Study of the elemental composition of Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roem. et Schultes

Abstract

Introduction. The elemental composition of medicinal plants is related to physiological processes and environmental factors that occur during the development of the plant organism. Preparations based on raw materials from medicinal plants contain mineral complexes that play an active role in the human body's metabolic processes. The nutritional status of medicinal plants consumed by a person can negatively or positively affect his health. A deficiency of one or another element can cause various diseases, and therefore, it is essential to know and take into account the elemental composition of medicinal raw materials. Aims of the research. The study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of macro- and microelements in the soil and raw material of sage. Research methods. The content of macro- and microelements in the grass and roots of the brilliant sage and in the soil was determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results and Discussion. The research results show that the grass and roots of the brilliant sage contain at least 18 chemical elements. Silicon, potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium dominated the determined microelement composition of all samples, and aluminum, iron, manganese and zinc were among the microelements. Conclusions. For the first time, the qualitative composition and quantitative content of elements in the raw material of Salvia splendens and soil were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The elemental composition of grass and roots was represented by 18 elements, six macroelements and 12 microelements. Throughout the study, certain regularities of the accumulation of elements in the raw material of brilliant sage were revealed. Silicon, silicon, potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium dominated the macroelements determined in all samples, and aluminum, iron, manganese, and zinc were among the microelements. The content of heavy metals was within normal limits for grass and, except for lead, for roots. The results will be used to develop parameters for standardising raw Salvia splendens.