Relevance. The demand for medicinal raw materials of Calendula officinalis L. is determined by the high content of pharmacologically significant compounds. Comparison of the most common ornamental cultivars of Calendula officinalis L.) in terms of yield and content of biologically active substances in the raw material helps to identify the most promising cultivars in terms of a set of indicators.Materials and methods.The decorative cultivars Apricot, Art Shads, Fiesta Gitana, Kabluna golden-yellow, Orange King, Orange Balls, Yellow Gitana and Golden Balls, characterized by large inflorescences and terry, were used as prototypes. The cultivar Kalta, widely used for the production of medicinal raw materials, was chosen as a control. The experiments were laid on the experimental plots of the Fruit Growing Laboratory of the Russian State Agricultural University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. Productivity was determined as the total weight of inflorescences harvested during the entire season per unit area. The amount of flavonoids was determined by spectrophotometry. The amount of polysaccharides was determined according to the modified Draywood method. The lutein content was determined by HPLC.Results.To obtain inflorescences we can recommend to use the variety Orange King, which, with a satisfactory yield (0.363 kg/m2), was characterized by a high content of flavonoids (1.2%) and satisfactory (35.9%) extractives and corresponds to the quality of raw materials required by GF XIV. In addition, this variety was characterized by an increased content of polysaccharides (20.3%). The Varieties Apricot and Yellow Gitana were characterized by high productivity (562±49 and 507±41 g/m2, respectively). Their raw materials can be used by production of herbal teas, where the content of flavonoids is not regulated. As sources of lutein, one should pay attention to the ligulate flowers of the varieties Apricot, Fiesta Gitana, Golden balls. In the variety Kabluna, with the maximum lutein content, the proportion of reed flowers in the inflorescence was only 38%. In varieties with large inflorescences, the content of lutein in reed flowers was higher (R=0.685). Large non-double inflorescences will be most productive in this indicator.

Relevance. Medicinal properties of celery (Apium graveolens L.) are connected to the most extent to high antioxidant status of plants.Material, methods and results. Comparative evaluation of polyphenols, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and photosynthetic pygments by leafy, stalk and root celery types, grown in similar conditions on experimental fields of Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Production revealed several peculiarities, typical to each form. Antioxidant activity (AOA) of seeds, leaves and petioles composed a ratio: 2.7:1.74:1 for leafy form, 2.88:1.99:1 for stalk form, while root celery AOA of seeds, leaves, roots and petioles was characterized by a ratio 3.66:2.78:1.42:1. With practically no differences in leaves ascorbic acid content between different celery forms leaves:petioles ratio for ascorbic acid reached (5.31-5.57):1 for leafy and stalk forms whereas vitamin C distribution between leaves, roots and petioles of root celery was characterized by a ratio 8.1:1.1:1. Phenolics seeds:leaves:roots:petioles accumulation ratio for root celery was equal to 1.77: 1.77: 1.33:1, whereas leaves/petioles distribution of phenolicss in stalk andleafy forms reached 1.86:1 and 1.64:1 accordingly. Polyphenols content in seeds of leafy celery was 1.4-1.5 times lower than in leaves, contrary to stalk and root celery with equal concentrations of phenolics in seeds and leaves. Leaves/petioles ratio of flavonoids was the highest for Elixir (2.87) and Atlant culivars (2.41). Root and leafy celery Samuray cv demonstrated 1.54-1.71 appropriate values. The highest chlorophyll a and b content was typical for root celery. Celery antioxidant system was characterized by positive correlations between ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenolics, zinc and total AOA and also between the AOA ratio seeds/petioles and leaves/petioles (r=+0.99; P<0.001) and a negative correlation between chlorophyll and phenolics and flavonoids accumulation levels. High nutritional significance of root celery leaves was estimated.

Selenium accumulation level in basil plants is investigated. A direct correlation between selenium concentration and essential oil content is demonstrated for basil and other aroma plants. No correlation is found between selenium and flavonoids.

