CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FLOWERS AND LEAVES OF Solidago vigaurea L. GROWING IN BULGARIA.

Goldenrod (Solidago vigaurea L) is a perennial plant of the family Asteraceae. In Bulgaria, it is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the plant's flowers and leaves to expand its scope of application. The data showed that the flowers were higher in essential oil (0.30%), cellulose (19.75%), chlorophyll a (42.22 μg/g), chlorophyll b (221.35 μg/g), total carotenoids (16.39 μg/g), total phenolics (88.33 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (5.79 mg QE/g). Higher protein content (17.31%), as well as higher ash content (10.10%), was found in the leaves. The content of minerals was also determined in the leaves, with the highest content of macroelements being K (19068.67 ppm), microelements of Mn (62.60 ppm), and toxic elements - of Sr (515.86 ppm). The IC50 value (μg/ml) for the flowers was nearly 2.5 times higher than the leaves, indicating that the flowers had more pronounced antioxidant activity. The main essential oil constituents in flower samples were: epi-cyclocolorenone (24.00%), α-pinene (9.81%), p-cymen-7-ol (6.42%), ledol (5.84%), caryophyllene oxide (5.70%), p-cymene (4.36%), α-gurjunene (5.06%), γ-gurjunene (3.63%), and germacrene D (3.10%). The main essential oil compounds in leave samples were: epi-cyclocolorenone (52.57%), p-cymen-7-ol (5.91%), ledol (5.28%), spathulenol (4.74%), caryophyllene oxide (3.77%), and α-gurjunene (3.02%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]