of natural organic acids, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, tannins, and flavones. Following this procedure, valorization of agro-industrial apple herbal waste resulted in obtaining extracts with high potential for utilization in different industrial branches (food and pharmaceutical industries), contributing to both cleaner production and reduced environmental impact.
INTENSIFIED MICROWAVE-ASSISTED HYDRODISTILLATION PRODUCES TRANS-ANETHOLE-RICH FENNEL (FOENICULUM VULGARE MILL.) FRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL Dusica Ilic, Dragan Troter, Jelena Stanojevic, Dragan Cvetkovic, Ivan Ristic Chemical Industry and Chemical Engineering Quarterly, 2025 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 (HD). Besides significant differences in the chemical composition, the MWHD-obtained FFEO demonstrated superior antibacterial activity, while its anticandidal activity remained unchanged and identical to HD-obtained FFEOs. MWHD technique also required almost 18 times lesser electricity consumption and emitted less CO2 than the conventional HD, suggesting this approach more viable for FFEO production on an industrial level. According to these results, MWHD-obtained FFEO has the potential to be used in food industry and packaging, for the production of nutraceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, bioherbicides and cosmetics.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) tincture enriched with propolis or green tea from Serbia: UHPLC-DAD–ESI-MS characterization, mineral content and antibacterial activity Sandra Konstantinovic, Dragan Troter, Jelena Zvezdanovic, Sanja Petrovic, Sasa Savic, et al. Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society, 2025 The objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences inchemical composition and mineral content of pure Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)tincture with those enriched with propolis or green tea. The chemicalcomposition and mineral content were analyzed by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS andICP-OES methods, respectively. Among all samples, Reishi/propolis tincturecontained a significant amount of polyphenols, with the dominant contributionof flavonoids and phenolic acids. Regarding mineral content, P, K, and Na werethe most abundant in all tinctures. Reishi/propolis tincture also demonstrated thebest antibacterial activity, with P. vulgaris and P. aeruginosa as the mostsensitive bacteria.
Effects of screw pressing conditions on fodder radish seed oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid profile Vesna S. Zlatković, Nada L. Grahovac, Ivana B. Banković Ilić, Petar M. Mitrović, Dragan Z. Troter, et al. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 2024 This study aims to explore the influence of screw frequency, nozzle diameter, and press head temperature on critical crude fodder radish seed oil (FRSO) yield, throughput, and fatty acid composition. A quadratic equation, developed using response surface methodology, fitted the experimental data for oil yield. It was substantiated by a non‐significant lack‐of‐fit, commendable coefficient‐of‐determination (R2 = 0.782), and a modest mean relative percentage deviation (±7.27%). The analysis of variance pinpointed the statistical significance of press head temperature, nozzle size, and the squared term of press head temperature. The highest FRSO yield (17.61%)—corresponding to an extraction efficiency of 51.3% was found with a screw frequency of 50 Hz, at 80°C, and an 8 mm nozzle. A linear model highlighted that all three pressing factors significantly influenced the FRSO throughput. FRSO consists of C18:1 (30.9%), C22:1 (20.8%), C18:2 (14.9%), and C18:3 (11.9%), aligning with the compositions reported in other studies on fodder radish oils.Practical applicationsEffective control of cold pressing parameters is paramount to maximize oil yield and throughput during the oil extraction process and to ensure the appropriate oil quality. A comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of this process, while carefully considering key parameters, which is essential to ensure efficiency, is achieved through a combination of experimental and statistical methods. This study marks the inaugural attempt to optimize screw pressing for fodder radish seeds while conducting a comparative analysis with hydraulic pressing and the Soxhlet extraction method, focusing on oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid composition within the system by employing a modeling approach for oil extraction. Through the utilization of the response surface methodology coupled with various experimental designs, the processing conditions are successfully optimized. The valuable data gathered can aid equipment design for an efficient, eco‐friendly oil extraction process. Furthermore, the oil extracted under the optimized conditions met the quality standards.
