## 4 Discussion
However, much of the existing research focuses on extracts from different parts of a single plant, similar extracts from different plant materials, or their interactions with antibiotics [80; 81; 82; 83; 84]. In contrast, our study explores combinations of extracts obtained both from different plant parts and different species. This mixed approach may offer a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds and diverse mechanisms of action, potentially enhancing antibacterial effects. While the selection of plant materials was informed by ethnobotanical and antimicrobial literature, the novelty of our study lies in the application of interspecies and inter-part combinations. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that natural substances could serve as an alternative to traditional chemical agents, whose production is energy-intensive and contributes to an increased carbon footprint, negatively impacting the environment [85]. In our study, the 13 plant species were selected based on their traditional use in herbal infusions or food preservation, documented antimicrobial potential, commercial availability, and phytochemical diversity to ensure a broad representation of compounds possibly involved in microbial inhibition. The medicinal properties of _Tilia_ L. flowers have been utilized for centuries in traditional folk medicine. The most commonly used raw material is dried linden flowers, which are employed in the form of infusions and herbal teas to alleviate symptoms such as colds, sore throats, and coughs [86]. Studies conducted by [PERSON] et al. (2020) demonstrated that _T. cordata_ extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against most of the tested pathogens. Notably, some of the strains used in that study were isolated from clinical samples, including urine cultures, vaginal swabs, and oral swabs [40]. Although the antimicrobial properties of linden flower extracts have been confirmed, the current literature lacks studies evaluating their effects on a broader spectrum of pathogens. In contrast, similar research on honey has demonstrated antibacterial activity against reference strains (ATCC(r)) of _P. aeruginosa_, _E. coli_, and _S. aureus_[87]. Our study did not reveal any effect of the linden flower extract on _E. faecalis_, which may be attributed to the high environmental adaptability and unique cell wall structure of enterococci [88]. On the other hand, the study by [PERSON] et al. did not confirm the antimicrobial activity of the tested linden flower extract against _B. cereus_, _Citrobacter diversus_, _S. aureus_, _Pseudomonas_ spp., and _Candida_ spp. One notable difference compared to our study is the use of a CO\({}_{2}\) extract from flowers with bracts. Additionally, a different species, _T. tomentosa_ Moench, was used in their tests [89]. Nevertheless, our study confirmed the antibacterial activity against the other five environmental strains tested. As noted by [PERSON] et al., the main components of linden flowers include flavonoids (such as quercetin glycosides, kaempfer, and tilioside), phenolic acids, essential oils, phytosterols, organic acids, tannins, mucilage, and vitamins [90]. GC-MS analysis revealed a high content of shikimic acid, which may have contributed to the inhibition of bacterial growth due to its known biological activity and antibacterial properties [91]. Similarly, malic acid (4.46% TIC) may have contributed to the interaction with pathogens. Research by [PERSON] et al. demonstrated the impact of malic acid on _E. faecalis_, _E. coli_, and _P. aeruginosa_, with a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 500 to 1000 \(\mu\)g/mL [92]. The tested extract also revealed the presence of p-comamic acid (0.76%) and epicatechin (1.34%), both of which have demonstrated established antimicrobial activity [93; 94]. The shoots, leaves, and buds of raspberries are less studied compared to the commonly consumed fruits, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, organic acids, pectins, sugars, and fiber [95].