Amethodological approach to regional ecological and pharmacognostic quality assessment of medicinal plant raw materials has been developed. Modern physicochemical analytical methods (atomic absorption spectrometry, gas chromatography, spectroradiometry, chromatography-mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry, gravimetry) were used for a comprehensive study of the ecological and pharmacognostic state of medicinal plant raw materials using knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare L.), absinth herb (Artemisia absinthium L.), common yarrow herb (Achillea millefolium L.), motherwort herb (Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.), plantain leaves (Plantago major L.), nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L.), linden flowers (Tilia cordata Mill.), tansy flowers (Tanacetum vulgare L.), dandelion roots (Taraxacum officinalis F. H. Wigg), and burdock roots (Arctium lappa L.) as examples. Contamination of them by various ecotoxins (heavy metals and arsenic, organochlorine pesticides, natural radionuclides) and the accumulation of the main groups of biologically active compounds (BACs) (flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, essential oils, polysaccharides) were studied. Voronezh Region was chosen as a model region. A correlation between the contents of these ecotoxins in the upper soil layers and the plants was revealed. The impact of the determined ecotoxins on the accumulation of the various groups of BACs in the medicinal plant raw materials was studied. Features and regularities of the accumulation of heavy metals and arsenic, pesticides, radionuclides, and the main groups of BACs in plants of various ecotopes are shown. The results of the theoretical and experimental studies of the quality of plant resources formed the basis of methodological approaches developed to conduct regional ecological and pharmacognostic quality assessment of medicinal plant raw materials that can be scaled for studying plant resources of other territories of the Russian Federation.

An updated checklist of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Mallophaga, Amblycera) of the Voronezh Region was compiled based on an inventory of the entomological material collected in 1976-2021. It contains 30 species of chewing lice of the suborder Amblycera. They belong to two families and 12 genera. Among them, 16 species, – Meromenopon incisum (Giebel, 1874), Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus, 1758), Austromenopon icterum (Burmeister, 1838), Menacanthus alaudae (Schrank, 1776), M. pici (Denny, 1842), Colpocephalum fregili Denny, 1842, C. turbinatum Plaget, 1880, Myrsidea cucullaris (Nitzsch, 1818), M. isostoma (Nitzsch, 1866), M. indivisa (Nitzsch, 1866), M. troglodyti (Denny, 1842), Bonomiella columbae Emerson, 1957, B. concii Eichler, 1947, Hohorstiella lata (Piaget, 1880), H. modesta (Ansari, 1951), Ricinus serratus Durrant, 1906 – are registered in the Voronezh Region for the first time. Genera Menacanthus and Myrsidea comprise the highest number of species. Most chewing lice species were associated with their typical host-species. However, in urban ecosystems of the region, several Amblycera species (Menacanthus agilis, M. gonophaeus, Colpocephalum turbinatum) were retrieved from occasional host species.

An inventory of the material collected in 1981-2021 from birds in the Voronezh Region revealed 45 chewing-lice species from 20 genera belonging to two families of the suborder Ischnocera. Twenty-two species of Ischnocera were detected in the region for the first time: Brueelia cyclothorax (Burmeister, 1838), B. chrysomytris (Blagoveshtchensky, 1940), B. straminea (Denny, 1842), Philopterus troglodytis Fedorenko, 1986, Ph. turdi (Denny, 1842), Ph. atratus (Nitzsch, 1818), Ph. excisus (Nitzsch, 1818), Ph. ocellatus (Scopoli, 1763), Cuclotogaster heterogrammicus (Nitzsch, 1866), Cummingsiella aurea Hopkins, 1949, Rhynonirmus helvolus (Burmeister, 1838), Penenirmus auritus (Scopoli, 1763), Capraiella subcuspidata (Burmeister, 1838), Degeeriella regalis (Giebel, 1866), Columbicola claviformis (Denny, 1842), C. bacillus (Giebel, 1866), Strigiphilus cursor (Burmeister, 1838), Coloceras liviae (Tendeiro, 1974), C. bidentatus (Scopoli, 1763), C. drosti Eichler, 1950, Campanulotes compar (Burmeister, 1838), Goniocotes microthorax (Stephens, 1829). Besides typical hosts, some species of chewing lice were found on occasional ones (B. borini - on house sparrow and Eurasian tree sparrow, B. varia - on rook, C. uncinosus - on western jackdaw, Ph. montani - on house sparrow, C. unicinosus - on hooded crow and western jackdaw). Associations of some bird species with occasional chewing lice species were usually observed in urban environments with a high abundance and concentration of hosts. Together with previously listed species of the suborder Amblycera and mammal-parasitic Ischnocera, the total checklist of chewing lice of the Voronezh Region currently comprises 80 species from 35 genera.