DYEING OF POLYESTER FABRIC USING A NATURAL DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENT Milena Nikodijević, Dragan Troter, Sandra Konstantinović Advanced Technologies, 2024 Considering large water quantities that are consumed for the process of dyeing different textile materials, there is a constant expansion focused on designing more sustainable dyeing methods. Disperse dyes used to dye polyester are not soluble in water, so toxic dyeing auxiliaries (carriers and dispersants) are often used to dissolve them. In current work, a betaine-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) was used in a dual manner: to ensure reduction of generated wastewater and eliminate the need for environmental-unfriendly auxiliaries such as dispersants and carriers. Dyeing experiments were carried out with different dye concentrations in the 1-5% range. Regarding the conventional method, dyeing was carried out at 100 °C for 45 min with the addition of carrier, dispersing agent, and acetic acid. In contrast, NADES-based method involved fabric dyeing in a mixture of NADES and distilled water in ratio of 70:30. The pH value of 4 was maintained identical for both methods. Dyeing efficiency was analyzed according to color strength, fastness to washing and light. NADES-based method demonstrated better overall performance, without affecting both polyester fabric's tensile strength and elongation at break. Based on the obtained results, betaine-based NADES can be used as a ''green'' medium for polyester dyeing.
APPLICATION OF AQUEOUS DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS FOR CHEMICAL VALORIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE: DETERMINING THE MINERAL CONTENT Tatjana Veličković, Dragan Troter, Sanja Petrović, Saša Savić, Sandra Konstantinović Advanced Technologies, 2024 Sewage sludge is a by-product of municipal wastewater treatment processes with significant soil-forming and fertilizing characteristics. However, if sewage sludge contains heavy metals, it can negatively affect the soil environment. The accumulation of heavy elements in the soil can negatively affect the circulation of elements in the natural environment, regarding plants, animals, and humans. The primary sources of heavy metals in human and animal food are plants, which are also the primary consumers of mineral nutrients from soil and water. Even a very small amount of heavy metals in the body can create metabolic problems, reduced body functions, and compromised immune and enzymatic processes, all of which contribute to various diseases and may even cause death. The aim of this study was to find a suitable system for mineral extraction from the municipal sewage sludge after water purification, collected from the wastewater treatment plant in Vlasotince, so the real composition of sewage sludge could be obtained. For that purpose, different aqueous deep eutectic solvents were applied: choline chloride:lactic acid (ChCl:LA), choline chloride:urea (ChCl:U), choline chloride:glycerol (ChCl:G), choline chloride:propylene glycol (ChCl:PEG), choline chloride:citric acid (ChCl:CA), and choline chloride:ethylene glycol (ChCl:EG).The concentrations of minerals after wet digestion were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed that the highest amounts of minerals, especially Ca, P, and Fe, were extracted using aqueous acidic deep eutectic solvent systems (ChCl:LA and ChCl:CA). Also, the mineral composition of sewage sludge indicates the possibility of its use as a significant soil fertilizer supplement.
ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM BLACK (PIPER NIGRUM L.) AND CUBEB PEPPER (PIPER CUBEBA L.) FRUITS AVAILABLE IN SERBIA: COMPARATIVE STUDY REGARDING PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES Ljiljana Stanojević, Aleksandra Milenković, Milica Pejčić, Zorica Stojanović-Radić, Sanja Petrović, et al. Advanced Technologies, 2024 The present study aimed to compare phytochemical properties (total extractive matter, phenolic, flavonoids, and mineral content), antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of black pepper fruits' ethanolic extract (BPFEE), and cubeb pepper fruits' ethanolic extract (CPFEE). The extracts were prepared by reflux extraction under identical conditions (solvomodule 1:10 m/v, 2 h at boiling point). BPFEE had higher total phenolic and flavonoids content, lower total extractive matter and better antioxidant activity than CPFEE. Among the macroelements, the highest presence of Na was detected in both extracts in similar amounts. BPFEE contained higher amounts of K, Ca, P and Mg. Amongst the microelements, Cu and Li were detected in both extracts in similar amounts. However, BPFEE contained higher amounts of Zn, but lower amount of Fe, compared to CPFEE. The antimicrobial activity was tested against Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp. and Candida albicans, pairs of reference strains and isolates. CPFEE resulted as a better bacteriostatic and anticandidal agent. These results are valuable in promoting further progress, development and production regarding the aromatic plant industry, pharmaceutical and food industry.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WILD APPLE (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) LEAF INFUSION Slađana Dončić, Jelena Zvezdanović, Sanja Petrović, Saša Savić, Ina Konstantinović, et al. Advanced Technologies, 2024 Wild apples leaves are under-utilized biomaterial, containing various bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to determine the components and mineral composition of the wild apple leaf infusion. The leaves originated from Svrljig, Nišava District, Southern Serbia. The screening of bioactive components in the infusion was performed by the UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS method, while its mineral content was analyzed by the ICP-OES method. The results indicated the presence of quercetin, isoquercetin, hyperoside, rutin, citric and quinic acids, protocatechuic acid, 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, phloretin and phloretin-pentosyl-hexoside, while the most abundant elements were Ca, K, Mg and Na. Therefore, wild apple leaves may be utilized for isolation of polyphenolic antioxidants and minerals and production of extracts with antioxidant activity.
PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF POLYESTER FABRIC DYED IN DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENT WITH DISPERSE DYE M Nikodijević, A Stojković, I Krstić, D Troter, S Konstantinović IX International Congress “Engineering, Environment and Materials in Process … , 2026 2026
GREEN ALTERNATIVE FOR WOOLEN KNITWEAR DYEING WITH WALNUT HULLS USING DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENT M Nikodijević, S Kapuši, D Troter, S Konstantinović IX International Congress “Engineering, Environment and Materials in Process … , 2026 2026
Enhanced “Greener” and Sustainable Ultrasonic Extraction of Bioactive Components from Waste Wild Apple ( Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) Fruit Dust: The Impact of … SV Dončić, DZ Troter, MM Sovrlić, ND Zdravković, AG Kočović, ... Analytica 6 (4), 38 , 2025 2025
The positive impact of combining microwaves and disintegration of lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) flowers from Serbia for obtaining essential oil … DP Ilić, DZ Troter, JS Stanojević, LP Stanojević, BR Danilović, IS Ristić, ... Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants 28 (5), 920-945 , 2025 2025
INTENSIFIED MICROWAVE-ASSISTED HYDRODISTILLATION PRODUCES TRANS-ANETHOLE-RICH FENNEL (Foeniculim vulgare Mill.) FRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL: Original scientific paper DP Ilić, DZ Troter, JS Stanojević, DJ Cvetković, IS Ristić Chemical Industry & Chemical Engineering Quarterly 31 (4), 325-333 , 2025 2025
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) tincture enriched with propolis or green tea from Serbia: UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS characterization, mineral content and antibacterial activity SS Konstantinović, DZ Troter, JB Zvezdanović, SM Petrović, SR Savić, ... Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society, 84-84 , 2025 2025
