STUDY OF THE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF SAGE OF THE GRASS AND THE EXTRACT OF THE THICK

Abstract

Introduction. Amino acids play a crucial role in human metabolism, participating in protein synthesis and regulation of biochemical processes. Medicinal plants are a promising source of amino acids; however, information on the amino acid composition of Salvia splendens remains insufficient. Aim. To investigate the qualitative composition and quantitative content of free and bound amino acids in the herb of Salvia splendens and its thick extract. Materials and methods. The amino acid composition was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with an Agilent 6890N/5973 inert system. Amino acids were identified by retention times and mass spectra, and their content was quantified using an internal standard. Results. Eleven free and sixteen bound amino acids were identified in the herb of Salvia splendens, while ten free and fourteen bound amino acids were detected in the thick extract. In the free form, alanine, valine, and proline predominated in the herb, whereas aspartic acid, leucine, and proline were dominant in the bound form. In the thick extract, alanine, glycine, phenylalanine, and valine prevailed in the free form, while proline, alanine, and isoleucine dominated in the bound form. The total content of bound amino acids exceeded that of free amino acids. Conclusions. The herb of Salvia splendens and its thick extract contain a significant amount of amino acids, predominantly in the bound form. The obtained results can be used for the standardization of the herbal raw material and the thick extract.