Разработан методологический подход к региональной эколого-фармакогностической оценке качества лекарственного растительного сырья (ЛРС). С использованием современных физико-химических методов анализа (атомно-абсорбционной спектрометрии, газо-жидкостной хроматографии, спектрорадиометрии, хромато-масс-спектрометрии, спектрофотометрии, гравиметрии) было проведено комплексное исследование эколого-фармакогностического состояния ЛРС (на примере травы горца птичьего (Polygonum aviculare L.), травы полыни горькой (Artemisia absinthium L.), травы тысячелистника обыкновенного (Achillea millefolium L.), травы пустырника пятилопастного (Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.), листьев подорожника большого (Plantago major L.,), листьев крапивы двудомной (Urtica dioica L.), цветов липы сердцевидной (Tilia cordata Mill.), цветов пижмы обыкновенной (Tanacetum vulgare L.), корней одуванчика лекарственного (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg), корней лопуха большого (Arctium lappa L.)) на предмет загрязнения различными экотоксикантами (тяжелыми металлами и мышьяком, хлорорганическими пестицидами, природными и естественными радионуклидами), а также накопления основных групп биологически активных веществ (БАВ) (флавоноидов, фенолкарбоновых кислот, оксикоричных кислот, эфирных масел, полисахаридов). Модельным регионом выступила Воронежская область. Установлена взаимосвязь между содержанием данных экотоксикантов в верхних слоях почв и растениях, изучено влияние определяемых экотоксикантов на накопление разных групп БАВ в ЛРС, выявлены особенности и закономерности накопления тяжелых металлов и мышьяка, пестицидов, радионуклидов и основных групп БАВ в растениях различных экотопов. Разработанные на основании проведенных теоретических и экспериментальных исследований качества растительных ресурсов легли в основу методологических подходов для проведения региональной эколого-фармакогностической оценки качества ЛРС, которые могут быть масштабированы для исследования растительных ресурсов других субъектов Российской Федерации.

Common sunflower roots, often a by-product of the agriculture industry, comprise important raw materials for food and pharmaceutical uses. The purpose of this study was to detect the optimal parameters of ultrasonic extraction of water-soluble polysaccharides from roots of common sunflowers. We varied the grinding of raw materials, the temperature of the extractant, the multiplicity and duration of extraction, the ratio of raw materials to extractant, and the ultrasonic frequency in the bath "Grad 40-35". The data obtained during the experiments made it possible to develop a linear multivariate regression model with sufficient accuracy for forecasting and analysis. The adequacy of the model was confirmed using Pearson's χ2-criterion. For determination of the strength of the general relationship between the predicted and observed data values, the correlation coefficient was used. Findings reveal that the most important conditions for the extraction of annual sunflower roots to obtain the maximum yield were: extraction temperature equal to 80 °C; extraction multiplicity equal to 3; ultrasound frequency equal to 35 kHz; grinding of raw materials into particles measuring between 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, extraction time of 15 to 20 minutes and the ratio of raw materials to extractant ranging from 1 g per 10 ml to 1 g per 15 ml.

