Growing medicinal plants in a nutrient solution without soil reduces the content of heavy metals in them, scientists from Surgut State University have found.
This will help improve the quality of raw materials for pharmaceuticals even in regions with contaminated soil, the authors of the study in the journal Forests believe.
Medicinal plants are a valuable source of natural compounds. However, environmental pollution today leads to the accumulation of heavy metals in plant materials, which reduces their quality and safety, scientists from Surgut State University said. Many modern studies are aimed at developing methods for obtaining environmentally friendly plant materials for the pharmaceutical industry.
Surgut State University specialists studied the content of heavy metals in medicinal plants grown in two different environments: in hydroponic installations, that is, in a nutrient solution, and in forest soil.