RESEARCH ACHILLEA ARABICA KOTCHY IN THE FLORA OF AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the essential oil of Achillea arabica Kotchy, widespread in the flora of Azerbaijan, as well as the study of the antifungal effect of the plant, its aqueous extract and essential oil. The species A. arabica was collected in roadside meadows near the villages of Kuzun-kishlak and Girik, Gusar district, in the phase of mass flowering. Essential oil with a yield of 0.9% was obtained from the aerial parts of A. arabica. The most essential oil is recorded in flowers - 1.4%, relatively less in leaves - 0.6% and very little in stems - 0.02%. 31 (91.1%) essential oil components were identified. Chamazulene (22.0%), Camphor (12.6%), Linalool (10.0%) are the dominant components of the essential oil. The best antifungal result upon contact of the A. arabica species with a test culture of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus niger was observed for its aqueous extract (1.43-2.07 g/l) and essential oil (0.04-0.12 g/l) according to compared to control (5.43 g/l). The results obtained make it possible to use the aqueous extract and essential oil of the A. arabica species in new medications as antifungal agents.