The goal of the study is to reveal the features of accumulation and qualitative composition of essential oil in common yarrow herb ( Achillea millefolium L.) harvested in agro- and urbocenoses of Voronezh Region. All analyzed samples of herbal raw material gathered in 13 selected points of Voronezh Region are considered to have good-quality essential oil. A sample of common yarrow growing on the territory of Khopersky Reserve exhibited the maximum content of essential oil (0.76%). The minimum percentage of essential oil was revealed in the samples collected along M4 highway in Pavlovsky District (0.18%). The content of essential oil in samples of control areas and agrobiocenoses is higher than that in herb samples of urbobiocenoses. Chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of essential oils contained in the studied samples revealed greater than 130 different compounds in them. The qualitative composition of the essential oil was significantly different and depended on the place of harvesting. The place of growth of the species and anthropogenic factors can thus significantly affect the features of the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plants.

Целью исследования являлось изучение особенностей накопления и качественного состава эфирного масла в траве тысячелистника обыкновенного (Achillea millefolium L.), заготовленной в агро- и урбоценозах Воронежской области. В Воронежском регионе было выбрано 13 точек заготовки сырья для изучения содержания в нем эфирного масла. Все проанализированное растительное сырье признано доброкачественным по содержанию эфирного масла. Максимальное количество эфирного масла (0,76 %) отмечено в образце травы тысячелистника обыкновенного, произрастающей на территории Хоперского заповедника. Минимальное количество эфирного масла отмечено в образце, собранном вдоль трассы М4 в Павловском районе (0,18 %). В целом, для образцов контрольных территорий и агробиоценозов можно отметить более высокое содержание эфирного масла, чем в образцах урбобиоценозов. Хромато-масс-спектрометрический анализ эфирного масла исследуемых образцов травы тысячелистника обыкновенного позволил идентифицировать в них более 130 различных соединений, при этом компонентный состав эфирного масла из сырья различных мест заготовки значительно отличался, что позволяет предположить влияние места произрастания вида и антропогенных факторов на особенности синтеза вторичных метаболитов в растительном организме.

Background. Pholidosis – the location of the scutes on the body of reptiles – is used for taxonomic, as well as for determination of an influence of environmental factors on ontogenesis. We described the features of pholidosis of Nikolsky’s viper in the Middle Don basin and compared the features of males and females. Materials and methods. In the Middle Don basin, material was collected in the Bobrovsky, Novousmansky, Anninsky, and Borisoglebsky districts of Voronezh Region. The average values of the of pholidosis features for males and females were counted, a comparison of these features between males and females in the Voronezh region, as well as a comparison with vipers from other regions were done. A scalation of the pileus of reptiles, e.g. variations of each type of scutellum, and combination of scutes were described. Results. Sex differences were described for Vipera berus nikolskii on the territory of Voronezh region: females have a larger number of abdominal, nasolabial and posterior nasal scutes, while males have pairs of sub-caudal scales. Significant interpopulation differences in the number of abdominal scutes were revealed between vipers from Voronezh Region and the environs of Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd, Ivanovo Regions, and the Republic of Mari El. In all cases, the number of abdominal plates of vipers from the territory of Voronezh Region is significantly higher. The authors identified 77 variations in the scutellum of the pileus, these variations were combined into five groups. Conclusions. A sexual dimorphism found out in the research was probably associated with similar sex differences in the metric characters: females have a longer body and head length compared to males, and males have a longer tail. One of the most stable features of the pholidosis is the number of abdominal scutes, and this trait is convenient for identifying interpopulation differences. The scaling of the pileus is highly variable. The most variable feature is the number of frontal scutes. Among the pileus groups, the most common is the group 1 (typical location of the scutes).

