STUDY OF THE COMPOSITION OF FREE FATTY ACIDS IN THE FRUIT OF NEPETA CATARIA L. FROM THE NON-BLACK SOIL ZONE AND THE CRIMEA

Abstract

Nepetae catariae herba is valuable medicinal raw material. It is get from a cultivated plant. Essential oil from Nepetae catariae herba is used. The fruits are attracting interest as a promising raw material remaining after the unused seed insurance fund. Along with the Nepetae herba, essential oil is used. The fruits remaining after the unused seed insurance fund are attracting interest as a promising source of biologically active substances. Fruits contain a lipid complex, which is not sufficiently studied. The aim is to study the content and composition of fatty acids in the lipid complex of catnip fruits from two regions of the Russian Federation: Non-chernozem belt and the Republic of Crimea. To study the correlation between fatty acid accumulation and meteorological factors too. The lipid complex of the fruits extracted with n-hexane in the Soxlet apparatus. Fatty acids composition was determined after methylation by gas-liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection method. 15 constituents were found. The content of the lipid complex averaged: from fruits obtained in the Non-chernozem belt, 26.06±1.3%; from the fruits obtained in the Crimea, 38.01±0.7%. Saturated fatty acids were very diverse. Pentadecanoic acid was common to all samples. Tridesaturated fatty acids were represented in both regions by α-linolenic acid. It is the dominant compound in all samples. We revealed the correlations between the content of fatty acids in the lipid complex in both regions and meteorological indicators. Erems of catnip are a valuable source of ω-3-unsaturated fatty acids.