Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
The article examines the ecological-coenotic and phytochemical features of endemic plant species Thymus cretaceus, T. dubjanskyi and T. talijevii, growing in different botanical and geographical conditions. Plant material (fresh leaves) was collected in the Orenburg, Ulyanovsk and Volgograd regions. The water content in plant leaves was determined by the calibration method after they were dried. Photosynthetic pigments were analyzed in acetone extract by spectrophotometer. Lipids from plant tissues were extracted with organic solvents after their complete destruction. Separation of lipids was carried out by thin layer chromatography using various solvent systems. Fatty acids were analyzed as their methyl esters. It is shown that the range of distribution of the studied species changed from northern to southern latitudes: T. talijevii > T. dubjanskyi > T. cretaceus. The plants grew on calcium-containing substrates and differed in their ecological and coenotic environment. Leaves of plants from northern latitudes contained more moisture than more southerly ones. The content of lipids and fatty acids changed sideways, a decrease in glycolipids and an increase in phospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids as the plants moved from north to south. Differences in the content and ratio of photosynthetic pigments are more related to the species of the plant than to the place of growth. The endemism of the studied plants is ensured by the geographical location, climatic and edaphic conditions, and the peculiarity of the phytocenosis. Habitat conditions affected physiological and biochemical processes.
ISSN 1995-4301
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