Eight species of louse flies were recorded on 22 bird species as the result of research carried out in 2008–2018 in Voronezh Province of Russia. Five species are reported from the region for the first time: Ornithomya fringillina (Curtis, 1836), O. chloropus (Bergroth, 1901), Ornithoica turdi (Olivier in Latreille, 1811), Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864), and Icosta ardeae (Macquart, 1835). Five species reproduce and complete their life cycles in the region: Crataerina hirundinis (Linnaeus, 1758), C. pallida (Olivier in Latreille, 1812), Ornithomya avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758), O. fringillina, and O. chloropus; the remaining 3 species are introduced into the region by migratory birds: Icosta ardeae, Ornithoica turdi, and Ornithophila metallica. The predominant species are Ornithomya avicularia (42.29%), O. fringillina (29.57%), and C. hirundinis (12.56%). Crataerina hirundinis and C. pallida are monoxenous, I. ardeae is oligoxenous, and the remaining species are polyxenous parasites of birds. All louse fly species were found on adult birds and nestlings in April–May, while C. hirundinis was also common on the second-brood nestlings in August–September.

Inulin is a natural plant polyfructosan which has a high significance for modern medicine and pharmacy as well as food industry. Existing patented technologies for inulin production are characterized by a low product output and long extraction time. The aim of the research was to develop an express method for the extraction and quantification of inulin from the roots of elecampane ( Ínula helenium L.). An ultrasonic bath was used in order to speed up the process of extracting biologically active substances, as well as increasing the output of inulin from the roots of elecampane. By varying process conditions, it was possible to determine optimal conditions for the extraction of inulin from elecampane roots during ultrasonic treatment: grinding raw material to 0,5 - 1,0 mm, a temperature of 80 °C, extraction rate 3, extraction time 15 min, ultrasound frequency 35 kHz and ratio of raw materials to extractant of 1 g per 15 ml. This method reduced extraction time to 6-7 hours, as well as increased product output by 20,63 ± 0,36 % in terms of completely dry raw material. A further increase in extraction time under ultrasonic bath conditions leads to the destruction of water-soluble polysaccharides. Also optimal conditions for purification of the polysaccharide complex of elecampane roots for obtaining pure inulin were determined. The technique can be used for express analysis of the quality of elecampane roots, as well as for the industrial production of inulin from this type of raw material.

Introduction. Small-leaved linden flowers are mainly used for aquatic extracts, and their pharmacological benefit is based on water-soluble polysaccharides.Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of accumulating all reducing sugars in small-leaved linden flowers, collected in agro- and urbo-cenoses of the Voronezh region.Materials and methods. 51 sites were selected for collecting flowers from the small-leaved linden, which is a widespread deciduous tree species in Russia. In order to determine the total level of reducing sugars in the samples, we measured glucose levels using the method described in Pharmacopeia article "Linden Flower". Correlation coefficients were analyzed to examine in detail the effect of the major pollutants (heavy metals and arsenic) on the accumulation of reducing sugars in small-leaved linden flowers.Results and discussion. All analyzed samples of medicinal plant raw materials were benign in terms of their reducing sugar levels. Samples collected in control (protected) areas contained reducing sugar levels 13.31 to 16.89 %, which is 6–8 times more than the lower numerical value established by the Pharmacopoeia article. In the agrocenoses of the region, the concentration of reducing sugars varied from 6.12 to 16.68 %, which is 3–8 times more than the value given in the Pharmacopoeia article. In the urbocenoses of the region, a lower level of reducing sugars was found compared to samples from protected areas (2.35–13.49 %). Correlation coefficients showed a noticeable negative impact of cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, zinc, as well as a moderate negative effect of lead and mercury on the accumulation of reducing sugars in the small-leaved linden flowers.Conclusion. The lowest concentrations of reducing sugars were detected in samples harvested along the streets of large cities in the region, and along highways, roads and railways. This suggests that anthropogenic factors might negatively impact the accumulation of reducing sugars in small-leaved linden flowers in these areas. At the same time, it is possible that saccharide complexes might have reacted with heavy metals instead of the complexing agent when levels of reducing sugars in the samples were quantitatively determined. This would have the effect of underrepresenting reducing sugar levels in the raw materials.