Effects of screw pressing conditions on fodder radish seed oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid profile VS Zlatković, NL Grahovac, IB Banković Ilić, PM Mitrović, DZ Troter, ... Journal of Food Process Engineering 47 (3), e14588 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
Dyeing of polyester fabric using a natural deep eutectic solvent MM Nikodijević, DZ Troter, SS Konstantinović Adv. Technol 13, 45-52 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Chemical composition of wild apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill.) leaf infusion SV Dončić, JB Zvezdanović, SM Petrović, SR Savić, IB Konstantinović, ... Advanced Technologies 13 (1), 5-12 , 2024 2024
Optimizing cold screw pressing for fodder radish seed regarding residual oil content, extraction efficiency, and seed throughput V Zlatković, N Grahovac, I Banković Ilić, P Mitrović, D Troter, Z Todorović, ... Advanced Technologies 13 (1), 32 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Application of aqueous deep eutectic solvents for chemical valorization of municipal sewage sludge: Determining the mineral content TR Veličković, DZ Troter, SM Petrović, SR Savić, SS Konstantinović Advanced Technologies 13 (1), 25-31 , 2024 2024
Ethanolic extracts from black (Piper nigrum L.) and cubeb pepper (Piper cubeba L.) fruits available in Serbia: Comparative study regarding phytochemical properties … L Stanojević, A Milenković, M Pejčić, Z Stojanović-Radić, S Petrović, ... Adv. Techol 13, 42-49 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Optimization of oil recovery from oilseed rape by cold pressing using statistical modeling ZB Todorović, PM Mitrović, V Zlatković, NL Grahovac, IB Banković-Ilić, ... Journal of Food Measurement & Characterization 18 (1), 474-488 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from black ( Piper nigrum L.) and cubeb pepper ( Piper cubeba L.) fruits from … AN Milenković, JS Stanojević, DZ Troter, MG Pejčić, ZZ Stojanović-Radić, ... Journal of Essential Oil Research 35 (3), 262-273 , 2023 2023 Citations: 15
Effects of temperature on physicochemical properties of the lecithin-based deep eutectic solvents and their use in the CaO-catalyzed transesterification: Original scientific paper Z Todorović, B Đordević, D Troter, L Veselinović, M Zdujić, V Veljković HEMIJSKA INDUSTRIJA (Chemical Industry) 77 (1), 53-67 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Design and optimization of “greener” and sustainable ultrasound-assisted extraction of valuable bioactive compounds from common centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn) aerial … VG Nikolić, DZ Troter, IM Savić, IMS Gajić, JB Zvezdanović, ... Industrial Crops and Products 192, 116070 , 2023 2023 Citations: 24
Comparison of full factorial, face central composite, and Box-Behnken designs in optimization of rapeseed screw pressing Z Todorović, P Mitrović, V Zlatković, N Grahovac, I Branković Ilić, D Troter, ... Book of Abstracts, 15th International Symposium" Novel Technologies and … , 2023 2023
Tehnološki postupak dobijanja metil-estara masnih kiselina iz suncokretovog ulja u prisustvu sirovog biodizela kao kosolventa i kalcijum-oksida kao katalizatora: tehničko rešenje D Troter, Z Todorović, AV Veličković, JM Avramović, O Stamenković, ... Niš: Univerzitet u Nišu, Tehnološki fakultet u Leskovcu , 2023 2023
Tehnološki postupak ekstrakcije ulja iz semena crne slačice (Brassica nigra L.) eutektičkim rastvaračem trietanolamin: glicerol B Đorđević, D Troter, Z Todorović, I Đalović, B Stanojević, P Mitrović, ... 2022
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) fruit juice from Serbia: UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant activities DP Ilić, DZ Troter, LP Stanojević, JB Zvezdanović, DD Vukotić, VD Nikolić LWT 146, 111399 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Application of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents in biodiesel production: A review DZ Troter, ZB Todorović, DR Đokić-Stojanović, OS Stamenković, ... Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 61, 473-500 , 2016 2016 Citations: 290
The physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of the choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents DZ Troter, ZB Todorović, DR Đokić-Stojanović, BS Đorđević, ... Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 82 (9), 1039-1052 , 2017 2017 Citations: 87
Optimization of CaO-catalyzed sunflower oil methanolysis with crude biodiesel as a cosolvent ZB Todorović, DZ Troter, DR Đokić-Stojanović, AV Veličković, ... Fuel 237, 903-910 , 2019 2019 Citations: 66
