The content of macro- and microelements in plants of the genus Artemisia under conditions of introduction in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine

Purpose. To determine mineral composition of plants of species of the genus Artemisia (A. dracunculus L., A. abrotanum L. and A. argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot) to determine the possibility of their safe use in the food and pharmaceutical industries of Ukraine.

Methods. X‑ray fluorescence method for determining the elemental composition of plant raw materials.

Results. The content of mineral elements in plants of the genus Artemisia was determined depending on their ability to absorb elements from the soil and accumulate in the roots and organs of the aerial part was determined. The quantitative content of 21 macro- and microelements was established, and some peculiarities of their migration and distribution in the soil – roots – plant system were revealed. In particular, the aerial part of the studied plants contains K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn, which are the most important elements in the life of the plant organism. The content of mesoelements Ca and S is quite high. The amount of toxic elements Pb, Sr and Zr in plants is insignificant. Elements K and S accumulate in the aerial part. The content of elements in the aerial part of plants by decreasing their concentration can be represented in the form of the following series: for Artemisia dracunculus – S> K> Ca> Cl> Fe> Sr> Zn> Mn> Cu> Zr> Rb> Br> Cr; for A. abrotanum – K> Ca> S> Cl> Fe> Zn> Sr> Mn> Cu> Br> Cr> Co> Zr> Rb> Ni; for A. argyi – K> Ca> S> Fe> Cl> Sr> Zn> Mn> Co> Zr> Cu> Rb> Br> Se. The content of toxic elements in the studied plants was lower than the maximum allowable concentrations for plant raw materials and food.

Conclusions. For the first time under conditions of introduction in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine in the plants Artemisia dracunculus, A. abrotanum and A. argyi the content of macro- and microelements, which are directly related to the metabolism of biologically active compounds, was determined. The peculiarities of their distribution by plant organs during the transition from soil to aboveground mass have been clarified. The obtained results can be used to evaluate and compare the quality of plant raw materials of the genus Artemisia, to determine the pharmacological properties of these plants associated with some elements of the mineral composition, and their use in the medical and food industries. The obtained data have both scientific and practical significance in the selection of economically valuable plant species for the enrichment of the cultivated flora of Ukraine.