Parasitic mites associated with the birds play an epidemiological role as reservoirs and vectors of different pathogens. It is especially important in the urban areas. Ecological interrelations between birds and their acaroid parasites were studied. In Voronezh in 2017–2020, 1547 bird nests and 5017 birds of 27 species: Apodiformes: Apus apus; Columbiformes: Columba livia; Passeriformes: Riparia riparia, Delichon urbicum, Hirundo rustica, Passer domesticus, P. montanus, Fringillacoelebs, Luscinia luscina, Ficedula hypoleuca, Erithacus rubecula, Muscicapa striata, Turdus philomelos, Turdus pilaris, Sturnus vulgaris, Pica pica, Corvus monedula, C. cornix, C. frugilegus, Motacilla alba, Сurruca (Sylvia) communis, Sylvia borin, Parus major, Cyanistes caeruleus, Remizpendulinus, Sittaeuropaea, Phylloscopussibilatrix were examined. 19 456 parasitic mites and mites belonging to the orders Mesostigmata (17 806 mites, 90,92 %) Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae (1212 mites, 6,19 %), Ixodida (438 ticks, 2,24 %) of 14 species were collected. 13 species of mesostigmatid (81,25 % of species), one species of velvet (6,25 %) mites, and two species of ixodid mites (12,50 %) were identified. According to the type of ecological connections with host birds, the parasitic mites are nest-burrow parasites, except Ixodes ricinus. 7 species of determined parasites (43,75 %) are obligate hematophages: Ixodes ricinus, I. lividus, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, Dermanyssus gallinae, D. hirundinis, D. passerinus and larval stages of Eutrombicula sp., while 9 mesostigmatic mite species (56,25 %) are optional hematophages of birds and small mammals. In spring and early summer an exchange of parasites between migratory, nomadic and sedentary birds take place. The highest species diversity of the mites as well as their highest number were registered from April to July. In the autumn and winter only three mite species continue their reproduction on the birds’ bodies. Active exchanging of the parasites between the birds is noticed during feeding, grooming, reproductive activity and nestling. Some mites are spreading by active moving or phoretic on the loose flies. Ecological connections between small mammals and birds through their common parasitic mites serve as an important links in pathogens circulation in the urban ecosystems of Voronezh.

На основании инвентаризации материала, собранного в 1990-2020 гг., список пухоедов Воронежской области пополнен 15 новыми для региона видами. Впервые указываются 10 видов пухоедов-паразитов птиц: Amyrsidea megalosoma (Overgaard, 1943), Eomenacanthas stramineus Nitzsch, 1818, Dennyus hirundinis (L., 1761), Menopon gallinae L., 1758, Goniodes truncatus Giebel, 1861, Goniodes piageti Johnston, Harrison, 1912, Goniocotes gallinae De Geer, 1778, Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli, 1763), Anaticola crassicornis crassicornis (Scopoli, 1763), Columbicola columbae Ewing, 1929, и 5 видов пухоедов-паразитов млекопитающих: Trichodectes canis De Geer, 1778, Felicola subrostratus (Nitzsch, 1838), Bovicola bovis (Linnaeus, 1758), Bovicola caprae (Gurlt, 1798) и Bovicola longicornis L., 1758. На сегодняшний день фауна пухоедов Воронежской области и Центрального Черноземного региона содержит 41 вид Mallophaga. Based on the inventory of the material collected in 1990-2020, the list of chewing lice in the Voronezh region was expanded with 15 new species for the region. For the first time, 10 species of parasitic chewing lice are reported: Amyrsidea megalosoma (Overgaard, 1943), Eomenacanthas stramineus Nitzsch, 1818, Dennyus hirundinis (L., 1761), Menopon gallinae L., 1758, Goniodes truncatus Giebeldes, 1861, Gontiio , 1912, Goniocotes gallinae De Geer, 1778, Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli, 1763), Anaticola crassicornis crassicornis (Scopoli, 1763), Columbicola columbae Ewing, 1929, and 5 species of down-eating parasites of mammals: Trichodectes canis Ferstus Geerstus (Nitzsch, 1838), Bovicola bovis (Linnaeus, 1758), Bovicola caprae (Gurlt, 1798) and Bovicola longicornis L., 1758. Today, thus, the fauna of the chewing lice of the Voronezh Region and the Central Black Earth Region contains 41 species of Mallophaga.

