Ecological and hygienic studies of the roots of the dandelion of the medicinal synanthropic flora of central Russia

The purpose of this study was the ecological and hygienic study of the accumulation of heavy metals and arsenic, as well as biologically active substances in the roots of dandelion medicinal ( Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.), harvested in different territories of central Russia from the point of view of anthropogenic impact. Under the conditions of the experiment, more than 50 samples of dandelion roots of medicinal dandelion were analyzed, collected in different territories of the Voronezh region in terms of anthropogenic impact, as a typical region of central Russia, for the content of heavy metals and arsenic, as well as water-soluble polysaccharides and extractive substances extracted by water. The presence of physiological barriers that prevent the accumulation of an excess of a number of toxic elements (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, chromium) in the plant was revealed. Dandelion drug roots accumulate copper and zinc in significant quantities. The peculiarities of heavy metal accumulation should be taken into account when planning procurement sites with the roots of dandelion medicinal and assessing the quality of raw materials. Positive correlation between accumulation of water-soluble polysaccharides and extractive substances in dandelion roots was confirmed. It was found that nickel and cadmium have a moderate negative effect on the accumulation of water-soluble polysaccharides and extractive substances in the roots of dandelion.