Modern Aspects of Pharmacognostic Analysis of Wild Carrot Fruits (Daucus carota L.)

The aim. Pharmacognostic study of wild carrot fruits: identification of the main microscopic features; chromatographic-mass spectrometric study of volatile compounds and determination of numerical commodity indicators of medicinal plant raw materials.

Materials and methods. Morphological and anatomical features of wild carrot root raw materials were studied by light microscopy; luminescence of tissues and working standard samples of substances were studied by luminescent microscopy; crystalline structures were studied by polarization microscopy; the profile of volatile compounds in raw materials was assessed using chromatographic-mass spectrometry. The preparation of microscopic slides, the determination of numerical commodity indicators of medicinal plant raw materials were carried out according to the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XV edition.

Results. Morphological and anatomical analysis established the characteristics of carrot fruits: oval shape of the fruit, tapering towards the apex, brown in color with seven veins; schizogenous containers of angular shape with non-cellular septa; endosperm parenchyma of isodiametric, oval cells; endocarp of parquet type from elongated, thick-walled, tightly closed cells; stellate druses in the tissues of the embryo with four symmetrical rays. Luminescence in the excitation range of 330–400 nm of the mesocarp — bright blue; epithelial cells — light yellow; resinous secretion — blue; chromatographic-mass spectrometric study of hexane and chloroform fractions of the extract from carrot fruits determined the profile of volatile compounds, with carotol being predominant (25.9% and 30.1%, respectively).

Conclusion. The identified microscopic features, the main biologically active substance, and numerical commodity indicators are of practical importance for inclusion in the draft pharmacopoeial monograph “Wild Carrot Fruits”.

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