STUDY OF THE VITAMIN COMPOSITION OF MILK THISTLE

EDN: VQMQMP

Abstract

The subject of this scientific article is the seeds of milk thistle. Milk thistle is a well-known medicinal plant rich in valuable biologically active substances, macro and microelements, and vitamins. Milk thistle belongs to nutraceuticals, the study of the composition of the seeds of the plant is of practical importance for the creation of oils of functional value to meet the physiological needs of a person in useful substances necessary for the body. In addition, milk thistle seeds can be treated as a biologically active dietary supplement. The study of the vitamin composition, the content of micro- and macroelements in the seeds of milk thistle was the purpose of the study, carried out according to standard techniques using classical and spectral methods. In the course of experimental studies, the presence of β-carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B4 and vitamin E was found in the seeds of milk thistle. Choline (B4) has the highest content. The presence of α-tocopherol, or vitamin E, prevents the oxidation of body lipids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid components of cells and membrane organelles. It was also found that oilseeds contain iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, copper, chromium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus. Obtained results which have shown that milk thistle seeds are rich in valuable biocompounds, are necessary for the analysis of seeds in order to design the composition of food products, taking into account the recommendations of the daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Thus, milk thistle seeds can be recommended as a potential source of functional supplements for preventive nutrition and therapeutic nutrition as part of complex therapy.