FEATURES OF THE BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF EDIBLE HONEYSUCKLE FRUITS (LONICERA, CAPRIFOLIACEAE) IN RUSSIA

Background.  The study of the biochemical composition of the fruits of rare and non-traditional berry crops will create a favorable basis for modern breeding work. Purpose. The aim of the work was to biochemically analyze edible fruits of 3 species from the genus Lonicera L. (Caprifoliaceae) for the content of anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids. Material and methods. The object of the study were 13 varieties and 5 selected forms of blue honeysuckle L. caerulea L. (subs. Caeruleae Rehd.), cultivated in Moscow and Belgorod. Two endemic species with edible fruits have also been studied: from Kazakhstan - Ili honeysuckle L. iliensis Pojark. (subsec. Caeruleae) and from Japan slender honeysuckle L. gracilipes Miq. (subsection Purpurascentes Rehd.). The study was conducted in 2020-2023 in the laboratories of All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Moscow) and the Sakhalin branch of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) according to generally accepted methods based on Pharmacopoeia articles of the State Pharmacopoeia (XIV edition). Results. It was found that the fruits of L. caerulea are valuable due to the high content of anthocyanins (870 to mg%) and other biologically active substances. Simultaneously with ascorbic acid (up to 32.3 mg% in Chernichka variety), various bioflavonoids are present in the juice of L.caerulea fruits: rutin, isoquercetin, quercetin, luteolin, diosmin and catechins. These biologically active components mutually enhance the effect of each other, that is, they are synergistic. With a high content of pectins, eating the fruits of edible honeysuckle supports immunity and promotes the elimination of radionuclides from the body. L. iliensis has been introduced in Russia for a long time. A mild and warm climate is favorable for the shrub, it is rarely cultivated. The fruits of L.iliensis are dark blue, rounded, weighing 0.2-0.3 g, sweet and sour taste, without bitterness. In Japan, the fruits of L. gracilipes var. glandulosa Maxim. they are eaten fresh and processed, they are red-purple in color and have a sweet and sour taste. Data on the biochemical composition of edible fruits of rare species in culture L. iliensis and L. gracilipes var. glandulosa, which can be used for breeding purposes. Conclusion. Data were obtained on the biochemical composition of edible fruits of L. caerulea, as well as species rare in cultivation L. iliensis and L. gracilipes var. glandulosa that can be used for breeding purposes.