В результате проведенных в 1990-2019 годах исследований выявлено 13 видов мух-кровососок. Из них 9 видов паразитируют на птицах: Crataerina hirundinis (L., 1758), Crataerina pallidа (Olivier, 1812), Ornithomya avicularia (L., 1758), Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, Ornithomya chloropus Bergroth, 1901, Ornithoica turdi (Olivier, 1811), Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864), Pseudolynchia canariensis (Mcq., 1840), Icosta ardeae (Mcq., 1935) (подсемейство Ornithomyinae) и 4 вида - Hippobosca equina L., 1758, Hippobosca longipennis F., 1805 (подсемейство Hippoboscinae), Lipoptena cervi (L., 1758) и Melophagus ovinus (L., 1758) (подсемейство Lipopteninae) - на млекопитающих. Десять видов - C. hirundinis, C. pallidа, O. avicularia, O. fringillina, O. chloropus, P. canariensis, H. equina, H. longipennis, L. cervi и M. ovinus - осуществляют жизненный цикл на территории Воронежской области. Остальные виды, по-видимому, привносятся птицами с весенними перелетами и отмечаются ежегодно в апреле-мае на птицах; пупарии их обнаружены не были. Преобладающими видами кровососок птиц в регионе являются O. avicularia (42,29%), O. fringillina (29,57%) и C. hirundinis (12,56%). Среди кровососок, паразитирующих на млекопитающих, массовым видом является L. cervi. M. ovinus, C. hirundinis и C. pallidа - моноксенные виды, I. ardeae, P. canariensis, L. cervi, H. equina и H. longipennis - олигоксенные, остальные - поликсенные. Имаго наиболее широко распространенных видов - O. avicularia, O. fringillina, C. pallida, и C. hirundinis - имеют пик активности в мае-июле, приходящийся на прилет птиц, насиживание и выкармливание птенцов. Однако C. hirundinis при позднем отлете хозяев отмечается и в августе-сентябре. Массовый вид - L. cervi - обычен в сентябре-октябре During research in 1999-2020, 13 species of the louse-flies were identified in the south-east of the Central Black Soil Region of Russia. The flies were collected on 22 bird species and 7 mammal species. Nine species of loose flies - Crataerina hirundinis (L., 1758), Crataerina pallidа (Olivier, 1812), Ornithomya avicularia (L., 1758), Ornithomya fringillina Curtis, 1836, Ornithomya chloropus Bergroth, 1901, Ornithoica turdi (Olivier, 1811), Ornithophila metallica (Schiner, 1864), Pseudolynchia canariensis (Mcq., 1840), Icosta ardeae (Mcq., 1835) (подсемейство Ornithomyinae) - are parasites of birds while 4 species - Hippobosca equina L., 1758, Hippobosca longipennis F., 1805 (подсемейство Hippoboscinae), Lipoptena cervi (L., 1758) и Melophagus ovinus (L., 1758) (подсемейство Lipopteninae) - feed on blood of mammals. P. canariensis was found in the region for the first time. Ten species of Hippoboscidae - C. hirundinis, C. pallida, O. avicularia, O. fringillina, O. chloropus, P. canariensis, H. equina, H. longipennis, L. cervi, and M. ovinus - reproduce and carry out their life cycles in Voronezh Region. The rest species - Icosta ardeae, Ornithoica turdi, and Ornithophila metallica, are introduced into the region by migratory birds. The predominant species were O. avicularia (42,29%), O. fringillina (29,57%), C. hirundinis (12,56%). Among parasites of mammals, L. cervi is a mass and wide spread species in the region. M. ovinus, Crataerina hirundinis, and Crataerina pallidа - monoxenous, P. canariensis, Icosta ardeae, L. cervi, H. equina, and H. longipennis - olygoxenous, while the rest of the species were polyxenous parasites of birds. All louse-flies species were found on birds and their nestlings in April-May, however C. hirundinis was also common on the second nestlings in August-September. Mass species, L. cervi, is usual in September-October.