Relevance. Nowadays the popularity of Chamaenerion angustifolium as a medicinal plant and as a tea is growing noticeably. Fireweed is an eclogically plastic species, that does not require high soil fertility and is widespread in Russia. Medical and food industries use leafs as a row material of fireweed. Series of phytochemical studies of Chamaenerion raw material have shown that it contains a wide variety of pharmacologically significant compounds, that accumulate as a result of both primary and secondary metabolism. The most important groups, formed as a result of secondary metabolism, are polyphenols, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and ellagitannins (including enothein B). Concentration of these chemical compounds equals 15% and even hither of the raw material (leaf).The aim. Identification of variability and relationships between the content of various groups of phenolic compounds in raw material of Chamaenerion angustifolium, depending on ecological conditions.Methods. At the first stage of our work was used the cartographic method. Were studied specimens from 27 points, growing in ecologically different areas of the Moscow, Kaluga and Yaroslavl regions. Phenolic compounds were determined using a spectrophotometer: flavonoids in terms of rutin, tannins and the amount of phenolic compounds, using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent in terms of gallic acid.Results. The content of polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids in raw material of fireweed, collected in different ecological and soil aspects, was measured. Measurement results were compared, using correlation analysis. As the result of content analysis, it was found that the content of polyphenols in the leaves ranged from 9 to 11%, the content of flavonoids fell within the chain range of 2.5-3.5%, tannin content – 5.0-6.5%. A close correlation was found between the content of phenolic compounds and tannins (R=0.972). It indicates, that the shikimate pathway is the main process of biosynthesis secondary metabolites in the Chamaenerion angustifolium plant. Also it means the leading role of local ecological conditions of the studied areas.

The aim. Today we are witnessing the actualization of research on plant sources for the pharmaceutical and food industries. It is caused by a significant increase in demand for these types of resources. Therefore, a variety of case studies aimed at identifying the characteristics of plant resources, are becoming more actual too. In accordance with this need, the present work aims to identify a relationship between the content of flavonoids in the raw material of such important source of plant raw material as Epilobium angustifolium and soil and climatic conditions and group of raw materials.Methods. At the first stage of this work were applied cartographic, geographical methods and methods of geobotanical description of phytocenoses to determine the most suitable locations for the purposes of the study. At the second stage were applied the method of spectrophotometry to determine the amount of flavonoids in terms of rutin and the method of correlation analysis.Results. As a result of the application of these methods were obtained data on the content of flavonoids in the Epilobium angustifolium raw materials, collected in various soil and climatic conditions, as well as in various morphological groups of raw materials. These data were compared by the method of correlation analysis and after that a positive correlation between the content of flavonoids in the leaves and inflorescences of Epilobium angustifolium was found.Conclusion. It was determined, that the content of flavonoids fluctuation, depending on the Epilobium angustifolium place of growth, was 2.05% in the leaves and 2.5% in the inflorescences of this plant. An average positive correlation of 0.65 was found between the content of flavonoids in the leaf and inflorescences of Epilobium angustifolium. However, the correlation between the content of flavonoids and the latitude of Epilobium angustifolium growth wasn’t identified.

The bright yellow flowers are edible pumpkin - a good source of antioxidant compounds . The maximum level of  hydroxycinnamic acids  noted  in  the  half  parted flower . The remaining components were studied at the maximum in the unopened buds .  By the beginning of the flower opens flavonoids and carotenoids concentration  decreased gradually .  In  full disclosure of  the flower phase of the content of these components increases again, but it did not reach the initial level. A similar, but  less  pronounced  trend  of  the  observed and chlorophyll .

In recent years much attention is given to the search for new medicinal plants and an elaboration of preparation from plant raw material that is used in ethnomedicine  and for  production  of biologically active compounds (BAC). The forest herbaceous plants from Raifskiy district in Volgo-Kama National Park, and group of weed plants from urban and suburb places were exanimated for BAC content. In the group of herbaceous plants the flavonoid content varied from 1.10 to 15.85% in dry matter; the sum of chlorophylls content varied from 1.13 to 3.59 mg/g of dry matter. Among plant species exanimated: stone bramble, European wild ginger, eagle fern and white goosefoot were not regarded as pharmacopoeial plants, but they were characterized by significantly high content of flavonoids 2.74-4.26%.  Flavonoid and chlorophyll  contents  in the tissues of observed plants changed during of process  of  ontogenesis  in  most  species  and were highest in the phase at the beginning of flowering and during flowering time. It was shown that antioxidant and flavonoids contents increased while manmade load rose as noticed in birdweed (Polygonum aviculare L.). Thus, the examined different species of herbaceous plants can be regarded as promising sources of BAC.

