THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE SEEDS OF WILD CUCUMBERS (ECHINOCYSTIS LOBATA) INTRODUCED IN RUSSIA

Introduction. The North American plant wild cucumbers (Echinocystis lobate) as an ornamental and melliferous one have been introduced into Europe. It is used only in folk medicine. Echinocystis was studied in the 1960s to 1980s. The aboveground part, roots and seeds of the plant were ascertained to contain steroidal saponins, flavonoids, phenolic and higher fatty acids. Objective: to investigate the biologically active substances in the seeds of wild cucumbers from the populations of the secondary area of Central Russia. Material and methods. The object of the investigation was the mature seeds of wild cucumbers, which were collected in the fall of 2015 in the Moscow and Tver Regions. The levels of flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically; the total fat content was estimated by the fat-free residue method. Fatty oil components were identified in the seeds by chromatography- mass spectrometry. Results. The seeds of wild cucumbers growing in the Moscow and Tver Regions were found to contain triterpene saponins, a sum of flavonoids, and fatty oil. The physical and chemical indicators of the oil were determined. Eight fatty acids with a preponderance of linolenic acid were identified in the oil. Conclusion. The investigation of the chemical composition of seeds from the wild cucumbers growing in Russia has shown that they are of interest for further study and possible use in medicine.