Lonicera caerulea, commonly known as honeysuckle, is widespread on the Eurasian continent. Its berries are rich in bioactive compounds. However, limited studies have explored the metabolome composition of the berries of varieties and wild accessions in different subspecies of L. caerulea. Herein, the metabolomic compositions of four varieties of L. caerulea ssp. caerulea and one variety and five wild accessions of L. caerulea ssp. kamtschatica (Sevast.) Gladkova were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) and ESI-MS/MS. As a result, 151 compounds were identified in the two L. caerulea subspecies. In total, 88 and 84 compounds were detected in L. caerulea and L. caerulea ssp. kamtschatica, , respectively. Twenty-one compounds were common in both subspecies, whereas 67 and 63 compounds were specific to each subspecies, respectively. The honeysuckle berries were rich in polyphenols including flavonoids, flavanones, flavanols, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanins. The metabolome of the L. caerulea berries had high compound diversity (39 compound classes) compared to that of L. caerulea ssp. kamtschatica (27 compound classes). Of the detected metabolites, 44 compounds were tentatively newly identified, consisting of 37 polyphenols and seven others. Prevalent anthocyanins in the two subspecies were different, such that the L. caerulea berries had delphinidins, pelargonidins, and peonidins, whereas the L. caerulea ssp. kamtschatica berries had cyanidins, delphinidins, and peonidins. These results provide new data on the metabolome composition of honeysuckle berries, which is important for the future exploration into the health benefits of honeysuckle berries.

For the first time, a comprehensive analysis of polyphenolic compounds in extracts of Kamchatka honeysuckle berries (Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica Sevast.) was carried out. We used 5 samples of wild honeysuckle and one variety sample Elena from the collection of the Kamchatka Research Institute of Agriculture. High-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify target analytes in the extracts. 58 polyphenolic compounds corresponding to the Caprifoliaceae family have been identified. Among the identified analytes, some compounds were determined for the first time: flavones—hydroxy genistein, diosmetin O-hexoside, chrysoeriol-O-diglucoside; flavanols—herbacetin, myricetin, astragalin, taxifolin-O-hexoside, rhamnocitrin; flavan-3-ols—epiafzelechin, epicatechin-O-hexoside, epigallocatechin-epicatechin dimer; phenolic acids—hydroxyferulic acid, hydroxy methoxy dimethylbenzoic acid, neochlorogenic acid, ellagic acid; stilbenes—pinosylvin, resveratrol and many other polyphenols. The richest in the content of polyphenolic compounds was the wild form variety nos. 5–23 polyphenolic compounds, followed by the Elena variety—21 polyphenolic compounds.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) bears dietary fruits that are rich in bioactive compounds. However, information on the metabolome profiles of honeysuckle varieties grown in Russia is limited. In this study, we employed tandem mass spectrometry to study the metabolome profiles of four L. caerulea varieties (Volhova, Tomichka, Goluboe vereteno, and Amfora) grown in two geographical locations in Russia, i.e., the Russian Far East and St. Petersburg. We observed that the metabolome profiles of the four varieties grown in two locations differ significantly, particularly in the polyphenol’s other compound classes. We were able to identify 122 bioactive compounds in extracts from honeysuckle berries, 75 compounds from the polyphenol group and 47 compounds from other chemical groups. Thirty chemical constituents from the polyphenol group (flavones jaceosidin, cirsiliol, sophoraisoflavone A, chrysoeriol-O-hexoside, flavonols dimethylquercetin-3-O-dehexoside, rhamnocitrin, rhamnetin II, stilbenes pinosylvin, resveratrol, dihydroresveratrol, etc.) and twenty-seven from other chemical groups were identified. The largest number of unique polyphenols is characteristic of the variety Tomichka, the selection of the regional state unitary enterprise “Bakcharskoye”, from the free pollination of L. caerulea, originating in the Primorsky Territory of Russia (L. caerulea subspecies Turczaninow). This genotype has the highest number of similar unique polyphenols, regardless of where it was grown. Blue honeysuckle genotypes originating from Primorsky Krai in Russia can be used in various breeding programs in order to improve and enrich the biochemical composition of fruits. It should also be noted that, regardless of the place of cultivation, the total amount of unique polyphenols remains quite large. Attention should be paid to the Volhova honeysuckle variety, obtained through gamma irradiation of the Pavlovskaya variety (Kamchatka ecotype). This sample is characterized by a stable composition of biologically active substances, regardless of the growing area. These data could support future research on the production of a variety of pharmaceutical products containing ultrapure extracts of L. caerulea.

