The dissertation deals with the scientific research of the earth almond (chufa), a profitable medicinal plant of the sedge family (Cyperaceae) cultivated in Ukraine.
Using high-performance liquid chromatography we have identified the qualitative composition and the quantitative content of 16 bound and 16 free amino acids in the earth almond (chufa) herb as well as 15 bound and 15 free amino acids in the plant tubers. The herb is dominated by such free amino acids as aspartic and glutamic and also alanine, tubers are dominated by arginine and glutamic acid. The earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers are dominated by such bound aminoacids as aspartic and glutamic as well as leucine. Analysis of fatty acid content of the earth almond (chufa) raw material has been performed. It has been found that the content of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in the herb is the same. The tubers are dominated by unsaturated fatty acids. In the lipophilic fraction of the earth almond (chufa) herb 10 fatty acids have been identified, in the tubers – 6 fatty acids. The earth almond (chufa) herb is dominated by linolenic, palmitic and linoleic acid. The tubers are dominated by the following fatty acids: 8-octadecene, palmitic and linoleic. Using high-performance liquid chromatography it has been identified and measured the content of individual phenolic compounds – hydroxycinnamic acids – in the earth almond (chufa) herb: chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, p-cumaric, trans-ferulic, sinapic, trans-cinnamic, quinine; flavonoids: rutin, luteolin, quercetin, isoquercitrin and naringenin; in the tubers: caffeic acid, syringic, trans-ferulic, trans-cinnamic as well as rutin and isoquercitrin. Through the analysis free gallic and ellagic acids have been identified in the raw material under investigation. It was found andidentified the following quantitative content of condensed tannins components in the earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers: catechin, halocatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin and epicatechin gallate. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry we have established the qualitative and quantitative content of volatile compounds components in the raw material of the earth almond (chufa). The elemental composition of the earth almond (chufa) raw material under investigation has been performed. In both samples, 21 chemical elements have been identified: 4 macro- (K, Ca, Mg, P) and 17 trace elements (Fe, Al, Ba, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, B, Se, Hg, As, Sr , Cr, Co, Pb, Cd, Sb).
Morphological and anatomical analysis of the earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers has been performed, the main diagnostic macro- and microscopic characteristics have been determined. Projects of quality control methods (QCM) for new medicinal plant raw material “Earth Almond (Chufa) Herb” and “Earth Almond (Chufa) Tubers” have been developed. The optimal conditions for obtaining the earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers dry extract have been determined and quality control methods projects “Dry Earth Almond (Chufa) Herb Extract” and “Dry Earth Almond (Chufa) Tubers Extract” have been developed. Acute toxicity of the earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers dry extracts has been established. According to K. K. Sydorov’s classification, they are referred to toxicity class VI – virtually harmless substances (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg). The pharmacological investigation of the earth almond (chufa) herb and tubers dry extracts has been performed, the presence of anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect in the herb extract and hypoglycemic effect in the tuber extract has been established.