Цель исследования состояла в изучении фауны пухоедов (Phthiraptera: Mallophaga) воробьинообразных птиц в урбосистемах г. Воронежа. В результате исследований 23 видов птиц обнаружено 22 вида пухоедов из 6 родов и 3 семейств (сем. Menoponidae, Ricinidae, Philopteridae). К подотряду Amblycera относятся 8 видов пухоедов (36.37 %) и к подотряду Ischnocera – 14 видов (63.63 %). Впервые для Воронежской области и Центрального Черноземья выявлено 16 видов пухоедов: Philopterus fringillae Scopoli, 1772, Ph. capillatus Złotorzycka, 1964, Ph. guttatus (Denny, 1852), Ph. corvi (Linnaeus, 1758), Ph. picae Denny, 1842, Ph. microsomaticus (Piaget, 1871), Ph. pallescens (Denny, 1842), Brueelia uncinosa (Burmeister, 1838), B. marginata Burmeister, 1838, B. varius (Burmeister, 1838), Ricinus rubeculae Schrank, 1776, R. elongatus (Olfers, 1816), Myrsidea rustica Giebel, 1874, M. anathorax (Nitzsch, 1866), Menacanthus agilis Nitzsch, 1866, M. curucca (Schrank, 1776). Самые высокие показатели индекса встречаемости отмечены для R. rubeculae (5.00), M. curucca (4.84), R. elongatus (3.89), Ph. capillatus (3.77), Ph. microsomaticus (3.50), M. agilis (3.41). Наиболее интенсивно хозяева были инфестированы пухоедами Brueelia borini Lunkaschu, 1970, B. uncinosa, B. uncinosa и Ph. pallescens.

In Voronezh, 14 species of parasitic insects were found in sparrows and their nests during 2017–2020. It was found 6 species of chewing lice: Menacanthus eurysternus Giebel, 1874, Ricinus fringillae De Geer, 1778, Sturnidoecus ruficeps Giebel, 1866, Brueelia subtilis Giebel, 1874, B. borini Lunkaschu, 1970, and Philopterus montani Zlotorzycka, 1964. Among them, Menacanthus eurysternus was the dominant species for the House Sparrow (dominance 21.70 %, prevalence 10.00) while B. subtilis (dominance 18.60 %, prevalence 8.00) and B. borini (dominance 16.29 %, prevalence 6.00) were subdominant. For the European Tree Sparrow, the dominant species were B. borini (dominance 22.07 %, prevalence 8.00) and Ph. montani (dominance 22.07 %, prevalence 10.6). All six chewing lice species were observed for the first time in Voronezh and the Central Black Soil Region of Russia. Three species of fleas – Ceratophillus gallinae (Schrank, 1803), C. fringillae Walker, 1856, and C. tribulus Jordan, 1926) – were registered. The dominant flea species was C. gallinae (for the House Sparrow, dominance was 67.13 %, prevalence 45.00; for the Tree Sparrow, dominance was 66.47 %, prevalence 73.33). Abundance of fleas for House Sparrow nestlings was 0.724, and 1.153 for Tree Sparrow nestlings. Parasitic flies were represented by five species: Ornithomya avicularia (Linnaeus, 1758), O. fringillina Curtis, 1836, O. chloropus Bergroth 1901 (Hippoboscidae), Protocalliphora azurea Fll., 1817, and Trypocalliphora braueri (Hendel, 1901) (Calliphoridae). Among louse flies O. avicularia was the dominant species (for House sparrow, dominance was 85.93 %, prevalence 53.00; for Tree Sparrow, dominance was 68.64 %, prevalence 20.00). Larvae of P. azurea were found in 13.00 % of House Sparrow nests and in 15.00 % of Tree Sparrow nests. For House Sparrow nestlings, intensity was 3.42 % with abundance 0.30, while for Tree Sparrow nestlings, intensity was 0.15 % with abundance 2.05. Larvae of T. braueri were found in 31.00 % of House Sparrow nests and in 40.00 % of Tree Sparrow nests. For House Sparrow nestlings, intensity was 0.164 with abundance 0.088. For Tree Sparrow nestlings, intensity was 0.106 with abundance 0.220. Significant fluctuations of prevalence and abundance of the larvae in different years were found.

