Scanning Electron Microscopy in the Analysis of Species of the Genus Persicaria Mill

Abstract

Introduction. Scanning electron microscopy acts as a promising method of analysis, allowing to describe in detail the identification features of closely related plant species, as well as to conduct micro-roentgenstructural analysis of the sample in the selected area with high accuracy. The method is used to study the morphology of the surface and express determination of the composition of elements in various fields (physics, materials science, medicine, however, the use of the method of scanning/raster electron microscopy for the analysis of plant raw materials in pharmacy is limited.Aim. The purpose of the study was to study species of the genus Persicaria Mill. using scanning electron microscopy.Materials and methods. The objects of study were the Persicaria maculosa S.F. Gray, Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, Persicaria tomentósa (Schrank) E.P. Bicknell, Persicaria mínor (Huds.) Opiz, Persicaria amphibia (L.) Delarbre, Persicaria amphibia var. terrestris (Leyss.) Munshi & Javeid, harvested during flowering in the Voronezh region. The study of samples by scanning electron microscopy was carried out on an electron microscope JSM-6510LV (Center for Collective Use of Voronezh State University).Results and discussion. With the help of scanning electron microscopy, morphological and anatomical signs of leaf plates of six species of the genus Persicaria were investigated and new diagnostic signs were identified. As a result of micro-X-RAY analysis, the content of some elements (potassium, calcium and magnesium) was established in the objects of study.Conclusion. For the first time to analyze the surface morphology of the leaf plate of species of the genus Persicaria Mill. the method of scanning electron microscopy is used. The features of the stomatal apparatus, trichomes and glands on the leaves of the studied species of Persicaria are clarified. With the help of micro-roentgenstructural analysis it was found, that a greater amount of magnesium is typical for the leaves of Persicaria mínor, calcium – for the leaves of Persicaria hydropiper, and potassium – for the leaves of Persicaria maculosa.

Keywords

• persicaria mill.
• scanning electron microscopy
• leaf surface morphology
• identification
• microroentgenstructural analysis