Investigation of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries by different microscopy techniques

Introduction. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries contain various types of biologically active substances, including flavonoids, organic acids, tannins, water- and fat-soluble vitamins, and polysaccharides. Fresh sea buckthorn berries are used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce fatty oil and its based preparations. The product specification (PS) for sea buckthorn berries lacks an identity and adequate quality indicator for raw materials, such as «Microscopy» that states that the PS does not meet the modern quality requirements for medicinal plant raw materials (MPRM). Objective: to comparatively investigate whether various types of microscopy analysis can be used to identify the main anatomical and diagnostic features of dried sea buckthorn berries Material and methods. The investigation object was wild sea buckthorn berries gathered in the Voronezh Region. The berries underwent macroscopic and microscopic examinations according to the methods described in the 14th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (RF SP XIV) using Biomed-2 and Biomed-6 microscopes; luminescence was studied using a Micromed-3 Lum luminescent microscope. Results. The main microdiagnostic signs of dried sea buckthorn berries were investigated without sample preparation, by making a stereomicroscopic examination. High-resolution three-dimensional images were obtained in a short period of time. The results of the experiment can be used to rapidly identify the main anatomical and diagnostic features of sea buckthorn berries. The main microdiagnostic signs of dried sea buckthorn berries were established. A luminescence analysis of sea buckthorn berries was carried out for the first time, which allowed identification of the features of tissue luminescence and establishment of the diagnostic luminescent signs of MPRM. The biometric characteristics of all morphological and anatomical features of sea buckthorn berries were identified. Conclusion. The findings allow further development of the section «Microscopic features» to be included in the draft SP for sea buckthorn berries.

Hippophae rhamnoides L, sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L, dried sea buckthorn berries, microscopic signs, stereomicroscopy, luminescence analysis, transmitted-light microscopy