PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA AND THEIR RESPONSE TO THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Abstract

Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is one of the dominants of the herbaceous-shrubby layer of the forest vegetation of the Kola Peninsula. Plays an important role in the involvement of nutrients cycle, as well in the formation of soil fertility due to the ability to synthesize a large number of phenolic compounds, especially condensed tannins. Some regularities of changing the content in phenolic compounds, flavonoids and lignin in various tissues of Vaccinium vitis-idaea growing under industrial air pollution conditions have been studied. It was found that the concentration of lignin in mature leaves Vaccinium vitis-idaea decrease when approaching the source of pollution in spruce and pine forests. Biogeocenosis and age influence factors on the chemical leaves composition Vaccinium vitis-idaea have been revealed. Cowberry accumulates phenolic compounds, including tannins, in the leaves of older age classes. Concentrations of cellulose and lignin are decreased in perennial (mature) leaves. As the result of investigation, the phenolic compounds are proved to play the significant role in Vaccinium vitis-idaea adaptation to the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and lignin of Vaccinium vitis-idaea leaves behave differently under conditions of air pollution of different intensity.