Development of Parameters for Standardization of Duckweed (Lemna Minor L.) Raw Material

Introduction. Lemna minor L. (duckweed) refers to the duckweed subfamily (Lemnaceae S. F. Gray) and widely distributed in ponds of Russia. Literature data confirm the possibility of harvesting significant volumes of this raw material in natural habitat and grown in aquaculture. The process of biosynthetic accumulation in duckweed fronds provides a variety of compounds with a wide spectrum of biological activity. Therefore, the use of raw materials Lemna minor L. is promising for the development of drugs and parapharmaceutical products. Thus, it is an urgent task to quantify active components of duckweed and standardize (determination of criteria for identification, quality and safety) plant material.Aim. Establish macro- and microscopic characteristics of raw materials and develop methods for the quantitative determination of the main groups of biologically active substances (BAS) for standardization of raw duckweed.Materials and methods. Samples of duckweed was collected in natural habitats of Western Siberia. Macro- and microscopic assay, HPLC, UV-spectrometry were used in research process.Results and discussion. Were established the criteria for identification of duckweed fronds by studying external (macroscopic) and microscopic features of raw material Lemna minor L. Was developed and validated the procedure of the quantitative determination of phenolcarboxylic acids in raw material Lemna minor L.Conclusion. The study of external (macroscopic) and microscopic features provided the criteria for identification of the raw material Lemna minor L. The technique for the quantitative analysis of polysaccharides using gravimetry does not need validation, because is a direct method of substance measurement. Was validated quantification method of phenolcarboxylic acids (in terms of chlorogenic acid) by criteria of linearity, repeatability, in-laboratory precision and accuracy. Was established quality criteria for identification and quantitative assay, which can be used in the draft for normative documents for medicinal plant raw material of Lemna minor L. «Duckweed fronds».