INVESTIGATIONS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC SIGNS OF BERRIES OF DIFFERENT SEA BUCKTHORN (HIPPOHAE RHAMNOIDES) VARIETIES

Introduction. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is cultivated everywhere in Russia. More than 30 sea buckthorn varieties have been bred and cultivated. The normative documents for sea buckthorn lack the section «Microscopy». The anatomical and diagnostic signs of berries by their varieties and variability have not previously been investigated. Objective: to comparatively investigate the gross and anatomical-diagnostic signs of berries of different sea buckthorn varieties. Material and methods. The object of this investigation was berries of 5 sea buckthorn varieties cultivated in the Russian Federation. The berries were macroscopically and microscopically examined using a BIOMED-6 microscope by the methods described in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, edition XIII. Their biometric characteristics were determined using an ocular micrometer. Results. The general and distinctive signs of the appearance of berries of different sea buckthorn varieties were established. In general, the anatomical structure of the berries of different sea buckthorn varieties was similar. The biometric characteristics and frequency of major diagnostic signs were variable. Conclusion. The results of the comparative investigation of the morphological and anatomical structure of berries of 5 sea buckthorn varieties cultivated in Russia may be used to work out a pharmacopoeial article on sea buckthorn berries for the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.