RESEARCH OF THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN THE MELAMPYRUM NEMOROSUM HERB

Abstract

Introduction. Medicinal products derived from plants are increasingly being used to treat and prevent various diseases. Literary sources indicate that unsaturated fatty acids play an important role in the body's functioning by reducing levels of lipoproteins and cholesterol in the blood. This, in turn, helps to decrease the number of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. Unsaturated fatty acids are found in phospholipids, cell membrane lipoproteins, and play a key role in metabolism. They are also a structural component of connective tissues and nerve fibers. One of the representative of the flora of Ukraine that contains unsaturated fatty acids is Melampyrum nemorosum L., which belongs to the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae), subclass Lamiideae. 

The aim of the study – to investigate the presence and quantitative content of fatty acids in the M. nemorosum herb based on the growth location and harvesting period.

Research Мethods. The object of the research is the samples of the M. nemorosum collected in different locations: in the vicinity of the village Mykytyntsy of the Kosiv district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region in different phases of vegetation in 2022 and 2023; in the vicinity of the village Viktoriv of Halytsky district of Ivano-Frankivsk region in 2022; in the vicinity of the village Savior of the Kolomyia district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region in 2022; in the vicinity of the village Gorodets, Sarnensky district, Rivne region in 2022; in the vicinity of the village Torun, Khust district, Transcarpathian region, in 2022. The study of the qualitative and quantitative content of fatty acids in the studied herbal raw material was carried out by the method of gas chromatography according to the DSTU 2575-94 method. The method consists in the conversion of triglycerides of fatty acids into methyl esters of fatty acids followed by gas chromatographic analysis. The research used a gas laboratory chromatograph Kupol-55 with a flame ionization detector and temperature programming, as well as a thermostat for temperatures not lower than 200 °С and an evaporator for temperatures not lower than 300 °С. The research was carried out on a gas chromatographic column made of stainless steel. 10 % diethylene glycol succinate was used as a stationary phase, and nitrogen as a mobile phase. Chromaton N-AW-DMCS 0.16–0.2 mm acted as a sorbent.

Results and Discussion. From 6 to 8 fatty acids have been identified in the M. nemorosum herb, depending on the time of harvesting and the place of growth. Linoleic (28.26–60.44 %), pentadecanoic (8.51–25.55 %), oleic (7.22–20.92 %), stearic (1.01–34.21 %) and eicosenoic (1.46–33.21 %) acid dominated. Hexadecanoic, myristic, and linolenic acids were also found, the content of which was up to 11.26 %.

Conclusions. During the study, the qualitative composition and quantitative content of fatty acids in the M. nemorosum herb was established. In total, up to 8 fatty acids have been identified, among which linoleic, pentadecanoic, oleic, stearic and eicosenoic acids significantly predominated.