Relevance. Rhodiola rosea L. is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Crassulaceae family. The roots and rhizomes of R. rosea contain a range of biologically active compounds. This species is included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Medicinal preparations derived from them are widely used as adaptogens, general tonic and anti-stress agents. While the roots have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to the biologically active compounds found in the leaves of R. rosea. An introduced population of R. rosea grows on the territory of the botanical garden of medicinal plants of the All-Russian scientific research Institute of medicinal and aromatic plants (VILAR). The possibility of cultivating this species in the conditions of the Moscow region is being studied.Material and Methodology. The objective of this study was to investigate the composition of phenolic compounds in R. rosea leaves from VILAR biocollection using ultra-efficient liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Extraction was carried out with 80% acetone. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic system with a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometer was used for the analysis of phenolic compounds. Identification was carried out using UV- and mass spectrometry data.Results. As a result of UPLC-DD-MS analysis, peaks of 20 phenolic compounds were detected in R. rosea leaves, of which 19 compounds were tentatively identified. The leaf extract contained eight phenolic compounds from the group of galloyl-glucoses (three isomers of monogalloyl-glucose, trigalloyl-glucose, two isomers of tetragalloyl-glucose, two isomers of pentagalloyl-glucose), two gallotannins (isomers of hexagalloyl-glucose), five flavonoids (four herbacetin derivatives and one gossypetin), phenolic acids (caffeoyl-malic and ferulic acids), arbutin and esculetin. It has been shown that the biologically active substances of R. rosea provide prospects for the use of leaves as raw materials for the development of herbal preparations with anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antitumor effects.

Relevance. Cabbage Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is a green, red and purple leafy vegetable cultivated in Northern and Central Europe, as well as North America. Kale deservedly occupies a high place in the list of functional products due to its high content of biologically active substances. Kale contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and dietary fiber. Despite its high attractiveness as a functional food product, it is not cultivated on a massive scale in Russia.Methodology. The purpose of this work is to study the content of phenolic compounds in two varieties of kale cabbage to substantiate recommendations for its cultivation in Russia. The variety and hybrid of kale cabbage – Dwarf Blue Scotch with green leaves and the hybrid Redbor F1 with red leaves – were used as the object of the study. The content of soluble phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as the qualitative composition of phenolic compounds in kale cabbage, was studied. Determination was carried out according to generally accepted methods. Grown plants at the age of 16 weeks were used as samples for analysis. The experiment was carried out in laboratory conditions in 5 replicates.Results. The results of the studies indicate a fairly high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the studied varieties of kale cabbage. It has been demonstrated that the Redbor F1 hybrid is characterized by a higher content of soluble phenolic compounds compared to the Dwarf Blue Scotch variety by an average of ~20%. It was concluded that this Redbor F1 hybrid can be used to develop methods for increasing the efficiency of the synthesis of secondary metabolites that are beneficial to human health, and is recommended to farmers for cultivation in the Russian Federation.

Tanacetum balsamita L. is a perennial rhizomatous plant of the Asteraceae family. T. balsamita is cultivated as medicinal, aromatic plants and food plant. Extract of costmary exhibits hepatoprotective, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties. The herb of T. balsamita contains essential oils and phenolic compounds. This species included in the "Biocollection of medicinal and aromatic plants of open and protected ground", Botanical garden of the VILAR. The main aim was to study the composition of phenolic compounds in the leaves of T. balsamita with application of ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and mass spectrometry. The object of the study was the leaves of T. balsamita. Samples were extracted with 1 ml of 80% aqueous acetone. An ultra-performance liquid chromatographic system with a photodiode detector and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used for analysis of phenolic compounds. The UV and MS data of phenolic compounds were used for their identification or tentative characterization with application of mass spectrometry databases and data published in the literature.Results. The results obtained showed the presence in the leaves of 17 phenolic compounds. Five compounds were identified as caffeoylquinic, feruloylquinic and three dicaffeolquinic acid isomers, and two compounds as ferulic acid hexoside isomers. The leaves of T. balsamita contained also five luteolin derivatives, two chrysoeriol derivatives, and spinacetin/axillarin. Four compounds were not identified.