Improvement of the yield and antimicrobial activity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) essential oil by fruit milling DP Ilić, LP Stanojević, DZ Troter, JS Stanojević, BR Danilović, VD Nikolić, ... Industrial Crops and Products 142, 111854 , 2019 2019 Citations: 49
Choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents in CaO-catalyzed ethanolysis of expired sunflower oil DZ Troter, ZB Todorović, DR Đokić-Stojanović, LM Veselinović, MV Zdujić, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids 266, 557-567 , 2018 2018 Citations: 35
Citric acid-based deep eutectic solvents: Physical properties and their use as cosolvents in sulphuric acid-catalysed ethanolysis of oleic acid DZ Troter, MZ Zlatković, DR Đokić-Stojanović, SS Konstantinović, ... Adv. Technol 5 (1), 53-65 , 2016 2016 Citations: 27
The influence of natural deep eutectic solvent glyceline on the yield, chemical composition and antioxidative activity of essential oil from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L … LP Stanojević, ZB Todorović, KS Stanojević, JS Stanojević, DZ Troter, ... Journal of Essential Oil Research 33 (3), 247-255 , 2021 2021 Citations: 26
Design and optimization of “greener” and sustainable ultrasound-assisted extraction of valuable bioactive compounds from common centaury (Centaurium erythraea Rafn) aerial … VG Nikolić, DZ Troter, IM Savić, IMS Gajić, JB Zvezdanović, ... Industrial Crops and Products 192, 116070 , 2023 2023 Citations: 24
Extraction of phenolic compounds from black mustard ( Brassica nigra L.) seed by deep eutectic solvents BS Đorđević, ZB Todorović, DZ Troter, LP Stanojević, GS Stojanović, ... Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 15 (2), 1931-1938 , 2021 2021 Citations: 21
The extraction of quercetin from waste onion (Allium cepa L.) tunic by the aqueous solutions of different deep eutectic solvents BS Đorđević, ZB Todorović, DZ Troter, LP Stanojević, VB Veljković Adv. Technol 7, 5-10 , 2018 2018 Citations: 20
The physicochemical properties of the deep eutectic solvents with triethanolamine as a major component D Troter Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society , 2020 2020 Citations: 19
Enhancing lipid extraction from green microalgae Chlorella sp. using a deep eutectic solvent pretreatment BR Danilović, NG Đorđević, IT Karabegović, DZ Troter, DS Savić, ... Chemical Industry and Chemical Engineering Quarterly 27 (4), 313-317 , 2021 2021 Citations: 17
Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from black ( Piper nigrum L.) and cubeb pepper ( Piper cubeba L.) fruits from … AN Milenković, JS Stanojević, DZ Troter, MG Pejčić, ZZ Stojanović-Radić, ... Journal of Essential Oil Research 35 (3), 262-273 , 2023 2023 Citations: 15
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) fruit juice from Serbia: UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant activities DP Ilić, DZ Troter, LP Stanojević, JB Zvezdanović, DD Vukotić, VD Nikolić LWT 146, 111399 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
The effect of the triethanolamine: glycerol deep eutectic solvent on the yield, fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical properties of black mustard … BS Đorđević, DZ Troter, ZB Todorović, IG Đalović, LP Stanojević, ... Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization 14 (5), 2570-2577 , 2020 2020 Citations: 14
Optimization of oil recovery from oilseed rape by cold pressing using statistical modeling ZB Todorović, PM Mitrović, V Zlatković, NL Grahovac, IB Banković-Ilić, ... Journal of Food Measurement & Characterization 18 (1), 474-488 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Antibacterial activity and photolytic stability of synthesized 5-Chloroisatin-3-hydrazone MZ Zlatković, DZ Troter, JS Stanojević, ZB Todorović, VS Cakić, ... Advanced technologies 7 (1), 41-46 , 2018 2018 Citations: 13
Influence of various cosolvents on the calcium oxide-catalyzed ethanolysis of sunflower oil DR Đokić Stojanović, ZB Todorović, D Troter, OS Stamenković, ... Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society 84 (3), 253-265 , 2019 2019 Citations: 6
Preparation and FTIR characterization of choline chloride–based deep eutectic solvents with thiourea and dimethylurea DZ Troter, M Zlatković, B Đorđević, D Đokić–Stojanović, S Konstantinović, ... no. September 2016 , 2016 2016 Citations: 6
Effects of screw pressing conditions on fodder radish seed oil yield, throughput, and fatty acid profile VS Zlatković, NL Grahovac, IB Banković Ilić, PM Mitrović, DZ Troter, ... Journal of Food Process Engineering 47 (3), e14588 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
