Activity of lectins of st. john’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) in the ontogenesis

Abstract

The purpose of the proposed article is to evaluate the St. John's Wort as a raw material base of phytolectins; to study the content of proteinaceous compounds in different parts and organs, the terms of procurement of raw materials with a maximum accumulation of compounds. The author of the article used the aboveground part of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) of Topaz variety of the generative period of ontogenesis grown on experimental sites of the botanical garden of the Poltava National Pedagogical University named after V.G. Korolenko in 2016-2018 years. The material for the study was collected in the stages of sprout formation, budding, flowering and fruiting. To accomplish the tasks, a method of evaluation of lectin activity by setting the hemagglutination reaction in immunological plates was used. The assessment was carried out visually on a five-point scale. The article presents the results of the research of hematagglutinating activity of lectins of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) in the ontogenesis. It was established that their maximum activity was determined during the period of budding and flowering. High activity was observed in leaf lectins throughout the vegetation period (11.8 – 19.7 points). In the stems, the level of agglutinins increased from the period of sprout formation (5.5 points) to flowering (16.3 points). In generative organs, the activity of lectins was maximal (19.7 – 23.3 points). It is concluded that the above-ground part, collected during the period of full flowering, is a source of agglutinins of high biological activity.