Abstracts of the reports presented at the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Agricultural Science: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the commencement of agricultural science in Kamchatka, which was held in Kamchatka on July 26–27, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the Event/Conference), are published. The Conference was hosted by the Kamchatka Research Institute of Agriculture, a multifunctional specialized scientific institution that provides scientific support for the agroindustrial complex in Kamchatka Territory. In 2023, the Institute was incorporated as a branch into the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) and acquired the status: Kamchatka Research Institute of Agriculture – branch of VIR. The Event was attended by representatives of the largest scientific research and higher education institutions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, managers of agricultural enterprises in Kamchatka Territory, executives from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and other officials. This publication is addressed to a wide range of experts in agriculture, including those employed at the agro-industrial complex enterprises, researchers, lecturers, postgraduate students, and undergraduates from universities and colleges.

ЭКСПЕДИЦИЯ ПО СБОРУ ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ЖИМОЛОСТИ КАМЧАТСКОЙ LONICERA CAERULEA VAR. KAMTSCHATICA SEVAST. EXPEDITION TO COLLECTING MISSION OF GENETIC MATERIAL OF KAMCHAYKA HONEYSUCKLE LONICERA CAERULEA VAR. KAMTSCHATICA SEVAST.

Relevance. The article presents a comparative metabolomic study of blue honeysuckle (L. caerulea) berries, varieties Volhova, Tomichka, Goluboe vereteno, Amfora, presented in the collection of the Far Eastern Experimental Station of N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources.Methods. To determine the complex of secondary metabolites in extracts of blue honeysuckle berries. used the method of tandem mass spectrometry. Fractional maceration was used to obtain highly concentrated extracts. In extracts of L. caerulea berries, 75 compounds of the polyphenol group were reliably identified by tandem mass spectrometry.Results. Based on the results of the qualitative identification of the component composition of blue honeysuckle berry extracts, a Venn diagram was constructed showing the similarity and difference in polyphenol groups of various L. caerulea varieties. Berries of L. caerulea contain a large amount of biologically active substances, in particular, they have a large number of compounds with antioxidant activity. The isolated polyphenol complex included compounds of the following groups: flavones, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, flavanones, anthocyanins, stilbenes, coumarins, phenolic acids. Also, for the first time in the extracts of L. caerulea berries, 30 chemical compounds of the polyphenol group were identified (flavones Pentahydroxydimethoxyflavone, Cirsiliol, jaceosidin, Sophoraisoflavone A, Dihydroxy tetramethoxyflavone, Chrysoeriol-O-hexoside, Formononetin-7-O-glucoside, flavon-3-ols (epi)-Afzelechin, (epi)-Catechin gallate, stilbenes Pinosylvin, Resveratrol, Dihydroresveratrol, coumarins Fraxetin, Umbelliferone, etc.), not previously mentioned in studies on L. caerulea.

