PROSPECTS FOR USING ASTRAGALUS ONOBRYCHIS AS A SOURCE OF NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS

Abstract

The predominance of synthetic and genetically modified foods in the diet of a modern person often leads to disruption of natural metabolic processes and the accumulation of toxic free radicals in the body, which provokes the development of various diseases. Natural antioxidants from medicinal plants can help maintain health and stop the processes of peroxidation. In our opinion, Аstragalus onobrychis can become a promising source of natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to establish the antioxidant activity in extracts from the herb Astragalus onobrychis. In order to obtain objective and reliable results during our research, we used two methods: the method of titrimetry and spectrophotometry of free radicals. The titrimetric method is based on the chemical interaction between an oxidizing agent (potassium permanganate) and natural antioxidants present in extracts from plant raw materials, since they exhibit the properties of reducing agents. The spectrophotometric method makes it possible to assess the value of antioxidant activity and the duration of the reaction by assessing the interaction of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil with plant antioxidants. To establish the relationship between the antioxidant activity and the presence of phenolic compounds in the plant, the content of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids in the herb Astragalus onobrychis was determined. As a result of the studies, the total antioxidant activity of extracts from the herb Astragalus onobrychis was established and it was revealed that its value depends on the type of extractant used, since this factor is associated with the content of various groups of natural antioxidants in the extraction. The data obtained indicate the prospects of using the herb Astragalus onobrychis as a source of natural antioxidants.