Pollution of top soil layers and medicinal plant raw material in Voronezh Region by artificial and natural radionuclides was analyzed using common dandelion roots as an example. Common dandelion roots accumulated effectively strontium-90 and radium-226. The correlation coefficients between the radionuclide contents and water-extractable compounds, in particular, polysaccharides, showed that the accumulated radionuclides probably did not have a noticeable impact on the content of biologically active compounds in the roots because of their insignificant amounts.

Важным и малоисследованным аспектом влияния хозяйственной деятельности человека на лекарственные растения является то, что в ответ на увеличение антропогенной нагрузки индуцируется дополнительный синтез вторичных метаболитов, прежде всего флавоноидов, которые играют важную роль в адаптации растений к изменяющимся условиям. В рамках проведения исследования в 51 образце травы пустырника пятилопастного, собранном в различных с точки зрения антропогенноговоздействия урбо- и агробиогеоценозах Воронежской области, определено содержание флавоноидов в пересчете на рутин. Выявлено, что в траве пустырника пятилопастного, собранного в агробиогеоценозах, содержание флавоноидов в среднем в 1,5 раза выше, чем в образцах, собранных в естественных биоценозах заповедных зон, а в сырье, собранном в ряде урбобиогеоценозов, - в 2-3,5 раза выше, чем в образцах контрольных заповедных зон. Данный факт можно объяснить биохимическим приспособлением растения к значительным окислительным стрессам, в ответ на которые происходит индукция синтеза полифенольных веществ, главными представителями которых являются флавоноиды. При этом вблизи некоторых производственных предприятий и вдоль автомобильных дорог с высокой интенсивностью движения нами были отобраны образцы со сниженным относительно других образцов сырья содержанием флавоноидов в пересчете на рутин. Это позволяет предположить, что при чрезмерном токсическом влиянии поллютантов возможно также угнетение антиоксидантной системы растений. An important and little-studied aspect of the effects of human economic activity on medicinal plants is that in response to increased anthropogenic load, additional synthesis of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids, is induced, which play an important role in the adaptation of plants to changing conditions. The purpose of the study was to study the accumulation of flavonoids in the grass of the Leonurus quinquelobatus collected in different urbo- and agrobiogeocenoses of the Voronezh region from the point of view of anthropogenic impact. As part of the study, 51 samples of Leonurus quinquelobatus grass collected in regions different in terms of anthropogenic influence determined the content of flavonoids in terms of routine. It has been revealed that in the grass of the Leonurus quinquelobatus collected in agrobiogeocenoses, the content of flavonoids is on average 1.5 times higher than in samples collected in natural biocenoses of protected areas, and in raw materials collected in a number of urbobiogeocenoses - 2-3.5 times higher than in samples of controlled protected areas. This fact can be explained by the biochemical adaptation of the plant to significant oxidative stresses, in response to which the synthesis of polyphenol substances, the main representatives of which are flavonoids, is induced. At the same time, near some production enterprises and along roads with high traffic intensity, we selected samples with reduced content of flavonoids in terms of routine relative to other samples of raw materials. This suggests that in case of excessive toxic influence of pollutants it is also possible to suppress the antioxidant system of plants.