THE EFFECT OF ECOLOGICAL FACTORS ON THE ACCUMULATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN MEDICINAL PLANTS
Abstract
This article analyzes the influence of ecological factors on the accumulation of biologically active substances in selected medicinal plants. The study focused on light intensity, soil moisture, air temperature and soil reaction as key environmental determinants of secondary metabolite formation. Four medicinal species, Melissa officinalis L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Mentha piperita L. and Calendula officinalis L., were evaluated under irrigated valley, foothill dry and shaded moist conditions. The methodology included biometric observations, sampling of dry raw material and comparative assessment of total phenolics, flavonoids, essential oil and ascorbic acid. The highest total phenolic accumulation was recorded under foothill dry conditions, while essential oil content increased with higher light intensity and moderate water stress. The results confirm that ecological factors regulate both quantitative productivity and biochemical quality of medicinal raw material.
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