The article presents the results of the primary variety study of elite forms of Kamchatka honeysuckle for the period 2019-2022. Breeding in the Kamchatka region is built on the search and accumulation of sources of genetically valuable wild forms of Kamchatka honeysuckle (Lonicera kamtschatika), as well as the improvement of source material for creating new varieties with high parameters of characteristics: winter-hardy, with different maturation periods, early-fruiting, productive, large-fruited, dessert taste. The purpose of our research was to create promising elite forms of honeysuckle - candidates for varieties with more breeding-valuable economically valuable traits for introduction into amateur horticulture in Kamchatka region. The following tasks were solved by the method of analytical breeding: to identify the regularities of the phenological phases of development and biological features of wild-growing forms of honeysuckle; to study the source material according to the characteristics: winter hardiness, general condition, early fruitfulness, yield; to evaluate the taste, biochemical parameters and weight of berries; to select the best forms for creating new varieties with a complex of valuable properties. The studies made it possible to identify the most significant and valuable elite forms from the genetic resources of wild-growing forms of Kamchatka honeysuckle - varieties that will optimize the regional assortment, and their valuable features will ensure an increase in the efficiency of the breeding process. The selected promising elite forms 1-5 (conditional name of the variety - Malka), 1-20 (conditional name of the variety - Vilyuyka), 31-35 (conditional name of the variety - Ganalochka) are candidates for cultivars and are characterized by a high degree of winter hardiness, early and medium early maturity, productivity exceeding the standard by 31.6, 38.8, 18.4%, large (1.1-1.3 g), with a pleasant dessert taste, attractive berries with various shapes, a slight dry separation without tearing the skin, with a content of sugars from 8.5 to 7.2%, ascorbic acid from 46.09 to 50.85 mg%, dry matter from 14.4 to 15.3%, acidity from 1.8 to 2.1%.

The honeysuckle on Kamchatka one of popular berry cultures and rather widely takes root into amateur gardening where not only the introduced grades, but also grades of local selection are used. A priority task in selection work on a honeysuckle is creation of grades on the basis of local genetic material with a high level of efficiency and quality of fruits, various term of maturing. As a result of selection studying in the Kamchatka scientific research institute of agriculture perspective grades Darinka, Elena are received and transferred to the State test of selection achievements. The description of biological and economic signs of new grades which considerably will expand assortment of berry cultures in the Far East region is presented in article. Darink's grade medium-sized, medium sprawling is characterized by medium early maturing, high winter hardiness and combines appeal, a large fruits, good taste and productivity. The grade Elena is distinguished from grades of the Kamchatka selection with high efficiency, the early introduction in industrial fructification. Differs in low-tallness, early maturing, the large not showered fruits of dessert taste.

In the conditions of Kamchatka researches on studying early appearance and productivity of new elite forms of a honeysuckle Kamchatka are conducted. Accessions are marked 6-71, 8-154 with an average productivity – 0,7...0,8 kg/bush, maximum productivity – 1,4...1,5 kg/bush it interest as a startinf meterial for early appearance and productivity.

Long-term data on the analysis of the biochemical composition of the main components of honeysuckle varieties of various ecological and geographical origin grown under the conditions of the Kamchatka Territory are presented. The purpose of the research was to study collection varieties of honeysuckle by the content of the main biologically active components and to isolate valuable ones with a high content of useful substances for subsequent selection work to improve the quality of the chemical composition of berries. The object of the study is the varieties of honeysuckle was selected by the M.A. Lisavenko Kamchatka Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, FSBSI NIISS them., Pavlovsk experimental station VIR. Based on long-term studies, from 2015 to 2019, for each indicator varieties with the optimal value of the trait and its stability were identified. It was found that the promising ascorbic acid sources (from 50,8 to 56,9 mg%) include the varieties Slastena, Darinka, Gerda, Bakcharskiy velikan, Leningradskiy velikan; dry matter (15,2 – 15,6%) – Azure, Bakcharskiy velikan; sugars (10,2-11,3%) – Cinderella, Gerda, Violet, Leningradskiy velikan; low acidity (1,8-2,5%) – Slastena, Darinka, Elena, Kuvshinkovidnaya, Cinderella, Gerda, Bakcharskiy velikan, Morena, Nymph, Violet, Leningradskiy velikan; excellent taste (4,5-5,0 points) – Slastena, Darinka, Elena, Assol, Gerda, Bakcharskiy velikan, Velvet, Leningradskiy velikan, Violet, Morena; high sugar-acid index (7,2-9,4) – Darinka, Elena, Cinderella, Gerda, Violet, Velvet, Leningradskiy velikan; a complex of the main biologically active substances – Slastena, Darinka, Elena, Gerda, Bakcharskiy velikan, Violet, Leningradskiy velikan. The selected varieties are used at the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution of the Kamchatka Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture as donors when creating a new variety.