Comparative analysis of the elemental composition of plant organs of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae)

Abstract

Plants of the genus Iris L. are promising medicinal raw materials with significant biological and pharmacological activity. The aim of this work was a comparative study of the accumulation and transfer of elements through the organs of plants of the genus Iris L. (Iridaceae). The content of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb in different parts of I. orientalis, I. pseudacorus, I. sibirica and I. spuria plants was analyzed by atomic absorption. It has been established that in the absence of soil pollution, irises accumulate arsenic in concentrations exceeding the maximum allowable. The accumulation of chromium in the raw material was also above the maximum allowable concentration for a number of study options. The efficiency of element transfers from the soil to the root system varied significantly. Iris rhizomes absorbed nickel most actively. The assimilation ability of the roots is also clearly expressed in relation to Pb, As, Cr, Cu, Mn. Depending on the element, accumulation in leaves is species-specific. The carrying capacity of the peduncle is most pronounced in I. sibirica, the barrier capacity is most pronounced in I. orientalis. Various types of translocations of elements in organs were revealed: acropetal, uniform, basipetal. All studied species are characterized by acropetal distribution of Pb and uniform distribution of Mn. The location of Cd may vary depending on the species. Cu is concentrated in the roots (I. orientalis, I. sibirica, I. spuria) or evenly distributed (I. pseudacorus). The revealed patterns of accumulation and distribution of elements in the organs of plants of the genus Iris make it possible to carry out a prognostic assessment of the quality of raw materials to obtain safe products.