In addition to studying bioactive organic compounds in plants, it is increasingly important to determine the biological role of elements in plants growing in environmentally unfavorable areas. One of such regions in Russia is Kuzbass with its intensively developing chemical, metallurgical, and coal mining sectors. In this study, we assessed the plant materials of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) collected from their natural populations in Kuzbass. The qualitative and quantitative composition of heavy metals in the clover samples was determined voltammetrically. The contents of molybdenum and phosphorus were measured by the photocolorimetric method. Total nitrogen and protein were determined by the Kjeldahl method. Nickel, cobalt, and chromium were quantified by spectrophotometry. We analyzed the plant materials of the clover samples for heavy metals and found that the content of lead was the least in red clover and the highest in alsike clover. Copper varied in a larger range and was minimal in red clover compared to that in alsike and white clover. Zinc was found at higher concentrations of in white and red clover compared to that in alsike clover. The levels of cadmium exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations in all the clover samples. We also revealed that the clover samples contained different amounts of various amino acids, including arginine, valine, lysine, glycine, aspartic acid, and alanine. The plant materials of the clover species growing in Kuzbass can be used to improve the fertility of soil and nitrogen regime. However, the clover species should not be used in bulk feed for farm animals because of high concentrations of cadmium.

Currently, scientists are increasingly focusing on utilizing the natural flora of the planet to search for and isolate individual bioactive substances that prevent various diseases, contribute to increased life expectancy, and affect all major life-supporting systems in the human body. This study describes the examination of the composition of plant raw materials from the Siberian Federal District. The research focuses on plant specimens from the root parts of Taraxacum officinale and Arctium lappa, collected in the Kemerovo region. The study determines the contents of the water-soluble vitamins B and C in the research subjects. The investigation includes assessing antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activity, and flavonoid content in extracts based on plant raw materials. All samples show a high percentage of antioxidant activity, with the highest antioxidant activity for T. officinale at 85.51 and that for A. lappa at 88.97. The results indicate low antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (growth inhibition zone up to 15.5 mm). Plant extracts contain significant amounts of B-group vitamins, with pyridoxine in T. officinale (156.40 μg/mL) and thiamine (46.20 μg/mL) and pyridoxine (357.10 μg/mL) in Arctium lappa. Flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) are identified in T. officinale and A. lappa extracts based on the study results.

People are constantly exposed to adverse environmental factors that affect their health. If combined with hereditary predisposition, they may lead to gerontological changes that reduce healthy and working life expectancy. Some measures can prevent premature aging, e.g., a balanced diet or biologically active anti-aging substances also called geroprotectors. This article reviews biologically active geroprotectors with a view to select promising components for novel biologically active additives and functional foods. The review covered five years of Russian research articles and patents on biologically active anti-aging agents indexed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, ScienceDirect, eLIBRARY.RU, and the database of the Federal Institute of Industrial Property. The domestic market demonstrates a growing demand for biologically active supplements: in 2023, it increased by 10% in value terms as consumers’ interest in a healthy and long life continues to grow. The review also included quality criteria for biologically active anti-ageing agents, e.g., such plant metabolites as vitamins, polyphenols, antioxidants, adaptogens, peptides, etc. Thymalin, epithalamin, dasatinib, and epithalon are available on the domestic market. The list of potential anti-aging agents includes ethylamine, carnosine, glutathione, ubiquinone, curcumin, rutin, quercetin, resveratrol, senolytics, and sirutins. These biologically active substances prevent oxidative stress, accumulation of lipofuscin, and senescent cells. The most effective anti-aging agents come from Vitis amurensis, Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Galega officinalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Withania somnifera, and Panax ginseng.